Rockland County Development Director, Appointed in 2014, Leaves Office; New Director Expected to be Named Soon

BY BILL DEMAREST

NEW CITY – Friday was the last day in office for Rockland County’s economic development director, Calherbe Monel of Spring Valley, with County Executive Ed Day expected to soon name a replacement to the post.

County officials said Monel left Day’s administration to seek other opportunities. Day has not yet announced who will fill the position.

Monel, who ran for Spring Valley mayor in 2013, was appointed by Day in March 2014. The hire of Monel was somewhat controversial when it took place due to his perceived lack of experience according to certain critics and the fact that Monel was part of a Spring Valley ticket that supported Day during his county executive run. It had been one of the few instances Day, who owns a reputation for eliminating cronyism, was accused of cronyism of his own.

Here’s what Day said about Monel at the time:

“Calherbe’s experience has given him a unique range of skills that will greatly benefit Rockland County,” said Day. “Economic growth is critical to the county’s fiscal sustainability. I am confident that Calherbe will strengthen relationships with our existing business community while working to attract new jobs.”

Monel was hired at an annual salary of $85,000.

Previously, he recently served as an IT Business Specialist at Clear Channel in White Plains. Prior to his time at Clear Channel, he worked at Lascomp Institute of IT in Montvale, NJ, where he was responsible for developing, coordinating and implementing marketing plans designed to maintain and increase existing business and capture new opportunities. He also reviewed and submitted RFP’s and worked closely with private sector and government purchasing departments.

Monel also served as executive director at Christians United For Haiti Inc., a nonprofit organization charged with outreach and advocacy in Haitian-American communities in Virginia.

Monel was born in Haiti and immigrated to the United States in 1991.

Republished with permission with additional material included