Kings honorees spotlighted on “Victoria’s Stars”

If you missed the event, you can still immerse yourself in the excitement of the recent Kings of Kings ceremony — led by the star of CBS’s “Hot Bench” Patricia DiMango of Dyker Heights, who paid homage to the great men of Brooklyn – by tuning in to this month’s “Victoria’s Stars,” to be aired on Friday, December 11.

Dozens of the borough’s leading businessmen, as well as DiMango and Emmy Award-winning actress, entrepreneur and spokesperson Linda Dano, will be in the spotlight on the show — hosted by the Co-Publisher of this paper Victoria Schneps — which highlights honorees from the fifth annual King of Kings Awards and Networking Event, sponsored by the Star Network, The Home Reporter and The Brooklyn Spectator.

“Tonight, we are honoring men who have done extraordinary things in our community and two outstanding women,” said Schneps, in introducing the honorees.

Schneps added that Hall of Famers – past Kings Frank Seddio, Kings County Democratic Chairman; Monsignor David Cassato, Pastor of St. Athanasius Church; William R. Guarinello, President and CEO, Heartshare; Brian Leary, Managing Partner, CPEX Real Estate and Paul Mak, President/CEO, Brooklyn Chinese-American Association – were also lauded at the event.

The Man of Valor award was given to Colonel Joseph Davidson, Garrison Commander of Fort Hamilton Army Base and the Lifetime Achievement Award went to civic leader and community activist Dino Lamia.

The event, celebrated at Brooklyn’s Grand Prospect Hall, paid tribute to the following Kings:
Michael Allegretti, Senior Manager for Public Policy, UBER; Louis Barricelli, Owner, Cousin John’s Bakery; Barry Baum, EVP & Chief Communications Officer, Barclays Center; James Bouey, Retail District Executive, Brooklyn North, Santander Bank; John J. Ciafone, Esq., President, Law Offices of John J. Ciafone; Keith Christensen, VP, Regional Business Banker, New York Community Banker; Salvatore Cipriano, Secretary/Treasurer, Fiorentino Jewelers; John Demetriades, R. PH, Supervising Pharmacist/Owner, Farmacon Pharmacy; John Donofrio, Founder, Donofrio Inc.; Hon. John F. Gangemi, Esq., Law Offices of John F. Gangemi; David Gartenstein, Executive Vice President, Gartenstein Consultants; Paul Gelsobello, Owner/Commercial & Advertising Photographer, Paul Gelsobello Studio; Darin Germanton, Director of Professional Development, Dale Carnegie Training; Dr. Frank Kirkland, DDS, Family Dental; Vladimir Lik, Retail District Executive Brooklyn South, Santander Bank; Faro Locricchio, Owner, C&L Fine Gifts; Lorenzo Lugara, Partner, Lugara PLLC; David Marcus, Owner & CEO, Ultimate Logistics; Liam Ambrose McCabe, CEO/US Congressional Staffer, Steeplechase Strategies/District Leader: Conservative Party; Ralph Mercante, Owner/President, Bustabug Pest Control; Frank Naccarato, Financial Professional/Community Leader, Prudential Financial/Brooklyn Community; James Orlando, President/Owner, St. James Realty; Anthony S. Pennachio Sr., Owner/Manager, Floral Fantasy/Scarpaci Funeral Home; Louis Rizzo, Lead Program Manager, National Grid; Donald Ruan, Co-Owner/Chef, Ruan’s Chinese Restaurant; Joe Ruggiero, Lt. Governor, Kiwanis of Brooklyn; Dominick Sarta, Owner, Sarta Realty/Gino Iron Works & Contracting Service; William Smoltino, Co-Owner, Narrows Insurance Agency; Frank Sorci, Pharmacy/Store Manager, Walgreens; and Robert A. Zaloom, MD, Medical Director, Cardiac Cath, NYU Lutheran Medical Center.

Andre Sigourney, Associate Director Retail Sales for CPEX Real Estate and Stephen Safina, Associate Director Multi-Family for CPEX Real Estate, were also lauded for Excellence in Commercial Real Estate.

DiMango was lauded as Woman of the Year while Dano took home the award for Humanitarian Woman of the Year.

“We are very happy to be able to bring you these extraordinary people who have made a difference in so many people’s lives,” said Schneps. “Enjoy them.”

For more information on events like the King of Kings Awards and Networking Event, or to nominate someone deserving, visit www.homereporter.com/nominations or call Lori Pedone at 718-238-6600, extension 110.

The show will air Friday, December 11 at 5 p.m. on BCAT, which can be found on Time Warner channel 56, Cablevision channel 69, RCN channel 84 and Verizon channel 44.

Gregori Romenski is the show’s producer.