James Harpel Recognized as 2019 Ellis Island Medal of Honor Recipient
James Harpel
Photo Courtesy of: Ellis Island Honors Society
Boca Raton, FL – James Harpel, a Palm Beach based businessman, humanitarian, and philanthropist, has received the 2019 Ellis Island Medal of Honor. Awarded annually to a group of distinguished American citizens who exemplify a life dedicated to community service and extraordinary accomplishments in their field, Mr. Harpel was one of ninety-four medalists recognized this year. The U.S. Congress sanctions the Ellis Island Medals of Honor and recipients’ names are listed in the Congressional Record. Six Presidents of the United States, Nobel Prize winners, athletes, industry leaders, artists, and others are among the remarkable group of individuals to have received the award.
Sponsored by the Ellis Island Honors Society (EIHS), the organization’s 34th awards ceremony medal presentation was held May 10, 2019 in the historic Great Hall, the original registry room and the gateway for 12 million immigrants to the U.S., and where guests celebrated the evening in front of the iconic view of the Statue of Liberty.
The night began with a poignant introduction by EIHS Chairman Nasser Kazeminy and the Masters of Ceremony, journalists Marvin Scott and Tamsen Fadal.
“Tonight, we celebrate an extraordinary group of Americans. They are educators, healers, scientists, artists, thinkers and leaders of industry – all of whom are free to follow their passions and dreams to benefit America and the world,” said Nasser Kazeminy, Chairman of the Ellis Island Honors Society. “Medalists, you represent the best of America, both its glorious past and its bright future. America needs your innovation, leadership and vision.
“You can still feel the joys and sorrows of these American heroes in these hallowed halls. Who among us does not feel a sense of compassion when we think of their struggle? How can we not admire their perseverance? We must never lose that empathy. That compassionate spirit is the cornerstone of democracy and humanity.”
Mr. Harpel is a member of the Board and the Executive Committee of the Kravis Center of Arts in West Palm Beach, Florida. He is also a member of the Belfer Center Board at Harvard Kennedy School of Government where he has served on the board for 40 years. He is also a member of the Council of Foreign Relations.
Mr. Harpel is a co-founder of Two Roads Development, a real estate development firm, and general partner of two separate private equity firms: Palm Beach Capital Partners, LLC which invests in and builds small and medium sized companies and makes direct real estate investments, and First Reserve Corporation, which has managed a series of private equity funds in excess of $ 20 billion in the areas of energy, power and natural resources. He has also been involved over many years as a principal in a series of successful private equity deals ranging from leveraged buyouts to venture capital companies.
Mr. Harpel attended Harvard College (1959) and graduated from Harvard Business School in 1960 with high distinction.
The ceremony honored notable names such as award-winning recording artist Paula Abdul, former Google Chairman Eric Schmidt, U.S. Representative Adam Schiff, IBM CEO Ginni Rometty, CNN Correspondent Dr. Sanjay Gupta,television personality Montel Williams, New York Times columnist Bret Stephens, Washington Post columnist Jason Rezaian, Executive Director of the U.N. World Food Programme David Beasley, Mastercard President and CEO Ajay Banga, Ellis Island: The Dream of America composer Peter Boyer, and more.
Past Ellis Island Medalists include seven U.S. Presidents, three world leaders, several Nobel Prize winners and countless leaders in industry, education, the arts, sports and government as well as everyday Americans who have made freedom, liberty and compassion a part of their life’s work.
