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HOLBROOK, N.Y. (May 9, 2018) — American Portfolios Financial Services, Inc. (AP) CEO Lon T. Dolber was formally acknowledged by The Center for Discovery (The Center) as its 2018 Honoree at the non-profit organization’s annual “Evening of Discovery Gala,” which was held May 2, 2018, at Pier Sixty, Chelsea Piers in New York, N.Y, and attended by prominent guests within the spheres of business, health care and entertainment. The event, which was underwritten by AP so proceeds would benefit the non-profit organization, raised more than $1 million in gross revenue to support The Center’s essential programs and services.
The “Evening of Discovery” is the signature fundraising event for The Center—an internationally-recognized research and innovation center that provides high-quality programs and unique opportunities for personal growth—that serves nearly 1,200 children and adults annually who have complex disabilities, medical frailties and Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD). Dolber, a major philanthropic leader with a long history of giving back to the community, was chosen as the 2018 Honoree for his exceptional leadership and dedication to The Center’s mission. “Beyond my humble appreciation for being recognized by The Center is the privilege of spending time together year after year with The Center’s residents, students and their staff, joined by AP employees and affiliated colleagues for a weekend Adventure Team Challenge,” said Dolber of the honor. “Each time has created wonderful, transformative experiences for everyone involved; by taking the time to see the reflection of humanity in any shape or form, you inevitably see a reflection of yourself. Corporate social responsibility is a significant part of AP’s mission statement and a big part of what draws investment professionals and staff members to AP, all with common values for making a difference in people’s lives locally, nationally and even globally.”
“We are thrilled to recognize Lon Dolber as our 2018 Evening of Discovery Honoree and our 10-year partnership with AP to provide extraordinary outdoor and athletic experiences to the residents and students at The Center,” said Patrick H. Dollard, president and CEO of The Center. “Lon is not only a respected leader of a highly successful financial services firm, but someone who has emerged as one of our most passionate advocates with a unique gift for bringing people together to achieve transformative things.”
In 2001, Dolber founded AP—a privately-held, independent broker/dealer that services financial advisors across the United States—with the vision of like-minded financial professionals to provide unbiased advice for the investing public. AP’s strong infrastructure supports the client service needs and investment oversight of more than $25 billion dollars in assets under management. Additionally, as AP’s chief investment officer with 38 years’ experience working in the financial services industry, Dolber’s financial product and service knowledge as an investment professional—combined with a strong technological background—has provided both the firm and the industry with leadership and strategic thinking to the business challenges of the day, as well as opportunities for the future.
The Gala, which was attended by more than 800 guests, kicked off with a cocktail reception that was followed by formal dinner programs and a performance by Dolber’s That Motown Band. Many among the guest list hailed from Fortune 500 companies, the stage and screen—including longtime supporters of The Center actors Aidan Quinn (“Elementary”), Lorraine Bracco (“The Sopranos”) and Didi Conn (“Grease”), as well as prominent members of the financial services industry: Xtiva Financial Systems, Inc., Gerstein Fisher, Franklin Templeton Investments, Hilton Capital Management, Oppenheimer & Co., Inc. Also in attendance were co-host of Good Day New York Rosanna Scotto, lead anchor for WABC Eyewitness News Bill Ritter, owner of the New York Islanders John Ledecky, and former head coach for the New York Jets and Cleveland Browns Eric Mangini. The event afforded various opportunities to lend financial support to The Center, such as through an auction—conducted both online and live at the Gala by famed auctioneer Guy Bennett—that offered unique experiences, including a guest appearance on HBO’s “Curb Your Enthusiasm”; VIP tickets to daytime and primetime talk shows, and sold-out concerts; and exciting excursions, such as an exclusive tour of the Vatican and Papal Basilicas in Italy, which drew the largest single donation of $17,000.
Dolber, who also serves as the vice chairman for World T.E.A.M. Sports (WTS), is the organizational force behind the partnership with WTS, a non-profit organization that brings adaptive and able-bodied athletes together by empowering individuals through inclusive athletic events. The Center has partnered with AP and WTS since 2010 to present the Adventure Team Challenge (ATC) for challenged athletes from The Center. Groups of The Center’s participants partake in a series of athletic, recreational and outdoor experiences to provide a sense of achievement and teamwork for those with significant physical and behavioral disabilities. Each year, a number of AP employees, friends, disabled veterans and others volunteer to serve as team members and assist The Center staff in providing essential logistical support to these events. Dolber has also been instrumental in implementing, supporting and participating in other socially responsible events, including the Return to Kilimanjaro Expedition; 11 Face of America (FOA) bike rides; the Coastal Team Challenge; and the cross-country Sea to Shining Sea and Ottawa-to-Washington, D.C., CanAm Veterans Challenge bike rides.
In addition to his work with The Center and WTS, Dolber and AP support the following organizations: Virtual Enterprises International, Inc. (VEI), a non-profit organization that offers in-school experiential learning programs for high school students to form entrepreneurial, start-up businesses within a live global simulated setting; Thame Sherpa Heritage Fund, which supports community efforts in the Thame Valley, Nepal, focusing on short- and long-term earthquake recovery; The Butterfly Effect Project, a free program that empowers young girls by giving them the tools to assist in achieving emotionally-stable and self-confident futures; and Honor Flight Long Island, a non-profit organization created solely to honor America’s war veterans for their sacrifices by flying them to Washington, D.C., to visit their war memorials.
Filling out the 2018 calendar year, Dolber and a host of AP’s affiliated colleagues, focus partners and staff members will be participating in the upcoming WTS ATC from June 7-10, 2018, and Coastal Team Challenge (CTC) from Aug. 14-15, 2018. In the fall of 2018, AP will also participate in the second annual WTS FOA Liberty Ride.
About American Portfolios
Headquartered in Holbrook, N.Y., American Portfolios Financial Services, Inc. (APFS) is a full-service, independent broker/dealer and member firm of FINRA and SIPC, offering a complete range of financial services, including personal financial and retirement planning, securities trading, mutual funds, access to investment research, long-term care planning, insurance products and tax-free investing. Fee-based asset management is offered through its sister subsidiary, American Portfolios Advisors, Inc., (APA), an SEC Registered Investment Advisor. Both entities, along with technology entity American Portfolios Advisory Solutions, LLC, collectively reside under the legal entity American Portfolios Holdings, Inc. (APH). Full-service securities brokerage is available through a clearing firm relationship with Pershing, LLC, a BNY Mellon firm, the securities of which are held on a fully disclosed basis. The company currently serves 815 independent investment professionals located in 372 branch locations throughout the nation. It was named Broker-Dealer of the Year* (Division III) by Investment Advisor magazine in 2015, 2016 and 2017, as well as one of the top 10 Best Companies to Work for in the state of New York for 2016, 2017 and 2018 by the New York State Society for Human Resources Management (NYS-SHRM) and the Best Companies Group (BCG).
*Based on a poll of registered representatives conducted by Investment Advisor magazine. Broker/dealers rated highest by their representatives are awarded “Broker/Dealer (B/D) of the Year.”
About The Center for Discovery
The Center is an internationally-recognized, non-profit research and innovation center that provides high-quality programs and unique opportunities for personal growth serving nearly 1,200 children and adults annually who have complex disabilities, medical frailties and Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD). It has pioneered a revolution in care by shifting from a focus on disabilities to nurturing individual abilities and interests, while conducting groundbreaking research that is expected to translate into improvements in care across a wide range of conditions. The Center provides outstanding residential, clinical and educational services to children and adults with significant developmental disabilities and complex medical frailties. The Center’s scope and reach is that of a major teaching hospital and university with a formal research program and world-class facilities, featuring some of the most environmentally advanced buildings, technologies and resources, including a long commitment to incorporating universal design features in all its facilities.
Evening of Discovery 2018 Leadership
Corporate Co-Chairs: Robert Bartolotta (American Portfolios – Rochester, N.Y.), Gus Catanzaro (PPS Advisors, Inc. – Holbrook, N.Y.), Richard Gerepka (American Portfolios – Palm Beach Gardens, Fla.), Edward Levine (American Portfolios – Hauppauge, N.Y.), Thomas J. Moysak (Xtiva Financial Systems – Rye Brook, N.Y.), David Rey (American Portfolios, Holbrook, N.Y.), Wayne Schuman (Wayne R. Schuman & Associates, Bloomington, Ind.), Mary Ann Rosolino (American Portfolios, Holbrook, N.Y.). Gala Committee Leadership: Monica Belag Forman (Benefit Chair), Terri Manzione (Auction Co-Chair), Maura Robinson (Auction Co-Chair). Event Committee.
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