PHOTOS: Putnam’s 40 Under 40 Honored at Trailblazer Event
Not rain nor sleet nor slow could stop the over 300 people that turned out for Friday night’s celebration of the inaugural class of Putnam County Chambers of Commerce’s 40 Under 40 Trailblazer award.
Held at Villa Barone Hilltop Manor in Mahopac, community members, business owners and public officials alike turned out to honor the 40, which were pared down from the original 56 nominees elected by their peers.
“Truth be told, as we began the execution of this project, we all realized how important it was for Putnam County,” said PCCC Chairwoman Jennifer Maher. “We have been successful in our endeavor of bringing fresh faces of leadership forward.”
Maher noted that all of the nominees should be proud of their accomplishments.
“These nominees are the people that were thought of highly enough by other community members have them take the time to fill out a nomination form describing their outstanding qualities and send it in to us,” said Maher. “They were then put through a rigorous vetting process by judges from all corners of the county. To be considered for such an award is a great honor, and I personally feel each and every nominee is a winner.”
County Executive MaryEllen Odell agreed.
“Congratulations to the 56 nominees and to the recipients of Putnam’s first 40 Under 40 Trailblazer Award,” she said. “Your professionalism and leadership qualities have earned you the cross-county recognition and respect of your business peers. As young Trailblazers, you exemplify the economic promise in Putnam County and I salute you, one and all.”
The honorees concurred.
“The event was a huge success and I was thrilled to be a part of it,” said award recipient Lauren J. Pistone of Mahopac. “Not only did it bring new faces and businesses together but it showcased the talent that is here in Putnam County not just with the nominees but all that were involved.”
The inaugural 40 Under 40 class includes Ruth Ayala-Quezada, Joe Bachmeier, Barbarossa, Julie Barr, Rebecca Bertoldi, Sue Boyd, Faith Ann Butcher, Alicia Candfield, Katie DeMarco, Savanna DeStefano, David Dretel, Brett Freeman, Eytan Hammerman, Brittany Hyatt, Jamie Imperati, Michael Lee, Joseph Lucia, Luigi Manente, Erin Meagher, Paul Mellela, Jr., Angelina Mendes, Jessica Olson, Jason Pabon, Lauren J. Pistone, Katie Robertson, Jonathan Schneider, Tara Scozzafava- Baisley, Richard Seidel, Bramdeo Singh, Heather Soss, Adrienne Spadaccini, Scott Van Niekerk, Nagi Wissa, Andrew Zacontinsky and Carmelo Zagari. Mike Bucci and Tom Bucci of Bucci Brothers Deli, Matt Camerino and Toni Vulaj of The Chophouse Grille, Johnny and Nicky Crecco of Villa Barone as well as Christina and Lee Vataj shared awards as the co-owners of their respective businesses.
“It was a honor to be nominated as well as to receive the 40 under 40 award for 2012,” recipient Alicia Candfield of Patterson said. “I was able to have me family come as well as a few of my coworkers to help celebrate my award. It was a great night to celebrate a job I have loved from day one and every day since for 14 and a half years!”
The night also honored 40 Under 40 honorable mentions Greg Ball, Dan Branda, Louis Cardillo, Nicholas D’Andrea, Joe DeBellis, Neil Denaut, Sidney Haitoff, Anthony Malvagno, James Pfeifer, Amber Polhemus, Mike Reyes and Kelly Torres.
Adam has worked in the local news industry for the past two decades in Westchester County and the broader Hudson Valley. Read more from Adam’s author bio here.
