SYRACUSE, N.Y. — The Central New York Sales & Marketing Executives (CNYSME) has selected Ed Riley as the 45th recipient of its annual Crystal Ball Award.
Riley is the founder of Hotel Syracuse Restoration, LLC, and led the effort to renovate and revive the Hotel Syracuse into what is now the Marriott Syracuse Downtown.
CNYSME will present the award to Riley on April 7, 2022, fittingly at the Marriott Syracuse Downtown, during the annual Crystal Ball and Sales & Marketing Excellence Awards presentation and celebration.
“Ed Riley embodies all of these things and more,” Jaime Lawlor Wager, CNYSME president, said in a release. “His passion for what he does and what he’s brought to Central New York is nothing less than inspirational and we’re excited to add him to the list of esteemed recipients.”
Central New York Sales & Marketing Executives was founded in 1935 and says it is the area’s “recognized voice” of the sales and marketing profession.
In 2014, Riley founded Hotel Syracuse Restoration, LLC and later Brine Wells Development, LLC. Then, he executed the purchase, restoration, and renovation of the closed and “deteriorating” historic Hotel Syracuse, which reopened as the Marriott Syracuse Downtown in 2016, CNYSME said.
About Riley
Riley, a Syracuse native, attended Christian Brothers Academy, Onondaga Community College (OCC), and Syracuse University School of Architecture.
He is a member of the board of directors of the Downtown Committee of Syracuse, Inc.; OCC Foundation; HumaneCNY; and the Rescue Mission.
Besides the Crystal Ball Award, Riley has received other awards for his efforts in the community and related to the restoration and reopening of the Hotel Syracuse. They include Outstanding Renovation and Adaptive Reuse award for Bentley Settle Building; OCC Faces Alumni of Distinction; Award for Excellence in Renovating the Hotel Syracuse from Downtown Committee; OHA Gold Metal; and AOH Hibernian.
About the Crystal Ball Award
The prestigious Crystal Ball is awarded annually by CNYSME to a local businessperson or group of businesspeople in recognition of their contributions to the sales and marketing profession and for their endeavors in the areas of community development and support.
The criteria for Crystal Ball recognition includes but is not limited to: a person whose visibility impacts the progress and prosperity of Central New York; a leader who demonstrates commitment to superior quality and professionalism; and a person who fosters excellence in their industry, local involvement in community and civic organizations, and demonstrates and practices an appreciation of the sales and marketing industry.
Some recent CNYSME Crystal Ball recipients include Laura Serway in 2021; Mark Re of Howard Hanna Real Estate Services in 2019; Howard Dolgon, owner, president, CEO, and team governor of the Syracuse Crunch minor league hockey team in 2014; Peter Belyea, president of CXtec and TERACAI in 2013.