LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION honoring Robert A. Sherwood upon the occasion of
his designation as recipient of the Distinguished Citizen of the Year
Award by the Columbia County Association

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 reflective of the concerned and dedicated efforts of those individ-
uals who would devote themselves 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
Robert A. Sherwood upon the occasion of his designation as recipient of
the Distinguished Citizen of the Year Award by the Columbia County Asso-
ciation, to be celebrated at a dinner on Thursday, May 5, 2011, at
Gallagher's Steak House, New York City; and
WHEREAS, Robert A. Sherwood is a man of singular distinction who has
continually demonstrated extreme competence, extraordinary intelligence,
and diligent leadership in his unwavering service to his community and
consequently has been designated for this most prestigious award; and
WHEREAS, Robert A. Sherwood holds a Graduate Banking Certificate from
the School of Community Banking at the University of Texas at Austin; he
attended C.W. Post College in Greenvale, New York, and Nassau Community
College in Garden City, New York; and
WHEREAS, Since 1995, Robert A. Sherwood has been the Chief Executive
Officer and President of Kinderhook Bank, which has been in existence
since 1853; he began his illustrious career in 1976 as a management
trainee and served first as a teller; and
WHEREAS, He was promoted to assistant cashier in 1977, then in 1983,
became Executive Vice President, a title he held until he took the helm
of the bank in 1995; and
WHEREAS, Since then, Kinderhook Bank has grown considerably; when it
began, it consisted of one main office in Kinderhook and one in Valatie;
now, there are five locations in Columbia and Rensselaer counties; and
WHEREAS, Kinderhook Bank is the only local bank headquartered in
Columbia County; the bank's assets have grown from $60 million in 1995
to $250 million in 2010; and
WHEREAS, Robert A. Sherwood has been instrumental in making community
involvement part of Kinderhook Bank's focus by providing funding and
volunteer support to several area nonprofits, schools and other organ-
izations; and
WHEREAS, He is also focused on his community; in 2010, he received the
Good Scout Award from the Boy Scouts of America Twin Council in recogni-
tion of his service; and
WHEREAS, Currently, he is Director of the Columbia Economic Develop-
ment Corporation's board, as well as the Center for Disability Services
in Albany; he also serves as Treasurer for the Society for the Detection
of Horse Thieves and is a member of the Valatie Santa Claus Club and the
Fifty Group of Columbia County; and
WHEREAS, He is a former treasurer of St. Paul's Episcopal Church and a
former member of the Columbia County Planning Board, the Town of Kinder-
hook Assessment Review board, Residential Opportunities, Inc., the Shak-
er Museum, and the Hudson Development Corporation; moreover, he is a
past president and member of the Northern Columbia County Rotary Club;
and
WHEREAS, Robert A. Sherwood has been called upon to contribute his
time and talents to countless civic and charitable endeavors and has
always given of himself unstintingly; and

WHEREAS, Throughout the entire period of his community service, a
period of constructive involvement, Robert A. Sherwood has stood
constant in dignity, good grace and humor; and
WHEREAS, With him throughout has been his wife, Suzanne, who feels
privileged to be a part of his life and rejoices in his achievements;
and
WHEREAS, Rare indeed is the occurrence of such a compassionate blend-
ing of strength, intellect and commitment as that demonstrated by Robert
A. Sherwood over a lifetime of sacrifice and dedication to others; 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, it is appropriate to publicly proclaim and commend those individ-
uals for the edification and emulation of others; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
honor Robert A. Sherwood upon the occasion of his designation as recipi-
ent of the Distinguished Citizen of the Year Award by the Columbia Coun-
ty Association; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Robert A. Sherwood, Kinderhook, New York.