Russell G. Matthews The Garden City Chamber of Commerce proudly announces that Russell G. Matthews, executive vice president of Albanese Organization, Inc. will be honored as Businessperson of the Year at the Chamber's Pineapple Ball, to be held on Friday evening, April 7th, at the Garden City Hotel. This prestigious award represents significant contributions to the local economy, to the advancement of aims and objectives of the Chamber, and to the welfare of the community. These criteria were established by the Nassau Council of Chambers of Commerce, creators of the award in 1984. Mr. Matthews is the Chamber's 21st recipient. He will be further awarded by the Nassau Council of Chambers in October, 2006.

Said Patrick Smalley, executive vice president of the Garden City Hotel and himself the 2005 recipient of the award, "I can think of no one more deserving of this honor than Russell Matthews. He is a businessman of exceptional competence. The results of his work are visible in the prestigious and attractive office buildings along Franklin Avenue and in the new vibrancy of our downtown here in Garden City. I am very excited and honored to introduce Russ as Businessperson of the Year at the Pineapple Ball."

Since joining the Albanese Organization in 1995, Mr. Matthews has spearheaded the firm's development activities on Long Island. Among his accomplishments has been the company's joint venture with Castagna Realty, which has acquired and successfully redeveloped six major properties on Franklin Avenue, including the recently completed 1001 Franklin Avenue, Long Island's first green commercial building. These projects are widely recognized as having a positive long term impact on the revitalization of Franklin Avenue, transforming it from the "Fifth Avenue of Long Island" to the "Wall Street of Long Island".

Also well known for his activities and civic involvement within the Village of Garden City, Mr. Matthews was appointed by the mayor of Garden City to serve on the Village's Business Planning Coalition, formed in 1995 to develop a strategic plan to address the decline of the Village's vital Franklin Avenue commercial corridor. The recommendations contained in the Coalition's January 1997 report to the Village's Trustees included the Village's Streetscape Beautification Project, which served as a catalyst for the redevelopment that followed.

Mr. Matthews is currently a vice president and board member of the Garden City Chamber of Commerce, vice president and board member of the Mental Health Association of Nassau County, board member of the Coalition Against Child Abuse and Neglect, member of the Tilles Center Council of Overseers, a corporate committee member of the Nassau County Museum of Art and serves on the Adelphi University President's Advisory Council. Russell Matthews holds a BA from Rutgers College and a JD from St. John's University School of Law.

To receive an invitation to the Pineapple Ball or for sponsorship or journal information, call the Chamber at (516)746-7724, ext. 101 or visit www.GardenCityChamber.org.