Both Karen Sloan and Annette Oestriech have served Port Washington for many years in a wide range of activities.
Last Wednesday, the two women were recognized for their work when they were among 13 Town of North Hempstead women inducted into the May W. Newburger Women’s Roll of Honor at the Clubhouse at Harbor Links .
“It is humbling to be recognized by the town you live in and a great honor to be associated with May Newburger, a champion for women’s causes, the environment and education, which are things that are all close to my heart,” Sloan said of the former Town of North Hempstead supervisor.
“I felt honored to be chosen. I was born here and I’ve been very lucky to have grown up in this town, my business is here, and I went to school here,” Oestriech added. “I’m very happy to have the means and time to volunteer.”
As president of the Port Washington Board of Education, Sloan said, she dedicates her time to maintaining quality academic and co-curricular programs that result in high achievement and meaningful opportunities for children, both in the classroom and in the greater community as an extension of their education.
“One of my biggest accomplishments is being able to help facilitate on the board and continue improving the school district,” she said.
Sloan has served on the Board of Education for nine years, including seven as president. She has also served as president of the district’s Parents’ Council as well as the Guggenheim Elementary School PTA and has held numerous volunteer positions both during and after her children’s years attending Port Washington schools.
She has also served on the board of the Sandsport/Shoshana Chapter of Hadassah, devoting herself to fundraising for cancer research, according to a biography submitted to the town.
Sloan said she has also worked to promote the safety of children with the Safety and Substance Abuse Task Force, which she has co-chaired for the past five years.
“This would not be possible without the support of so many wonderful parents, students, teachers and staff, whose collective efforts make Port Washington such a wonderful place for children to learn, grow and become successful,” Sloan said.
Oestriech operates Precision Work, a power equipment business located in Port Washington.
She said she and her first husband started the power-equipment business and after his death Oestriech has continued to develop the business with her second husband, Robert Oestriech.
Precision Work, which now employs 18 people, distributes power equipment in nine Northeast states, from Pennsylvania to Maine and is currently the largest distributor of Walker mowers worldwide.
Oestriech is an active member of the board of directors of the Property Owners Association of Harbor Acres and has served as its treasurer for more than 25 years.
She has also served on the Residents Club Commission of the Village Club of Sands Point and was a founding member of the Astor Lane Residents Association.
She is also a member of local organizations including the Sons of Italy, the Port Washington Chamber of Commerce, and Residents for a More Beautiful Port Washington.
“I think we make a difference. This is an area that has a lot of volunteer committees and all these committees contribute. Every one accomplishes what they set out to do,” Oestriech said.
