Cathy Hobbs, TV Celeb, Founder of Highland Passive House, Named Entrepreneur of the Year
August 08, 2025
KINGSTON—Cathy Hobbs, founder of the Highland Passive House, an eco-friendly 12,500-square-foot multi-use warehouse used for home staging, interior design services, short-term rental design and turn-key home furnishing packages for vacation homes, has been named Entrepreneur of the Year by the Ulster County Regional Chamber of Commerce.
The award recognizes an entrepreneur who has achieved extraordinary accomplishments in business or shown dedication and commitment to furthering business in Ulster County.
Hobbs, an author and five-time Emmy Award-winning interior designer and home staging expert, along with seven others will be feted at the annual Ulster County Business Recognition Awards Dinner at Wiltwyck Golf Club on Oct. 23. The awards recognize Ulster County businesses that are leaders in their sectors, have achieved outstanding results or shown dedication and commitment to furthering business and the quality of life in Ulster County.
Hobbs, a former New York City-based newscaster turned TV host and interior designer relocated her home-staging company, Cathy Hobbs Design Recipes, to a four-acre parcel in the town of Lloyd in January 2024. Hobbs and her team of designers work with trade professionals, short-term rental hosts and homeowners to elevate their properties or attract a wider audience by standing out in ever-changing competitive markets.
Highland Passive House, the first multi-use passive warehouse in North America, also provides furniture and prop rentals for TV and film productions in New York City and the Hudson Valley.
Other honorees at this year’s Business Recognition Awards Dinner will include:
Business of the Year:
Stewart’s Shops, a family-owned chain of convenience stores in the Northeast known for its high-quality products, including award-winning dairy, coffee, bread, soda, food-to-go and grocery items. Founded in 1945 by the Dake brothers in Ballston Spa, Stewart’s Shops employs more than 5,000 people and operates 400-plus stores across New York, Vermont and New Hampshire. Stewart’s and the Dake family believe strongly in supporting the communities where they do business. Last year, Stewart’s and the Dake family donated more than $210,000 to schools, fire departments, libraries, children’s organizations and other charities throughout Ulster County.
Small Business of the Year:
KDD Marketing, a full-service boutique marketing firm in Kingston that specializes in website design, graphic design, marketing and branding services. Founded in 2009 by Katy Dwyer, the company rebranded as KDD Marketing in 2024 to reflect the broad spectrum of services the company provides.
Tourism Business of the Year:
A Day Away Kayak Rentals is located on the Rondout Creek in Kingston, and offers rentals of single-seat kayaks, tandem kayaks, canoes, electric boat rentals and stand-up paddle boards. The business was started by Jesse Hicks when he was just 14, with 2 kayaks and $100. He grew the business to over 100 boats and several offerings.
Commitment to the Community:
RUPCO, (Rural Ulster Preservation Co.) the region’s leading provider and advocate for affordable housing, was established in 1981 to create homes, support people and improve communities. Over the years, it has spearheaded several housing development projects, including the most recent at the former Quality Inn in Kingston, which will create 83 units of affordable housing.
The Heritage Award:
Eng’s Chinese Restaurant, founded in 1927 by Jimmi Eng and his son, Paul, Eng’s at 304 Wall St., was Kingston’s first Chinese restaurant and among the first in upstate New York. As the restaurant prospered and outgrew that space, the family relocated to 297 Wall St. before settling at its current location at 726 Broadway, where it’s been since 1966. The new owner, Tom Sit, had been Eng’s chef for 50 years.
Len Can Heart of Ulster County Award:
Dave Amato, a Kingston native and successful restaurateur, has supported the community through charitable giving, fundraising and random acts of kindness. The owner of The Cornell Restaurant and Bar and Brickman Kitchen + Bar founded Kingston’s Winterfest, a multi-charity fundraiser held each February. He has also donated space and money to numerous local agencies and built the Rondout Rink to provide recreation and nudge business at the waterfront during the typically slower winter months. Each December, he lights up the waterfront with his Christmas Spectacular, which includes dazzling lights, live entertainment and Olympic figure skaters.
Chamber Champion:
Wayne Winkler, President and Chief Executive Officer at the Mid-Hudson Hudson Valley Federal Credit Union, has been a staunch supporter of the Ulster County Regional Chamber of Commerce. Under his leadership, the credit union has been one of the Chamber’s major supporters and has sponsored numerous Chamber Mixers and breakfast events.
The 2025 Honorees of the Business Recognition Awards will be recognized at the annual Chamber Award Celebration, Thursday, October 23, at Wiltywyck Golf Club, 404 Steward Lane, Kingston, NY. Cocktails will be served at 5:30 p.m. with dinner and the awards presentation following at 6:30 p.m.
For more information, go to UlsterChamber.org, call (845) 338-5100, or email Ward@UlsterChamber.org.
The award recognizes an entrepreneur who has achieved extraordinary accomplishments in business or shown dedication and commitment to furthering business in Ulster County.
Hobbs, an author and five-time Emmy Award-winning interior designer and home staging expert, along with seven others will be feted at the annual Ulster County Business Recognition Awards Dinner at Wiltwyck Golf Club on Oct. 23. The awards recognize Ulster County businesses that are leaders in their sectors, have achieved outstanding results or shown dedication and commitment to furthering business and the quality of life in Ulster County.
Hobbs, a former New York City-based newscaster turned TV host and interior designer relocated her home-staging company, Cathy Hobbs Design Recipes, to a four-acre parcel in the town of Lloyd in January 2024. Hobbs and her team of designers work with trade professionals, short-term rental hosts and homeowners to elevate their properties or attract a wider audience by standing out in ever-changing competitive markets.
Highland Passive House, the first multi-use passive warehouse in North America, also provides furniture and prop rentals for TV and film productions in New York City and the Hudson Valley.
Other honorees at this year’s Business Recognition Awards Dinner will include:
Business of the Year:
Stewart’s Shops, a family-owned chain of convenience stores in the Northeast known for its high-quality products, including award-winning dairy, coffee, bread, soda, food-to-go and grocery items. Founded in 1945 by the Dake brothers in Ballston Spa, Stewart’s Shops employs more than 5,000 people and operates 400-plus stores across New York, Vermont and New Hampshire. Stewart’s and the Dake family believe strongly in supporting the communities where they do business. Last year, Stewart’s and the Dake family donated more than $210,000 to schools, fire departments, libraries, children’s organizations and other charities throughout Ulster County.
Small Business of the Year:
KDD Marketing, a full-service boutique marketing firm in Kingston that specializes in website design, graphic design, marketing and branding services. Founded in 2009 by Katy Dwyer, the company rebranded as KDD Marketing in 2024 to reflect the broad spectrum of services the company provides.
Tourism Business of the Year:
A Day Away Kayak Rentals is located on the Rondout Creek in Kingston, and offers rentals of single-seat kayaks, tandem kayaks, canoes, electric boat rentals and stand-up paddle boards. The business was started by Jesse Hicks when he was just 14, with 2 kayaks and $100. He grew the business to over 100 boats and several offerings.
Commitment to the Community:
RUPCO, (Rural Ulster Preservation Co.) the region’s leading provider and advocate for affordable housing, was established in 1981 to create homes, support people and improve communities. Over the years, it has spearheaded several housing development projects, including the most recent at the former Quality Inn in Kingston, which will create 83 units of affordable housing.
The Heritage Award:
Eng’s Chinese Restaurant, founded in 1927 by Jimmi Eng and his son, Paul, Eng’s at 304 Wall St., was Kingston’s first Chinese restaurant and among the first in upstate New York. As the restaurant prospered and outgrew that space, the family relocated to 297 Wall St. before settling at its current location at 726 Broadway, where it’s been since 1966. The new owner, Tom Sit, had been Eng’s chef for 50 years.
Len Can Heart of Ulster County Award:
Dave Amato, a Kingston native and successful restaurateur, has supported the community through charitable giving, fundraising and random acts of kindness. The owner of The Cornell Restaurant and Bar and Brickman Kitchen + Bar founded Kingston’s Winterfest, a multi-charity fundraiser held each February. He has also donated space and money to numerous local agencies and built the Rondout Rink to provide recreation and nudge business at the waterfront during the typically slower winter months. Each December, he lights up the waterfront with his Christmas Spectacular, which includes dazzling lights, live entertainment and Olympic figure skaters.
Chamber Champion:
Wayne Winkler, President and Chief Executive Officer at the Mid-Hudson Hudson Valley Federal Credit Union, has been a staunch supporter of the Ulster County Regional Chamber of Commerce. Under his leadership, the credit union has been one of the Chamber’s major supporters and has sponsored numerous Chamber Mixers and breakfast events.
The 2025 Honorees of the Business Recognition Awards will be recognized at the annual Chamber Award Celebration, Thursday, October 23, at Wiltywyck Golf Club, 404 Steward Lane, Kingston, NY. Cocktails will be served at 5:30 p.m. with dinner and the awards presentation following at 6:30 p.m.
For more information, go to UlsterChamber.org, call (845) 338-5100, or email Ward@UlsterChamber.org.
-30-
Contact:
Ward Todd, President/CEO
ward@ulsterchamber.org, (845) 338-5100
