DECEMBER 2018 • LONGISLANDPRESS.COM 37
HONORED FOR COMMUNITY WORK
TV broadcaster Geraldo Rivera
was named Kings of Long Island 2018
Humanitarian of the Year.
“Life’s WORC does God’s work
for the developmentally disabled
population,” said Rivera, who hosts
fundraisers for the nonprofit that
was founded after he exposed mistreatment
of patients at the infamous
Willowbrook State School, a nowclosed
mental institution in Staten
Island.
The evening kicked off with a cocktail
hour so honorees and their guests
could mix, mingle and get to know
each other better. As the night went
on, everyone gathered in the main
dining hall to receive their awards
for the evening. The excitement was
contagious.
“It’s a great honor to be a part of
this event,” said honoree Jeffrey G.
Cohen, CPA, Partner-in-Charge of Tax
Services at Grassi & Co. “Vicki and
Geraldo are legends and examples
of class, courage, empathy, love and
giving.”
Michael Fener, CPA, MBA, EMT-B,
Executive Director of Plainview
and Syosset Hospitals, echoed the
sentiment.
“It was truly an honor being identified
as a King of Long Island and
being among such an amazing group
of fellow kings,” Fener said. “Great
to hear how every one of the kings
are not only leaders in business but
all have ways of giving back to their
communities.”
So did Andrew Parton, President of
the Cradle of Aviation Museum and
Education Center.
“I was honored to be a part of such
a distinguished group of individuals
who have all contributed to making
Long Island a better place,” he said.
“The evening was a lot of fun and it
was a special night for me.”
The 32 Honorees include:
Humanitarian of The Year
Geraldo Rivera, TV Broadcaster
Philanthropist of The Year
James C. Metzger, CEO and Chairman,
The Whitmore Group
Dynamic Duo
James B. Baydar, Esq., Partner,
Pegalis & Erickson, LLC
Sanford S. Nagrotsky, Esq., Partner,
Pegalis & Erickson, LLC
Community Media Heroine/Emcee
Antoinette Biordi, News 12 Long
Island
Michael Aharoni, Founder,
VetsEDU
Stuart B. Almer, President and
Chief Executive Officer, Gurwin
Family of Healthcare Services
Andy Ayala, Branch Manager,
Lakeview Mortgage Bankers
Dr. Michael J. Berlin, Owner, Family
Wellness Center
Marc Buccellato, CPT, CFSC,
Owner & Co-Founder, On the Marc
Training™
Jeffrey G. Cohen, CPA, Partner-in-
Charge of Tax Services, Grassi & Co.
Dr. Matthew E. Cunningham,
Assistant Professor of Orthopaedic
Surgery, Interim Chief of the Scoliosis
Service, Hospital for Special Surgery
Edward D’Ambrosio, Executive
Senior Manager, Douglas Elliman
William Diaz, Founder, Noticia
and SUMAQ Peruvian Food
Festival
Michael Fener, CPA, MBA, EMT-B,
Executive Director, Plainview and
Syosset Hospitals
Thomas Francis, Owner, Founder,
Long Island Cuban Cigar and Bourbon
Experienc
Dr. Perry Frankel, Board Certified
Cardiologist, Lipidologist, Founder/
Director Echocardiography and
Vascular Ultrasound Advanced Cardiovascular
Diagnostics
Stephen T. Greenberg, M.D., FACS,
Medical Director, Greenberg Cosmetic
Surgery
Steve Kirschbaum, General Manager,
Lessing’s Catering Division
Bobby La Serra, CEO , Strong
Island Television
Judd Levine, President, Maffucci
Moving & Storage, Interstate Agent
for Bekins Van Lines
Rick Lewis, CEO, Mid-Island Y
Jewish Community Center
George Likourezos, Partner, Carter,
DeLuca, Farrell & Schmidt LLP
Brian Michels, Partner, Michels &
Hanley CPAs
Andrew Parton, President, Cradle
of Aviation Museum and Education
Center
Fred Pesce, Vice President, Vertigo
Media Group
John Savarese, AVP, Branch Manager,
Wantagh Branch, Investors
Bank
Jonathan Scinto, Chef, TV Personality,
Bold Ass Flavors
Joe Spinosa, Vice President,
Business Development, East/West
Industries
Wayne Thompson, Vice President,
Altice USA, CEO, AV Staffing
Solutions
Gino Veneroso, Area Manager
of Business Development, Sunrise
Senior Living’s New York Market
Ricky Wolbrom, Partner, Malc
and Company CPAs
Simon A. Zysman, Ph.D., Founder
and President,Employee Assistance
Resources Services, Inc.
KINGS OF LONG ISLAND
"Philanthropist of the Year" James C. Metzger (right) celebrates with his friends and colleagues