18 Long Island Organizations Named Finalists for 20th Annual HIA-LI Business Achievement Awards

HAUPPAUGE, N.Y., July 23, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- The 20th Annual HIA-LI Business Achievement Awards ceremony is just around the corner. For two decades, HIA-LI, the recognized voice for business on Long Island, has shined a spotlight on business excellence among the Long Island business community. Today it announced 18 finalists among four business categories for the 20th Annual HIA-LI Business Achievement Awards. Finalist organizations have demonstrated achievements in industry leadership, creativity, successful business operations, corporate vision, and other factors necessary to develop and grow a winning organization. Award winners will be announced during a gala luncheon event held at the Crest Hollow Country Club in Woodbury, NY, 11:30 AM - 2:00 PM, Tuesday, September 16, 2014. More information about the awards event is available at: http://bit.ly/20th-hia-li-baa

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"We proudly congratulate the finalists for the 20th Annual HIA-LI Business Achievement Awards for their incredible business achievements," said Terri Alessi-Miceli, President of HIA-LI. "We look forward to conducting site visits with each of the finalists in order to learn more about their company operations and to determine the winners for this year's awards."

Finalists in the 20th Annual HIA-LI Business Achievement Awards competition in four separate business categories are:

Large Businesses (100 or more employees):

• Champion Metal & Glass – a fabricator of high-quality architectural metal and glass
• Jefferson's Ferry – a Lifecare retirement community offering exceptional senior living options, including assisted living, independent living, Alzheimer's and skilled nursing care
• North Atlantic Industries, Inc. – a specialized provider of embedded electronics and computing for military and aerospace applications
• ROTHCO – a family-owned wholesale supplier of army/navy, camping, outdoor, and security merchandise and gear
• Ruskin Moscou Faltischek, P.C. – one of the region's leading providers of innovative legal services

Small Businesses (less than 100 employees):

• AVZ (Albrecht, Viggiano, Zureck & Company, P.C.) – one of the largest certified public accounting firms on Long Island providing a wide range of financial, accounting, auditing, tax and consulting services
• Genser Dubow Genser & Cona – providing a holistic approach to Elder Law and Estate Planning
• Gettry Marcus CPA, P.C. – a top 200 accounting firm with offices in Woodbury, Long Island and NYC
• GrooveCar – one of the leading credit union automotive buying destinations
• MAGII Group of Companies – a provider of financial planning, employee-benefits consulting and third-party administration for small businesses and non-for-profit organizations

Not-for-profit Organizations:

• American Red Cross on Long Island – responding to emergencies and disasters across the region—home fires, floods, building collapses—and more, providing shelter, food, clothing and emotional support at no cost to those in need
• Habitat for Humanity of Suffolk County – a non-profit builder of affordable homes
• Suffolk Y Jewish Community Center – a social service agency concerned with individual growth through meaningful group experiences

Rookie of the Year (companies that have been operating less than five years):

• Chamber of Horrors NY – Long Island's most unique, exciting and absolutely terrifying haunted attraction
• Compass Workforce Solutions – a human resource consulting firm dedicated to providing HR expertise and resources to meet the needs of small businesses
• Concept 5 – web design firm that grows B2B business on Long Island and beyond
• North Shore-LIJ CareConnect – Affordable health insurance offering access to medical, pharmacy, vision, and dental benefits to individuals and employee groups residing in the NY metro area
• Rigatoni's Pizza & Pasta – a local Italian restaurant

In choosing the finalists, the selection committee considered multiple factors. The award criteria include:

• Positive employer/employee relations
• Commitment to the growth or betterment of the Long Island business community
• Revenue and profitability trends over the last three years
• Three to five year vision for the company's future

Additional criteria that were considered include:

• Recent outstanding accomplishments
• Technical innovation or innovative processes
• Expansion into new markets
• Industry leadership
• Overcoming adversity

This year's show sponsors are Amneal Pharmaceuticals and Design Audio Visual (DAV). Other award and event sponsors to date include: AVZ; Business Furniture of Long Island; Campolo, Middleton & McCormick, LLP; Communication Strategy Group; Farrell Fritz, P.C.; H2M Architects & Engineers; National Grid; NST; People's Alliance Federal Credit Union; Sign-A-Rama of Hauppauge; and Vormittag Associates, Inc. (VAI)

Past winners and finalists have included in the large business category: A & Z Pharmaceutical, Inc.; Crosstex International; North Atlantic Industries, Inc.; SmartSource Computer & Audio Visual Rentals; and Teachers Federal Credit Union (winner). In the small business category: Accu Data Payroll; Gettry Marcus CPA, P.C.; Lorraine Gregory Communications Group (winner); MAGII Group of Companies; Package All. In the Rookie of the Year: Digital Natives Group; fishbat (winner); and Rigatoni's Pizza & Pasta. Not-for-profit Organizations: American Heart Association; Family Residences & Essential Enterprises, Inc. (FREE) (winner); Habitat for Humanity of Suffolk, Inc. A Special Industry Partnership Award was also presented to: Smithtown Schools Industry Advisory Board

Those interested in attending the luncheon, or companies interested in becoming sponsors, should visit http://bit.ly/20th-hia-li-baa  or contact Sara Hundertmark at HIA-LI at [email protected] or 631-543-5355.

About HIA-LI
HIA-LI helps Long Island businesses prosper. For over 30 years, we have been the recognized voice for business on Long Island and a powerful force and economic engine for regional development. We provide a forum for business leaders to network, problem solve and obtain advice on critical issues facing their businesses. Our member companies represent tens of thousands of business professionals. We're headquartered in and support one of the largest industrial parks in the United States. HIA-LI programs and events promote strategic partnerships, targeted networking, information sharing and business advocacy. Members benefit from our committees, educational programs, career resources, research capabilities, mentoring opportunities and business advisory services. For more information, visit http://www.hia-li.org or call 631-543-5355.

HIA-LI CONTACT:
Terri Alessi-Miceli, 631-543-5355, [email protected] 

MEDIA CONTACT:  
Lisa Hazen, Communication Strategy Group; 1-866-997-2424; [email protected]  

SOURCE HIA-LI