Prudential Rand Realty has agreed to acquire Nelson Vrooman Real Estate, a White Plains-based firm established more than 50 years ago that has become victim of the downturn in home sales in the Lower Hudson Valley.

“This is a very competitive market, and I knew that the best way to serve my clients and associates was to join a bigger team with more resources,” said Bill Vrooman, Nelson Vrooman founder and chief executive.

Vrooman, along with Nelson Vrooman President Mike Graessle, will join Prudential Rand as associate brokers, Prudential Rand said.

The deal, the terms of which weren’t disclosed, makes Prudential Rand the largest real-estate firm in White Plains, the New City-based company said.

As part of the transaction, Nelson Vrooman’s offices at 709 Westchester Ave. will close and combine with those of Prudential Rand at 1 N. Broadway.

The deal will also result in the transfer of 20 Nelson Vrooman workers to Prudential Rand, which has 20 offices in the Hudson Valley.

Bedford resident Daniel C. Petri has announced his plans to retire from Verizon Communications Inc., where he serves as group president — International. Petri, who has been with the giant Manhattan-based phone company for 37 years, will retire Aug. 1, the company said. Since 2002, Petri has been responsible for Verizon’s businesses outside the United States, including telephone operations in more than 20 countries on five continents.

Drew Industries Inc.’s Chief Executive Officer Leigh J. Abrams will relinquish his role as president next month, the company said today.

Chief Financial Officer Fred M. Zinn will assume the role of president May 28, in keeping with the company’s management-succesion plan. Zinn, 57, has served as CFO since 1986 and as executive vice president since 2001.

The supplier of components to the recreational-vehicle and manufactured-homes industries also said it expects its board to promote Corporate Controller and Treasurer Joseph S. Giordano III, 39, to CFO at the company’s annual meeting May 28. Giordano would resign his controller’s title but remain treasurer, Drew Industries said.

Assistant Controller Christopher L. Smith will succeed Giordano as corporate controller, the White Plains-based company said.

The company’s stock, traded on the New York Stock Exchange, was higher in midday trading, up 34 cents to $26.45 a share.