Bronx Chamber of Commerce Hispanic Heritage Luncheon

 The Bronx Chamber of Commerce held its Annual Hispanic Heritage Luncheon yesterday with a packed room for the six honorees, and a surprise for all who were in attendance. 

  First the six BCC honorees were Mr. Carmelo Alvarado VP Relationship Mgr. T D Bank, Police Officer Norkiss Andino of the 49th Precinct, Ms. Nydia Edgecome Alumni Relations Director for Hostos Community College, Mr. Joe Ithier, Consultant Red Apple Group, Ms. Dulce Maria Nunez Licensed Mortgage Loan Originator A.S.A.P. Mortgage Corp., and Principal Luis Eladio Torres Community School 55 School District 9. 

   Before the awards were handed out, BCC President Nunzio Del Greco told the audience that membership in the Bronx Chamber of Commerce was up twenty-five percent this year over last year. While Assembly members Mark Gjonaj and Jose Rivera were in attendance, Republican Mayoral candidate Nicole Malliotakis was also on hand to help her friend Mr. Joe Ithier celebrate his receiving a BCC award. 

  As each of the honorees had people speak as to why each person deserved the BCC award Mayoral candidate Malliotakis was one of two speakers who spoke on behalf of Mr. Ithier, whom she had known from the administration of former governor George Pataki. The other speaker Mr. Joe Ramos a former commissioner and someone who has held several other key city positions went on for almost ten minutes about his good friend Mr. Joe Ithier and all the great work Mr. Ithier did for the Bronx including a stint as Chief of Staff to former Bronx Borough President Fernando Ferrer. 

Above - The six honorees (l - r) Principal Luis Torres, Ms. Nydia Edgecombe, Police Officer Norkiss Andino, BCC Chairman Joseph Kelleher, BCC President Nunzio Del Greco, Mr. Joe Ithier, Mr. Carmelo Alvarado, and Ms. Dulce Maria Nunez. 

Below - BCC President Nunzio Del Greco and BCC Chairman Joseph Kelleher stand with Mayoral Candidate Nicole Malliotakis in front of the Bronx Chamber of Commerce Coat of Arms.   

Above - Captain Alsp of the 49th Precinct was on hand with his executive officer to see one of their police officers receive the BCC award. also in the photo is Mayoral candidate Nicole Malliotakis, Mr. Joe Ramos.

Below - After an almost ten minute introduction, Honoree Mr. Joe Ithier says to Mr. Joe Ramos you may have left out a few things.

Above - A group photo of the supporters of Mr. Joe Ithier which included family and friends, both Bronx Assembly members Mark Gjonaj and Jose Rivera, and Mayoral candidate Nicole Malliotakis.

Below - A group photo of the Honorees, family members, and friends.