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LIA Press Release: Evening of Honors 2025

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Long Island Association Holds Annual Evening of Honors
 
Event recognized business leaders who support Long Island’s economic development and make a positive impact in the community
 
Click to View Pictures from the Event
Visit the LIA’s YouTube Channel to View the Honoree Videos
Photo and Video Credit: Craig Cooper Productions
 

Farmingdale, NY - On May 21, 2025, the Long Island Association (LIA) held its fourth annual Evening of Honors event, where approximately 400 members of the business community celebrated the achievements of innovative leaders, companies, and their employees who have boosted Long Island’s economy and philanthropic efforts. The event was held at the Heritage Club at Bethpage. 
 
“The 2025 Evening of Honors was emotional, and at the same time gratifying to recognize individuals and companies that have had a transformational impact on Long Islanders. The honorees are truly part of the fabric of who we are, and I was humbled to publicly acknowledge their vast contributions to our communities and economic landscape with an audience comprised our region’s business leaders,” said Matt Cohen, LIA President & CEO.
 
“The 2025 honorees have impacted people from all walks of life, and their achievements are a representation of the wide-ranging nature of Long Island’s business sector.  Their innovation, vision, and leadership has contributed to our unparalleled quality of life on Long Island,” said Larry Waldman, Chair of the LIA Board of Directors.
 
The Honorees included:
 
Medal of Honor Award: Webster Bank 
  • This year’s Medal of Honor was presented to Ed Blaskey, Executive Managing Director and Head of Middle Market Banking, and the Webster Bank team. Under Ed’s leadership, Webster Bank has become trusted partner to Long Island businesses, helping them scale their operations and stay competitive. Committed to our region’s future, the Webster Bank team supports philanthropy, workforce development, and local nonprofits, demonstrating their dedication to investing in people and strengthening our communities.
 
Ed Blaskey, LIA Board Member and Executive Managing Director at Webster Bank, said, “It is my distinct honor to accept the Medal of Honor award on behalf of Webster Bank’s Long Island team. This award signifies the many contributions of both Webster Bank and the Long Island Association in working on initiatives that support both our business community and residents alike.”
The Harry Chapin Humanitarian Award for Community Service: The Viscardi Center
 
  • Jason Chapin, Harry and Sandra Chapin’s son, joined the LIA in recognizing Dr. Christopher Rosa, President & CEO of The Viscardi Center, and its team with this prestigious award. A lifelong advocate for the disability community, Dr. Rosa has expanded their innovative programs in education, workforce development, and advocacy for children and adults with disabilities. Under his leadership, The Viscardi Center remains a model for inclusion, breaking down barriers, elevating voices, and creating opportunities that build a more inclusive and equitable future for people with disabilities.
 
Christopher Rosa, LIA Board Member and President & CEO of The Viscardi Center, said, “The Viscardi Center is proud that, through its Harry Chapin Award, the LIA has honored the tireless work of Viscardi’s close to 400 professionals, who educate, employ, and empower people with disabilities – and their families -throughout the lifecycle. We’re particularly grateful for the LIA’s commitment to recognizing the importance of Long Island’s non-profit disability service organizations, which support nearly 12,000 full-time jobs and annually generate $2 billion in economic impact.” 
 
Key to the Island: Mike Narula, Founder & CEO of Orbic North America
 
  • The Key to the Island recognizes someone who may not have been born on Long Island but has now become an adopted son or daughter of the region. Mike Narula was born in India, emigrated to the United States and started several companies including Orbic North America based in Hauppauge. A bold advocate for domestic production, Mike plans to bring approximately 1,000 manufacturing jobs to Long Island, making Orbic one of the few U.S.-based smart device manufacturers investing locally. His leadership has contributed to the strength of our region’s manufacturing sector and its prominent role in our economy, proving you can grow globally while staying rooted locally.
 
Mike Narula, LIA Board Member and Founder & CEO of Orbic, said, “Orbic is proud to be part of Long Island’s innovation economy and to contribute to the region’s manufacturing resurgence through Project Patriot. Our commitment on building a high-tech manufacturing facility right here in the U.S. is more than a business decision—it’s a belief in American ingenuity, local job creation, and long-term economic impact. I’m deeply honored to receive the Key to the Island—it’s a humbling recognition that reflects the dedication of our entire team and the strength of our partnership with the Long Island community. We look forward to sharing our journey and continuing to grow alongside this vibrant business ecosystem.”
 
Lifetime Achievement Award: In honor of Charles Dolan
  • The 2025 Lifetime Achievement Award was posthumously presented to Charles Dolan, Chairman and Founder of Cablevision, and accepted by his son, Pat Dolan, owner of Newsday Media Group. A media pioneer and visionary, Charles Dolan transformed American television by founding HBO and later Cablevision, revolutionizing how millions accessed news, sports, and entertainment. Under his leadership, Cablevision became a major employer and community partner, supporting education and civic initiatives. His innovation has shaped the media industry we know today, leaving a legacy that lives on in the organizations and individuals he inspired.
 
Pat  Dolan, Owner of Newsday Media Group, said, “Charles Dolan was a true force of nature in the business world who changed the media industry forever and improved the lives of so many. My family and I are grateful to the LIA for calling attention to his lifetime of achievement.”
 
The LIA also paid special tribute to Phyllis Hill Slater, who recently passed. She was a champion for small businesses and a pillar of our region’s community who had an unwavering commitment to economic empowerment. Phyllis impacted countless business owners through her mentorship, support through the Long Island Development Corp., and policy changes she advocated for to support their growth. Phyllis was an LIA Board member for more than 30 years and received the Lifetime Achievement Award in 2022, and her impact will endure on the countless individuals who benefited from her mentorship and leadership.
 
The sponsors of the 2025 Evening of Honors included:
 
Medal of Honor Sponsor:
  • Webster Bank
 
Banquet Reception Sponsor:
  • Newsday 
 
Awards Ceremony Sponsors:
  • FourLeaf Federal Credit Union
  • PSEG Long Island
 
Dessert Celebration Sponsors:
  • Google
  • KPMG
  • Meta
  • Rivkin Radler
 
About the Long Island Association
The Long Island Association (LIA) is the region’s leading non-profit and non-partisan business organization since 1926 and amplifies the voice of the business community. As Long Island’s chamber of commerce, the LIA works to ensure the region’s economic vitality. Long Island’s future is our business. www.longislandassociation.org 
 
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LIA Press Release: Evening of Honors 2025

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