SUNY New Paltz School of Business inaugurates Hall of Fame

NEW PALTZ — Extraordinary achievements in business, international relations and academic excellence define the first inductees in the State University of New York at New Paltz’ School of Business Hall of Fame.

Taylor N. Thompson Sr. of Kingston, Paul Daniels of Wallkill and Lisa Greco of Saugerties will be formally honored at the inaugural Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony on May 2 at the Hillside Manor in Kingston.

“The School of Business’ success comes from the incredible relationships we’ve developed between the school and the community,” said Hadi Salavitabar, dean of the School of Business. “You can see that bond in all three Hall of Famers: Taylor Thompson is very generous in sharing his business expertise and direct support to students; Paul Daniels, one of our first MBA alumni, forged lasting international ties between our international students and the community; and Lisa Greco is an academic standout in our MBA Program.”

The trio of inductees was selected from nominations submitted by students, faculty, alumni and business advisors. A selection committee comprised of members of the New Paltz student body, alumni, faculty, administration and Business Advisory Council reviewed the nominations and selected the inductees.

Taylor N. Thompson Sr., Business Person of the Year

Thompson will be honored as the Business Person of the Year. Educated at Columbia University, Thompson established FTS Systems, an international scientific equipment manufacturing company. After selling the company in 1996 and retiring in 1998, Thompson became an associate of Sperry Mitchell & Company where he represents owners of privately held companies seeking to sell or merge.

Currently, Thompson is chairperson of the Business Advisory Council and actively leads the membership in advising and assisting the School of Business in the areas of technology, business outreach, curriculum and internship and job opportunities.

He actively participates in organizations such as the Council of Industry of Southern New York, Mid-Hudson Pattern for Progress and the SUNY New Paltz Foundation. Thompson has developed initiatives in supervisor and safety training and business development. He is also considered an expert in the area of freeze-drying and holds six U.S. patents, mainly in the automations of this process.

For several years, Thompson and his wife, Elizabeth, have sponsored the education of business students from China. Currently, they are providing full tuition scholarships for seven Chinese students to attend SUNY New Paltz, as well as sponsoring another student through the Adopt-a-Scholar Program.

The Thompsons reside in Kingston.

Paul Daniels, Alumnus of the Year

Daniels, of Wallkill, will be honored as Alumnus of the Year. He graduated in the first class of MBA graduates in May 2000 with an MBA in international business. He has worked for CH Energy Group (formerly known as Central Hudson Gas and Electric) since 1979, and today is a customer services manager.

Daniels created a program called Friendship Families for international students of the School of Business. The program connects international students with American families, which provides them a broader learning experience while in the United States. He has also assisted in coordinating social activities for scholars visiting New Paltz as part of a USIA grant from Tashkent State Economic University of Uzbekistan.

Currently, Daniels is a member of the New Paltz Chamber of Commerce and Orange County Chamber of Commerce. He has also served on the Board of Directors for the Hudson River Housing, Builders Association of the Hudson Valley, and McQuade Children’s Services.

Lisa Greco, Student of the Year

Greco, of Saugerties, will be honored as the Student of the Year. She is one of the top students in the MBA program and works in the Saugerties School District computer lab.

Greco played an active role in helping New Paltz get approval for the School of Business’ MBA program. She was one of many individuals who lobbied on behalf of the university in Albany, contacting officials at the Education Department, governor’s office, and the SUNY Board of Trustees to reiterate the importance of an MBA designation for the residents of the Hudson Valley.

Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony

The ceremony will take place from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., beginning with a social hour. For more information or to make a reservation, call the director of business projects at SUNY New Paltz, Karen Ann Chaffee, at (845) 257-2932. Ceremony sponsors include Techcomp Ltd., IBM, Ulster Savings Bank, Kingston Hospital and the Times Herald Record.

Notes to media:

• Media are invited to cover the event, and those wishing to do so should contact Karen Ann Chaffee at (845) 257-2932.
• A photograph of the Hall of Fame inductees is available online at www.newpaltz.edu/news/images/halloffame.html. Pictured are (L to R) Lisa Greco, Taylor N. Thompson Sr. and Paul Daniels. Please give photo credit to Marlis Momber.