The Huntington Foundation’s Annual Gala On Thursday March 2nd 2017

The Huntington Foundation’s Annual Gala will simply be the event of the year! On Thursday March 2nd 2017, the Huntington Foundation for Excellence in Education is celebrating and honoring two very important people in our district and community and will undoubtedly be supported by hundreds from all over this incredible community and beyond!

This year’s District Honoree is Mr. James Graber. James is a beloved Social Studies teacher at the High School who also serves as the Associated Teachers of Huntington President. Our Community Honoree is Mr. Michael Brown. Michael is an Alumni of Huntington and the Partner/Owner of Atlantic Auto Giant  which boasts 22 car dealerships in New York and New Jersey.

The elegance and splendor of a time gone by will once again be eminent at this year’s HFEE Gala as the Foundation brings the event back to none other than the world renowned Oheka Castle. This magnificent Gold Coast Mansion, resting majestically on the highest point of Long Island as well as in the heart of Huntington, emanates the elegant refinement of a chateaux in France coupled with world-class service and a rich history that is distinctly American. OHEKA has been celebrating the art of entertaining since 1919, when financier and patron of the arts, Otto Hermann Kahn, commissioned celebrated architects, Delano and Aldrich, to design his palatial country residence to accommodate Kahn’s fondness to host lavish parties. This year’s HFEE Gala will certainly be quite the lavish party.

James Graber was born in upstate New York and came to this district 16 years ago with a firm belief that being a teacher has an explicit requirement to foster intellects and an implicit requirement to extend yourself beyond the walls of the classroom.  As a result, he had the good fortune to work with “the brightest minds Huntington has in a multitude of Regents, inclusion and Advanced Placement classes”.  In addition, he has been able to share some of his passions by working with students on The Dispatch, the Brainstormers Team, and the Chess Club.  Some of the most valuable connections James has had with students were developed as a result of these activities.

As the years developed, he wanted to seek a larger role in the district and the Associated Teachers of Huntington allowed him that opportunity.  For the past 12 years he has worked with and for the teachers of Huntington in several capacities, and is humbled to now be the president of the ATH.  The ability to represent hundreds of people that have dedicated their careers and lives to the students and community he cares most about is “overwhelming.”  

James is honored to have been picked by HFEE for this recognition.  In his words “Past recipients make up some of the educators I respect most, people I aspire to emulate.  It is an honor I value dearly and deeply.” James Graber lives here in Huntington with his wife Sue and two children Samantha and Steven.

Atlantic Auto Group Partner/Owner Michael Brown grew up in the car business washing cars, running errands for his father’s Jaguar-Porsche dealership in Huntington on weekends and vacations from school. For four years Michael Brown played football for Huntington High playing wide receiver and strong safety in addition to handling some place kicking assignments. Brown then played defensive back, receiver, and placekicker for Boston University, being selected first-team All-East in 1990.  After graduating from BU with a degree in business, Brown played for the Dallas Texans and Earl Bruce’s Cleveland Thunderbolts in the Arena Football League.  He participated in mini-camps with the NY Jets, NE Patriots, and the Tampa Bay Bucs until he decided to go to make a permanent commitment to his father’s auto dealership. Michael also is a graduate of the National Auto Dealers Association Dealer Candidate Training Program.

In 2001, Michael Brown went to work for Roger Penske and the Penske Automotive Group in Fairfield, CT.  He was named the Regional Vice President after he transferred to oversee the Inskip Auto Mall in Rhode Island, directing day-to-day operations for the 10-franchise luxury auto mall. During his tenure at Inskip, Michael (and his stores) was the recipient of multiple accolades and factory awards, including the “BMW Circle of Excellence” (three consecutive years), “Porsche Premier Dealer,” and “Audi Magna Society.”

Michael Brown returned to Long Island and started with the Atlantic Auto Group/New York Auto Giant in April 2007 as Vice President of Operations. Despite his busy meeting and travel schedule and his responsibilities as a partner in the Atlantic Auto Group, Michael is known and loved among Atlantic’s 2000+ employees for his open-door policy–always helpful and easily approachable–and for his down-to-earth personality. He served on the Huntington Hospital Board of Trustees and its Audit and Compliance Committee for seven years and has been honored by such organizations as Big Brothers and Sisters, the Make A Wish Foundation, the Diocese of Rockville Centre’s Telecare operation, and many similar worthy causes. Michael lives with his wife and three daughters in their home in the Town of Huntington.  In addition to the time he spends supporting family activities, he still is very much involved with sports, especially martial arts. He has generously donated the Huntington Alumni Scholarships and cups to 4 deserving graduating seniors for the past few years, has generously donated giveaways for the “Don’t Text and Drive Campaign at the High School, and has also donated numerous car leases and cash prizes for the success of the Huntington Foundation’s Annual Gala. He most recently donated a handicap accessible mini Van to the Mollineaux Family who desperately needed a new van for their son Eli, a Huntington High School Student.  Michael Brown is proud of his alma matter and enjoys helping where he can.

The HFEE Gala event promises to be an unforgettable evening with incredible and exclusive raffle prizes, silent and live auctions and a chance to win HFEE’s Grand Prize Raffle of a brand new 2017 Lexus IS 300 (24 month lease or $5,000 cash out option) courtesy of Atlantic Lexus of 110/Atlantic Auto Giant.  The evening will be filled with exceptional music, amazing food, unparalleled ambiance, and of course countless memories! Mark your calendars!

For more information on the Huntington Foundation or Gala information or to make a donation or purchase a car raffle ticket please visit our website at www.huntingtonfoundation.org