Chambers celebrate the best of the best at annual reception

Chambers of commerce from across the town of Brookhaven gathered together on Wednesday night, April 16, at The Meadow Club, in Port Jefferson, to celebrate and to recognize members who have done great things for their businesses, nonprofit organizations and their communities.

It was the Brookhaven Chambers of Commerce Coalition’s 25th annual Outstanding Member of the Year Awards reception. It was like the Academy Awards ceremony for Brookhaven’s small-business community, and the response from those in attendance was just as enthusiastic as they cheered wildly as the name of each award recipient was read and each came forward to collect their trophy and make a brief speech.

The evening was “a validation of small businesses and the chambers they belong to,” Barbara Ransome, president of the Brookhaven Chambers of Commerce Coalition, told the audience.

The organization was established in 1992.

Each chamber of commerce selected a recipient for its member of the year award, and Marisa Pizza, of the Farmingville Hills Chamber of Commerce, was selected as the 2025 Chamber Member of the Year.

In addition, the Brookhaven Chambers of Commerce Coalition also handed out $3,700 in grants.

Chambers from the Long Island Advance’s coverage area were well represented at the event.Merri Italiano, owner of Avino’s Italian Table in Bellport, was named the Bellport Chamber of Commerce’s Chamber Member of the Year. Michele LaMartina, manager of Harbor Crab in Patchogue, was named the Greater Patchogue Chamber of Commerce’s Chamber Member of the Year. Medford-based Gershow Recycling was named the Medford Chamber of Commerce’s Member of the Year.

For Italiano, it was the second time a family member won the award. Her father, James Avino, won the same award about seven years ago.

Italiano said she joined the Bellport chamber 18 years ago.

In that time, Italiano said she’s found in the chamber a community of other area small-business owners who support each other, are there to help with advice, “or just to chat, just to bounce things off.”

She is a director of the chamber and its meeting and event coordinator.

The Bellport chamber has more than 100 members. Its biggest annual event is Bellport Day.

LaMartina, the manager of Harbor Crab in Patchogue, is networking committee bookkeeper for the Greater Patchogue Chamber of Commerce’s Restaurant Committee. 

Harbor Crab hosts numerous charitable events throughout the year, including a Kris Kringle fundraiser, which raises money for local families in need, and a St. Baldrick’s fundraiser, which in March, raised more than $20,000 for children’s cancer research.

Gershow Recycling, which received the Medford Chamber of Commerce’s Chamber Member of the Year award, has been a benefactor of the Medford community, including making a $1,000 donation to the Patchogue-Medford High School cheerleading team and sponsoring the Medford Chamber of Commerce’s Concert for Veterans at Medford Memorial Park.

Other award winners from area chambers were Kim Swicicki of the Mastic/Shirley Chamber of Commerce and Amy Mahnken of the Moriches Chamber of Commerce.

Swicicki is board president of Caitlyn’s Vision, a nonprofit. Mahnken is community liaison for Oasis Rehabilitation and Nursing in Center Moriches.

Here is the complete list of award winners and grant recipients:

Award winners:

• Merri Italiano, Bellport Chamber of Commerce
• Marisa Pizza, Farmingville Hills Chamber of Commerce
• Christopher and Brigitte James,
• Gordon Heights Chamber of Commerce
• Karen Roth, Greater Middle Country Chamber of Commerce
• Michele LaMartina, Greater Patchogue Chamber of Commerce
• Rachel Fenadaz and Risa Kluger, Greater Port Jefferson Chamber of Commerce
• Kim Swicicki, Mastic/Shirley Chamber of Commerce
• Gershow Recycling, Medford Chamber of Commerce
• Amy Mahnken, Moriches Chamber of Commerce
• Paul Perrone, Port Jefferson Station/Terryville Chamber of Commerce
• Diane Schwarz, Ronkonkoma Chamber of Commerce
• Susanne Kaiserman, Three Village Chamber of Commerce
• Christie Alotta, Wading River Chamber of Commerce
• 2025 Chamber Member of the Year: Marisa Pizza, Farmingville Hills Chamber of Commerce

Grant recipients

• Brookhaven Incentive Grant ($500) to PJ Bowl, Port Jefferson Station/Terryville Chamber of Commerce
• Brookhaven Incentive Grant ($1,000) to Nantucket’s Restaurant, Port Jefferson Chamber of Commerce
• Small Business Improvement Award ($1,200) to Sundaes, Port Jefferson Station/Terryville Chamber of Commerce
• Economic Stimulus Incentive Grant ($1,000) to Middle Country Chamber of Commerce
• 2025 Chamber Member of the Year: Marisa Pizza, Farmingville Hills Chamber of Commerce