RVC resident receives highest award from Alma Mater

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Rockville Centre resident John D. Cameron, Jr. has received numerous honors and awards during his career, but he considers his latest one to be the most prestigious of them all.

Cameron, the founder and managing partner of Cameron Engineering & Associates, was recently recognized by his Alma Mater, the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy, as the 2016 Kings Pointer of the Year. The award, which recognizes professional accomplishments and contributions to the school, is presented annually to one alumnus from the Academy’s 73 years of graduates.

“It’s a tremendous honor by one’s alma mater, but especially when it’s the highest award it can bestow on a graduate,” he said. “It’s a tough place to go through. It’s a challenging experience and to get recognized among the thousands of graduates is very, very special.”

He has previously been honored by the Academy with the Light of Leadership Award as well as Outstanding Professional Achievement and Meritorious Service Awards.

“In the business I’m in, you have to sell yourself,” he said. “I started my business because of my fortitude and determination and that had a lot to do with my experience there.”

In addition to his work at his alma mater, Cameron is actively involved in his profession, his community, educational and environmental organizations, as well as his home parish of St. Agnes Cathedral. Among his diverse involvements, Cameron serves as chairman of the Long Island Regional Planning Council.

“I’m a very blessed person,” he said.

He has been recognized by many organizations for his contributions, including the St. Agnes Medal of Service, ERASE Racism’s Corporate Leadership Award, the Professional Engineering Society’s Engineer of the Year Award, the David Award by Networking Magazine and multiple appearances on the Long Island Press’s “Power List”, placing 11th in its 2011 list of the “Top 50 Most Powerful and Influential Long Islanders.”

Cameron, a St. Agnes High School graduate who grew up in Long Beach resides in Rockville Centre with his wife Loretta, as do his children, Christine and John Koelher, and Colleen and Andrew Cameron and their sons, Jack and Will.