O'Brien of State Bank of LI honored by CDC

Each year at its gala, Community Development Corporation (CDC) of Long Island honors clients who exemplify the CDC mission and professionals who help achieve it. This year, CDC presented State Bank of Long Island's president and CEO, Thomas O'Brien with the CDC Opportunity Award State Bank of Long Island has been a long time supporter of the CDC mission. Most recently, the bank provided construction financing for CDC's newest workforce housing development, the Cottages at Mattituck. Twenty-two families will soon mark a new beginning in their lives as homeowners. "Tom's leadership has been instrumental to the success of this initiative, and shows a steadfast commitment to the Long Island community," said CDC of Long Island's president Marianne Garvin. Soon-to-be new homeowner, Russell Smith, was also honored by CDC and highlighted the event when he personally presented O'Brien with the CDC Opportunity Award. Since Smith won the opportunity to purchase one of the Mattituck homes in a housing lottery, his enthusiasm for CDC's work prompted him to be an ambassador to the CDC mission serving as a spokesperson. Smith thanked CDC and State Bank for becoming a homeowner in the same town in which he was born and raised. The Honorable RickLazio, a former recipient of the CDC Opportunity Award, served as the master of ceremonies. Additionally, president of SUNY College at Old Westbury, Dr. Calvin Butts, III and CDC Small Business Client, Jo-Ann Stokes were presented with CDC Opportunity Awards. The CDC 38th Anniversary Gala Luncheonwas held at the Crest Hollow Country Club on Friday, October 12. The fundraising event was attended by nearly 500 people representing Long Island's public and private sectors and raised over $225,000. Major sponsors included Brookwood Management, HSBC, JPMorgan Chase, Roslyn Savings Foundation, and State Bank of Long Island.