SAAGNY Recognizes Industry Leaders at Annual Holiday Party

The Specialty Advertising Association of Greater New York (SAAGNY) announced the winners of the association’s annual awards during its Holiday Party, held at the Glen Island Harbour Club in New Rochelle, N.Y. Awards presented include supplier, distributor, John J. Pagano Multiline Representative, customer service representative, humanitarian of the year, and more. The Diamond Award winners were also announced, and the 2021 40 Under 40 recipients recognized.

The SAAGNY Board of Directors established these awards to recognize those companies and individuals that best represent the ideals of the promotional advertising industry. The winners of these awards were all nominated and voted on by the association’s members in balloting conducted in September and October. A selection committee determined the winners of the SAAGNY Diamond Awards and the 40 Under 40 Recipients. The winners were:

Company Awards

• Supplier of the Year (less than $40 million in sales): Starline
• Supplier of the Year (more than $40 million in sales): Tekweld
• Distributor of the Year (smaller): JP Scar
• Distributor of the Year (larger): Stackable Sensations
• Supplier Technology Award: PCNA
• Distributor Technology Award: HALO
• Decorator of the Year: Insane Apparel

Individual Awards:

• John J. Pagano Multiline Rep of the Year: Josh Brooks, Brooks & Brooks
• Customer Service Rep of the Year: Will Flores, Tekweld
• Supplier Representative of the Year: John R. B. Cudahy, MAS
• Humanitarian of the Year: Gail Deutchman, Distinctive Promotions

Diamond Awards:

• Goodwill/Nonprofit/Fundraising: Beth Silverman, The Vernon Company
• Internal Self Promotion/Employee Incentive Program: Stackable Sensations

40 Under 40 Recipients:

• Anthony Abatzis
• Chris Barlow
• Amy Bennedict
• Chris Bloomer
• Jon Borowka
• Adam Brown
• Mike Cardin
• Dino Ciccarelli
• John R. B. Cudahy, MAS
• Brian Deissroth
• Thomas Deissroth
• Ethan Dowie
• Sean Dwyer
• Chelsea Fishman
• Will Flores
• David Goldfarb
• Scott Gordon
• Donald Grant
• Jeff Hinds
• Tim Howe
• Sean Kurtzman
• Jenna Larned
• Zach LeBlanc
• Elyssa Maryasis
• Marissa Mattessich
• Kevin McLaughlin
• Anthony McNally
• Mike Newman
• Chim Olisemeka
• Brendan Pigott
• James Przybyszewski
• Robert Russell
• Amy Serrano
• Dylan Sullivan
• Rich Susi
• Cristina Tarantino
• Brittany Tiringer
• Nick Valentini
• Alexis Wahl
• Keith Zasowski

SAAGNY thanked Orrefors Kosta Boda for donating the SAAGNY awards.

“So many faces both old and new gathered together to honor and celebrate success," said SAAGNY president Rachel Levin, CAS. "Seeing everyone out of the office and onto the dance floor was a great reminder of how important the SAAGNY community is. It was a night to remember!"

In addition, The SAAGNY Foundation honored Harvey Mackler, MAS+, by installing him into The SAAGNY Foundation Hall of Fame. Mackler, who was unable to attend in person to accept his award, noted in his prepared remarks, “It is an honor to be inducted into The SAAGNY Foundation Hall of Fame, and it is also an acknowledgement of the many industry colleagues who worked tirelessly alongside me. It was easy to follow the leadership paths blazed by the previous chairs, Bill Lazarus and Joel Schaffer. There were countless volunteers and committed hours. We need to continue to “do good.”

“Harvey was instrumental in actively fundraising and integral to growth of the Foundation," said SAAGNY Foundation co-chairs Lynn Millinger and Chris Bloomer. "The Foundation also wants to express our appreciation to Foundation past-president Melissa Casey for the gracious donation of the award created by Pacesetter Awards.”

For more information on SAAGNY, visit www.saagny.org.