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Long Island Association Holds Second Annual Evening of Honors

LIA In The News

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 9, 2023 
Stacey Sikes, Vice President of Government Affairs &
Communications, Long Island Association
ssikes@longislandassociation.org
 

Long Island Association Holds Second Annual Evening of Honors
 
Event recognized business leaders who support Long Island’s economic development


Woodbury, NY - On May 2, 2023, the Long Island Association (LIA) held its second annual Evening of Honors event, where approximately 500 members of the business community celebrated the achievements of innovative companies, business leaders, and their employees who have made significant impacts on Long Island’s economy. The event was held at the Crest Hollow Country Club. 
 
“The Long Island Association has been advocating for our region’s economy for nearly a century, and this is made possible through the support of our members and the work their businesses and employees do for our Island every day. We are grateful to recognize their significant contributions at the LIA’s Evening of Honors,” said Matt Cohen, President & CEO of the Long Island Association.
 
“The 2023 Honorees are truly deserving of this recognition, as their companies and employees have had a tremendous impact on Long Island, from our infrastructure and transition to clean energy, to our arts and culture, and sports and entertainment. We look forward to them being successful here for years to come,” said Lawrence Waldman, Board Chair of the Long Island Association. 
 
The Honorees included:
 
Medal of Honor Award: Billy Haugland II, CEO & the Employees of Haugland Group LLC
  • The LIA’s most prestigious award was presented to Billy Haugland II, CEO, and the Employees of Haugland Group LLC, which is an infrastructure services company that employs more than 600 people on Long Island and more than 1,000 throughout the country. With Long Island poised to become the offshore wind capital of the country, Haugland Group LLC is at the forefront of this emerging and transformative industry. The company is a prime contractor for both South Fork Wind – New York State’s first offshore wind farm – and Sunrise Wind.
 
“It is an honor to be recognized by the LIA with this year’s Medal of Honor,” said Billy Haugland II, CEO of Haugland Group LLC,  “There is a true synergy and partnership among the LIA and its members.  Every team member within the Haugland Group family of companies is dedicated to expanding immediate job openings and access to workforce development programs that stimulate economic opportunities for all Long Islanders.” 
 
The Harry Chapin Humanitarian Award for Community Service: Dylan Skolnick & Charlotte Sky, Co-Directors and the Employees of the Cinema Arts Centre
  • The mission of the Cinema Arts Centre is to use the power of film to expand the awareness and consciousness of our community. Founded in 1973, the Centre has brought people together to form a movement around film culture that has helped shape and define the very character of our region, now renowned as a cultural destination and an arts-rich community. With nearly 10,000 members and about 150,000 visitors each year, they have a long history of using the power of film to do social good.
 
Charlotte Sky and Dylan Skolnick said, “We are deeply honored to be receiving this award from the LIA. It’s especially meaningful for us because this award is named for Harry Chapin, a legendary and inspiring Long Islander.”
 
Key to the Island: Jon Ledecky, Co-Owner, The New York Islanders, on behalf of the entire organization
  • The Key to the Island is a brand-new honor created to recognize someone who may not have been born on Long Island but has now become an adopted son or daughter of the region and Jon Ledecky is the first recipient. This year, the New York Islanders are celebrating its 50-year anniversary on Long Island. They are committed to our region and in 2021 moved into a state-of-the-art home for the franchise in Elmont: UBS Arena. They have also made tremendous philanthropic contributions to Long Island through their Children’s Foundation.
 
“Thank you to the business community of Long Island for making UBS Arena possible,” Islanders Co-Owner Jon Ledecky said at the event. “We know it would not have been possible without the LIA and without the great companies of Long Island. Thank you so much for the Key to the Island.”
 
Lifetime Achievement Award: Henry Holley, President & CEO, The Holley Group, Inc.
  • Henry has served on the LIA Board of Directors for several decades. His career has displayed the energy, courage, perseverance, and hard work of a true entrepreneur. ln 1966, he founded his first company, the Hempstead Transportation Service Inc. which started operations with only one car and one driver but then grew and prospered thanks to Henry’s leadership and hard work. In addition to being a successful businessman, Henry has been deeply involved in his community and small business development. Henry Holley currently runs the Holley Group Inc. and was one of three African Americans on the association's 44-member board when he joined the LIA.
 

Long Island Association Holds Second ...

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