MONTICELLO, NY — The Sullivan County Partnership for Economic Development announced that Joan and Dan Silna will be honored as the recipients of the 2022 Walter A. Rhulen Award. 

They will be honored at the Partnership’s annual meeting on Thursday, September 29 at Resorts World Catskills.

Additionally, the Partnership will recognize Kelsey Hornicek, a board member and active member, as its Distinguished Service Award winner. 

The Rhulen Award recognizes an individual or individuals for business excellence, community commitment and service to humanity.

Having experienced great memories as a child visiting Sullivan County, during later visits to the Catskills, Dan Silna developed a true fondness for the area, a spokesperson said. “It is that deep love that drove Dan and Joan to invest an estimated $40 million to build the [Eldred Preserve, an] expansive, yet intimate resort, which includes an event space, 28 luxury accommodations, and a farm-to-table steakhouse,” according to a statement from the Partnership.

The Eldred Preserve now has 50 full- and part-time employees, most from the area. The goal, the statement said, has been “to create an entertainment hub for the community.”

Since it opened in the spring of 2021, the Eldred Preserve has been a significant driver in Sullivan County’s ongoing resurgence, the Partnership said, welcoming visitors from both the Sullivan County community and well beyond.

The resort features the Homestead Restaurant and Lounge, and the Bradstan Boutique Hotel.

The Eldred Preserve has also become the go-to location, the statement said, for high-end weddings across the region and beyond.

In addition, the Silnas developed the farm at the Eldred Preserve on a five-acre plot of land nearby. It now supplies organically grown produce to guests across all three service lines. 

Most recently, the Eldred Preserve officially opened its new pool/hot tub amenity and plans are in the works for additional expansion, which will include a spa facility. This is set to open in 2023.

Dan Silna , a veteran of the textile industry and the former co-owner of the American Basketball Association's Spirits of St. Louis, has been visiting Sullivan County since he was a boy. In fact, he and Joan first met in White Lake, where they eventually built a summer home. Joan Silna has been involved with the interior design of all three spaces.

“Sullivan County is extremely fortunate that Dan and Joan Silna have chosen to invest in Sullivan County and revive three iconic Sullivan Catskills brands,” said Partnership president and CEO Marc Baez. “Their work bolsters an accelerating trend of high-end investments taking place throughout Sullivan County, highlighting our area as the place to be.”

The Partnership will also honor Kelsey Hornicek, a lifelong resident of Sullivan County. Her family has lived and worked here for generations as teachers, skilled laborers and business owners. Hornicek has received the Distinguished Service Award. 

A graduate of Sullivan West High School, SUNY Cortland’s environmental science program and Marist College’s masters in public administration program, Kelsey has dedicated the past 10 years to working in the public and private sectors. She  administers a variety of government and nonprofit programs addressing schools and disaster recovery programs including Superstorm Sandy, Hurricane Irene and Tropical Storm Lee. 

Kelsey is currently deputy project manager for CIVIX, a public sector services firm that provides administrative, IT, grant and resiliency services, among others, for state, city and local governments throughout the United States.  

“This past fiscal year Kelsey has been an invested member of the Partnership’s membership committee,” said Partnership board chair Randy Resnick. “She is part of the growth of younger and more diverse board members [who play] an active part in the mission of the Partnership.”

Whether on the board or sharing new ideas on the committee, “Kelsey has helped the Partnership grow and better communicate to better serve our members and the general business community moving forward,” he added.

The annual meeting will be held on Thursday, September 29 at Resorts World Catskills from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. 

To RSVP or to become a sponsor, call 845/794-1110 or email Jen Cassaro at cassaro.jen@scpartnership.com.