LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION honoring Mr. and Mrs. Steve Turk of Rocking Horse
Ranch upon the occasion of their designation as recipients of the 2010
Dean's Award for Excellence and Hall of Fame Inductees by the SUNY New
Paltz School of Business

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to recognize that the
quality and character of life in the communities across New York State
are enhanced by the concerned and dedicated efforts of business organ-
izations and individuals that generously contribute to the welfare of
the community and its citizenry; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to honor Mr.
and Mrs. Steve Turk of Rocking Horse Ranch upon the occasion of their
designation as recipients of the 2010 Dean's Award for Excellence and
Hall of Fame Inductees by the SUNY New Paltz School of Business; this
auspicious occasion will be celebrated on Thursday, May 13, 2010, at the
Wiltwyck Golf Club in Kingston, New York; and
WHEREAS, The School of Business at the State University of New York at
New Paltz is committed to educating and developing students to be compe-
tent business professionals in a global economy; teaching is its primary
mission, which is complemented by its commitments to acquire and apply
knowledge through scholarly and professional activities, and to serve
its colleagues in the academic and business communities; and
WHEREAS, Steve and Shelley Turk own and operate Rocking Horse Ranch,
an all inclusive family vacation dude ranch in Highland, New York; the
Ranch continually receives the prestigious AAA and Mobile 3-Diamond
rating, in addition to receiving local accolades for the property's
award winning landscape and gardens; and
WHEREAS, In 2004, Steve Turk and his management team purchased Splash
Down Park in Fishkill, New York, renamed it Splash Down Beach, added a
giant wave pool and more rides, and enhanced features throughout the
park; in its first year, the water park earned the Newcomer Business
award by the Dutchess County Economic Development Corporation, and in
2007, the park introduced the Halloween attraction Skull Island Scream,
which earned the number one Haunted Attraction of the Hudson Valley its
first season; and
WHEREAS, A 1981 graduate from the University of Miami School of Busi-
ness, Steve Turk is President and CEO of the Rocking Horse Ranch, roles
he has held since 2001; he previously worked in the reservations and
sales department, saddle horse operation (the largest of its kind in
North America) and food and beverage units during high school; he became
the Food and Beverage Director in 1985, and shareholder and Vice Presi-
dent of Tee Bar Corporation (dba Rocking Horse Ranch) in 1987; and
WHEREAS, In his over 30-year experience in hospitality management,
Steve Turk has cultivated a strong management team committed to the
pursuit of quality assurance; he has continually focused on guest
services by adding features and new attractions at the Ranch, from giant
waterslides to rock-climbing walls and three guest elevators in a two
year span; he also introduced "Big Splash," the Hudson Valley's first
Indoor Water Park; and
WHEREAS, Shelley Turk works in the Finance Department at Rocking Horse
Ranch; previously, she was employed by Key Corp as an Auditor, and Amer-
ican Capital Corp as a Financial Analyst and Stockbroker; she received
her B.S. in Finance with a minor in Economics from SUNY New Paltz; and
WHEREAS, In the tradition of Steve Turk's mother and late father,
Nathan and Gloria Turk, Mr. and Mrs. Steve Turk support the community
through many generous donations to education and the arts; in addition,

Steve Turk has served on the Board of Trustees for The Community Founda-
tion of Dutchess County and The Bardavon 1869 Opera House; and
WHEREAS, In addition, Steve Turk is currently on the Dutchess County
Tourism Council and Vassar Hospital Foundation Board; he has coached the
Highland High School girls varsity tennis team and has danced at the
Bardavon in the New Paltz Ballet School's production of "The Nutcrack-
er"; and
WHEREAS, Shelley Turk is currently a member of the Audit Committee for
the Highland Central School District, a banker and committee member for
the Miles of Hope Breast Cancer Foundation, and a Board Member of the
New Paltz Regional Chamber of Commerce; she has previously served as
Secretary for the Jewish Federation of Dutchess County, Treasurer for
Vassar Temple, Assistant Leader for the Girl Scouts and Vice President
of the New Paltz Ballet Theatre; she was also a member of the Building
Level Team at Highland High School and the Curriculum Development
Committee at Highland Central School District; and
WHEREAS, Married in 1987, Steve and Shelley Turk have two beautiful
daughters, Stefanie and Samantha, ages 16 and 18; the family lives on
the Rocking Horse Ranch property in Highland, New York; and
WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that when individ-
uals of such noble aims and accomplishments are brought to our atten-
tion, they should be recognized by all the citizens of this great Empire
State; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
honor Mr. and Mrs. Steve Turk of Rocking Horse Ranch upon the occasion
of their designation as recipients of the 2010 Dean's Award for Excel-
lence and Hall of Fame Inductees by the SUNY New Paltz School of Busi-
ness; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Mr. and Mrs. Steve Turk, Rocking Horse Ranch, 600 Route
44/55, Highland, New York 12528.