Craft Masonry in Orange and Rockland Counties, New York

Vanderhoef’s career in public service began in 1972, when he served on staff of Governor Nelson A. Rockefeller as program liaison
to the Departments of Environmental Conservation, Health, Parks and Recreation, Arts Council, Veteran Affairs and Human Rights.
He continued his work under Governor Malcolm Wilson and briefly under Governor Hugh Carey. Vanderhoef continued his career in
public service as the State Project Coordinator of the Child Medicaid Program in New York City.
Vanderhoef returned to Rockland and was employed by the Ramapo Land Co. for 15 years, rising from general manager to serve
as both its president and chief executive officer. He also served as the Acting Village Justice of Hillburn, on the Board of Trustees of
St. Thomas Aquinas College and the Board of Education for the Ramapo Central School District, where he was elected president.
Remaining true to his original philosophy, Vanderhoef has created a streamlined, efficient and cost-effective county government
during his tenure as county executive. One-third of all county departments were consolidated or eliminated under his leadership,
and Rockland’s county property tax rate remains one of the lowest in New York State.
Throughout his administration, Vanderhoef has advocated for careful and reasoned land-use planning in Rockland’s
communities. His perseverance in negotiations with the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) helped secure new trains,
express service and enhanced transportation stations and parking for Rockland commuters. He continues to work diligently with
MTA leaders to help close the $60 million service value gap Rocklanders now face.
Under Vanderhoef’s direction, the Office of Community Development has built and rehabilitated more than 2,000 units of affordable
housing and has been instrumental in the continued revitalization of Rockland’s downtowns and hamlet centers. He also
commissioned the county’s first comprehensive master plan in more than 25 years.
Vanderhoef has expanded health care and services for Rockland residents and created enhanced programs for women and
children. More than 6,000 veterans per year now receive health benefits from the county’s newly expanded VA clinic in New City.
The Rockland County Health Department has increased housing inspections and public education outreach programs combating
cancer, West Nile virus and Lyme disease, and the county now has one of the lowest adult smoking rates in the state. Under
Vanderhoef’s leadership, the number of day care slots for families has increased and the wait list has been eliminated. The county
has also established the first countywide “School of the 21st Century” in the nation.
Vanderhoef’s efforts to protect Rockland’s precious natural environment prompted him to create the county’s first Open Space
Preservation Program in 2000. This successful initiative has led to the creation of five new parks, the preservation of three farms
and the addition of 1,120 acres of open space. Vanderhoef established the county’s first waterfront park, the popular Haverstraw
Bay County Park along the Hudson River, which he chose as a permanent home for the County’s September 11th memorial.
Vanderhoef has served as president of the New York State Association of County Executives in 2003. He serves as a member of
the Board of Directors of the NY State Association of Counties and is a member of the National Association of Counties’ Finance
and Intergovernmental Affairs Steering Committee. In 2006, the New York State Republican Party tapped Vanderhoef to run for
Lieutenant Governor with then-gubernatorial candidate John Faso.
Prior to public service, Vanderhoef was committed to the Rockland County community and has served on the boards of numerous
charitable organizations, including president of the United Way of Rockland and member of the Rockland Business Association, the
Historical Society of Rockland County and as a trustee on the Board of the Suffern Free Library. He currently sits on the boards of
Rockland Economic Development Corporation, the Fantasy Fountain Fund, The 21 st Century Collaborative for Children and Youth
and Leadership Rockland, which he helped found. He is also affiliated with the Blauvelt Lions Club, the Free and Accepted Masons
Athelstane Lodge No. 839 in Pearl River and the Haverstraw Elks Club and is past president of the Suffern Rotary Club.
Vanderhoef is the proud father of triplet daughters and twin boys.
Naurashank Lodge No. 929, Pearl River, Rockland, New York
Warrant 19115
Consolidated with Rockland No. 723 to become Naurashank No. 723, 12 May 1987
Tappan Zee Lodge No. 1125, West Nyack / Pearl River, Rockland, New York
Warrant 12 Aug 1947
Instituted date; merged with Athelstance No. 839, Aug 2000 to become Athelstane No. 839 [q.v.]
Appendix I
An Address, delivered at the interment of a deceased brother, at Newburgh
by the late Benjamin F. Lewis.
Note: This type of address, still all too common, eulogizes the Brother but leaves little, if nothing,
relative to biographical information about the person; not even their name . . .
The American Masonic register, and Ladies' and gentlemen's magazine, Volumes 1-2, edited by Luther Pratt. 1821. page 138-40.
http://books.google.com/books?id=3dcRAAAAYAAJ&pg=PA138&dq=%22benjamin+f.+lewis%22+%22newburgh%22&hl=en&ei=aa
OaTPk4hfuXB8O0pcoH&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=8&ved=0CEkQ6AEwBw#v=onepage&q=%22benjamin%20f.%20
lewis%22%20%22newburgh%22&f=false
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