East/West Industries President Teresa Ferraro Honored at Gala

Over 500 museum supporters and attendees came out to celebrate and honor this year’s award recipients at the 16th Annual Air & Space Gala at the Cradle of Aviation Museum on Wednesday,
November 7th, 2018. Apollo 7 Astronaut, Walter Cunningham received the Spirit of Discovery Award; East/West Industries President Teresa Ferraro received the Leroy R. Grumman Award; and CEO and Managing Partner, MCR Development, Tyler Morse, received the Aviation Leadership Award. As part of the year’s 50th Anniversary Countdown to Apollo Celebration, inspiration was the theme of the evening.

East/West Industries President Teresa Ferraro was honored with the Leroy Grumman Award. “It is with deep gratitude and thanks to the Cradle of Aviation and its Board for this award. I am deeply honored and humbled by this important recognition. 35 years ago at the start of my career, I could not imagine standing here accepting this prestigious award that not only honors East/West (Industries) but honors the legacy of Leroy Grumman. I am truly honored to be standing in the shadow of such a great man.” said Ferraro in the opening of her acceptance speech. She shared a heart-warming story of her father asking Teresa to help out at the office one day as a recent college graduate. A pilot and co-pilot, ejected from a flight wanted to visit their office and shake hands with every employee from receptionist to inspector to shipping clerk, all who played a role in saving their lives. This was a pivotal moment in Ferraro’s understanding of the importance and value of the service of father’s company was providing and an inspiration and catalyst for Ferraro’s passions and dreams.

East/West Industries, is a family-owned, woman-owned small business that was founded in 1968 by Theresa’s parents Dom and Mary Spinosa and is located in Ronkonkoma, New York. Ms. Ferraro works along her brother Joseph Spinosa, VP Business Development, in continuing the
legacy set forth by their parents 50 years ago. East/West is globally recognized as a trusted provider of choice for design and manufacturing excellence of aircraft seats and other critical safety components for the industry’s most innovative aircraft.