This week was off to a strong start at the Long Island Fight for Charity, where volunteer boxers competed in the ring created at the Hilton Huntington to raise money for a variety of causes including Neela Lockel’s EAC Network and Julie Tighe’s New York League of Conservation Voters… Welcoming guests into the VIP reception to celebrate the boxing debut of Edgewise Energy’s Sammy Chu, was Ryan Attard from the Haugland Group in a sparkly gold blazer, alongside many of her colleagues as the event’s host… Inside was former Governor David Paterson with his stepson Anthony Sliwa – just a few weeks after their own NYC street fight – as well as Mary Sliwa Paterson dressed in a gorgeous silver corduroy pantsuit… In the room for the main event, Long Island Federation of Labor’s Ryan Stanton snagged a last minute front row seat to the fights, as his brother Brendan Stanton waved from the last row… Devin Kulka, CEO of The Kulka Group, recalling memories from his Labor Day weekend in Montauk alongside Benjamin Cooper from Webster Bank… and across the room, former Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone snapped selfies leaving onlookers to wonder when his reentry into politics may be…
Who hosted Thanksgiving this week? Building and Construction Trades Council of Nassau and Suffolk Counties’ Grant Newburger hosted his girlfriend and her family at his house in Glen Cove while his political roommates, Adam Hornbuckle and Stevens Martinez, staffers to US Senator Schumer and Governor Hochul respectively, were out of the house with their families elsewhere… While we can only imagine the ‘inside baseball’ conversations that may take place at that house during downtime… We await an invite to the boys’ next house party to find out for certain!
CBS broadcast correspondent Marcia Kramer looked fabulous as usual at the offices of Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz where she was joined by Governor Kathy Hochul to announce new ways to combat retail theft during the holiday season… Although crime is reported to be down, New Yorkers are not feeling safe when toothpaste and deodorant are behind lockboxes at local drugstores… We shall see if this changes anything in NYC!
On Long Island, however, touting the county’s lowest crime stats in the state in his 2024 report, Suffolk District Attorney Ray Tierney, fresh off a recent trip to Korea where he was invited to speak to the Korean Prosecutors Association, attributes the success of his office to their use of AI to help sort legal documents and case files for speed and efficiency – rumor has it DA Tierney, may be speaking on this topic at an upcoming District Attorney’s Association of NYS conference in January 2025…
Out & About: NYC Council Member Jen Guitierrez is seeking reelection with a baby on the way – focusing her campaign on childcare issues – and donating baby supplies to mothers in need in Brooklyn… Since being struck by an e-bike and ending up in the hospital, former JCRC CEO Rabbi Michael Miller is eager to reform pedestrian and safety regulations on both the government side and via delivery app companies… Former Rep. Anthony Weiner was spotted at the Eleanor Roosevelt Independent Democrats candidate town hall earlier this week, as he’s eyeing a run of term-limited Council Member Carlina Rivera’s seat – the same seat targeted by Assemblyman Harvey Epstein, who increased his name recognition and fame after an SNL skit about him a few weeks ago…
Congratulations to Jamie Franchi & Jim Quent who got engaged this week in Montauk. The bride serves as communications director at the Long Island Contractors’ Association, and the groom is partner at Statewide Public Affairs…
Coming Up:
12/2 Mark Levine for NYC Comptroller fundraiser
12/3 Giving Tuesday fundraiser for Hatzalah of Israel x Pave the Way Jewelry
12/4 Backstreet Boys perform at Rockefeller Center tree lighting
12/5 ABLI Holiday Party
12/5 The Business Council of NYS Holiday Party
12/6 Sands New York lights up the Nassau Coliseum
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Political Personality of the Week
Dr. James Lentini, President, Molloy University
Jim is the seventh president of Molloy University, a position he has held since June 2020. Under his leadership, Molloy has made significant strides in expanding enrollment, academic programs, and fundraising. Dr. Lentini initiated the university’s first-ever Strategic Enrollment Management plan, resulting in the largest first-year class in the institution’s history in Fall 2022. His focus on academic growth has led to partnerships with regional hospital systems to develop new healthcare-related degree programs, certificates, and credentials.
A major milestone during his tenure was Molloy’s achievement of university status in 2022. Dr. Lentini is spearheading the development of a new strategic plan aimed at positioning Molloy as a comprehensive university offering top-tier professional and liberal arts programs.
Before joining Molloy, Dr. Lentini served as Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost at Oakland University from 2013 to 2020, overseeing academics for a campus of 19,000 students. Earlier in his career, Dr. Lentini held academic leadership roles, including Dean of the College of Creative Arts at Miami University and Founding Dean of the School of Art, Media, and Music at The College of New Jersey.
Dr. Lentini is also an accomplished composer and classical guitarist, with numerous awards and accolades. His recording, Through Time and Place, was named one of the Best Classical Recordings of 2020 by the Chicago Tribune. He holds a Doctor of Musical Arts from the University of Southern California, a Master of Music from Michigan State University, and a Bachelor of Music from Wayne State University, where he also received the President’s Award for Excellence in Teaching.
He and his wife, Dana, have three children: Luke, Noah, and Evalina.
Fast Facts:
- Triple-majored in classical guitar, music theory, and music composition
- Doctor of Musical Arts
- Award winning Composer and guitarist
- Voting member of GRAMMY Awards
- Featured on the album “Through Time and Place” which was named ‘one of the best classical recordings of 2020’ by the Chicago Tribune.
