Fort Lee Chamber Honors Members, Presents Annual Awards

The held its Spring 2012 Annual General Membership Luncheon at Fort Lee’s Thursday, announcing its 2012 Persons of the Year, presenting the annual Beautification Awards and installing its 2012 Board of Directors.

“It is a special occasion for the chamber, as it is every spring,” said board vice president and co-chair of the Chamber’s Benefits and 2012 Ironman committees Margaret Maclay, who also served as emcee of the annual event.

Maclay highlighted some of the significant developments for a busy first half of 2012 for the Chamber.

“In January, we partnered with New Jersey Association of Women Business Owners,” she said. “In February, we with the Ridgefield Manufacturers Association; in April we became the Fort Lee Regional Chamber of Commerce.”

All of these events, Maclay said, are “indicative of our commitment to servicing a broader community.”

Each year, the Chamber of Commerce recognizes businesses and organizations that have made improvements to real estate in Fort Lee and nearby communities in three award categories: historic/landmark, conceptual and merit awards.

The Chamber’s 2012 Historic/Landmark Award, which is given to “an entity that is closely identified within the community of Fort Lee,” went to the Borough of Fort Lee for its in , honoring all of the borough’s emergency service agencies. Assistant Superintendent of Public Works and General Services Michael Maresca accepted the award on the borough’s behalf.

The Chamber also presented two Conceptual Awards, “presented annually for a total project with its own impact on the area.” The first went to 2044 Fort Lee Center, a new three-story retail and office building with a ground floor parking level. Architect Taeik Kim accepted the award on behalf of Jin Park.

The other Conceptual Award was presented to developer Angelo Nigro for Community Center Plaza, a new complex on the triangle located across from the Fort Lee Community Center, which will include a pharmacy and a restaurant serving pizza, gourmet Italian food, coffee and gelato.

The Chamber also gave out three Merit Awards for 2012. Recipients were as follows:

• Frank A. Patti, Kenneth Mikatarian Funeral Directors with Frank Patti accepting the award for a “complete renovation of exterior entrance, building and landscaping.”

• Koryodang Bakery & Cafe with Taeik Kim also accepting this award on behalf of Sungwon Namgung for the 3,200 square-foot cafe and bakery that “remodeled the old Blockbuster space to include a full kitchen, which enables all products to be baked in-house.”

• Raffi Khorozian, Esq. with Ashley Yook accepting on his behalf for “total remodel and landscaping.”

Officers and members of the Fort Lee Regional Chamber of Commerce 2012-2013 Board of Directors installed Thursday are as follows: 

Officers

• Ken Bruno, President
• Alejandra Pazmino, 1st Vice President
• Margaret Maclay, 2nd Vice President
• Hope Player, Secretary/Treasurer
• Sam Cereste, Esq., Board Attorney
• Gloria Oh, Esq., Immediate Past President
• Craig Weinstein, Past President/ Pres. Appointee
• Frank Patti Sr., Past President/ Pres. Appointee
• Anthony Clores, Past President/ Pres. Appointee

Board Members

• Robert M. Durando
• "Z" Ehemen
• Dr. Michael Errichiello
• Fred Goetz, Esq.
• Howard Joh
• Kiky Kim
• Michael Lesler
• Michael Lettieri
• Gloria Oh
• Anthony Sorrentino
• Jaime Weiss

The 2012 Persons of the Year were past Chamber president Craig Weinstein of Fort Lee and Mike Pollotta of Palisades Park who Maclay said has more 65 years of community service under his belt.

Editor’s Note: Weinstein and Pollotta will be the subjects of upcoming articles on Fort Lee Patch.

“The Fort Lee Community is bustling with excitement over the redevelopment project and look forward to all the opportunities and benefits it will bring to the Fort Lee regional area,” Maclay said. “Additionally, on August 11, the will come to Fort Lee.”

She added, “What an incredible opportunity to showcase our businesses, restaurants and community spirit.”

For more information on upcoming events, visit the Fort Lee Regional Chamber of Commerce’s website.

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