William Gerlach to be honored by the Columbia County Association in the City of New York

The award will be presented May 18, 2023, at the association’s annual dinner, which after a three-year COVID-related absence will return to its traditional venue — Gallaghers Steakhouse in midtown Manhattan.

Gerlach is the son of the late Roland (Ronnie) and Elizabeth Gerlach. He was born in Wilkes Barre, Pennsylvania and raised in Claverack. After graduating from Hudson High School, he attended SUNY Cobleskill, followed by Marist College, where he majored in Business Administration.

Embarking on a career that would span many fields, Gerlach joined KD Office Works as a sales representative and quickly rose to Sales Manager, eventually becoming an equity partner in 1993. The business was sold to Staples Inc. in 2004.

Gerlach went on to a successful career in commercial banking with the Bank of Greene County, then First Niagara (where he was named Business Banker of the Year), and then Kinderhook Bank. He then joined Marshall and Sterling Insurance, becoming a New York State-licensed property-and-casualty broker and accident-and-health broker.

In 2021, Gerlach became President and Chief Executive Officer of the Columbia County Chamber of Commerce.

“When I think about all of the extraordinary men and women who have received the Distinguished Citizen Award in past years, I feel extremely humbled,” said Gerlach. “I count my blessings every day to able to work and live in Columbia County.”

Gerlach is involved in many community organizations, serving on the boards of the Home for the Aged, Ever Home Columbia County, the Columbia County Industrial Development Agency and the Salvation Army Service Center. He previously served on the Claverack Town Board as well as the boards of the Columbia-Greene United Way, Columbia County Chamber of Commerce and Columbia Golf and Country Club.

resident of Hudson, Gerlach has two stepsons, Colin Cranna, who lives with his wife Erickson on the Upper East Side of Manhattan, and Patrick Cranna, who lives in Brooklyn Heights with his partner, Annie. Gerlach’s brother Richard lives in Claverack with his wife, Heidi. Gerlach regards family as his greatest source of support, and he cherishes the relationships he has built with them.

The Columbia County Association in the City of New York was founded in 1902 as a vehicle for Columbia County natives who had relocated to the Big Apple in search of careers to reconnect with one another and support charitable causes.

Interested men and women are cordially invited to join the association and/or attend the May 18 dinner. To register, contact Co-Secretary Julie Genovese at 518-828-2700 Ext. 1102, or CCACNY@yahoo.com.