UJA-Federation of New York’s Westchester Business and Professional Division honored Barry J. Effron of White Plains and Budd Wiesenberg of Mamaroneck at its 2017 annual luncheon on May 11 at the Brae Burn Country Club in Purchase.
This year’s luncheon celebrated UJA’s 100th anniversary. “Our centennial doesn’t just provide an opportunity to celebrate our achievements; it’s a platform from which to look forward,” said Gary Sastow, of Scarsdale, who chaired the event with Geri Pell, of Tarrytown. “Some of the problems we’ve faced over a century still persist: hunger, joblessness, the needs of new immigrants, the resurgence of anti-Semitism, a thirst for spiritual guidance.
“Because our world is so complicated, we need to work together to get the best results and avoid redundancy,” he continued. “We do this through collaboration — and that’s where UJA steps in. With more than 80 core partners and hundreds of other nonprofit agencies, we are able to act as convener, bringing people to the table for the best possible solutions to today’s problems.”
The founder of the Westchester Business and Professional Division, Effron, established Effron Enterprises, Inc. and Plan Sponsor Network, Inc. These firms developed analytical software for the investment community. After selling his business in 1998, he continues to be active in the investment community as a board member of Pension Group East, a consortium of 60 top United States pension funds.
As vice president at CBRE, the world’s largest advisory and transaction real estate firm, Wiesenberg is an advisor and broker in leasing, acquisitions, and sales of commercial space and properties throughout the tri-state region, with a special emphasis on Westchester and Fairfield counties. The recipient of corporate awards at CBRE, he also has been recognized with a number of industry awards.
Susan Taxin Baer, of Scarsdale, and Ben Blumberg, of Larchmont, are chairs of the Westchester Business and Professional Division. Judith Stern Rosen, of Purchase, served as journal chair for the event.
