Chamber to Honor John Wilton as 'Businessperson of the Year'

At its ninth annual Pineapple Ball May 13 at The Garden City Hotel, the Garden City Chamber of Commerce will proudly honor John Wilton, senior marketing director of Garden City Properties/GC Commercial, as Businessperson of the Year.

This prestigious award recognizes significant contributions to the local economy, of the advancement of the aims and objectives of the Chamber of Commerce and to the welfare of the community.

As chairman of the chamber’s Merchants, Professionals and Retailers Group, Wilton initiated a dynamic marketing campaign to encourage Garden City residents to “pay it forward” by shopping locally in support of the merchants and business services of the Village of Garden City.

Wilton is actively involved within the real estate environment on the retail and the development level. He is noted for developing relationships with both principals and landlords of Garden City-owned properties – thus, leasing the majority of retail and office space within the village and beyond.

Wilton has represented many property sales as representative of both buyer and seller. He is known to be sensitive to the tenancies which would best succeed within the Garden City environment.

Wilton contributes in many ways to the fabric of the village, regularly attending village trustees meetings to report on the status of current and planned occupancies. In addition to trustees meetings, he attends Planning Commission and Architectural Design Review Board meetings to petition on behalf of merchants, property owners and landlords alike.

Wilton serves on the chamber board of directors, keeping its members abreast of the business climate – particularly on Seventh Street, the home of small businesses that serve community needs as well as Franklin Avenue and New Hyde Park Road.

“John believes so strongly in the Village of Garden City and the vibrancy of the local businesses that you never see him without the official Merchant, Professional and Retailers Group’s logo button that reads 'Hospitality Garden City Style,'" says Althea Robinson, chamber executive director who serves as the chamber’s point person to the Merchant Group.

Wilton is a member of the Garden City Republican Club and serves as associate volunteer of the annual J. Gallagher Lacrosse Tournament held in the village each spring.

Prior to joining Garden City Properties, Wilton had been in the health and fitness industry for 25 years and was a director of Health & Tennis Corp. of America and Bally Total Fitness, New York/New Jersey.

Wilton and his wife, Patricia, have resided in Garden City for 28 years. Their daughter, Brittany, attends Boston College and is a starter on the women’s lacrosse team to which John and Pat give dedicated support. Soon to be proud grandparents, John and Pat’s son John and wife Jess are expecting their first child in May.

As Businessperson of the Year, Wilton will be further honored at an awards breakfast sponsored by the Nassau Council of Chambers of Commerce next October.­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­

Wilton will share honors at the Pineapple Ball with NY State Sen. Kemp Hannon, Citizen of the Year; Angelo “Bill” Proto of Adelphi University, recipient of the Community Achievement Award; and Connie Deckel, recipient of the President’s Award. For full event information, call Tracey Gittere at Legendary Events at 516-746-7724 or visit www.GardenCityPineappleBall.com.