2008 Empire Ball raises two million dollars on behalf oft he Diabetes Research Institute.

Two million dollars was raised at the 2008 Empire Ball in behalf of the Diabetes Research Institute at the Grand Hyatt Hotel on December 3, 2008. The Event, which was sponsored by the Real Estate Division of the DRI, had another record breaking year, attracting over 800 guests. An anonymous $1 million donation was made during the course of the evening's event in Mr. Phillips' honor, bringing the total amount raised to the $2 million dollars.

The dinner/dance honored James G. Phillips, Founder of TPG Architecture, who received the prestigious Empire Ball Award from last year's honoree, Edward Piccinich of SL Green. The Camillo Ricordi Humanitarian Award was presented to Mark Gregorio, president of Transel Elevator. Last year's Humanitarian, John Catsimatidis of the Red Apple Group made the presentation.

Peter L. DiCapua, chairman of the Empire Ball, introduced and thanked the Board of Governors, Founders and all committees and chairpersons.

Robert Pearlman, President & CEO of the Diabetes Research Institute Foundation, said a few words on the progress that the DRI is making to cure diabetes.

The evening was topped off by the music of the Ric Mango orchestra.

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Original Founders of the Empire Ball

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Gus and Marylyn Peterson, Mark and Maureen Gregorio, Adam Peterson, Pat and Ed Moran, Transel Elevator.

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Angela Laskowski; Jim Phillips, TPG Architecture; Richard Laskowski, Vanguard Construction

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David Arena, Grubb & Ellis; Scott Salmirs, ABM

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John Catsimatidis, Red Apple Group; Mark Gregorio, Humanitarian Recipient, Transel Elevator; David Arena, Grubb & Ellis.

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Alice and Frank Keating, Transel Elevator.

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Charlie Rizzo, Rizzo Group; Jim Doherty, TPG Architecture

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Jim Phillips, TPG Architecture; Mark Gregorio, Transel Elevator.

Ed Piccinich, SL Green; Humanitarian Mark Gregorio, Transel Elevator.

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Ed Piccinich, SL Green; Jim Phillips, Honoree, TPG Architecture; Doug Donaldson, Donaldson Acoustics.

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Kristi Roche, Linda Neely, Jim Phillips, Helen Donohue, Zoe Hutzler, Steven Haralambidis, TPG Arhcitecture.

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Bob Pearlman, DRI; Peter DiCapua, Atco Properties; Jennifer and Joey Dee JAD Corp. of America

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Carl and Roberta Anderson, Wachovia Bank; Richard and Renee Heller, Wien & Malkin.

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Jim Phillips, and Kristi Roche, TPG Architecture.

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Standing L to R: Mr. & Mrs. Ed Wasilewski, Remco; Mr. & Mrs. Jerry Sullivan, Remco; James Brennan, Kilian Energy. Seated L to R: Mr. & Mrs. Peter DiCapua, Atco; Mr. & Mrs. Ray Saleeby, Remco; Mary Ann Brennan.

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Frank Keating, Mark Gregorio, Transel Elevator; Ed Piccinich, SL Green; Bob DeSiena, Transel Elevator.

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Standing L to R: Elizabeth Lopez, Transel; Judy Matouk and Pat McGillen, ABM. Seated L to R: Mary Ann Alfano, Creative Events; Kathleen Murphy, 650 Fifth Avenue Co.

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Seated, fourth from left: Frank Freda, Cushman & Wakefield with his guests.

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Left to Right: Gus Catanzarro, John Loi, John O'Sullivan, Centennial Elevator; Mary Ann Alfano, Creative Events; Brian Hunt, Centennial Elevator; Felicia Ma and Tony Giorgio ES Partners.

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L to R: Jim Doherty, TPG Architecture; Steve Santoro, Grubb & Ellis; Robert Scheinman, J.T. Magen; Mitchell Bloomberg, Green Light Solutions.

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L to R: Stephen Rizzo, Code Green; Agnes Hansdoffer; Charlie and Marie Rizzo, Rizzo Group; Jet and Andrea Ivezi, BEC.

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Peter and Maureen DiCapua, Atco Properties.

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Mr. & Mrs. John Catsimatidis, Red Apple Group.