Ira Schulman/BHEF Armonk Chamber’s Citizens of the Year

Ira Schulman/BHEF Armonk Chamber’s Citizens of the Year: The Armonk Chamber of Commerce recently named Ira Schulman their 2019 Citizen of the Year. The Byram Hills Education Foundation was named the chamber’s Organization of the Year. Both Ira and the Byram Hills Education Foundation will be honored at the Armonk Chamber’s Annual Citizen of the Year Golf Outing on Tuesday, May 14 at the Whippoorwill Club in Armonk. The event kicks off at 11:30am with lunch, followed by a round of golf, cocktails, dinner and awards from 6-9pm.

Ira Schulman, Citizen of the Year

Ira Schulman, an Armonk resident since 1987, has been involved as a loyal volunteer and leader in many local organizations. He is the longest-tenured Byram Hills School Board member, with twenty consecutive years of service, including seven terms as Board President. He has successfully seen the school district through three major bond issues involving significant school construction and athletic facility upgrades, as well as developing the succession plans for major administrative positions.  An avid sports fan, Ira served as American Youth Soccer Organization (AYSO) coach and referee for 12 years, with three years as Regional Commissioner. He has also served on a number of local boards, including as Windmill Club President, Counsel to Friends of the North Castle Public Library, VP and Advisory Board member of Hope’s Door, and a member of the Board of Trustees for Temple Sharaay Tefila. He has been the “Voice of Byram Hills,” with play-by-play sports commentary on Bobcat TV, and he took to the stage in the Armonk Players production of Last Night of Ballyhoo. (WHAT A GUY!) When not volunteering, Ira works on his golf game and as a partner at the national law firm of Pepper Hamilton LLP as head of its NY Construction Practice Group.

Byram Hills Education Foundation, Organization of the Year

The Byram Hills Education Foundation (BHEF), a not-for-profit organization, has provided $4.6 million in grants to the Byram Hills School District over the past 25 years. It enables teachers and administrators to introduce creative programs and equipment beyond what is covered by the school district’s annual operating budget. Since inception, the BHEF has awarded more than 300 grants, which have had an impact on thousands of students. Some of their most recent projects include funding a Wellness Initiative at all four Byram Hills schools. For this project, BHEF partnered with Stanford University to design and implement policies and practices that improve student well-being, academic engagement and success. The project also added an interactive indoor play space and an outdoor obstacle course in the elementary schools; yoga, meditation and relaxation space in the middle school; and a lounge in the high school. The BHEF has also recently provided coding, robotics, engineering and 3D modeling as part of its K-12 Full STEAM Ahead Initiative; funded STEAM Labs and 21st Century Classrooms for the middle and high school; and enhanced school libraries in the elementary schools and middle school. These, among many other projects, have helped the school district remain at the top in academic excellence. Its two annual fundraisers garner support from families, businesses and community leaders.

Past Winners include Judy Willsey, Citizen of the Year 2018, Ed Woodyard, Citizen of the Year 2017, Susan Geffen, Citizen of the Year 2016 and Sam Morrell, Citizen of the Year 2015.

For more information or to register for the Citizen of the Year Golf Outing, call 914.273.2420 or email president@armonkchamberofcommerce.com or visit www.armonkchamberofcommerce.com.

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