News & Events
ANNUAL MEETING HIGHLIGHTS ACCOMPLISHMENTS & HONORS LEADERS
On June 18, the East Midtown Partnership
held its 8th Annual Meeting at Astra, on
the 14th Floor of the D&D Building.
Although it was a dreary, rainy morning,
more than 90 people - a record crowd! - gathered to elect members to the Board
of Directors, review our accomplishments
in 2008-2009, discuss our plans for the upcoming year, and recognize community leaders who have worked alongside us to improve East Midtown.
Newly elected to the Board were Marc Viscogliosi, of Viscogliosi Brothers LLC, and Elysabeth Kleinhans, of the 59E59 Theaters. The members also re-elected the slate of incumbent Directors and approved an amendment to the By-Laws specifically authorizing Board votes by e-mail.
City Councilman Dan Garodnick (left), who serves on
the EMP Board, stopped in to say a few words to the
attendees. Other speakers included George McDonald,
founder of The Doe Fund, which is the EMP's
sanitation contractor; Muzzy Rosenblatt from the Bowery
Residents' Committee (homeless outreach); and Joe
Bosio and Roger Hawkins from Bowles Corporate
Services (security).
The highlight of the morning was the announcement of our
first-ever East Midtown Awards, recognizing the
unique contributions of community partners who have put in
an exceptional effort to bettering the district and the city.
The 2009 award winners were:
Community Leaders of the Year
Barry and Judy Schneider not only run the East Sixties Neighborhood Association and serve on Community Board 8, but over the previous year were the impetus behind the creation of the NYC Bridge Centennial Commission, which in May and June, 2009, organized the 100th anniversary celebration of the Queensboro Bridge.
Barry and Judy Schneider, 2009 East Midtown Community Leaders of the Year.
Business Leaders of the Year
Ken McCoy of the Pig 'n' Whistle restaurants (922 Third Avenue) has served the East Midtown community through a wide variety of charitable and civic involvement.
Bébé Regnier of Lampworks (231 East 58th Street) has been a tireless advocate for district retailers, especially those in the decorative arts industry, and community improvement.
Left: Pig 'n' Whistle's Ken McCoy received his award from Carol Schachter of Community Board 6; Right: Bebe Regnier of Lampworks with Adam Zickerman of Inform Fitness Studios.
Building of the Year
515 Madison Avenue, owned and managed by the Gural, Handler, and Schenker Families, underwent an extensive renovation designed to make it an environmentally-friendly "green" building... and increased occupancy in the process.
EMP Board Chair Debbie Fechter presents the owners and managers of 515 Madison Avenue with their award. From left:James Coffey, Newmark Knight Frank's Vice President of Property Management; Brian Steinwurtzel, Newmark Knight Frank Managing Director; Fechter; and 515 Madison Building Manager Martin McGrath.
Partners of Distinction
The officers of the 17th Precinct, 19th Precinct, and Midtown North Precinct of the New York Police Department were cited for their partnership and cooperation with EMP security to address quality of life concerns in the district.
Community Board District Managers Wally Rubin (Board 5), Toni Carlina (Board 6) and Latha Thompson (Board 8) were recognized as unsung heroes of East Midtown for their unstinting efforts on behalf of businesses and residents throughout the community.
Left: EMP president Rob Byrnes presents Community Board 8 District Manager Latha Thompson with her "Partner of Distinction" Award; Right: Community Board 5 District Manager Wally Rubin was another "Partner of Distinction.
Immediately following the meeting, the Board of Directors reelected the following officers for another one-year term:
Chair: Debbie Fechter, Digby Management Co.
Vice Chair: Joanne Porrazzo, Vornado Realty Trust
Treasurer: Brian Steinwurtzel, Newmark Knight Frank
Secretary: Adam Zickerman, Inform Fitness Studios
President: Rob Byrnes
Next year's Annual Meeting is scheduled for June 17, 2010. It's not too early to plan on joining us!