AIAC, CKPI, AND AKPI SALUTE ROBERT K. KRAFT ON 2025 HAPPY WARRIOR AWARD AT AL SMITH DINNER
For Immediate Release
October 16, 2025 -- New York, NY – American Industrial Acquisition Corporation (AIAC) and its affiliates, Canadian Kraft Paper Industries (CKPI), and American Kraft Paper Industries (AKPI) extend heartfelt congratulations to Robert K. Kraft on receiving the 2025 Happy Warrior Award from the Alfred E. Smith Memorial Foundation. The award was presented at the 80th Alfred E. Smith Memorial Foundation Dinner on October 16, 2025, at the newly reopened Waldorf Astoria New York.
The 80th Alfred E. Smith Memorial Foundation Dinner was chaired by Cardinal Timothy Michael Dolan, Archbishop of New York, with Mary Callahan Erdoes, JP Morgan Asset & Wealth Management CEO, serving as Vice Chair. The event featured keynote addresses by former Secretaries of State Michael R. Pompeo and Anthony J. Blinken. Distinguished attendees included Ken Langone, Michael Bloomberg, Jon Bon Jovi, Howard Milstein, Albert Bourla, and Woody Johnson. The dinner continued the Foundation's distinguished tradition of bringing together leaders from business, government, and philanthropy to support charitable works benefiting women and children in need.
L. M. Levie, Chairman of AIAC, CKPI, and AKPI, issued the following statement:
"On behalf of AIAC and our paper manufacturing affiliates in Canada and the United States, I am honored to congratulate Robert Kraft on this well-deserved recognition. The Happy Warrior Award celebrates individuals who exemplify the spirit of service, leadership, and dedication to improving the lives of others—qualities that Bob Kraft has demonstrated throughout his distinguished career as an entrepreneur in the paper and packaging industry, as a philanthropist, and civic leader.”
“As a Supporter of the Alfred E. Smith Memorial Foundation, I have witnessed firsthand the Foundation's extraordinary work supporting vulnerable women and children throughout the Archdiocese of New York. Bob Kraft's commitment to philanthropy and his tireless efforts to strengthen communities align perfectly with the values that Governor Alfred E. Smith championed and that the Foundation continues to uphold. We salute Bob Kraft and the Al Smith Memorial Foundation for their shared dedication to making our world a better place. I wish to also congratulate Archbishop Dolan for his enlightened leadership of the Archdiocese and the Foundation.”
“On a side note, I was delighted to see the return of the iconic Al Smith Dinner to its original home at the Waldorf Astoria, where it has been held since 1945, following eight years during which the hotel had been under an elaborate renovation. The Explorers Club’s Annual Dinner, a 121-year New York tradition, was held at the Waldorf Astoria shortly after the building’s construction in 1931, and happily remained there for decades. As a Trustee of the Explorers Club, I look forward to a similar, triumphal return of our club to this elegant and historic venue.”
Following the dinner, Mr. Levie presented the attached poetic tribute to Robert K. Kraft.
For further information, please see:
About Robert Kraft
Robert K. Kraft is the founder, chairman, and CEO of the Kraft Group, a diversified holding company with assets in paper and packaging, sports and entertainment, real estate development, and a private equity portfolio. Mr. Kraft has built a reputation as one of America's most successful entrepreneurs and most generous philanthropists.
As owner and CEO of the New England Patriots since 1994, Mr. Kraft transformed the franchise into one of the most successful organizations in professional sports history. Under his ownership, the Patriots have won six Super Bowl championships and have become a model franchise in the National Football League. Beyond football, the Kraft Group's holdings include the New England Revolution of Major League Soccer, Gillette Stadium, and numerous business ventures across multiple industries.
Mr. Kraft's philanthropic endeavors are equally impressive. He has donated hundreds of millions of dollars to causes including education, healthcare, youth sports, interfaith dialogue, and combating antisemitism. Through the Kraft family philanthropies, he has supported institutions including Harvard University, Columbia University, Boston College, the Brigham and Women's Hospital, and countless community organizations throughout New England and beyond. His Foundation to Combat Antisemitism has become a leading voice in promoting tolerance and understanding.
Mr. Kraft has received numerous honors for his business acumen and philanthropic leadership, including the Carnegie Hall Medal of Excellence, the Genesis Prize, and induction into the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. Previous recipients of the Happy Warrior Award include Ken Langone, Peter Grauer, and Rob Speyer.
For further information, please see:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_Kraft
About the Alfred E. Smith Memorial Foundation
Established to honor the legacy of four-time New York Governor Alfred E. Smith, the Alfred E. Smith Memorial Foundation supports Catholic charitable works throughout the New York metropolitan area through its annual dinner and other fundraising activities. Governor Smith, known as the "Happy Warrior," was a pioneering public servant who championed social reform and advocated tirelessly for working families, immigrants, and the vulnerable members of society.
The Foundation's annual dinner, held on the third Thursday of October, has become one of the nation's most prestigious charitable and civic events. Since its inception, the dinner has raised hundreds of millions of dollars to support programs that provide healthcare, education, housing, and essential services to women and children in need throughout the Archdiocese of New York.
The dinner has historically brought together presidential candidates in election years, creating memorable moments of bipartisan civility and humor in American political life. Past speakers have included former Secretary of State Henry Kissinger, columnist and speechwriter Peggy Noonan, General Dwight Eisenhower, Michael Bloomberg, and President Donald Trump.
The 2024 dinner raised a record of almost $10 million, demonstrating the enduring commitment of New York's civic, business, and philanthropic communities to supporting the Foundation's vital mission.
For further information, please see:
https://www.alsmithfoundation.org
About Cardinal Timothy Michael Dolan
Cardinal Timothy Michael Dolan is the Archbishop of New York, one of the most prominent positions in the Catholic Church in the United States. Appointed to lead the Archdiocese of New York in 2009, Cardinal Dolan was elevated to the College of Cardinals by Pope Benedict XVI in 2012.
As Archbishop of New York, Cardinal Dolan oversees an archdiocese serving 2.5 million Catholics across 10 counties in New York State. He is responsible for 368 parishes and missions, 363 Catholic schools serving more than 85,000 students, numerous healthcare facilities, and extensive charitable and social service programs that serve people of all faiths throughout the region.
Cardinal Dolan is known for his warmth, accessibility, and his ability to communicate the Catholic faith with clarity and good humor. He has been a strong advocate for religious freedom, education reform, and care for the poor and vulnerable. Under his leadership, the Archdiocese has strengthened its commitment to Catholic education, expanded its charitable outreach, and enhanced its engagement with the broader community.
Prior to his appointment in New York, Cardinal Dolan served as Archbishop of Milwaukee from 2002 to 2009 and as an auxiliary bishop in St. Louis. He served as president of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops from 2010 to 2013. As host of the Al Smith Dinner, Cardinal Dolan continues the tradition established by his predecessors of bringing together diverse leaders in a spirit of charity, civility, and common purpose.
About the Waldorf Astoria and Its Grand Ballroom
Opened in 1931 on Park Avenue, the Waldorf Astoria New York stands as an international symbol of luxury hospitality and Art Deco architectural grandeur. Designed by architects Schultze and Weaver, the 47-story landmark served as the world's tallest hotel for 32 years and has hosted world leaders, celebrities, and historic events throughout its storied history.
The hotel's crown jewel is its magnificent Grand Ballroom, one of the largest ballroom spaces in New York City. The three-story, 15,000-square-foot ballroom features landmarked curtained balconies and can accommodate 1,500 guests. This spectacular space has served as the venue for countless legendary events, including the Explorers Club Annual Dinners, and the Alfred E. Smith Memorial Foundation Dinners, Prince Rainier III of Monaco and Grace Kelly's engagement party, President John F. Kennedy's birthday gala, the April in Paris Ball, the first Tony Awards, early Met Galas, and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremonies.
Following an eight-year closure for extensive renovations, the Waldorf Astoria reopened in 2025 with its Grand Ballroom and heritage event spaces meticulously restored by renowned architects Skidmore, Owings & Merrill, with interior design by Pierre-Yves Rochon. The restoration preserved the original Art Deco detailing while incorporating state-of-the-art sound, lighting, rigging, and staging technology. For the first time in decades, the restoration realized the original architects' vision of luminescent cove lighting built within three tiered coves to illuminate the entire ballroom, creating a floating ceiling effect that was technologically impossible in 1931.
The hotel offers nearly 43,000 square feet of event space across 14 private rooms on two floors, including the elegant Astor Salon, the light-filled Jade Room with marble colonnades, and the historic Silver Corridor featuring sixteen wall murals originally painted in 1897 by American impressionist Edward Emerson Simmons for the first Waldorf Astoria.
The reunion of the Al Smith Dinner with the Waldorf Astoria reinforces both institutions' roles as cornerstones of New York's cultural and philanthropic heritage.
For further information, please see:
https://www.waldorfastorianewyork.com
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Waldorf_Astoria_New_York
About American Industrial Acquisition Corporation
American Industrial Acquisition Corporation (AIAC) is a diversified industrial group with manufacturing and distribution sites in 24 countries in North America, Europe, Africa, Asia, and Australia-New Zealand. AIAC has acquired and grown non-core subsidiaries and divisions of Boeing, Siemens, Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman, Raytheon, Johnson Controls, Merck, Pfizer, Astellas, Visteon, Carlyle, Ahlstrom, Tolko, Groupe Suez, Groupe Rexel, and many other leading multinational corporations.
AIAC companies serve companies and governmental entities worldwide in all major sectors, including aviation, space, defense, automotive, truck, rail, marine, petrochemical, solar, nuclear, food, confectionary, beverage, civil engineering and infrastructure, commercial construction, mining, dredging, disaster relief, education, medical devices, and pharmaceuticals. In addition, AIAC companies are exclusive, authorized distributors of leading branded industrial and consumer products and serve as critical suppliers for the construction of major airports, schools, hospitals, performing arts and sports centers, offices and hotels throughout Southeast Asia, Australia, and New Zealand. AIAC is a leading manufacturer of building, street, and highway signage in Europe, signage and illumination structures in North America, and a distributor of electrical products throughout France.
Of note, AIAC purchased Boeing Canada in 2005 and has produced over 10,000 unique components for every Boeing jet plane ever since, reliably serving Boeing from manufacturing facilities in North America. A leader in ultra-high precision jet engine component manufacturing, AIAC companies produce 2,200 fan blades for each jet engine produced by GE, Pratt & Whitney, Rolls Royce, and Honeywell.
AIAC companies actively support exploration into outer space, manufacturing critical components for launching and propelling spacecraft and satellites. AIAC customers in this sector include NASA, the European Space Agency, SpaceX, Blue Origin, and Boeing. AIAC affiliate, Champlain Cable Corporation, supported the Mercury, Gemini, and Apollo space missions with high performance wire and cable. AIAC companies also lead in the design and manufacture of undersea umbilical cables for worldwide oceanographic research.
AIAC companies produce the critical automotive wire and cable for Tesla, GM, Ford, Chrysler-Fiat, Toyota, and Nissan. In connection with its kraft paper manufacturing interests in Canada and the US, AIAC controls and sustainably manages 22 million acres of Manitoba, Canada forestland, an area equivalent in size to the nation of Hungary.
AIAC affiliate, Metallwarenfabrik Gemmingen GmbH, located in Germany, designs, manufactures and distributes high performance, emergency portable power generators utilized in global conflict zones and during natural disasters.
For further information, please see:
www.aiac.com
About AIAC Philanthropy
AIAC and the AIAC Foundation support a wide range of nonprofit, nonsectarian, bipartisan organizations which promote international conflict resolution, disaster relief, economic development, environmental sustainability, exploration, and the performing arts.
The exploration-focused nonprofit organizations which they actively support include the Explorers Club, the National Geographic Society, the Royal Geographical Society, The Royal Observatory Greenwich, the American Museum of Natural History and the Hayden Planetarium, the Victoria & Albert Museum, the National Air and Space Museum, the National Space Society, and the United States Space Foundation.
AIAC's other beneficiaries include the Appeal of the Nobel Peace Laureates Foundation Inc., the Asia Society, the Atlantic Council, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation - Gates Philanthropy Partners, the Bretton Woods Committee, the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, the Carter Center, the Council on Foreign Relations, the Foreign Policy Association, the Institut Française des Relations Internationales, the International Committee of the Red Cross, the International Crisis Group, the International Rescue Committee, the Japan Society, the JFK School of Government of Harvard University, the Peterson Institute for International Economics, the Richardson Center for Global Engagement, the Royal Institute of International Affairs (Chatham House), the Sierra Club, the Trilateral Commission, and the Yale Chief Executive Leadership Institute.
For further information, please see:
https://www.aiac.com/our-values
Media Contact:
Isabel Carro-Toro, Vice President
American Industrial Acquisition Corporation
+34 689 295 827 (Spain)
+1 787 244 3175 (USA)
icarro-toro@aiac.com