POUGHKEEPSIE, N.Y., August 27, 2025 – For over 20 years, Think Dutchess Alliance for Business has hosted the Business Excellence Awards to honor the businesses and individuals whose innovation, creativity, and dedication fuel Dutchess County’s economic growth. The signature event attracts hundreds of influential business leaders from across the Hudson Valley, who gather to celebrate each year’s honorees.
This year’s awards will recognize the following six winners who exemplify the hard work, passion, and forward-thinking leadership that fuels our local workforce and strengthens the Dutchess County economy:
Grand Award: The Stefanopoulos Group
Community Impact Award: The Council of Industry
Legacy Business of the Year: Marshall+Sterling
Tastemaker of the Year: Hudson Valley Open Kitchen at Hudson River Housing
Nonprofit of the Year: Women's Enterprise Development Center
Small Business of the Year: JanCare Private Health Services
Think Dutchess is honored to recognize these businesses and organizations at this year’s awards celebration on October 30, 2025, at the Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, NY.
Grand Award: The Stefanopoulos Group
In the early 1970s, four brothers uprooted their lives in Greece to find a better life in the U.S. Fully encapsulating the American Dream, they started over in the food industry opening five restaurants between 1972 and 1974. By 1976, Four Brothers Pizza Inn became a staple for Hudson Valley families. Since then, the Stefanopoulos family business has multiplied, becoming a powerhouse for workforce and quality of life in the region. Their footprint includes residential and commercial real estate properties, a dairy farm and a salad dressing line. In addition, they have seven hospitality businesses including: nine Four Brothers Pizza Inn pizzerias, House of Stefas, Four Brothers Drive-In Theater, Hotel Caravana, The Millerton Inn, The Boathouse at Lakeville, and Yianni’s at Chatham House.
For decades, the Stefanopoulos family has worked tirelessly to serve millions of customers, highlighting the vital impact that small family businesses and entrepreneurship have regionally. Driving forward the food, beverage, and hospitality industries in Dutchess County, The Stefanopoulos Group is now a multigenerational business that touches all corners of the community. Their businesses provide hundreds of local jobs each year and continue to reinvest in the community that welcomed them with open arms many years ago. These jobs and opportunities, combined with the memorable experiences their hospitality provides, significantly contribute to the economic vitality of Dutchess County.
Community Impact Award: The Council of Industry
The Council of Industry has been a cornerstone for Dutchess County. It is currently celebrating 115 years as the premier association for manufacturers in the Hudson Valley. Since 1910, this organization has remained dedicated to promoting the success of its member firms and employees, while also contributing to the broader impact the manufacturing industry has on the Hudson Valley economy. The Council of Industry provides advocacy, training programs, workforce development, data, and support services to manufacturing businesses in the region, and has been instrumental in expanding the role of manufacturing in Dutchess County.
Alongside its traditional work engaging with manufacturing businesses, The Council of Industry continues to work closely with Dutchess County and Dutchess Community College (DCC) to develop a specialized workforce equipped to enter rapidly expanding industries from HVAC to mechatronics. Serving as a liaison and interpreter between the county, over 120 manufacturers, and DCC, the organization’s expertise shaped the DCC Mechatronics Lab and continues to ensure that its equipment best meets the needs of the students advancing the future of manufacturing. Because of The Council of Industry’s investment in Dutchess County, students and manufacturers can expect to receive world-class training, robust employment opportunities, and targeted support without leaving the region.
Legacy Business of the Year: Marshall+Sterling
Marshall+Sterling is a top 50 U.S. independent insurance agency with longstanding roots in Dutchess County. Headquartered in Poughkeepsie since 1864, Marshall+Sterling has spent over 160 years protecting the people and businesses that shape the Dutchess County community. The agency offers a tactical approach to tailored insurance, employee benefits, and wealth management, serving businesses as a risk solutions partner at every stage of growth. As a 100% employee-owned company, every team member at Marshall+Sterling has a stake in the company’s growth, driving a culture of accountability, integrity, and excellence in everything they do.
Marshall+Sterling calls Dutchess County home, and all facets of the agency’s work aim to reinvest in the local community. Strategic partnerships with regional banks, nonprofits, and service providers help build a strong local network to support businesses. Employees serve on nonprofit boards, volunteer their time, and champion local causes through its Impact+ corporate giving program. This fund has contributed more than $2 million to local and regional nonprofits focused on health and human services, education, environmental stewardship, and veteran and emergency support. At Marshall+Sterling, success is defined by the strength of the entire team, which in turn benefits the entire Dutchess County community.
Tastemaker of the Year: Hudson Valley Open Kitchen at Hudson River Housing
Hudson Valley Open Kitchen, formerly Poughkeepsie Open Kitchen, was established in 2017 as the first business incubator of Hudson River Housing Inc. They currently have two locations which provide industrial commissary kitchen facilities for 30 businesses. These businesses produce craft food products for direct-to-consumer and wholesale customers. The organization’s team also provides training opportunities for its members through its Food and Beverage Academy, allowing mentors in several fields to conduct workshops and courses about the basics of general business. Examples include financing, marketing, front and back of house management, legal regulations, real estate tips, and more.
Furthermore, Hudson Valley Open Kitchen’s services fill a gap in the market for Dutchess County’s food and beverage industry, bringing the first shared use kitchen with both Dutchess County Board of Health and New York State Agriculture and Market approvals to the county. Because of the support that it provides for up-and-coming businesses, 21 entrepreneurs have been able to move into their own brick and mortar locations since 2017. Several have remained in Dutchess County including Laughing Gut Kombucha, Hudson & Packard Pizza, and The Doughnut Dolly. Moving forward, Hudson Valley Open Kitchen’s small but mighty team is looking to expand opportunities to manage future locations and fill the gap that remains in the southern and eastern parts of the county.
Nonprofit of the Year: Women’s Enterprise Development Center
The Women’s Enterprise Development Center (WEDC) empowers entrepreneurs to build successful businesses by providing high-quality training programs, advisory services, and access to capital. As a generator for economic growth in the region, WEDC was initially launched as a pilot program called Women’s Enterprise Project (WEP). WEP focused on women who lacked access to traditional business and financial resources including women transitioning off public assistance, displaced homemakers, and Spanish-speaking entrepreneurs. In 2002, WEP became WEDC, and only one year later, this nonprofit became the designated U. S. Small Business Administration Women's Business Center for Westchester County and the Lower Hudson Valley.
Over the years, WEDC has consistently grown its footprint in the Hudson Valley. In 2015, the Mid-Hudson Entrepreneurial Assistance Program Center opened its doors in Poughkeepsie, expanding its services for mature adults over age 50, childcare providers, survivors of domestic violence, veterans, and dislocated workers. With a mission driven by accessibility and culturally responsive, bilingual programming, WEDC serves more than 1,000 clients each year with hundreds based in Dutchess County. This client support boosts equity and advances economic empowerment, creating a powerful ripple effect of success throughout the region. Clients of WEDC have been recognized at local and national levels for their inspiring work as powerful entrepreneurs in business. Looking ahead, WEDC hopes to expand its bilingual programming, grow its capital access initiatives, launch industry-specific training cohorts, and make programs more accessible through hybrid and on-demand learning options.
Small Business of the Year: JanCare Private Health Services
JanCare Private Health Services, headquartered in Hopewell Junction, NY, is committed to transforming the home health care industry through compassion, safety, and genuine human connection. Janice Green founded JanCare in 2014 and has built her business with a deep understanding of systemic gaps in eldercare and a vision to deliver personalized, family-centered care. Its innovative model emphasizes follow-through, patient advocacy, and unwavering support for family caregivers, ensuring dignity, privacy, and quality of life for every client.
With a dedicated team of 40 professionals, JanCare provides in-home care to individuals facing chronic illness, recovery, or end-of-life needs, working in close collaboration with physicians and families. The agency is now expanding its impact with the launch of a caregiver training center, which aims to stimulate the healthcare workforce in the Hudson Valley and expand access to quality nursing care. This nonprofit training center will provide free PCA certification and career pathways to boost job readiness and help address caregiver shortages. In partnership with the New York State Department of Education, JanCare hopes to certify Home Health Aides and introduce educational workshops tailored to seniors. JanCare’s commitment to excellence and community engagement touches thousands of lives across Dutchess County and the wider region.
Ticket Information
Tickets for the 2025 Business Excellence Awards are available for purchase here.
For more information on the Think Dutchess Alliance for Business and its partners, visit www.thinkdutchess.com.