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Adventures of a Master Diver
Jun. 09, 2026
Gary Thomas Bell is a Master Diver with Shaggy’s Diving on Grand Cayman in the Cayman Islands. A true adventurer, Gary and his now wife Melissa made a deal, she would hike the Appalachian Trail if they could live in the Caribbean for a year, and so they did and stayed! Over the past nine years, Gary Thomas became a Master Diver, the highest rating one can achieve in scuba diving, requiring extensive in water experience and advanced training. He will talk about his experiences diving in the brilliant turquoise waters of unspoiled and dramatic dive locations in the islands. Gary Thomas and Melissa are still enjoying adventures together, sailing catamarans, diving and exploring Sting Ray City, Starfish Point and beyond. Gary Thomas Bell is the grandson of long time members of the club, Ken and Doris Obremski. For more information about diving in the Cayman Islands go to www.shaggysdiving.com. |
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President and Chief Executive Officer of Orange Bank & Trust Company
Jul. 07, 2026
Michael J. Gilfeather is the President and Chief Executive Officer of Orange Bank & Trust Company and its holding company, Orange County Bancorp Inc. He is responsible for leading the bank’s strategic transformation into a premier business and wealth management institution serving clients across Orange, Westchester, Rockland, and Bronx counties. Under his leadership, the bank has grown to over $2.7 billion in assets.
With more than four decades of experience in financial services, Gilfeather is a visionary and results-driven leader known for his ability to reposition and grow institutions. He is deeply committed to the communities the bank serves and has championed initiatives that combine financial strength with local impact. His leadership also extends to Orange Investment Advisors, Inc. (OIA), the holding company’s asset management subsidiary.
Gilfeather began his career at The Bank of New York, where he led all retail banking operations in Manhattan. He later served as Executive Vice President and Chief Administrative Officer at Hudson Valley Bank, overseeing branch banking, trust services, and human resources.
Gilfeather has an MBA in Finance from Pace University and a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Union College. Gilfeather serves on the Board of Directors of the Federal Reserve Bank of New York. His additional outside board responsibilities include the New York Bankers Association (served as Chairman from 2021-2023). In 2022 he concluded his chairmanship of the Orange County Partnership where he served for three years.
Gilfeather’s leadership and impact have earned him numerous accolades, including 2023 Top CEOs & Business Leaders by 914INC. Magazine, 2024 Notable Leaders in Finance by Crain's New York Business, 2024 New York Best in Banking by Forbes & Fortune, 2025 Westchester Power 100 by City & State, and 2025 Bronx Power List by Schneps Media.
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Jul. 21, 2026
Recently, Amanda had been named Hudson Valley Magazine’s 2022 Women in Business Award Winner. In 2020, Amanda Dana was selected by the Board of Directors of Hudson Valley Tourism Inc to be the President of the 10- County regional destination marketing organization. In 2018, she became an integral part of the County of Orange’s Leadership team as she enthusiastically assumed the role of Tourism & Film Director. According to County Executive Stephen Neuhaus, “Amanda brings a strong and diverse background to this important position…” “The tourism industry is growing in Orange County and I know that she will work hard to continue that growth. Amanda has developed working relationships with key stakeholders throughout the Hudson Valley which will serve her well as she steers the County’s tourism department forward” claimed Neuhaus. In this leadership role, Amanda is responsible for overseeing over a Billion-dollar visitor economy and managing a marketing and advertising budget of over $2.5 million. Amanda has over 25 years sales and marketing experience in the Hudson Valley region with 18 years in executive recruiting/talent management and 10 years focused on real estate and economic development. During that time, she has grown and cultivated many working relationships with individuals and organizations and has immersed herself with being tremendously involved with her community. In 2019, the Orange County Tourism department expanded and acquired the Orange County Film Office, Amanda then assumed the role as Executive Director. Amanda joined the team of the highly recognized Orange County Partnership in 2013, heading up their Business Retention & Expansion division where she was responsible for fostering the growth of Orange County companies. Prior to joining the Partnership team, Amanda ran a successful real estate practice in Orange County, New York. |
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