Kings of Staten Island crowned at inaugural celebration

It was a celebration fit for kings in Staten Island as 31 of the borough’s top businessmen and community leaders were honored for their achievements on Tuesday, June 9.

Schneps Communications and Star Networking hosted the inaugural Kings of Staten Island networking event at the Staten Island Hilton Garden Inn (1100 South Avenue) and the seriously royal celebration turned out enough gems to make a king jealous.

“We’re thrilled to be able to recognize the spectacular men who have made a great contribution to Staten Island in business, in civic and in non-profit work,” said Home Reporter and Brooklyn Spectator Co-Publisher Victoria Schneps. “For me, its an honor to honor them.”

The night began with a VIP cocktail hour – a chance for all the men to meet and get to know their fellow honorees. The evening then moved into an interactive business expo, where event-goers were given the chance to mingle and browse through some of what the exhibitors had to offer before moving into the dinner and awards ceremony portion of the night.

“It’s absolutely flattering to be amongst this wonderful group of people and to be able to contribute to Staten Island,” said honoree Pasquale Loporcaro, assistant vice president and store manager of TD Bank. “Staten Island is a wonderful place, and all the honorees are absolutely worthy of being honored because they all give their time and effort to the community.”

“It’s not only a personal honor, it’s really an honor for my institution, the College of Staten Island,” said Dr. William Fritz, the school’s president. “I think if you look at the honorees tonight, this is a real group of leaders from Staten Island and we really pride ourselves on working together as a community. I think that’s what this is all about.”

Robert Tuzzo, honoree, lifelong Staten Island resident, and vice president of Vanguard Funding, was one of the night’s exhibitors as well and looked forward to brainstorming with other honorees and attendees.

“It means a lot to be honored for this event with a lot of prestigious people who give back to the community,” said Tuzzo. “We want to continue to do so and use this to help us come up with new ideas together with other business professionals to keep giving back.”

“This is a great honor to be here,” added Vice President/Marketing Manager of Investors Bank Brian Gomez. “I’m very humbled by it. There are a lot of great honorees and to be part of such an organization and to continue to give back to the community, it’s an honor so I’m very grateful to be a part of this.”

Additionally, Edward Delli Paoli, Esq. of the Law Office of Edward Delli Paoli received the Lifetime Achievement Award and Nicholas Caruselle, deputy executive director of Staten Island University Hospital, received the Community Leadership Award.

“I can’t believe I’m here,” said Delli Paoli. “To all the honorees, God bless you, you’ve done great work for Staten Island. Staten island is a special place to all of us because we care about people and that’s the most important thing in life, not money. It’s what you leave behind and the work that you do for other people that makes life worth while.”

In the spirit of giving to others, all the proceeds from the night’s raffles went to two charities, Kids Against Cancer and the Seton Foundation for Learning.

The night’s presenting sponsor was North Shore LIJ Staten Island University Hospital. Additional sponsors included TD Bank, New York Community Bank, Michael’s Cause, Investors Bank, St. John’s University, the College of Staten Island, Vanguard Funding, Ridge Abstract and the Daily News.

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