Butch Yamali Honored on 2025 Long Island Power List for Transformational Impact
Schneps Media celebrated 20 years of recognizing the region’s most impactful leaders at the 2025 Long Island Power List awards, honoring trailblazers across business, government, healthcare, education, and philanthropy. Among this year’s distinguished honorees is Butch Yamali, President of the Freeport-based Dover Group and a driving force in Long Island’s hospitality and public event industries.
“We are delighted to honor Power List Icons, honorees, and Power List Rising at this year’s event,” said Victoria Schneps, President of Schneps Media. “2025 marks a very special Power List, as we celebrate 20 years.”
A lifelong Long Islander, Yamali’s career is defined by entrepreneurial vision, hands-on leadership, and a deep commitment to community revitalization and philanthropy. From humble beginnings working in his father’s Manhattan restaurants and running a single ice cream truck, he transformed that early venture—Carnival Ice Cream—into the largest Good Humor distributor on Long Island.
That foundational success set the stage for the creation of the Dover Group, one of the New York metropolitan area’s leading providers in catering, food service, restaurants, entertainment, beverage distribution, and event planning.
Reviving Landmarks and Building Icons
Under Yamali’s leadership, the Dover Group has breathed new life into some of Long Island’s most cherished venues, including the historic Milleridge Inn in Jericho, the Coral House in Baldwin, and the beloved Peter’s Clam Bar in Island Park. His businesses span across the island and include Maliblue, The Carriage House Wine Bar, The Milleridge Cottage, and many others that reflect his blend of modern hospitality and respect for heritage.
Yamali has also made a lasting mark through public-private partnerships that have reshaped Long Island’s coastline. His restoration and management of properties like Nickerson Beach and the Malibu Beach Club have set a new standard for beachfront operations, transforming underused spaces into vibrant destinations—so much so that Malibu Beach Club now boasts an eight-year waitlist.
The Dover Group’s extensive portfolio includes:
- Malibu Shore Club
- Camp Malibu
- Nickerson Sports Camp
- Dream Events Planning
- Maple Construction
- Quick Snack Vending
- Dover Caterers
- Carnival Ice Cream
- Dover Beverage Distribution
A Leader in Business—and the Community
Beyond business, Yamali is a champion for education and healthcare on Long Island. He serves as President of the Merrick Union Free School District Board and President of the Freeport Educational Foundation, while also sitting on the board of Mount Sinai South Nassau Hospital. Frequently sought for his insights, Yamali has appeared on FOX Business News, offering guidance for small business owners.
His philosophy remains rooted in real-world experience: “Take calculated risks, back them with research, and never underestimate the value of industry knowledge.”
A Family Man with a Community Mission
Yamali’s passion for Long Island runs deep. He and his wife Linda live in Merrick, where they raised their three children. Today, they’re proud grandparents of four. Through both his professional and philanthropic work, Yamali continues to shape the island’s future while preserving the charm of its past.
As part of the 2025 Long Island Power List, Butch Yamali joins a legacy of leaders who not only succeed in business—but use their success to lift the communities they serve.