The man who got his start in bread but went on to become a multimillionaire and one of Baltimore's most prolific developers will be honored tonight as "Business Leader of the Year," an honor presented annually by the Sellinger School of Business and Management at Loyola College.

John Paterakis Sr., president of H&S; Bakery Inc., will receive the award at the Renaissance Harborplace Hotel. With 1,100 tickets sold, it is the largest turnout in the event's 18-year history.

Paterakis joined his father's storefront bakery at age 23 and helped expand it into a national company with clients such as McDonald's Corp.

Through his development company, H&S; Properties Development Corp., Paterakis has developed several buildings east of the Inner Harbor. The most prominent is the Baltimore Marriott Waterfront hotel. But he has also built a Courtyard by Marriott and offices for Sylvan Learning Systems Inc. and Fidelity & Guaranty Life Insurance Co.

His company is also planning a Four Seasons hotel, an apartment building, offices, an extended-stay hotel and shops on three parking lots in Inner Harbor East.

"We think John Paterakis and his vision for the Inner Harbor East and his continued investment into projects at the harbor is very important to the city of Baltimore," said the Rev. Harold Ridley, S.J., president of Loyola.

Loyola began presenting the award to teach its students about leadership and create a relationship between the business school and the corporate community. It recognizes people who have successful businesses but have also made significant contributions beyond that.

Previous recipients include Robert J. Lawless, chief executive officer of McCormick & Co. Inc.; Charles M. Cawley, chairman and chief executive officer of MBNA America Bank, N.A.; and William L. Jews, CEO of CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield.