AIAC CHAIRMAN JOINS FORMER AND CURRENT ELLIS ISLAND HONORS SOCIETY MEDALISTS AT 2025 AWARDS
For Immediate Release
May 10, 2025 – New York, NY L. M. Levie, American Industrial Acquisition Corporation Chairman, a recipient of the 2024 Ellis Island Medal of Honor, joined with 2025 Medalists at a black tie reception, dinner, and awards ceremony on historic Ellis Island in New York Harbor on May 10, 2025. He greeted each of the following 2025 medalists:
Her Majesty Queen Silvia of Sweden Became Queen of Sweden in 1976 after marrying King Carl XVI Gustaf. Established several foundations including the World Childhood Foundation. Works on issues related to children's welfare, disabilities, and dementia care.
Dr. Albert Bourla, Pfizer Chairman and CEO. Veterinarian who became Pfizer CEO in 2019 after 30 years at the company. Oversaw COVID-19 vaccine development during the pandemic. Previously held executive positions across multiple continents in various Pfizer divisions.
Dr. Robert Langer, Co-Founder of Moderna. MIT Professor and researcher specializing in drug delivery systems. Co-founded Moderna in 2010 among dozens of other biotech companies. Holds over 1,400 patents and received the National Medal of Science and National Medal of Technology.
Dr. James Patrick Allison, Nobel Laureate, cancer immunotherapy pioneer Immunologist awarded the 2018 Nobel Prize in Medicine for research on T-cell immune regulation. Chairs the immunology department at MD Anderson Cancer Center. His research led to development of checkpoint inhibitor therapy for cancer treatment.
Professor Steven Chu, Former U.S. Energy Secretary and Nobel Prize Winner Physicist awarded the 1997 Nobel Prize for research on cooling atoms with laser light. Served as U.S. Energy Secretary from 2009-2013. Currently teaches physics at Stanford University and researches energy technologies.
Darren Walker, President of The Ford Foundation Heads the Ford Foundation, which manages $16 billion in assets. Introduced social bond financing to support nonprofits during COVID-19. Previously worked at the Rockefeller Foundation and in community development in Harlem.
Selwyn Vickers, MD, President & CEO of Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center Pancreatic cancer surgeon appointed to lead Memorial Sloan Kettering in 2022. Previously served as dean of University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Medicine. Researches pancreatic cancer treatments and health disparities.
Adrien Brody, Academy Award Winning Actor Actor who won Academy Awards for roles in "The Pianist" (2002) and "The Brutalist" (2024). Was 29 when he received his first Oscar, making him the youngest Best Actor winner.
Theodore L. DeWeese, M.D., Dean at Johns Hopkins School of Medicine Appointed dean of Johns Hopkins School of Medicine in 2023 after serving in interim role. Radiation oncologist who joined Hopkins in 1991. Previously directed the Department of Radiation Oncology for 15 years.
Steve Pagliuca, Co-Chairman of Bain Capital, Boston Celtics co-owner Private equity investor who worked at Bain Capital from 1989-2023. Co-owns the Boston Celtics NBA team and Italian soccer club Atalanta. Graduate of Duke University and Harvard Business School.
Frank McCourt, Jr., Chairman, McCourt Global, former LA Dodgers owner Businessman who owned the Los Angeles Dodgers from 2004-2012. Currently runs McCourt Global and owns French football club Olympique de Marseille. Major donor to Georgetown University, establishing its public policy school.
Norm Coleman, Former US Senator from Minnesota Served as Republican U.S. Senator for Minnesota from 2003-2009. Previously mayor of St. Paul from 1994-2002. Currently works as senior counsel at Hogan Lovells.
Liz Claman, FOX News Business Anchor Television journalist who has hosted "The Claman Countdown" on Fox Business Network since 2007. Previously worked at CNBC. UC Berkeley graduate who covers financial markets and business news.
Representative Virginia Foxx Republican congresswoman representing North Carolina's 5th district since 2005. Chairs the House Rules Committee. Former educator who served as president of Mayland Community College before entering politics.
Alfredo Quinones-Hinojosa, M.D., Chair of Neurologic Surgery at Mayo Clinic Neurosurgeon who leads the Department of Neurologic Surgery at Mayo Clinic in Florida. Migrated from Mexico as a young adult before attending Harvard Medical School. Specializes in brain tumor treatment and research.
Anastasia Nyrkovskaya, CEO of Fortune Media Appointed CEO of Fortune Media in 2024 after serving as Chief Financial Officer. Previously held finance positions at NBCUniversal and other companies. Led Fortune's transition to digital publishing and expansion initiatives.
Kristine McDivitt Tompkins, Conservationist and Former CEO of Patagonia who established Tompkins Conservation with her husband. Worked to create national parks in Chile and Argentina. Served as UN Environmental Programme Patron for Protected Areas from 2018-2022.
Rosie Rios, 43rd Treasurer of the United States. Served as U.S. Treasurer from 2009-2016 under President Obama. Led initiative to add women to U.S. currency design. Currently chairs America 250, the commission planning the U.S. semiquincentennial.
Dr. Ali Rezai, Executive Chair of Rockefeller Neuroscience Institute. Neurosurgeon who directs West Virginia University's Rockefeller Neuroscience Institute. Researches treatments for neurological disorders using neuromodulation techniques. Holds patents related to treatments for Parkinson's, Alzheimer's, and addiction.
Tina Tchen, Former Chief of Staff to First Lady Michelle Obama. Served as Chief of Staff to Michelle Obama and directed the White House Council on Women and Girls. Practiced law for 23 years before government service. Currently works as Executive Vice President at the Obama Foundation.
The Ellis Island Medal of Honor ranks among the nation's highest awards. The U.S. Senate and House of Representatives have officially recognized the Ellis Island Medal of Honor, and each year Medal recipients are memorialized in the Congressional Record. The Ellis Island Medal of Honor celebrates Americans who are selflessly working for the betterment of their communities and the nation.
The evening gala featured a formal champagne reception, military color guard procession, dinner, awards ceremony and musical entertainment by the Victory Belles singers. Following the solemn awards ceremony, the medalists and their guests boarded a ferry to a position in New York Harbor directly facing Liberty Island, where they were celebrated with a twenty minute fireworks show in the skies above the Statue of Liberty.
The prior year’s Ellis Island Honor Society medalists included the following individuals, in addition to Mr. Levie:
David Rockefeller, Jr., Trustee, Rockefeller Brothers Fund, Director, Rockefeller Capital Management, Trustee, Museum of Modern Art
Susan Rockefeller, Trustee, Peggy McGrath Rockefeller Foundation
Priscilla Pressley, Co-Executor, The Elvis Presley Estate
Whoopie Goldberg, Actress, commentator and producer, winner of the Emmy, Grammy, Tony, and Academy Awards and of the Mark Twain Prize
Michael Milken, Chairman, the Milken Institute, the Milken Family Foundation, and the Milken Conference
Hon. Calista L. Gingrich, President of the Gingrich Foundation, Former US Ambassador to the Holy See
Hon. Rob Portman, Member of the Board of Directors of the Bechtel Corporation and the Proctor & Gamble Company, former Congressman and Senator from Ohio, US Trade Representative, and Director of the Office of Management and Budget of the Executive Office of the President
Sharon Bowen, Chair, New York Stock Exchange
Dr. Christopher L. Eisgruber, President and Trustee, Princeton University
Tom Rogers, Founder of MSNBC and CNBC
Hon. Paula J. Dobriansky, former Undersecretary of State for Global Affairs and the President’s Envoy to Northern Ireland
General Joseph F. Dunford, former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, United States Department of Defense
Dan Gilbert, Founder and Chairman, Rocket Companies (NYSE:RKT)
Reta Jo Lewis, President and Chair of the Board of Directors of the Import-Export Bank of the United States
Philip O. Ozuah, MD, PhD., President and CEO, the Montefiore Medical Center and the Albert Einstein College of Medicine
Over the past three decades, Ellis Island Medal of Honor recipients have included Presidents Ronald Reagan and eight other Presidents of the United States, Senator John McCain, Dr. Henry Kissinger, General Colin Powell, Apple CEO John Sculley, Google Chair and CEO Eric Schmidt, Carlyle Chair David Rubinstein, World Bank Chair Ajay Banga, IBM CEO Ginni Rometty, PepsiCo CEO Indra Nooyi, Disney Chair Michael Eisner, Chrysler Chair Lee J. Iacocca, Nobel Prize laureate Elie Wiesel, Civil Rights Leader Rosa Parks, Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, Justice Sandra Day O'Connor and Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg. Sports and entertainment medalists have included Muhammad Ali, Yogi Berra, Joe DiMaggio, Arnold Palmer, Bob Hope, Frank Sinatra, Mia Farrow, Kirk and Michael Douglas, Gregory Peck, Martin Scorcese, Paul Simon, and Gloria Estefan.
Mr. Levie issued the following statement:
"It was my distinct honor to gather with fellow Ellis Island Society Medalists, past and present, for a celebration on the hallowed grounds of Ellis Island. I took particular pleasure in reuniting with Albert Bourla and Frank McCourt, Jr., with whom I regularly engage at the Yale CEO Summits, as well as my dear friend, Susan Rockefeller, a fellow 2024 Medalist whose dedication to conservation I deeply respect and admire.
While these extraordinary individuals have achieved distinction across diverse domains, the Ellis Island Medalists are bound by a common thread—exceptional achievement paired with unwavering dedication to the common good. To stand among such remarkable company fills me with both humility and profound gratitude.
The medal I received last year reflected the tireless efforts of every member of the AIAC Group family—our associates and their loved ones, whose dedication forms the bedrock of our success. It equally celebrates our valued customers, suppliers, and professional partners who have placed their trust in our vision, as well as the communities that have welcomed us as neighbors and citizens. To everyone who has been part of this journey: I offer my profound gratitude. This recognition belongs to them.”
In commemoration for the occasion, Mr. Levie composed the following poem, which he conveyed to each of the medalists.
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About the Ellis Island Honors Society
The Ellis Island Honors Society (EIHS) is dedicated to recognizing and celebrating the vital role of immigration in American prosperity and culture. Established in 1986, the Society commemorates the enduring spirit of those who immigrated to the United States during the Ellis Island era. The Society’s annual award, the Ellis Island Medal of Honor, acknowledges individuals who have demonstrated a profound commitment to enhancing the nation, be it through professional, cultural, or civic contributions.
Since its inception, the Medal of Honor has been bestowed upon a broad array of outstanding Americans. Notable past recipients include Presidents Ronald Reagan and William J. Clinton, Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O'Connor, and other distinguished leaders across various fields such as education, the arts, sports, and government, all of whom have integrated principles of freedom, liberty, and compassion into their life’s work.
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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 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.
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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 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 Economic Club of New York, 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.
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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
