Senator Elijah Reichlin-Melnick presents local business with Empire Award at Suffern Chamber of Commerce Gala

SUFFERN, NY - Senator Elijah Reichlin-Melnick presented a New York State Senate Empire Award to Aurelius “Aury” Licata, owner of Licata Insurance in Suffern, recognizing his contributions to fostering a strong sense of community in Suffern and supporting small businesses over a long career. Senator Reichlin-Melnick delivered the award to Mr. Licata at the annual Suffern Chamber of Commerce gala event at Marcello’s restaurant in Suffern on Thursday night. Licata Insurance, located in downtown Suffern, has served the Suffern community for over 35 years.  

State Senator Elijah Reichlin-Melnick (D-Rockland/Westchester) said, “Mr. Licata is known as a very humble and generous business leader, who has volunteered on the Suffern Chamber of Commerce Board for many years. His hard work and participation at every event are an enormous asset for the community. His focus has always been for the well-being of his beloved village and other local businesses, always making himself available for advice, expertise, and experience for others. It was an honor to present Mr. Licata and Licata Insurance with this Empire Award from the New York State Senate.”

Mr. Aurelius Licata, owner of Licata Insurance, said “Having grown up in Suffern, I consider it an honor and privilege to have had the opportunity to establish a business and work alongside many other hard working business establishments in our Suffern Village. Our downtown has grown and changed but due to the hard work and efforts of many in the business, and residential community, in conjunction with the Village of Suffern, its officials, departments, and boards; all of whom continue to work together as a whole, striving to maintain the special blend of civic-minded businesses and residents which insure that our Village climate will remain as "quaint" and compassionate as it always has been.”

Mr. Licata is an active member of the business community, and has served for more than two decades on the board of the Suffern Chamber of Commerce. 

“It was my absolute pleasure to recommend Aurelius Licata for the Empire Award. Aury has been a champion for our community, serving on the Suffern Chamber of Commerce for over 20 years,” said Suffern Chamber of Commerce President Martina Cinarli. “He is a humble individual who has been incredibly generous with his time. On a personal level, Aury has spent much of his life lending a helping hand to business owners and residents not only here in Suffern but in many other neighboring communities within Rockland and Bergen County. Aury is a real treasure!”