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BELLMORE ALMANAC
www.liherald.com
CHAMBER OF COMMERCE BIOS DEBBY IZZO PRESIDENT
Debby Izzo, The Dirty Dawg, is a proud mother of three children; Dawn, Debi and Dennis. She has also been blessed with four beautiful grandchildren; Katlynn, Katrina, Matthew and Joshua. Debby is the President of The Dirty Dawg which opened in October of 2006 on Newbridge Road in North Bellmore and has been growing ever since. They expanded in December 2010 and now carry some retail necessities. They have a client list in excess of 2500 families, each with at least one, but most with multiple pets. They are a family owned and operated shop with a mother and daughter team at the helm. Debby and Debi have worked side by side for almost 13 years and plan to have the next generation follow them in the ranks. They continue to serve the Bellmore/Merrick area while gaining a number of clients that travel from as far away as Port Jefferson and Manhattan. Debby’s motto is “Bring them in soiled, get them back spoiled!” Debby, has been a member of The Chamber of Commerce of the Bellmores since 2006, has served on the Board of Directors since 2008 and is currently the President. She was awarded the NCCC Small Business Person of the Year for 2010 and Board Member of the Year for 2010. She serves on various committees such as Programs and Hospitality, Beautification, Street Fair, Fund Raising, Friday Night Car Show and Awards. She donates her time and service whenever possible to the Bellmores and surrounding communities to help keep small businesses vibrant and prosperous.
WILLIAM WILGUS VICE PRESIDENT
William Wilgus - Started WAW Creative Construction in 1984 and joined the Chamber of Commerce in 1989. He has served in various capacities on the Board of Directors of the Chamber since 1991 and has been Vice President for nine years. He has coordinated the Crafts Fair at the Bellmore Family Street Festival for a number of years. Bill built and sets up each year the Menorah for the Annual Village Holiday display. He continues to actively participate in Chamber activities including ribbon cuttings, beautification, parades, the Annual Santa Visit and maintains the Chamber Sign, shadow boxes and surrounding planting area. Bill was the recipient of the NCCC 2002 Small Business Person of the Year award. After earning an Associates degree in Construction Technology from SUNY Farmingdale, Bill served on their Alumni Board of Directors for eight years and ran the annual Homecoming event. He has been a member of the International Union of Operating Engineers since 1972.
JILL BROMBERG RECORDING SECRETARY
Jill Bromberg - Advertising Manager for L & M Publications, publishers of Bellmore Life, Merrick Life, the Wantagh-Seaford Citizen and the Freeport-Baldwin Leader, your community paid subscription newspapers. In addition to the last five years Jill has spent working for L & M Publications, she has over 25 years experience in the advertis-ing and promotions industry. Her experience includes corporate and agency strategic planning for the promotion of retail consumer goods. Jill has held the position of Marketing Manger at Springs Home Furnishings and Kraft as well as Group Director of Rowland Promotion and Design, a promotions division of Saatchi and Saatchi specializing in grass roots promotions and marketing campaigns. Jill lives locally and shops the Bellmores as part of her every day routine. Jill feels that it is a privilege to continue to serve as a board member of a great chamber in a community that she truly enjoys.
GREG CONNEELY TREASURER
Greg Conneely - The Conneely Allstate Insurance - took over the Conneely Insurance Agency from his father Tom in 2006 and soon joined The Chamber of Commerce of the Bellmores. Greg is dedicated and patient to ensure that each client has the right coverage to meet their needs. Under Greg’s leadership, the agency has continued to grow and has expanded its product offering to include carriers outside the Allstate umbrella, both personal and commercial, and he has started helping clients plan for retirement. The Conneely Agency started in 1970 in Freeport and, after several moves, settled into the Bellmore community in 1985. Over the years, the Conneely Agency has provided Long Island and the Bell-mores outstanding service and has been recognized by Allstate as one of the Premier agencies on Long Island. Prior to taking over the family business, Greg worked in the technology industry in several sales and management positions. Greg is also an active member in the Bellmore Lions Club where for the last three years he has been Secretary. He lives in Huntington with his wife, Courtney, and their three daughters.
STEVE EPLAN
Steve Eplan, owner of The Rock Underground: an innovative performance based school of rock music, has been a lifelong resident of the Bellmore/Merrick area. As a student of its public schools system, team member in its athletics programs, supporter of local fairs and charity events, coach for a local basketball team, and a small business owner, Steve, his wife and three children have been solid contributors to the South Shore community and Bellmore Village. As it began, Steve owned the building at Bedford Ave and Fredericks Ave where he ran his successful mortgage business "Perry Funding". As he saw the village slowly morph into a more cohesive and interesting weave of restau-rants, specialty shops, and boutiques, his desire to pursue a passion for music, which he shared with his children and siblings, all musicians, increased and culminated with the timely move of his long time tenant "Exclusive Kitchens". With this development in early 2010, he saw his opening. It had been some time that Steve had been working with and presenting his own kids’ bands as they played summer street fairs and benefits throughout the Island. Having had some experience with music schools and as a lesson-taking student guitarist himself, with the help of his two music partners, Paul Casanova and Billy Handy Jr. , he decided to convert his hobby into a full-blown school. This to him was a logical step in the fulfillment of a vision for Bellmore Village, with its dance schools, theatres, and eateries. The concept was obvious.
GENE JUDD
Gene Judd - Island Greenery - Gene Judd was born and raised in Merrick, and he, like many others in his profession, began cutting lawns for the neighbors. At an early age, it was clear that Gene was a natural entrepreneur. This quickly turned into a business and became a full time job after high school. Gene was the owner/operator of Royal Landscaping which serviced properties in Merrick, Bellmore and Wantagh. In 2002, Gene purchased Island Greenery, located in Bellmore Village on Grand Avenue. Island Greenery was in desperate need of renovations and TLC. After completing the necessary renovations, Island Greenery quickly evolved into a full service nursery. Offering a wide variety of annual and perennial flowers, trees, and shrubs; services included weekly maintenance, landscape design and installation. Later a masonry division was added to complement the landscape design service. Island Greenery’s employees included local students and retirees alike. After nine years of growth, Gene felt Island Greenery Continued on next page