Chamber networking with Anthony Scaramucci

The Island Now

By Casey Russell

CJ Coleman knew Anthony Scaramucci at a time when he wore a Casio watch and drove a light blue Honda Civic. After 30 years of friendship, Coleman sometimes sees the blue-collar-turned-white-collar man with his family at a Port Washington pizza parlor.

“Anthony Scaramucci is the same human being now as he was back then, and I have known him throughout all his trials and tribulations.” Coleman said. “He is a true human being. He is to be trusted.”

The Manhasset Chamber of Commerce – Coleman has been a member of the executive board since 1989 – will host Scaramucci for a Book and Business Card Exchange networking event on June 26 at the North Hills Country Club from 6 to 8 p.m.

Scaramucci, the SkyBridge Capital founder and Manhasset resident who served as President Donald Trump’s director of communications for 11 days before being fired, will discuss his book, “Trump: The Blue Collar President.”

Published in October, the book offers a personal recollection of working on the campaign and serving as a close adviser to the president. It also offers analysis on Trump’s quick rise to political power.

The event, which costs $30 for members, $40 for nonmembers and $50 for anyone paying after the May 31 early action deadline, will start with a meet-and-greet from 6 to 7 p.m. A talk from Scaramucci will follow, where he will discuss his book and Manhasset. Coleman says close to 100 people have already expressed interest in attending, and 200 tickets are available.

Guests will receive a complimentary copy of “Trump: The Blue Collar President” with admission. Coleman said Scaramucci offered the free books when he approached him about doing a book signing.

June 26 happened to be the only day that Scaramucci was available. Between planning for his annual SALT Conference in Las Vegas and other obligations, his schedule was completely booked, save for that last Wednesday of the month. Coleman decided to combine the chamber’s annual business card exchange with the book signing to create one event.

Part of Scaramucci’s appeal, in Coleman’s view, is his character and his ability to transcend politics, despite what 2017’s headlines said.

“You can be a Trump fan and like Anthony Scaramucci, and you can hate Trump, and still like Anthony Scaramucci,” he said. “What I did was ask a good man to speak in front of the Chamber of Commerce about Trump and other things.”

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