Young Long Island Professionals Honored at Gala

Some of the area's top young professionals were honored Tuesday at the annual 30 Under 30 awards at the .

Award winners were chosen by the from a competitive field of more than 100 nominees from the private, public, government and not-for-profit sectors of Long Island and honored in front of more than 350 in attendance at the club.

"It's a great opportunity to showcase the up-and-comers on Long Island," said Chamber Chairman Robert Bontempi. "We've got 30 of the best and brightest here tonight." 

Speaking at the event, Alex Borg of the Huntington COC's Young Professionals Committee said nominees made notable impasse in business, industry and the community.

"We know that these young people are the future of Long Island and are true examples of leaders in our community," said Borg, addressing more than 350 in attendance Tuesday.

"To me, to be a part the top 30 on Long Island of young professionals is truly an honor," said Jean-Marie Smith, who operates the Let All Children Play Charity in Belmore.

Joe Yacobellis a Huntington architect from Mancini Architecture in Smithtown, said it was exciting when he heard he was picked.

"I got a letter in the mail one day and I was surprised to find out. I was pretty excited to be a part of it," said Yacobellis, nominated by Suffolk County Legis. John Kennedy of District 12. 

Others winners from the Long Island community were equally excited.

Sean Bickoff of Borg & Borg Insurance in Huntington said young people have to work twice as hard, without the same network of contacts as everyone else, so he was honored to be recognized.

"It's nice to be honored for getting out there and not only working for our primary businesses but at the same time giving back to the community," said Bickoff, also a trustee for the Huntington Historical Society and a member of the Long Island Elite.

At 21 years old, the youngest to receive awards were Robert Huether and his twin brother, William, both represnting the National Grid and Inline 1 Sports Center of Mt. Sinai.

"It's an honor, my brother and I have worked really hard," said Robert, a student at Dowling College.

Among the winners were members of various media organizations including the Huntington Buzz, Long Islander Newspapers and Patch.

"It's great to be recognized as someone who is helping to improve the quality of Long Island," said Liz Marmer of Commack. Patch's regional advertising manager for Long Island. "I think I'm example of what young professionals are striving to do, which is stay on Long Island and work here." 

The 30 Under 30 Award winners:

• Caesar Alaienia – Stony Brook University Medical Center
• Sean Bickoff – Borg & Borg Inc.
• Alison Brennan – Einbinder & Co.
• Liz Marmer- Patch.com
• Michelle E. Cohen – Certilman, Balin, Adler, & Hyman, LLP
• Thomas C. Fell, Jr. – Fuoco Group
• Elizabeth Fochetta – Leviton Manufacturing
• Bryan J. Galgano – Office of Legislator Steve Stern
• Bradley Gardiner – Armbrecht & Company, CPA, PC
• Matt Goldapper – JVC Broadcasting
• William Hernandez – BAE Systems
• Robert Huether – National Grid and Inline 1 Sports Center
• William Huether – National Grid and Inline 1 Sports Center
• Kimberly Joseph – Premier Home Health Care
• Alex H. Kushnir – Office of Assemblyman Andrew Raia
• Scott Martella – Office of the Governor, Hon. Andrew Cuomo
• Ali Nazir – Office of Legislator John M. Kennedy Jr.
• Jacqueline Pevera – Farmingdale State College
• Michael Raspantini – Huntington Buzz
• Morgan Rooney – BAE Systems
• Christopher Sagistano – H2M Group
• Matthew Sanchez – YDA
• Daniel Schrafel – Long Islander Newspapers, LLC
• Jean-Marie Smith – Let All The Children Play
• Pedram Tabibi – Meltzer, Lippe, Goldstein, and Breitstone, LLP
• Garrett Taylor – Ameriprise Financial Services, Inc.
• Denny Teason – Suffolk County Community College
• Anthony Vlachos – North Shore Financial Group
• Theresa Weston – Cerini and Associates, LLP
• Sean Wightman – New Life Properties
• Joe Yacobellis – Mancini Architecture, PLLC