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Record turn out at Pinnacle Awards
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Nearly 300 members filled the Grand Ballroom at the Park Ridge Marriott for the Rockland Business Association’s 2008 Pinnacle Awards. More people than ever before gathered to celebrate the achievements of their fellow members. Video packages showcased the work of the six winners. The Chairman’s Award for Overall Business Excellence winner Joseph Lagana followed the video with a heart-warming acceptance speech in which he credited the success of his businesses including the global U.S. Information Systems, Inc. to his family. “They have me in businesses I never thought I would get into, like with our new fitness center,” Lagana who is at the helm of the third-generation family business said. Joe Montana is a long time friend of Lagana and supported him at the Awards. “The Laganas were next door neighbors of ours and it’s great to see that their children grew up into responsible citizens that are working together,” Montana said. The President’s Award for Service to RBA went to Jan Degenshein, President of Degenshein Architects. Degenshein became involved with the RBA more than 30 years ago, with RBA President/CEO Al Samuels calling the win “long over due.” Although he was unable to attend, Degenshein’s fiancée Allison Lee read a speech on his behalf where he said he is most proud to have helped other members reach their goals. He dedicated the award to his ailing father, whom he was visiting during the ceremony. Winner of the Corporate Citizenship Award, Orange & Rockland Utilities, attributed their success to the generosity of their employees. “Our employees give an average of $200 per year to charities and that is a lot,” said O&R President John McMahon. “In recent years we have contributed $5 million to the community.” Rosemarie Monaco, President of Group M Inc., also credited the high performance of her business to her staff when accepting the Women’s Forum Award for Outstanding Achievement by a Woman-Owned Business. “All of the speeches really emphasized the teamwork of their employees,” said Timothy O’Neill, a detective sergeant for the Clarkstown Police Department. “It’s a theme that also rings true in my work. It’s always a team effort.” The Manufacturer’s Award for Business Excellence went to Innovative Plastics Corp. and President Judith Hershaft. Joe Beckerle of Beckerle Productions produced the video packages for all of the winners. He said the manufacturer’s award is always interesting to produce, “You never realize the products that are made here in Rockland,” he said. Innovative Plastics produces the packaging for many popular products including Gillette razors. The ceremony closed with the presentation of the award for Outstanding Achievement by a Non-Profit Organization given to People to People. Dorothy Filoramo, Board President, described the organization’s commitment to end hunger and poverty in Rockland, noting that she is the most satisfied when she sees those who were once in need “move on.” Members also gave a standing ovation to Delores Treger, who after 17 years has retired from her position as executive director of the organization. Elona Collins was pleased People to People received the honor. “When I first came to Rockland in the 1980s one of the first organizations I noticed was People to People,” said Collins of Leadership Rockland. “It is so gratifying to see what they’ve accomplished over the years.” Dominican College’s Brian Fernandez was most impressed by the camaraderie he noticed between all of the members and winners. “It’s good to have a real sense of community, where everyone knows everyone,” he said. Active International was presenting sponsor for the event along with Platinum Sponsors Good Samaritan Hospital, Leadership Rockland, Key Bank, and UnitedHealthcare. |
All in the family
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 John Bartolotta of Key Bank presents Joseph Lagana with his Chairman's Award for Overall Business Excellence |
 Lagana family |
Lagana, President/CEO, U.S. Information Systems, Inc. in Pearl River said he finds working with family to be the most rewarding. “It is extremely gratifying, especially when you see all the siblings getting along and looking out for each other.”
Lagana has been doing business in Rockland County for more than 40 years. “We started in Nanuet, then Spring Valley, then Nyack, then Pearl River,” Lagana said. “We’ve left our footprint wherever we have been.”
That footprint began in White Plains, where Lagana grew up. He served in the Army Signal Corp. and fondly remembers his basic training with the nuns at St. Francis of Rome, the Priests at Cardinal Hayes, and the Brothers at Manhattan College from which he was graduated in 1958.
In 1960, Lagana and his brother expanded their father’s electric company into Rockland County, founding Lagana Electric. Mid-Hudson Electric followed in 1964 and Standard Telephone, a private telephone sales and service company in 1975. In 1987, several of these companies were acquired by a public company.
One of Lagana’s loves has always been renovating old buildings. In 1990, he brought the “The Mill At Nyack,” an 1860’s leather mill, to new life as an executive suite complex.
In 1996, Lagana converted an old factory overlooking the Hudson River and Tappan Zee Bridge into the Nyack Seaport which houses a children’s learning center, gourmet restaurant and event facility. Presently, the Laganas are constructing a 16 unit apartment complex on Main Street in Nyack. He is also the managing shareholder of the Anagal Group which owns and operates commercial and residential properties.
Much of Lagana’s time is taken up working with his sons in third generation family businesses: United States Information Systems, (a three time winner of the “Inc. 500 Award”), the Vantage Group, and LantroVision. The three companies install and maintain sophisticated voice and data systems and cell sites throughout North America.
The companies recently consolidated their operations at 35 West Jefferson Avenue in Pearl River, an address they share with the Laganas’ latest involvement, a state-of-the-art fitness center, Vision Health & Fitness, which also has dedicated facilities for adolescents. They also have offices in Connecticut and Florida.
Family dynamics play into all of the Lagana’s projects. “Whether it’s the gym, or apartment building, or office complex, we work together,” Lagana said.
Lagana has also found time to participate in several community organizations including Good Samaritan Hospital. Serving on the hospital’s foundation for 20 years, he helped to raise money and awareness of the hospital. “It’s a community operation and my feelings have been that I need to give back,” he said.
Lagana credits his involvement with the RBA as a positive force on his businesses. “It’s a very active and effective business organization that looks out for the health of the business community, like a hospital looks out for the health of residents,” Lagana said.
When he is not spending long hours at the office or with charities, Lagana can be found at one of his residences in Rockland, East Hampton or in Florida, with his family of course, including his 13 grandchildren.
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Record turn out at Pinnacle Awards
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