Carol Castellaneta, Kristine Hill DeNapoli and Business Representative Anthony Esponda.
On September 16th, the Sixth Annual å_Amber Light Society Scholarship Dinner honored two of our industry leaders and awarded a scholarship to one amazing young woman. Over 200 Local 3 members, officers, family members and well-wishers joined the club at Riccardo’s by the Bridge in Astoria for the awards presentation.
Woman of the Year Kristine Hill DeNapoli is the president and founder of KND Licensed Electrical Contracting & Services, Corp., a signatory contractor both in Local 3 and in å_Local 25 on Long Island. Under those auspices, Kristine has run work with a great number of local institutions including: Port Authority of New York & New Jersey; Dormitory Authority of the State of New York; New York State Department of Economic Development; and the New York City School Construction Authority, among many others. KND has partnered with several esteemed educational institutions, including SCA, CCNY, SUNY, NYU and Columbia University.
An active participant in the JIB, Kristine serves as a Trustee for the Local 3 Pension and Welfare Fund, Annuity Plan Fund, å_Deferred Salary Plan Fund, Additional Security Benefits Plan Fund, Finance Committee and as Vice Chair of the Employer/Employee Self Insured Safety Plan. Kristine also serves as Trustee of the Local 25 Long Island Joint Apprentice Training Committee; and as Board Treasurer for the National Electrical Contractors Association/New York City Chapter.
Man of the Year Business Representative Michael Jordan was initiated into Local 3 in September 1989. Upon receiving his “A” journeyman status in 1995, he worked on numerous jobs throughout the jurisdiction as a journeyman, sub-foreman, foreman and shop steward.
As a shop steward he served in Staten Island under Joseph McSpedon and Joseph Santigate. He also worked as a steward in Brooklyn for Business Representatives å_Joseph Santigate and Eliot Hecht. In December of 2013, Michael was working as a steward at the Barclay’s Arena under Business Representative William Hovfing when he was appointed Business Representative by Business Manager Christopher Erikson and assigned to the borough of Brooklyn.
A member of the Wage and Policy Committee, he has served as an Inspector at the General Membership meetings. Michael has been both a member and the Chairman of the Local 3 Election Board.
He also served as President of the Staten Island Electrical Club, a position he held for eight years. For many years Michael helped coordinate the Club’s effort on the “Bread of Life Food Drive” in conjunction with the Notre Dame Society of Staten Island.
Business Representatives Anthony Esponda and Ray Kitson represented Local 3 and honored the club by presenting the Man and Woman of the Year awards.
Scholarship Committee Chairperson Michele Betancourt-Maldonado expressed the club’s pride in awarding this year’s Amber Light Society Scholarship to Kayla Wong, daughter of Local 3 Journeywoman Zahra Chokwe.
Kayla’s winning essay described her scholastic journey. Though she graduated with honors in Psychology from Pennsylvania State University, Kayla sought work experience in her field and accepted a position as a socio-therapist in the therapeutic unit of a foster care agency. She taught highly traumatized teenagers science-based intervention and prevention techniques to help them create emotionally and mentally healthier lives. Working with these teens led Kayla to apply to Fordham University’s Ph.D. program in school psychology, supported in part by the Amber Light Society Scholarship. The club is very proud of Kayla and her drive to help those less fortunate.
As this was the sixth and last Scholarship Dinner to be presided over by outgoing Club President Carol Castellaneta, the club honored her as well, in recognition of her years of service to the scholarship and to the Amber Light Society.
The Amber Light Society meets in the å_Balcony Lounge of the JIB on the third Thursday of every month except July and August. All are welcome!
Kayla Wong and Michele Betancourt-Maldonado.
