Yonkers Resident Named Woman Achiever By NYPA
Contact Maura Balaban 914 390-8171 maura.balaban@nypa.gov
November 14, 2001
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
NEW YORK—The New York Power Authority (NYPA) has selected Sobeida Cruz, community relations manager for Southeastern New York, as its Woman Achiever of the Year for 2001.
Cruz was one of approximately 100 women honored by their employers at the annual Salute to Women Achievers Luncheon sponsored by the Academy of Women Achievers of the YWCA of the City of New York at the New York Marriott Marquis in Manhattan on Wednesday (Nov. 14). The award recognizes women who have demonstrated leadership and served as positive examples in the workplace.
"Sobeida has represented the Power Authority with effectiveness, professionalism and grace in all our undertakings to serve the many diverse communities of Southeastern New York," said Eugene W. Zeltmann, the Power Authority’s president and chief operating officer. "She embodies the spirit of excellence symbolized by this award."
A resident of Yonkers, Cruz is based in the Power Authority’s White Plains office but spends most of her time working in the communities served by NYPA. She was selected for the award from among Power Authority staff at projects and offices throughout New York State.
In nominating her for the award, Cruz’s supervisor noted her efforts in winning community support for 10 small, clean gas-turbine generators that NYPA installed throughout the City of New York to help ensure the reliability of the city’s power supply. The new generators proved invaluable during last August’s heat wave, when temperatures—and electricity use—soared to record highs.
Since joining the Power Authority staff in 1984, Cruz has been instrumental in many of the Authority’s major projects in Southeastern New York, including promoting NYPA’s widely recognized electric vehicle program. She is currently working to gain acceptance for a 500-megawatt, natural gas-fueled plant that the Power Authority has proposed for the site of its Charles Poletti Power Project in Queens.
Cruz received the 2001 Headliner Award from the Westchester Chapter of the Association for Women in Communications in June. Also this year, she was named Business Woman of the Year by the Westchester County Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, and City of White Plains Mayor Joseph Delfino proclaimed Aug. 2 as Sobeida Cruz Day.
Born and raised in New York City, Cruz received a bachelor of arts degree from Hunter College and a master’s degree in public administration from the University of Southern California.
