The Queens Courier’s fifth annual “Kings of Queens Awards & Networking Event” was celebrated at Terrace on the Park, honoring dozens of notable businessmen and special honoree Steve Lacy, Fox 5 news anchor.
“[This event] brings people and their businesses together. I’m honored to be honored,” said Mortimer A. Lawrence of the Lawrence Law Group, LLC New York, one of this year’s “Kings.”
The breakfast, held Thursday, November 15, was attended by 400 people and served as a networking opportunity.
“What’s great about this event is that we bring together the leaders of our community. We’re so proud of the unique people that we can recognize,” said Courier publisher Victoria Schneps.
Click here to see all the picture from the event
Different vendors were able to set up tables in the Terrace on the Park expo room and share their information.
“We’re looking to expand,” said Roger Flores of RNC, a telecommunications business within Queens. “We’re a local business and we are here today to let people know what services we have to offer.”
Vendors from businesses such as RCN, to restaurants, to airlines all attended the networking event, hoping to mingle with other local companies and gain contacts.
“It’s the networking, the opportunity to meet other businesses,” said George McKirdy, a bake shop owner in Astoria. “We wanted to get in touch with some of the other businesses in Queens.”
Sponsors of the event included: TD Bank, Delta Airlines, Flushing Bank, CUNY, Con Edison, Sandwire, Melrose Credit Union, Queens Library, Daily News, Crystal Window & Door Systems and Queens County Savings Bank.
“The Courier does a number of events that link businesses and communities,” said Richard Mazda, an honoree. “I appreciate getting the word out about The Secret Theatre.”
Other honorees included John Antzoulis, TD Bank; Sal Bacarella, president, Garden Works; Gerard X Brogan Jr., MD, medical director, Forest Hills Hospital; John Careddu, New York Community Bank; Don Cato, Co-Director, Queens World Film Festival; Sam Chang, chair, McSam Hotel Group; Dr. Michel Cohen, founder, Tribeca Pediatrics; Brother Leonard Conway, principal, St. Francis Prep; Michael Davidov, attorney, Davidov Law Group, PC; Jack Friedman, executive director, Queens Chamber of Commerce; Carl Goodman, executive director, Museum of Moving Image; Paul Goodman, CEO, NY Waterway; Kirk Haltaufderhyde, 2012 National Science Foundation Graduate Research; Dr. Gerard McNeil, associate professor, York College; Alan Kaufman, CEO, Melrose Credit Union; Mortimer A. Lawrence, Esq, The Lawrence Law Group, LLC; Dr. Adam Lublin, co-owner, Dynamic Dental; Douglas MacLaury, Mattone Group; Hossam Abdel Maksoud, Founder & Chief Executive, Maksoud Pharm, Inc.; Eric S. Martinez, JD, CPA, audit partner, Grassi & Co; Richard Mazda, founding artistic director, The Secret Theatre; John A. Messer, VP/counsel, DC Solar Solutions; Vincent Riso, The Briarwood Organization; John E. Roe, Sr., chair of the board of Flushing Financial; Hal Rosenbluth, president, Kaufman Astoria Studios; Frank Russo, owner, Russo’s on the Bay; Edward Sadowsky, trustee, Queens Library; George Schmidt, president, Eastern American Data Voice; John Venaziano, General Manager, Douglaston Club; Mathew Xenakis, president, Woodhaven BID; Daniel Zausner, COO, National Tennis Center.
Following an hour-and-a-half of networking, this years’ “Kings” proceeded into the ballroom, donning red robes and crowns, and were greeted by rounds of applause. Videos of each honoree sharing their “keys to success” played while breakfast was served.
Hearing community leaders speak about their business tactics in the past and plans for the future was inspiring, said Steve Lacy, Fox 5 news anchor and also the MC and honoree at the event.
“It’s the people and the sense of community that I’m really impressed with,” he added.
At each Courier event, all proceeds from raffle ticket sales go to charity. This year, in the wake of Superstorm Sandy, the roughly $3,000 raised will go to the Rockaway Waterfront Alliance and St. Mary’s Healthcare System for Children.
