Mount honors Derrik R. Wynkoop and David Potack at Tenth Annual Gala
Mount Saint Mary College was proud to celebrate two distinguished members of the local community at the Tenth Annual Gala Reception on Friday, December 6.
Derrik R. Wynkoop, President and CEO of Walden Savings Bank, and David Potack, President of Unitex Textile Rental Services, Inc. were honored with the Joseph A. Bonura Award for Leadership Excellence.
This award recognizes individuals whose professional accomplishments and approach to management reflect the same commitment to quality, concern for neighbors, and shared prosperity that have exemplified the career and character of restaurateur Joseph A. Bonura. The local businessman owns Anthony’s Pier 9 in New Windsor, N.Y. and the Poughkeepsie Grand Hotel in Poughkeepsie, N.Y., among other businesses.
The gala also recognized the Mount’s Sr. Agnes Boyle, OP and Senator William Larkin, both of whom passed away earlier this year. Both gave much of themselves to the Mount.
More than 200 guests attended the event, which raised a record $127,000 in gifts, sponsorships, and ticket sales. The funds enable the college to provide scholarships and an affordable, values-based education to thousands of deserving students, many of whom are among the first in their families to attend college.
“It’s an honor to receive the Joseph A. Bonura Award for Leadership Excellence,” said Wynkoop.
He has always been inspired to serve his community, Wynkoop explained. For example, he and Walden Savings Bank collaborated with the Mount to establish and endow the Medici Scholars Program. This selective program has undergraduate Business students work with Hudson Valley not-for-profit and arts-related charitable organizations.
Wynkoop is also the chairman of the SUNY Orange Foundation and has been on the board since 2010. He became a board member of the Orange County Partnership in 2016 and currently serves as chairman of Marist’s Hudson Valley Scholars Program.
“Looking at my career in charitable work, it’s always been centered on education,” he said. To that end, Wynkoop announced that he would be making a $2,500 donation to the Mount for a new scholarship.
Wynkoop is blessed with his wife of 30 years, Allison, and his three children: Sara, Christopher, and Matthew.
“It’s very meaningful to me to be here tonight with so many people that are important to my life,” said Potack, including his wife, Samantha, and their two children, Alexa and Justin. “I’d also like to recognize the members of our Unitex team here tonight. I’ve learned so much from all of you, and it’s helped me to become a far better leader.
”Potack has held various positions within Unitex. His vast range of experience gives him an unparalleled understanding of the inner workings of the company and allows him to lead with great knowledge and purpose.
Community is very important to Potack: “My parents raised us with a clear understanding of the importance of what it means to be active in our communities,” he noted. He is a member of the Yale New Haven Children’s Hospital Council and the current chairman of Montefiore St. Luke’s Cornwall Hospital Board of Trustees.