MIDDLETOWN, N.Y. – SUNY Orange Foundation and Alumni Engagement will honor four SUNY Orange alumni who have made, and continue to make, a difference in their organizations and their communities when the Foundation hosts its 15th annual Leadership Awards ceremony at 5:30 p.m., Thursday, Oct. 28 in the Newburgh Armory Unity Center at 321 South William St.

Each year, the SUNY Orange Foundation and Alumni Engagement recognizes and celebrates the accomplishments of those within our communities who have demonstrated leadership while at the same time making a positive impact. All four of this year’s honorees have the distinction of being SUNY Orange alumni.

This year’s honorees are Mike Doehla (Leadership in Business), founder of Stronger U Nutrition; Ellen Quimby (Leadership in Community Service), affiliated producer at William A. Smith & Son Insurance; Pam Rice-Woytowick (Leadership in Education), associate professor of architectural technology at SUNY Orange; and Conor Eckert (Outstanding Young Alumni Award), executive director of the Town of Montgomery Industrial Development Agency.

Event sponsors include M&T Charitable Foundation, Walden Savings Bank, Mid-Hudson Valley Federal Credit Union, Orange & Rockland Utilities, Rhinebeck Bank, RDM Group, Garnet Health Medical Center, RJ Smith, and PKF O'Connor Davies, LLP.

For more information on the event and available sponsorship opportunities, or to purchase a ticket to the event, visit https://www.sunyorangefoundation.org/leadership-awards or call (845) 341-4725.

Biographies of award recipients

Mike Doehla ’04 (Leadership in Business)

Mike Doehla, founder of Stronger U Nutrition, created an online nutrition coaching company that helps tens of thousands of individuals in more than 50 countries. In 2020 Stronger U Nutrition was named one of America's fastest-growing private companies by Inc 5000 landing at 567 on the list of 5,000. His personal mission is to help people have more enjoyable lives and he loves being able to improve the way the world eats. He enjoys travel, fitness, entrepreneurship, and good food. Doehla resides in New Windsor, with his wife Crista, daughter Liv, and his cat. 

“I was blown away to be honored by SUNY Orange. When I attended Orange County Community College, I struggled a bit and found my way a bit later than most. I hope my story can inspire those who are waiting to find themselves too!”

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Ellen Quimby ’20 (Leadership in Community Service)

Ellen Quimby has been in the insurance industry since 1991 and is currently an affiliated producer at William A. Smith & Son Insurance. Quimby is a founding board member of the Pine Bush Area Chamber of Commerce, serving as secretary, vice president, and president, and currently as treasurer. She has been an active member of the Wallkill East Rotary Club, serving on the club’s Board as secretary, vice president, and president. She was also on the Advisory Board for the Pine Bush High School Academy of Finance and is one of the founding board members of Pine Bush First Fridays, currently serving as president. Quimby is a 2014 graduate of Leadership Orange and received the Leadership Orange Hall of Fame award in 2016. She grew up on a small family farm in Walker Valley, graduated from the Pine Bush Central School system, and still resides in Pine Bush, enjoying all the area has to offer including hiking, kayaking, cycling, skiing, painting, shooting, snowshoeing, and cooking with her family and friends. Following in her father’s footsteps, Quimby loves old houses, antiques, and is an active member of the Wallkill Rod & Gun Club. She has four daughters and six grandchildren.

“That’s how we were raised, helping everyone so it’s just what I do, and it makes me happy.”

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Pam Rice-Woytowick ’98 (Leadership in Education)

Pam Rice-Woytowick is an associate professor of architecture at SUNY Orange, where she has taught for 15 years. Her areas of academic focus are community design and sustainability. During her tenure, she has developed a number of courses and interdisciplinary projects.  As a community educator she has facilitated numerous architecture, engineering and design workshops for children and teens in partnership with institutions such as the Aspen Art Museum, the Wallkill River School, SUNY Orange Architecture and the ACE mentor program. Rice-Woytowick was awarded both the SUNY Orange President’s Award and SUNY Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Teaching in 2016. In addition to teaching, she volunteers with local non-profits including the Wurtsboro Food Pantry and the Mamakating Library, where she serves as a trustee. When she isn’t working, she enjoys gardening and traveling with her family.

“I am grateful for the strong foundation I gained as a student at SUNY Orange, and for the ability to work with our students as a faculty member. I thank the Foundation for its continued support and recognition of the work our alumni do in our greater community of Orange County.”

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Conor Eckert ’16 (Outstanding Young Alumni Award)

Conor Eckert is the executive director of the Town of Montgomery Industrial Development Agency and director of economic development for the town. Following his time at SUNY Orange, Eckert attended Binghamton University where he received his bachelor’s degree in public policy in 2019 and master’s degree in public administration in 2020, graduating as a member of the National Honor Society of Public Affairs. He is responsible for business attraction, retention and expansion efforts in the Town of Montgomery, managing a growing project portfolio of more than $100 million. He also manages the public and community affairs and operations of the IDA. He is passionate about creating jobs and attracting investment to the Hudson Valley.

“It’s an honor to be chosen as the recipient of the Outstanding Young Alumni Award. My time at SUNY Orange gave me the skills I needed to further my academic career and eventually become an executive in the economic development field. Whether it be working on a large project, or complex policy problem, I often think back to the tools SUNY Orange taught me to get the job done."