NEW HAVEN – Hoffmann Architects + Engineers has promoted Robert Delagrange to director of business development from senior business development manager for the building exterior design firm’s Connecticut office.

Delagrange earned the promotion to be responsible for the vision and implementation of strategic growth across Hoffmann’s three locations. In his former position, he had focused on Southern New England business opportunities, particularly in higher education and healthcare, qualifying leads and collaborating with technical and marketing staff to develop competitive proposals and submission packages.

In his new role, Delagrange will apply this experience to expanding Hoffmann’s presence across the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic regions and beyond, working closely with the firm’s New York- and Virginia-based staff.

“Bob has become an indispensable liaison to the community, consistently exemplifying our highest standards through his integrity, professionalism, and genuine approach to building relationships,” notes Lawrence Keenan, AIA, PE, director of technical services with Hoffmann. “Through his dedicated outreach to clients and the broader professional community, he has cultivated enduring relationships that are both strategically valuable and mutually beneficial.”

With a bachelor’s degree in marketing from UConn and an MBA from the University of New Haven, Delagrange joined Hoffmann 10 years ago. as business development manager for the Connecticut office. In 2021, he earned a promotion to senior business development manager, and, three years later, he was invited to become a shareholder and owner of the firm.

Well-known across the Southern New England design and construction industry, Delagrange is involved in architectural, engineering and construction field and property owner and facility management organizations.

He serves as programs committee co-chair at the Connecticut Building Congress and will begin his term as secretary of the organization in July. He is involved in such trade organizations as the Construction Institute, Professional Women in Construction (PWC), New England Healthcare Engineers Society (NEHES) and Connecticut Healthcare Engineers Society (CHES), as well as two Connecticut chapters of the Building Owners and Managers Association (BOMA) and the Connecticut/Westchester chapter of CoreNet Global.

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HARTFORD – Gov. Ned Lamont has unveiled a comprehensive package of utility accountability reforms designed to lower energy costs, increase competition, and put ratepayers first. This comes less than two months before the governor faces a primary for the Democratic nomination for his seat from state Deputy Speaker Josh Elliott of Hamden.

Joined by legislators and advocates, the proposal builds on years of action by the Lamont administration to address Connecticut’s persistently high electricity costs. These efforts include the 2020 “Take Back Our Grid Act,” negotiations that secured the Millstone nuclear power contract, which is saving ratepayers an estimated $450 million this year, and reductions in public benefits charges that are already lowering monthly bills for Eversource and United Illuminating customers.

“People are angry when they look at skyrocketing electric bills,” Lamont said. “The 20th century utility model is no longer built for Connecticut families; it’s built to serve utility shareholders. For too long, ratepayers have been treated as a captive source of revenue while profits climbed and bills followed.”

Lt. Gov. Susan Bysiewicz interjected that lobbyists bills and other utility expenses are being paid by ratepayers.

“When Connecticut residents are struggling with high electric bills, they should not be paying for corporate lobbyists or other utility expenses that have nothing to do with delivering reliable service,” she said. “Governor Lamont and I believe utilities must be held accountable for every dollar they ask ratepayers to spend. These reforms put consumers first and make it clear that utilities must earn the public’s trust, not take Connecticut families for granted.”

The proposals include the following proposed reforms:

• Require the Public Utilities Regulatory Authority (PURA) to consider ratepayer affordability, including household energy burden, when setting utility rates, rate of return, and authorized capital structure. This ensures that utility profits are checked against what Connecticut families can actually afford to pay.
• Require electric distribution companies (EDCs) to have their franchise agreements, which grant utilities the exclusive right to serve customers, renewed by PURA on a regular basis, and establish an orderly transition process if a franchise is not renewed. Utilities must continually earn their right to operate as a monopoly.
• Require EDCs to file cost-effectiveness analyses before undertaking large grid upgrades that would ultimately be recovered through rates.
• Grant the Office of Consumer Counsel (OCC) subpoena authority when it suspects utilities have violated the law, and update OCC’s statute to allow for expanded use of independent experts to counter utility applications, giving Connecticut’s utility watchdog the tools it needs to effectively advocate for ratepayers.
• Allow new utilities to compete with existing EDCs by permitting them to build fuel cells or solar installations, upgrade grid infrastructure, and connect directly to residences, an expansion of existing microgrid policy that would drive down costs through competition. Encourage regional grid operators to ensure robust competition for transmission infrastructure projects.
• Impose penalties for failure to deploy cost-effective technology and establish that EDCs act imprudently when they fail to timely deploy cost-effective technologies that would help lower individual customer bills or reduce costs across the grid, and align utility performance incentives accordingly.
• Impose caps on authorized return on equity so that it does not exceed the cost of capital.
• Reinforce PURA’s performance-based tools by incentivizing utility cost controls and aligning profits with performance.

“Rates are coming down, the Millstone nuclear contract is delivering hundreds of millions of dollars in savings for ratepayers, and we’ve taken steps to reduce monthly bills through cuts to public benefits charges,” Lamont said. “These are concrete results that are already putting money back in people’s pockets. If utilities want to raise rates, they’ll have to prove they’ve earned it and Connecticut families will have a watchdog with real teeth to make sure they do.”

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DARIEN — Person to Person welcomes five new members to its board of directors effective June 10, adding leaders with experience in law, finance, marketing, operations, public policy and community service as the organization continues responding to food insecurity and economic instability across lower Fairfield County.

The new members are Amanda Benjamin-Smith, Genworth Financial investments legal director, Nikia Bowman Nature at Revlon, Amy Harlacker, managing director, head of operations of Common Fund; Lauren Meyer, special assistant to Stamford Mayor Caroline Simmons and director of policy and legislative affairs for City of Stamford; and Jessica Walsh, senior business banking relationship manager of Bank of America.

They replace Yakut Akman, Angela Riley and Betsy Wilson, whose terms expired. Additionally, the board expanded to 21 members.

“We are grateful to welcome five new board members who share P2P’s commitment to service and community,” said Nancy Coughlin, CEO of Person to Person. “Their experience across several sectors will bring a valuable perspective as we continue responding to the needs of Fairfield County families.”

The appointments add a range of experience to P2P’s Board at a time when many Fairfield County households continue to face rising costs, food insecurity and barriers to long-term financial stability.

The new members will fill seats previously held by whose board terms concluded this year. Akman completed six years of service, including chairing the Governance Committee, while Wilson completed 10 years of service, including time as secretary and vice chair.

Person to Person is a community-supported nonprofit based in Darien, Connecticut, providing essential services—including food, clothing, and financial assistance—to individuals and families in need.

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(CNN) — U.S. consumers are facing the fastest price inflation they’ve seen in three years.

It likely hasn’t yet peaked.

New data Thursday showed that input costs for American businesses are still rising quite rapidly as the Iran war’s oil shock continues to ripple through the economy.

The Producer Price Index, a closely watched gauge of wholesale inflation, rose 1.1% in May, lifting the annual rate to 6.5%, its highest since November 2022, according to Bureau of Labor Statistics data released Thursday.

While wholesale inflation doesn’t exactly translate to what consumers end up paying, Thursday’s PPI is sending warning signals that even more price hikes are coming down the pike.

Wholesale inflation is running at the second-fastest pace on record: The 1.1% increase in monthly inflation, which matched the rate of increase seen in April, following revisions, is the fastest since March 2022. The annual rate is the highest since November 2022.

Thursday’s data came in hotter than expected. Economists were thinking that the war-driven price spike would still pack a punch, but one with a little less bite than in April, which originally showed a 1.4% monthly price hike.

Economists were expecting PPI to rise 0.6% from April and the annual rate to reach 6.4%, FactSet estimates show.

“That pressure has to go somewhere – flowing downstream to the retailers that purchased those goods, the transportation companies that move those goods to market, and eventually the consumers,” Kurt Rankin, senior economist at the PNC Financial Services Group, told CNN. “That sustained pressure upstream means that this inflationary story has not resolved.”

Rate hike, layoff concerns on the rise

PPI, which measures the average change in prices received by U.S.-based producers, serves as a potential bellwether for what consumers could experience in the months to come, though the higher prices businesses pay each other aren’t always fully passed through the supply chain.

PPI also is closely watched because several of its categories feed in to the Personal Consumption Expenditures price index, the Federal Reserve’s preferred inflation gauge.

The Fed — with its new leader, Chair Kevin Warsh — is expected to keep its benchmark interest rate steady at next week’s policymaking meeting; however, the acceleration in inflation and a trio of stronger-than-expected jobs reports have the chatter growing for an eventual rate hike.

“The talk of higher rates is certainly warranted, but whether that comes to fruition, though, depends on how these price pressures flow through,” Rankin said, noting PNC does not have any rate hikes in its forecast. “We saw after the tariff situation and in the early months of this conflict that producers are aware that consumers are not just blindly accepting higher prices.”

That dynamic could spell another concern, though.

“If they don’t push their own costs through to consumers, and if the consumer inflation does not rise as dramatically as it might, those producers then have to face how to offset these costs, which puts that very job creation at risk,” he said.

And it’s likely not going to until traffic flows more freely in the Strait of Hormuz, a critical shipping passageway that has been essentially choked off because of the war.

“Oil prices have already come back down from over $100 to around $90, but the renewed military conflict in the past day or so puts in doubt the sustainability of that decline,” Rankin said. “The opening of the Strait of Hormuz doesn’t immediately solve the problem … it’ll take time to clear that backed-up inventory, take time to rebuild the infrastructure.”

One price shock after another

Consumers are already feeling the pinch from the higher cost of gas: In May, elevated prices at the pump helped push overall inflation to a three-year high of 4.2%, according to the latest Consumer Price Index, released Wednesday.

Wholesale inflation can eventually impact consumers’ wallets; however, it happens on an indirect and uncertain path, noted Elizabeth Renter, senior economist at NerdWallet.

“The latest figures portend some inflationary pressures will continue to weigh on households in the months ahead,” she wrote in a note Thursday.

Excluding food and energy prices, a core measurement of PPI rose 0.4% from April, holding at 4.9% annually.

When also stripping out the price changes for “trade services” – a volatile category that measures profit margins for wholesalers and retailers – in addition to energy and food, that index rose 0.8% in May (a four-year high) and 5.1% annually, the largest rise since October 2022.

The higher fuel prices appear to be starting to spill over into higher goods prices and may be starting to lift some services prices, said Oliver Allen, senior US economist at Pantheon Macroeconomics.

“It’s sort of a given that gas prices have obviously risen a long way and that’s pained consumers, and it’s gotten to a point where real wages are falling slightly,” Allen said. “But what we’re starting to see clear evidence now is that the upward creep in goods prices that consumers have noticed because of the tariffs over the past year, that’s not going to let up.”

Fears of stubborn inflation are also weighing on the housing market.

The average 30-year fixed mortgage rate is hovering near its highest level of the year, driving up borrowing costs for home buyers. Mortgage rates generally follow the 10-year Treasury yield, which has climbed as investors bet the Fed may need to keep interest rates elevated for longer to tame inflation.

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In September of last year, Yonkers approved a local law to authorize the sale of the land and building to the developer for $500,000 for the purpose of redevelopment.

According to Attorney Steven A. Accinelli of the Yonkers-based law firm Veneruso, Curto, Schwartz & Accinelli LLP, the property had been “abandoned, vacant and deteriorated for a number of years and constitutes a distressed and underutilized site.”

Accinelli said that the property has on it a number of parking spaces as well as the four-story T-shaped building.

“The proposed project will preserve and adaptively reuse the existing improvements to create a 29-unit new and affordable residential multifamily development, with 20 off-street parking spaces proposed,” Accinelli said. “The proposed unit mix is 1 studio, 15 one-bedroom, 8 two-bedroom, and 5 three-bedroom (apartments).”

Accinelli said that in addition to creating the dwelling units the developer would complete comprehensive interior and exterior rehabilitation of the building including structural, mechanical, electrical, and plumbing work. Sprinklers and alarm systems would be installed throughout the building. He said there also would be changes made to comply with requirements for ADA accessibility. The building would receive a new roof, brick resurfacing, new windows, new entrance doors, railings, fencing and stairs. The existing 37 parking spaces would be reduced to 20, allowing for less impervious surface and more green space.

The existing gymnasium would be split into two levels to increase floor space available for new apartments and would accommodate six units designed specifically to be ADA accessible. The existing driveway connecting to Ashburton Avenue would continue to be used.

The plans were sent to the Westchester County Planning Board, which has reviewed them and submitted comments to Yonkers.

Bernard Thombs, chairman of the county’s Planning Board said, “We appreciate the proposed adaptive reuse of the former school building, and we agree that the proposed development would be appropriate as it would add new residential use near multiple Bee-Line bus routes and commercial services. We do, however, note that the front yard area is proposed to accommodate one ADA-accessible parking space. The County Planning Board consistently recommends that parking be located to the rear of buildings, in order to maintain active and pedestrian-oriented street frontages. The city should work with the applicant to determine if a suitable location for the required ADA parking space is possible within the existing rear parking lot, which would allow for the front yard area to act as additional greenspace, or potential building expansion.”

The county questioned a lack of a dedicated pedestrian connection between the building and Ashbuton Avenue and also called for the developer to provide storage space for bicycles and a safe place for the recharging of e-bikes.

“We note that no indication has been provided towards the utilization of the rooftop,” Thombs said. “We recommend that the applicant consider incorporating a solar array or a green roof in order to provide further environmental remediation within the site.”

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Peter Flower accused Dennis Kelly and Morris Communications Company of violating the New York Franchise Sales Act, in a complaint filed on May 28 in U.S. District Court, White Plains.

“Due to the statutory violations, material omissions, and misrepresentations,” the complaint states, “Flower was sold franchise rights that were doomed to fail from the start.”

For more than 20 years, Flower says, he has produced travel and leisure publications such as the New York City Pocket & Travel Guides and the Multilingual Guide to NYC.

In 2018, when he noticed that print publications were slumping, he looked for digital opportunities and found Morris Visitor Productions (MVP) in Augusta, Georgia.

He discussed licensing opportunities with chief financial officer Dennis Kelly and other MVP officials, according to the complaint. In 2023, he bought two franchises: one granting regional print rights in the New York metropolitan area and another for exclusive digital rights nation-wide.

Flower claims he was assured that the franchises were profitable, that the New York print publication was bringing in $1.2 million a year and he would make $300,000 a year in digital revenue.

But the purported financial results were unaudited, the complaint states; Kelly had already the digital rights in the most lucrative territories; and MVP had filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy liquidation in 2022.

Flower discovered that MVP was saddled with $76 million in debt, according to the complaint, and that Kelly had been convicted and imprisoned for mail fraud, money laundering, and embezzlement.

Flower says the franchise deals were “an unmitigated financial disaster.” He had lost millions of dollars trying to keep them functional.

He argues that MVP and its parent company, Morris Communications, were required under the New York Franchise Sale Act to register an offering prospectus with the New York Office of Attorney General that would have disclosed crucial information.

Had he known about MVP’s finances or Kelly’s criminal record, Flower says, he would not have invested in the franchises.

He accuses Kelly and Morris Communications of failure to register and disclose a prospectus, failure to register Kelly as a salesperson, fraud, negligence, and unjust enrichment. He is demanding unspecified monetary damages.

Kelly and Morris Communications did not reply to a request for comment that was submitted through the company website.

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President Donald Trump warned Thursday morning the that the U.S. will hit Iran very hard tonight. He specifically threatened to seize Kharg Island, through which approximately 90% of Iran’s oil exports flow. Iran’s Revolutionary Guards said they targeted U.S. bases in the region overnight for a second consecutive day, following continued U.S. strikes against various targets in Iran. In response to the latest U.S. strikes, Iran said the Strait of Hormuz was closed. Trump said that the U.S. military has secretly been escorting oil tankers through the Strait. A delegation from Qatar left Iran’s capital city Tehran Thursday after holding negotiations with Iranian officials that lasted into the early morning hours. The U.S. military has acknowledged that Iran shot down a U.S. military Apache helicopter earlier this week.

Gates denies knowledge of Epstein’s crimes

Billionaire Bill Gates told members of the House Oversight Committee that he had no knowledge of convicted pedophile Jeffrey Epstein’s crimes and that Epstein attempted to use information about Gates’ personal life including that he had been unfaithful in his marriage to pressure him, according to a copy of his opening remarks obtained by CNN. “I never witnessed nor had any indication that Epstein was engaged in ongoing criminal conduct. I never went to his island, his ranch, or his Florida home. I have never victimized anyone,” Gates said. Gates characterized his interactions with Epstein as “limited,” and testified that they ended altogether in December 2014.

Spotify removes podcasts promoting illegal pharmacies

A Congressional report released today looks at Spotify carrying podcasts that promoted the sale of prescription drugs through phony pharmacies. Spotify removed numerous podcasts after reports from CNN and other news outlets exposed the issue last year. Sen. Maggie Hassan launched an investigation into the fake podcasts, which violated Spotify’s rules and threatened to direct users to potentially illegal sites. The investigation’s findings raise questions about Spotify’s ability to proactively detect and remove potentially harmful content. Hassan said the company should have acted faster and alerted law enforcement to the content. “As criminals use AI to perpetuate scams and other dangerous actions faster and in larger quantities, all online platforms need to step up, protect their users, and enforce comprehensive strategies to remove illegal content,” Hassan, a New Hampshire Democrat and the ranking member of the Joint Economic Committee, said in a statement to CNN ahead of the report’s release.

Knicks win in last-second finish

The New York Knicks had one of the greatest comebacks in NBA Finals history last night at Madison Square Garden when they won the fourth game in the series by one point. The Knicks now lead the San Antonio Spurs three games to one. On the final scoring play of the game, with 1.2 seconds remaining, Brunson shot a long three-point attempt, which bounced off the rim before being tipped back into the basket by Anunoby. It gave the Knicks a 107-106 victory. The Knicks at one point in the game had been trailing the Spurs by 29 points. Game five in the NBA Finals takes placed in San Antonio on Saturday night.

World Cup begins today

The first of 104 matches in the biggest-ever World Cup kicks off at 3 p.m. Eastern Time today in Mexico City when South Africa meets up with Mexico in the historic Estadio Azteca. Many of the news stories during the run-up to the World Cup have focused on out-of-control ticket prices, allegations of price gouging on public transportation, the refusal of the Trump administration to admit a Somali referee into the U.S., Iran’s participation amid the U.S.-Iran war and visa troubles for fans, players and staff. Last year, FIFA and the Trump administration estimated more than 8 million people would be traveling internationally for the World Cup. It’s likely the last World Cup for Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, the two giants of the game that have dominated world soccer for much of the last two decades. There are 48 teams in this year’s tournament, up 16 from recent editions.

Some states decline to participate in Trump’s Fair

Officials from Oregon, Washington, and North Carolina told CNN they declined an invitation from the Trump administration to showcase their states at the giant fairgrounds being built on the National Mall. Pennsylvania has yet to decide whether it will participate. A spokesperson for Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek, a Democrat, pointed to concerns about the partisan nature  of the event, set to open June 25 and last about two weeks. Freedom 250 is the Trump-aligned nonprofit putting together the fair and other 250th events backed by Trump. Earlier this month, the fair was forced to jettison an opening concert following the withdrawal of artists who were due to perform. So far, Freedom250 has released information indicating that 21 states have proposed pavilions at the fair.

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The Business Council of Westchester (BCW) has awarded the Jim O’Toole Memorial Award to Wiley Harrison, president of Business of Your Business LLC.

The award was announced during the BCW Classic, held May 18 at the Sunningdale Country Club in Scarsdale, New York, recognizing Harrison’s exceptional leadership, years of service and unwavering dedication to the BCW’s Day of Golf, Day of Wellness and the Classic.

The BCW created the Jim O’Toole Memorial Award in memory of O’Toole who was a BCW Board Member Emeritus, past chairman of the board, a former chairman of the BCW Day of Golf, and the driving force behind many initiatives.

“Jim’s fierce devotion to the BCW and his unwavering belief in its role as the region’s leading business growth, economic development and legislative advocacy organization helped shape the very foundation upon which BCW has grown,” said BCW President and CEO Marsha Gordon. “Wiley’s contributions to the community and business in Westchester, especially small business, defines the incredible man we are recognizing tonight. Just like Jim, Wiley’s humility, wisdom, positive outlook and love for the BCW has been unwavering for so many years.”

O’Toole’s family, including his wife Sandy, son Jamie and daughters Sara and Katie attended the celebration.

Harrison, a highly respected fixture in Westchester County’s business community, has provided expert bookkeeping and financial services to local businesses and organizations for more than 30 years. After graduating from Columbia Business School in 1984 with an MBA, Harrison honed his expertise at a large accounting firm and a Fortune 500 corporation before successfully launching his own firm, Business of Your Business, in 1992.

“I am truly honored and grateful to be recognized by the Business Council of Westchester, especially through an award that carries the name and legacy of Jim O’Toole. Jim’s life of service reminds us that leadership is about more than success — it’s about commitment to community and improving the lives of others. That is a legacy we all strive to live up to,” said Harrison.

Beyond Harrison’s professional success, he has a distinguished record of public and civic service.

Harrison’s profound impact on the community is also reflected in his board leadership for numerous

nonprofit and civic organizations. A resident of Pocantico Hills, Harrison has served as the vice-chair of the Small Business Development Council for The Business Council of Westchester, chairperson of the Board for the Thomas H. Slater Community Center, and as a Board Member for the YMCA of Central Westchester and Northern Westchester.

The Business Council of Westchester is the county’s largest business membership organization representing more than 1,000 members, including multinational corporations, hospitals, universities, biotech pioneers, not-for-profits, entrepreneurs and companies of all sizes. The Business Council of Westchester’s members enjoy access to today’s top thought leaders, diverse business development opportunities and lawmakers at all levels of government. The BCW Data Exchange provides the latest demographic research to help guide smart business decisions. The LEAP program, a one-of-a-kind initiative, gives members direct access to lobbying efforts at the county, state and national levels on issues that directly affect their businesses. Build, Connect and Win with The Business Council of Westchester.

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Abilis, the nonprofit organization providing services and support to more than 800 individuals with disabilities and their families, celebrated its milestone Diamond 75th Anniversary Gala at the Hyatt Regency Greenwich in Old Greenwich, Connecticut. The memorable evening brought together Abilis families, supporters, staff, board members, sponsors and community leaders to celebrate 75 years of Abilis’ leadership, impact and commitment to creating opportunities for individuals with disabilities throughout lower Fairfield County. The successful event helped raise a record $1 million for the nonprofit organization.

For the past eight years, Oscar Award-Winning Actor Brendan Fraser has been a major supporter of Abilis and has helped the organization raise an incredible $2.5 million through various fundraising efforts. Fraser honored Abilis this year by being the emcee of the Diamond 75th anniversary milestone celebration and shared his personal journey as a parent of a child with a developmental disability and his support for Abilis. Senator Richard Blumenthal, Greenwich First Selectman Fred Camillo, Jon Zagrodzy and Tina Courpas, and other notable guests were in attendance to celebrate Abilis. The evening featured dinner, live entertainment by ETA Music, a silent auction hosted by Ryco Fundraising, a live auction led by auctioneer Caitlin Davis, and a special performance by The Dance Pointe. Another highlight of the evening was the opportunity to win a breathtaking 8.14-carat radiant-cut lab-grown diamond.

“For 75 years, we have been honored to support our community and those with disabilities, providing programs, supports and services that foster independence, social interaction, job training, employment and so much more,” said Amy Montimurro, CEO and president of Abilis. “The Abilis Diamond 75th Anniversary Gala was a celebration of our history and our future. It was about the impact on the thousands of lives we have served and renewing our commitment to building a future where every individual with a disability is fully included and able to lead a meaningful, fulfilling life for generations to come. We are deeply grateful to everyone who joined us and supported this milestone evening,” said Montimurro.

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STAMFORD – Steward Partners, a registered adviser, on June 9 announced a strategic partnership with Zelniker Dorfman Private Wealth that adds $2.4 billion in client assets to Steward’s M&A Channel platform, marking the largest wirehouse breakaway in its history.

The deal is the result of a former UBS advisory team jumping ship to Steward Partners. A wirehouse is a full-service brokerage firm that provides wealth management, investment banking, and trading services.

With this partnership, Steward Partners deepens its presence across the Northeast Corridor – with offices in New York City and Connecticut – and expands its footprint along Florida’s East and Gulf coasts. Steward has more than $50 billion in assets that is manages. Zelniker and Dorfman is headquartered in both New York City and Sarasota, Florida.

Led by partners Scott Zelniker and Peter Dorfman, the 11-person team – six of which are advisors – brings more than 100 years of combined industry experience. The team, now operating as Zelniker Dorfman Private Wealth at Steward Partners, represents the kind of sophisticated breakaway Steward Partners believes it is built to attract bringing a fully integrated, multi-generational practice with deep specialization across complex client segments serving business owners navigating liquidity events, multi-generational families, and professional athletes and entertainers.

The partnership announcement follows Steward’s acquisitions of Wisdom Rock Advisory Group for $500 million to add to its M&A Channel and an Ameriprise practice for $500 million.

The team also serves women in wealth and a growing gaming and content creator practice through a next-generation segment.

“Over the course of my career, I have had the privilege of watching families grow across generations and finding a partner in Steward who shares that long-term vision made this decision clear,” said Scott Zelniker, partner, wealth advisor, Zelniker Dorfman Private Wealth at Steward Partners. “I started working with clients when their parents were the decision-makers. Now those clients are grandparents themselves, and we are working with their children and grandchildren.

“That continuity is not something you stumble into; it is something you build deliberately. The way we have constructed this team, with members ranging from their 20s to their 50s, is a direct reflection of that philosophy.”

Peter Dorfman, Partner, Wealth Advisor, Zelniker Dorfman Private Wealth at Steward Partners, described how his firm had its sights set on Steward Partners for nearly a decade.

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GREENWICH – William R. Berkley, the founder and executive chair of W. R. Berkley Corp., died on Tuesday, June 9. He was 80.

Berkley founded the commercial lines property and casualty insurance holding company in 1967 and, over the course of nearly six decades, built it into a Fortune 500 company that is one of the world’s leading commercial insurance organizations. He was also chair emeritus of New York University’s Board of Trustees.

His vision, discipline, and unwavering commitment to an entrepreneurial culture focused on underwriting excellence and long-term results shaped the company’s success and leaves an enduring imprint on both the Company and the insurance industry, according to a company statement.

“My father was more than an extraordinary leader and entrepreneur, whose vision and values shaped the company,” said company President and CEO W. Robert Berkley Jr. “He was a father, best friend, and mentor to me and numerous colleagues, and his influence on us, our company, and the broader industry and the countless lives he touched and enhanced is immeasurable.

“Beyond his business achievements, my father was deeply devoted to giving back to improve the lives of others. He particularly focused on education and healthcare. He generously supported educational institutions at all levels, reflecting his belief in expanding opportunity and fostering intellectual curiosity, and his conviction that opportunity and knowledge are fundamental to individual growth and societal progress.”

The board of directors has appointed W. Robert Berkley Jr. as chairman, effective immediately.

R. Berkley Corp. is an insurance holding company that is among the largest commercial lines writers in the United States and operates two segments of the property casualty insurance business: Insurance and Reinsurance and Monoline Excess.

NYU mourns

“NYU mourns the passing of our dear friend, William “Bill” Berkley (Stern ‘66), chairman emeritus of our Board of Trustees,” according to a university statement. “Mr. Berkley touched the lives of thousands of students, faculty and community members across our institution. He had friends in every corner of our Washington Square campus and everywhere NYU is represented around the world.

“With an arc that goes back more than 50 years, Mr. Berkley was always there to help NYU meet a moment of crisis or opportunity.”

He also served as vice chair and chair; chair of the NYU Stern School of Business Executive Board; and as a member of the Board of Trustees of NYU Langone Health as well as NYU’s President’s Global Council. He received the Albert Gallatin Medal — one of NYU’s highest honors — in 2024, months after being inducted into the Horatio Alger Association of Distinguished Americans.

In 2026, he was named an honorary alumnus of the NYU Grossman School of Medicine. He was the recipient of NYU Stern’s Charles Waldo Haskins Award as well as the Valentine Mott Award, given by NYU Langone Health in recognition of exceptional and long-standing support and leadership.

In 2021, a generous philanthropic gift from the Berkley Family Foundation established the Berkley Achievement Scholarships, which have enabled talented students from across the country to attend NYU Stern tuition-free. At the time it was made, the donation was the single largest undergraduate scholarship gift in the history of NYU Stern and NYU. In 2023, another major gift from the Foundation launched the NYU Promise, which eliminated tuition for students whose families earn less than $100,000 and provided yearly aid increases for all students to keep up with tuition, year after year.

During his long career, he was the chair of many of the company’s subsidiaries, including Berkley Dean & Co., an investment management company. He held prominent roles in several financial institutions and served as chairman of the American Insurance Association.

He is survived by his wife, Marjorie; his daughter Lisa Berkley; his daughter Lauren Berkley Saunders and Lauren’s husband Dr. John Kenneth Saunders, a clinical associate professor in NYU’s Department of Surgery and a member of NYU Bariatric Surgery Associates; his son, William “Rob” Berkley, Jr. and Rob’s wife, Jennifer Berkley; his brother Harry Berkley and Harry’s wife, Joan Berkley , and son, Richard Berkley; and to his many grandchildren, loved ones, and friends.

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The solar farm would use 6,700 solar panels to generate 3.125 megawatts of electricity. One megawatt is one million watts, enough to light approximately 100,000 traditional 100 watt light bulbs. The panels would be ground-mounted.

While Yorktown passed a new law to put limits on solar farms, it did not apply to the Jacob Road Solar project, plans for which already had been submitted and were under review by the Planning Board. Some residents expressed opposition to the project during the review process. They were concerned about visibility of the installation, possible contamination of the site and the setback distances from neighboring properties.

The developer is Freestone Renewables, which has offices in Colorado, Wyoming, Utah, California, Florida and New York. Freestone would be leasing the site from the property owner. Freestone is involved in developing solar generation facilities, wind generation and battery energy storage systems. It says that the lifetime of a typical solar array is 25 years. It says that it works with property owners in developing the sites and then assumes responsibility for operation and maintenance.

The project that was approved in Yorktown is slightly smaller than what was originally proposed. It was revised downward from containing 8,300 solar panels and the footprint was reduced by about four acres.

Freestone originally had planned to eliminate a nature trail running through the property but in the revised site plan that was approved relocated it and also increased the setback from neighboring property to 150 feet from the original 100 feet. The Planning Board was told that there would be only limited activity at the site, with personnel going to the facility perhaps only two or three times a year for regular maintenance activities.

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The building has a gross leasing area of 3,915 square feet. The ongoing tenants will be a dental office and Adam & Eve. The freestanding building was constructed in 1960, according to real estate listing information.

“The sale underscores the continued strength of the Westchester commercial real estate market and sustained investor demand for well-positioned assets in prime locations,” Galton said. “As investment activity remains robust throughout the region, quality commercial properties continue to attract significant interest from both local and institutional buyers.”

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(CNN) — Billionaire Bill Gates told members of the House Oversight Committee on Wednesday that he had no knowledge of Jeffrey Epstein’s crimes and that Epstein attempted to use information about his personal life — including that he had been unfaithful in his marriage — to pressure Gates, according to a copy of his opening remarks obtained by CNN.

“I never witnessed nor had any indication that Epstein was engaged in ongoing criminal conduct. I never went to his island, his ranch, or his Florida home. I have never victimized anyone. While he may have sought to foster a personal relationship, I was never interested in that and never reciprocated,” Gates said, according to his prepared remarks. “I learned Epstein had become aware of sensitive information about my personal life, including the fact that I had been unfaithful in my marriage. These affairs had nothing to do with my interactions with Epstein, but they were painful for my family.”

Gates said he was introduced to Epstein in 2011 and that the late convicted sex offender promised he could raise billions of dollars for global health. “I recall being aware that Epstein had faced prior legal issues, but I did not fully understand the extent of the crimes he committed. I accepted the introduction without applying the scrutiny I should have,” he told lawmakers.

Gates characterized his interactions with Epstein as “limited,” and testified that they ended altogether in December 2014.

“He admitted that he knew of Mr. Epstein’s reputation. He admitted that he knew that he [Epstein] had been convicted of sexual crimes, but ultimately, in his words, he viewed this narrow relationship as being an acceptable means to access wealthy donors,” Democratic Rep. Melanie Stansbury said of Gates’ testimony during a break in the questioning.

The Microsoft co-founder also alleged in his testimony that Epstein tried to use what he knew about his infidelities — “in addition to many lies that he layered on top” — to pressure him to re-engage with him after their contact had ended.

“He was unsuccessful in this effort, but it shows some of the ways he tried to leverage his interactions with me to further his agenda. I should never have met with Epstein in the first place,” Gates said, according to his prepared remarks.

Meeting Epstein, he told lawmakers, marked a “grave error in judgement” on his part.

Gates’ testimony behind closed doors comes after the release of the Jeffrey Epstein files this year raised questions about his ties to the late convicted sex offender. Marking the committee’s 15th interview, Gates’ in-person appearance on Capitol Hill is one of the most high-profile appearances before congressional investigators to date.

Speaking to reporters as he arrived Wednesday, Gates said he is “glad to be here voluntarily to testify to help with the committee’s work,” adding that he will start with an opening statement.

“I hope my testimony is helpful to the work, important work of the committee to find justice for the victims,” he said.

House Oversight Chair James Comer told CNN ahead of Gates’ appearance that there were no limitations in terms of the scope of questions for the interview.

“Anything’s on the table,” the Kentucky Republican added, noting that while Gates may not be “eager” to testify, he is “willing” to speak.

At one point during questioning, however, Gates’ lawyer told lawmakers that the billionaire would not answer questions about his extramarital affairs that are not related to the Epstein case, according to a person in the room.

Democratic Rep. Robert Garcia, the top Democrat on the panel, characterized Gates as being “a little bit combative” during the interview but ultimately “cooperative.”

“He is pushing back on certain things. I think you’ll see that in the transcript. But he’s answering the questions,” Garcia said.

Gates is among the many powerful figures in Epstein’s orbit – from Howard Lutnick to Bill Clinton – who have appeared in video or photos released by the Justice Department from its case files.

Comer told reporters Wednesday that he planned to ask more high-profile individuals, including Alan Dershowitz and acting Attorney General Todd Blanche, to testify in July.

Gates’ relationship with Epstein under scrutiny

The oversight panel sought Gates’ voluntary cooperation after a tranche of the released documents revealed a series of graphic, unverified allegations, as well as a degree of philanthropic coordination between Gates and Epstein that was more detailed than previously known.

As CNN previously reported, the most explosive elements of the earlier document release involved two draft emails Epstein appears to have written himself in July 2013. In these stream-of-consciousness notes, riddled with typos and vitriol, Epstein appears to claim he facilitated sexual encounters for Gates and helped him obtain medication to hide a sexually transmitted infection from his wife.

It’s not clear who wrote the draft messages from 2013 saved in Epstein’s email account or whether they were ever sent, but they are addressed from Epstein to himself. Though the emails suggest at the time some sort of break in their friendship, meetings and email exchanges continued during this time.

Epstein claimed in one email he helped Gates get drugs “in order to deal with consequences of sex with russian girls” and “illicit trysts, with married women.” The email also references Gates asking Epstein to provide Adderall for bridge tournaments.

The other draft email alleges that Gates tearfully asked Epstein to delete messages referencing an STD, “your request that I provide you antibiotics that you can surreptitiously give to Melinda,” and to delete explicit personal details about his penis.

The allegations contained in the draft email are unverified and uncorroborated. There is no indication the message was ever shared with Gates or anyone else, and the Microsoft co-founder has not been accused of any criminal wrongdoing related to Epstein.

Gates was asked about draft emails, including the one that referenced an STD, during his closed-door interview, Garcia told reporters. Two sources familiar with Gates’ testimony said he pushed back on the STD allegation, and Garcia noted that Gates testified “that he felt that Mr. Epstein would write emails to himself and just say things that were not true or didn’t happen.”

Gates, Garcia said, was “very clear that he was never introduced to women or girls or anyone underage by Mr. Epstein, he made that clear multiple times, but he will continue to be asked about those emails.”

Gates has previously strongly denied the claims and a representative of Gates previously told CNN: “These claims are absolutely absurd and completely false. The only thing these documents demonstrate is Epstein’s frustration that he did not have an ongoing relationship with Gates and the lengths he would go to entrap and defame. While Mr. Gaties acknowledges that meeting with Epstein was a serious error in judgment, he unequivocally denies any improper conduct related to Epstein and the horrible activities in which Epstein was involved. Mr. Gates never visited Epstein’s island, never attended parties with him, and had no involvement in any illegal activities associated with Epstein.”

Gates was asked about the latest documents in an interview with CNN affiliate Nine News in Australia in February.

“Apparently Jeffrey wrote an email to himself. That email was never sent, the email is you know, false. So I don’t know what his thinking was there. It just reminds me, you know, every minute I spent with him I regret and I, you know, apologize that I did that,” Gates said.

He added: “It’s factually true that I was only at dinners, you know, I never went to the island. I never met any women. And so, you know, the more that comes out, the more clear it’ll be that although the time was a mistake, it had nothing to do with that kind of behavior.”

Gates has also previously said he regrets meeting with Epstein, telling CNN’s Anderson Cooper in 2021: “It was a huge mistake to spend time with him, to give him the credibility of being there.”

The over 3 million pages released by the DOJ contain several hundred references to Gates, including numerous emails detailing schedules with meetings, meals, proposed phone calls, and attempts by Epstein to set up meetings with Gates. All of the documented interactions with Gates occurred after Epstein’s 2008 conviction on prostitution-related charges, whether it was a dinner the pair shared in 2010 or a meeting in Norway in August 2012.

“I enjoyed the breakfast a lot,” Gates wrote Epstein in December 2014.

Epstein replied by saying in part, “as usual everyone liked=you alot” and concluded by inviting Gates to his private island, which Gates has maintained he never visited. There’s no indication Gates accepted the invite.

Ahead of Gates’ appearance on Capitol Hill, Democratic Rep. Robert Garcia, the top Democrat on the House oversight panel, said it is “very concerning” that Gates maintained a relationship with Epstein after the late sex offender’s conviction.

“We’ve said we don’t care if you are a Republican or a Democrat or who you are. The fact that Mr. Gates still had a relationship with Mr. Epstein even after knowing about the conviction, knowing actually what he had done, I think is very concerning. So we want to know what did Mr. Gates know, who else was around in that orbit, and why Mr. Gates continued to have a relationship with Mr. Epstein,” Garcia said Tuesday.

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Hemodialysis machines are used to filter toxins, metabolic waste and water from a patient’s blood when the person’s kidneys are no longer able to adequately perform.

United Hebrew’s new Dialysis Den has four treatment stations. The new 951-square-feet facility cost $350,000 to create, with $300,000 in state funding being secured with the advocacy of State Sen. Nathalia Fernandez and Assemblyman Steve Otis.

It’s expected that the new facility would be able to provide treatment for up to 60 patients per week. It is located on the first floor of United Hebrew’s Skilled Nursing Facility adjacent to the Cyber Cafe.

The grand opening was marked with a ribbon-cutting ceremony attended by state and local leaders, United Hebrew board members, health care partners, residents, and community members. The new service makes United Hebrew the first CMS 5-star rated senior care facility in the region to integrate dialysis services with skilled nursing and short-term rehabilitation. A CMS 5-Star Rating is a quality measurement system created by the federal government’s Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) that assigns scores from 1 to 5 stars to health care providers, such as nursing homes and hospitals.

“This is about removing barriers for the people who need care the most,” said Mark Sanchez, president and CEO of United Hebrew. “Our residents shouldn’t have to choose between staying in a safe, supportive environment and getting the clinical treatment they require. The Dialysis Den is about meeting our residents where they are — bringing highly specialized care directly to them while keeping them connected to the community, caregivers, and routines that support their well-being.”

Sanchez noted that the new facility allows United Hebrew to offer patients who need both dialysis and skilled nursing a place to receive both without having to coordinate transportation to a separate dialysis facility multiple times a week.

“Our new service makes it better for patients and families while providing hospitals with a trusted partner for complex post-acute care,” Sanchez said.

The Dialysis Den will be overseen by Cora Ogbolu, a board-certified nephrologist from Montefiore New Rochelle Hospital. Patients are expected to include: seniors recovering from surgery or hospitalization who require dialysis alongside rehabilitation; patients transitioning from the hospital to post-acute care; and long-term residents with ongoing dialysis needs.

Planning for the project began under the leadership of United Hebrew’s former president and CEO Rita Mabli, who now is senior advisor to the organization.

“From the beginning, our goal was to create a community where seniors can continue to thrive as their needs change,” Mabli said. “By bringing advanced health care services directly to our residents, we’re helping them to receive the support they need without sacrificing comfort, connection, or quality of life.”

Fernandez praised United Hebrew as being “a pillar of care for New Rochelle’s seniors, and the opening of the Dialysis Den reflects their continued commitment to raising the standard of care for those with complex medical needs.”

Otis described the Dialysis Den as “another example of the innovative and caring approach United Hebrew brings to serving residents. I am very pleased that we were able to secure state funding to assist in this project.”

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