President/CEO of Recording Academy Neil Portnow to Be Honored as UJA-Federation

UJA-Federation of New York will honor Neil Portnow, President/CEO of The Recording Academy, at its Music Visionary of the Year Award Luncheon on Wednesday, June 25, 2014, at The Pierre in Manhattan.

UJA-Federation's Entertainment, Media & Communications Division hosts the Music Visionary Award Luncheon each year to recognize a professional in the music industry for demonstrating leadership and philanthropy, both at work and in the community. Past honorees include Rob Stringer, Jody Gerson, Jon Platt, Amy Doyle, Rick Krim, Julie Greenwald, Craig Kallman, Barry Weiss, Clive Davis, Kevin Liles, Russell Simmons, Edgar Bronfman, Jr., L.A. Reid, Daniel Glass, and Fred Davis. The event attracts top music and entertainment executives, and guests are treated to an intimate performance by both established and emerging artists.

Funds raised go to UJA-Federation's annual campaign, including its Music for Youth initiative that supports programs and creates scholarships that make quality music education available and affordable for children in New York and around the world.

Mr. Portnow has served The Academy as an elected leader in a variety of roles, both locally and nationally, for more than 25 years. He became president of The Academy in December 2002, and was promoted to president/CEO in September 2007. Portnow is also president/CEO of MusiCares and the GRAMMY Foundation, chair of the board of the GRAMMY Museum, and a member of the Board of Trustees of The Latin Recording Academy.

Prior to his time at The Academy, he served as senior vice president of West Coast operations for the Zomba Group of Companies, including Jive Records and Zomba Music Publishing. Previously, he was vice president of A&R at EMI America Records, vice president/general manager of West Coast at Arista Records, and president of 20th Century Fox Records. He also served as president of the Music and Entertainment Industry chapter of the City of Hope from 2000 - 2002, raising significant funds for the world-renowned cancer treatment and research center. A native of Great Neck, New York, Portnow holds a Bachelor of Arts in communications from George Washington University.

About UJA-Federation of New York

For more than 95 years, UJA-Federation has inspired New Yorkers to act on their values and invest in our community for the biggest impact. Through UJA-Federation, more than 55,000 donors address issues that matter most to them, pooling their resources to care for New Yorkers of all backgrounds and Jews everywhere, to connect people to their Jewish communities, and to respond to crises close to home and around the globe. Working with nearly 100 network beneficiary agencies, synagogues, and other Jewish organizations, UJA-Federation is the world's largest local philanthropy; our reach spans from New York to Israel to more than 70 other countries around the world, touching 4.5 million people each year. For more information on how to donate or volunteer, please visit our website at http://www.ujafedny.org.

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