LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION honoring Steve Lobel for his dedicated and
distinguished service to the Capital Region

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to publicly recognize
those extraordinary individuals who have made contributions to the
success and progress of society in the course of their life's work; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to honor
Steve Lobel for his dedicated and distinguished service to the Capital
Region, to be celebrated on Friday, March 1, 2013, at the Troy Savings
Bank Music Hall; and
WHEREAS, Steve Lobel currently serves as vice president of Anchor
Agency, Inc.; he previously served as assistant vice president for Alum-
ni Affairs at the University at Albany; his capital region entrepreneu-
rial activities span over three decades, and he was the University's
director of marketing before assuming the alumni position; and
WHEREAS, However, Steve Lobel is best known as the founder of The
Cheese Connection, which had its start in 1980 in Albany's Robinson
Square and later moved to Stuyvesant Plaza, where it expanded and was
renamed Cowan & Lobel; and
WHEREAS, A long-time member of Congregation Beth Emeth in Albany,
Steve Lobel has served as an adjunct faculty member in the evening MBA
Program at UAlbany's School of Business; he also served as founding
chair of the advisory council for the MBA Program, and was also an
adjunct professor at Union College; and
WHEREAS, Active in his community, Steve Lobel is associated with many
local community boards, including past service with Albany Center
Galleries, Albany Senior Services, Senior Services of Albany Foundation,
United Jewish Federation, Jewish Family Services of Northeastern New
York, University at Albany Foundation, and many others; and
WHEREAS, Steve Lobel currently serves as board member of The Community
Foundation of the Greater Capital Region, The Center for Jewish Studies
at UAlbany, the Albany Tula Alliance, and is Chairman of the Board of
the Albany Symphony Orchestra; he is a recipient of the Outstanding
Leadership Award from the United Jewish Federation along with the Edward
H. Pattison Citizenship Award; in June of 2011, he received the Spirit
of the Arts Award from the Arts Center of the Capital Region as well as
the Anschel Weiss Community Builders Award from Jewish Family Services
of Northeastern New York; and
WHEREAS, Not only is Steve Lobel an avid photojournalist, but he is
also a published journalist with many articles on various topics; in May
of 2006, he published his first book, RECOGNITION BEYOND BURNED,
PORTRAITS OF SURVIVAL, REBIRTH & HOPE featuring his photographic
portraits of burn survivors; and
WHEREAS, With him throughout have been his wife, Vivian, their chil-
dren Mia and Joshua, as well as their four grandchildren, Ezekiel, Lila,
Nikolai and Ali Rose, all of whom feel privileged to be a part of his
life and rejoice in his achievements; and
WHEREAS, A true asset to society, Steve Lobel's distinguished record
merits the recognition and respectful tribute of this Legislative Body;
now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
honor Steve Lobel for his dedicated and distinguished service to the
Capital Region; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Steve Lobel.