Seven Staten Island Business Leaders Honored at Louis R. Miller Awards
By MICHAEL ANDERSON, Content Development Specialist
For more than 25 years, the Staten Island Chamber of Commerce and the Staten Island Advance have presented the Louis R. Miller Business Leadership Awards – a ceremony that honors professionals who demonstrate strong leadership skills and unwavering dedication to their communities.
Although the past year has been challenging, not even a global pandemic could stop the Chamber from honoring a new class of recipients.
On February 25, more than 120 guests joined the 27th Annual Louis R. Miller Business Leadership Awards, which honored seven Staten Islanders, saluting them for showcasing their perseverance and support despite unforeseen circumstances.
The event was hosted over Remo, the Chamber’s digital event platform. Guests can “table-hop” and mingle with fellow attendees.
The awards, which were sponsored by The Law Firm of Hall and Hall LLP, continue the legacy of Miller, a tireless community activist who viewed volunteering as a way of giving back to his neighbors and repaying his community for the love of America he found after immigrating to the country from Russia.
This year’s class was: Dean L. Balsamini (Small Business Development Center at the College of Staten Island); Dr. Karen DiBona and Dr. Mark Scamardella (DiBona & Scamardella Dental Studio); Susan Fenley (Sundog Theatre); Thomas J. Hall (The Law Firm of Hall & Hall, LLP); Shawn J. Stradford Sr. (Stradford Home for Funerals & Cremations, Inc.); and Lakruwana Wijesinghe (Lakruwana restaurant).
Balsamini and Fenley were cited in the Not-For-Profit category, while DiBona & Scamardella, Hall, Stradford, and Wijesinghe were credited in the Established Businessperson category.
Linda Baran, the Chamber’s President and CEO, congratulated the recipients and cited them for serving as shining examples. “The Lou Miller Awards event really does acknowledge businesses and not-for-profits for being role models in our community,” she said.
The breakfast traditionally pokes fun at the honorees’ expense as presenters produce comedic routines to honor the individuals. And although this year’s event was virtual, the format stayed the same: instead of roasting the award recipients at a podium, this year was behind a computer screen.
Al Lambert (Al Lambert Associates Inc.) was the presenter for Drs. DiBona & Scamardella, Jon Salmon (Salmon Real Estate) handled the duties for Hall and Stradford, Tom Scarangello (SCARAN) toasted Balsamini, Ken Tirado (Killmeyer’s Old Bavaria Inn) presented Fenley, and Frank Wilkinson (Rab’s Country Lanes) brought the laughs for Wijesinghe.
Pictured: Guests at the table of honoree Thomas J. Hall.
Notre Dame Academy senior Amanda Mascia kicked off the event with a stellar rendition of “The Star-Spangled Banner.”
Michael Assenza, the Chamber’s Chairman of the Board, welcomed attendees and shared his personal relationship with Miller. “Like Lou, today’s honorees embody a savvy business sense, displaying strong business sensibilities and contributing their time towards volunteer efforts to improve our wonderful borough,” he said.
The Selection Committee selected the seven honorees from nominations submitted throughout 2020. The committee was co-chaired by Solomon Chemo (Wells Fargo Advisors Financial Network, Richmond Wealth Management) and Janet Langton-Magnuson (SCARAN/AAA Thrifty Exterminating). The committee members were Tatiana Arguello (United Activities Unlimited), John J. Amodio (SCORE Staten Island), Donna Long (Crossroads Unlimited, Inc.), and MaryLee Montalvo (MLM Public Relations).
Several organizations joined the Chamber as partner sponsors, including The Bucks Business Network, Con Edison, Empire State Bank, National Grid, SCARAN, and United Activities Unlimited. The event was powered by Tekie Geek.
To read all six profiles of the Lou Miller Award honorees and view the online journal, visit https://www.sichamber.com/lou-miller-2021.