ALBANY, N.Y.—The Business Council of New York State, Inc. today announced the winners of this year’s Annual Meeting awards. The Annual Meeting is the Council’s signature event, held each year at The Sagamore Resort in Bolton Landing, NY. The Annual Meeting, which began earlier today, attracts hundreds of the state’s top thought leaders in the worlds of business, politics and media. This year’s agenda is focused on “The Future of New York State Business”, and features presentations from some of the state and the nation’s largest and most forward-thinking companies and organizations.
Award Winners
Corning Award
This year’s winner of the prestigious Corning Award, presented each year by Corning Incorporated to the individual who best demonstrates an outstanding level of accomplishment in their chosen discipline, as well as a deep and sustaining commitment to the people of New York, is none other than Brian McMahon, Executive Director of the New York State Economic Development Council. Mr. McMahon has spent his entire career dedicated to improving the business climate in New York State.
“I am honored and humbled to be the recipient of this year’s Corning Award for Excellence,” said Brian McMahon, outgoing Executive Director of the New York State Economic Development Council. “When I first started at The Business Council roughly 35 years ago, I never thought I would one day receive this prestigious honor. Both The Business Council and Corning Inc. represent the best of New York’s business community. As someone who has spent his entire adult life fighting for and being a champion of that community, I am incredibly gratified to know that my peers not only recognized my work, but saw fit to honor me. I thank Heather, Tom and the rest of the selection committee for this award and look forward to celebrating the honor with my wife, friends and colleagues.”
Member of the Year
This year’s honoree is Rose & Kiernan, Inc. Employing more than 150 people in and around Albany’s Capital Region, Rose & Kiernan exemplifies the type of corporate citizen New York is known for. In addition to being a 58-year member of The Business Council, Rose & Kiernan is a long-time supporter of the Council’s Insurance Fund and member of the Council’s board. Accepting the award will be John F. Murray, Jr. Chairman and CEO of Rose & Kiernan, Inc.
“We are very honored to be named “Member of the Year” by our partners at The Business Council. The Council is the gold standard of state Associations and works to create great jobs and economic growth throughout the state,” said John F. Murray, Jr. Chairman and CEO, Rose & Kiernan, Inc. “The Business Council serves New York’s premier employers – both small and large – and provides us with the advocacy and business services that help us compete locally, nationally and internationally. To be recognized by an organization that is held in such high esteem by the business and public service communities is truly inspirational to all of us at Rose & Kiernan. We are humbled and very grateful for this outstanding recognition.”
Chamber of the Year
This year’s recipient is the Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce, who demonstrated extraordinary effort in advocating on behalf of their members and the state’s broader business community. Representing one of the most vibrant and fastest-growing areas in the state, the Brooklyn Chamber spent the past year bettering their core offerings and expanding into new territories. Accepting the award is the chamber’s President and CEO, Andrew Hoan.
“We’re incredibly honored to be The Business Council of New York State’s Chamber of the Year,” said Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Andrew Hoan.
“This accolade encourages us to redouble our efforts serving over 2,000 member businesses throughout the borough and beyond—from enrolling small businesses in health insurance plans, to creating Brooklyn’s first economic development strategy in over 15 years, to providing loans to minority and immigrant-owned small businesses. On behalf of the Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce staff and our Board of Directors, many thanks to The Business Council and its President and CEO, Heather Briccetti, for this esteemed recognition.”