7 to be honored with Louis R. Miller Business Leadership Award
Updated Feb 21, 2021;
By Michael Anderson | Staten Island Chamber of Commerce
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. Since 1994, the Staten Island Chamber of Commerce and Staten Island Advance have presented the Louis R. Miller Business Leadership Awards to honor professionals who demonstrate strong leadership skills, unwavering commitment to our community and strong business sensibilities.
Despite the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, which has been disruptive for all of Staten Island’s small businesses, a new class of leaders has been selected. This year’s seven recipients have demonstrated their strong leadership abilities for decades before the pandemic, and continue to do so in the face of strong challenges.
Dental duo honored for their community involvement
Updated Feb 14, 2021;
Posted Feb 14, 2021
Dr. Karen DiBona and Dr. Mark Scamardella, partners at DiBona and Scamardella Dental Studio, Willowbrook, are being honored with a Louis R. Miller Leadership Award. (Photo courtesy of the Staten Island Chamber of Commerce/Dom Provenzano)
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By Michael Anderson | Staten Island Chamber of Commerce
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. Dr. Karen DiBona and Dr. Mark Scamardella have been bringing smiles to patients and the Staten Island community for years.
The husband-and-wife duo provide safe, compassionate and experienced care to their patients at DiBona and Scamardella Dental Studio in Willowbrook while also contributing their free time to lend a hand to those in need.
Shawn J. Stradford honored for the countless ways he serves others
Updated Feb 07, 2021;
Posted Feb 07, 2021
Shawn J. Stradford, president and CEO of West Brighton’s Stradford Funeral Home for Funerals and Cremations Inc., is being honored with a Louis R. Miller Leadership Award. (Photo courtesy of the Staten Island Chamber of Commerce/Dom Provenzano)
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By Michael Anderson | Staten Island Chamber of Commerce
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. Shawn J. Stradford Sr.’s mother, the Rev. Yvonne Stradford, envisioned her son in a profession that would make a difference. Rev. Stradford believed her son could provide a fresh perspective and contribute to the local community, which was and still is woefully underserved.
Restaurateur honored for his dedication to local Sri Lankan community
Updated Jan 31, 2021;
Posted Jan 31, 2021
Lakruwana Wijesinghe, founder of Lakruwana restaurant in Stapleton, is being honored with a Louis R. Miller Leadership Award. (Photo courtesy of the Staten Island Chamber of Commerce/Dom Provenzano)
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By Michael Anderson | Staten Island Chamber of Commerce
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. Little did Lakruwana Wijesinghe know that a simple trip aboard the Staten Island Ferry would direct his future path as a restaurateur and eventually help him become a major influencer, bringing Sri Lankan culture to the borough.
On that ride back in 1989, the Stapleton resident, who immigrated to Staten Island from Sri Lanka in 1983, met his future wife, Jayantha.
Dean L. Balsamini is honored for his dedication to small businesses
Updated Jan 24, 2021;
Posted Jan 24, 2021
Dean L. Balsamini, regional director of the Staten Island Small Business Development Center at the College of Staten Island, is being honored with a Louis R. Miller Leadership Award. (Photo courtesy of the Staten Island Chamber of Commerce/Dom Provenzano)
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By Michael Anderson | Staten Island Chamber of Commerce
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. Countless Staten Island small businesses can credit their success to Dean L. Balsamini.
Balsamini’s 35-year career began in the Logistics and Human Resources Department at Western Electric Company Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of AT&T. He moved to Cupertino, Calif., to run the west coast purchasing operations, learning valuable buying experience along the way.