This Is Queensborough - July 2019

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ON HIS

OWN

July 2019 . Volume 15 . Issue 7

“DO I SET THE BAR A LITTLE HIGH? YES, BUT I DON’T SET IT SO HIGH PEOPLE GET FRUSTRATED AND CAN’T REACH THOSE OBJECTIVES.”

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• FLUSHING TOWN HALL TURNS 40 • CHAMBER HONORS TWO AT ANNUAL GOLF OUTING • THE STATE OF THE HOSPITALITY INDUSTRY IN THE DIGITAL AGE

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July 2019 • Volume 15 • Issue 7

A MESSAGE FROM THE CHAIR

AFTER YEARS OF SERVICE, IT’S OFF INTO THE SUNSET The Queens Chamber of Com- she served two terms as board chair, merce has been around since 1911. actively served on the board of the Throughout its long hisQueens Chamber Fountory, the number-one dation, and continued focus has been promotto serve on our current ing business growth board, all while workwithin the borough. ing diligently with sevSeveral factors keep eral other nonprofits in an organization operatQueens County. ing efficiently, but most She is the epitome of important are the volthe volunteer you want unteers who dedicate representing your orgatheir lives to the cause nization. of making a difference TOM SANTUCCI Carol has retired and in their communities. will be relocating to CHAIRPERSON Few commit to Nevada to soak up the decades of service, and sun and plot her next the Queens Chamber has been hon- chapter. It has been an honor servored with the presence of one such ing with her and following in her individual. Carol Conslato has spent footsteps as chair. She’s a treasure. her entire professional career with As you contemplate your engageConsolidated Energy Company of ment with Queens Chamber of NY, also known as Con Edison.

Commerce or any one of the outThroughout her tenure as a vol- standing nonprofits in Queens, take unteer with the Queens Chamber, a page out of Carol’s playbook.

Volunteers are invaluable to nonprofits, they’re the lifeblood of our organizations. Speaking from experience, I know the importance of lending my expertise, time, and talent to the betterment of the local community.

Every volunteer is important regardless of the position you hold.

It’s all about participation and passion for the greater good.

As Carol rides off into the sunset, she leaves a legacy of volunteer work that will forever be remembered. The Queens Chamber of Commerce is blessed to have had her grace us with her presence.

Take a moment and ponder your next volunteer move. How might you impact your community? What story will your volunteer life tell?

Where can you make a difference?

The Queens Chamber of Commerce offers numerous opportunities for volunteer engagement. Our

CAROL CONSLATO

staff is available and eager to assist you. For more information, please visit queenschamber.org.

Thank you for your continued support!

A MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT & CEO

SUMMERTIME WITH THE QUEENS CHAMBER Summer 2019 is in full swing; first one came a few months ago, the sun is beaming bright and the I thought “speed networking?” It’s Queens Chamber of networking on steCommerce is as active roids. It’s fast, quick as ever. and you’re guaranteed Since January we’ve to walk away with 20 hosted 66 events, one new contacts. being an intimate We set sail on our group of seven who Annual Summer Boat attended our initial Cruise this month.

“First Wednesday: On July 17, we depart Coffee, Commerce from World’s Fair and Connections” Marina for a threeTHOMAS J. GRECH hour tour that will event last month.

Not only was it PRESIDENT & CEO include a DJ, great educational, but it food, open bar, prize left those in the room giveaways and, of evaluating how they approach labor course, networking. laws. All of our events include three It’s a wonderful evening of entersimple elements outlined in our by- tainment, fun, and cruising the laws from our founding in 1911: waters off New York City. educate, advocate and network.

July closes out with a seminar Our calendar this month is equal- entitled “Balancing the Competing ly filled with a diverse selection Demands of Work and Life,” which of opportunities to connect you to will assist you in finding flexibility, other Queens Chamber and future both personally and professionally. members.

Aside from numerous events to Breakfast Speed Networking is get you involved, we have nine back. When the idea to host our industry volunteer member com-

ESTER SALEA & ERIK TORRES ON LAST YEAR’S QUEENS CHAMBER CRUISE.

mittees ranging from Manufacturing to Healthcare & Wellness.

They are aimed at keeping you on the cutting edge of our everchanging borough and providing an opportunity for you to volunteer by lending your industry knowledge to relevant subject matter.

There’s no better way to spend your summer than with Queens Chamber of Commerce. Our staff works tirelessly to ensure we’re

providing programming designed to add value to your business, regardless of its size.

As you can see there’s something for everyone. If you’re a current member, thank you for your continued support. To our future members, there’s no better time to get connected.

For information about any of our events and ways to engage, please visit queenschamber.org.

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QUEENS QUICKLY DANIEL GALE SOTHEBY’S COMES TO ASTORIA Daniel Gale Sotheby’s International Realty officially opened their new Astoria/Long Island City office last month at WeWork at Studio Square.

Over 75 attendees attended the grand opening event at 35-37 36th Street, where family, friends and associates celebrated the organization's 29th office.

Office manager Donna Rubertone introduced guests to the new Daniel Gale Sotheby’s International Realty team.

That team includes Irene Nictas, Athanasia Adam, Evangelia Boudourakis, Nathalia Duran, Daniela Gambino, Alexandra Kotronis, Irene Makedon, John Nictas, Hartini Pandis, Mariachristina Skevofilax and Maria Tsiolas.

“These 11 agents that are not only experts in the area, but many of them have roots in

Astoria and Long Island City,” Rubertone said.

One is a graduate of St. Demetrios High School in Astoria. Another attended Bryant High School in Long Island City.

“I love working with Daniel Gale Sotheby's International Realty because we are all a family,” said Boudourakis. “They give me absolutely everything I need to be successful.”

The real estate company has a large presence in Long Island and parts of eastern Queens, including Bayside, Whitestone, Little Neck and Flushing. But the company is now looking at western Queens as well.

“We have been closely watching the activity in the neighborhood and its surrounding areas for several years as part of our long term growth strategy,” said CEO Deirdre O’Connell.

GENDER & DISABILITY INSURANCE The State Senate passed legislation outlawing gender discrimination in disability insurance policies. Currently, gender is a determinative factor in insurance premiums. The legislation bans insurers from charging different rates based on the insured person’s gender.

Doctor Disability, a leading brokerage of disability insurance for the medical field, has stated it can cost up to 50 percent more to insure a female employee than a male.

Small businesses in Queens have said it costs up to three times more to provide this insurance to women than men.

“My business employed approximately 45 women last year and seven men, and it burned me to pay that bill, signing a check and an agreement with an insurance company to support discrimination in my workplace,” said Sheila Lewandowski, executive director of the Chocolate Factory Theater in Long Island City.

“If we allow insurance companies to charge more to cover women for disability or any insurance we are, as a society telling businesses that it is cheaper to hire men than women.”

STATE MAKES CHANGES TO MWBE PROGRAM The Assembly last month passed legislation to renew and expand New York State’s Minority and Women-Owned Business Enterprises (MWBE) Program.

“Expanding opportunities for MWBEs will continue to be a priority in New York State,” said Assemblywoman Michele Titus of Queens.

“Supporting these businesses means investing in our economy, communities and equal opportunity for all New Yorkers.”

The legislation would amend the current state MWBE Program to include: • Increasing the “Personal Net Worth” cap

TABLE OF CONTENTS Promotions, Announcements & Appointments ........................................6

Chamber Foundation Hosting Annual Golf Outing in June .............................21

Maspeth Federal’s Commitment to Local Education ..............................8

Partners & Affiliates News and Happenings ........................................................24

COVER STORY: Mattone Branches Out on His Own .........................10

Chamber Welcomes New Members .........................................................................29

Chamber Workshop Will Focus on New Energy Laws ........................13 Panel Looks at Hospitality Industry in the Digital Age ........................14 Chamber Foundation Honors Two at Annual Golf Outing .................16 Flushing Town Hall Celebrates 40 Years ..................................................18 4

PUBLISHER Walter H. Sanchez

MANAGING EDITOR Shane Miller

MARKETING DIRECTOR John Sanchez BQE Media, 45-23 47th St., 2nd Floor, Woodside, NY 11377 Phone: (718) 426-7200 Fax: (347) 507-5827

July 2019 • Volume 15 • Issue 7

HISTORY OF PRIDE AT LGA Travelers going through LaGuardia Airport’s Marine Air Terminal last month got a closer look at the history of the LGBTQ movement in New York City.

The Port Authority (PA) hosted a Pride exhibit at Terminal A, which featured historical information on various LGBTQ milestones in New York.

The exhibit paid particular homage to the Stonewall riots 50 years ago and the passing of marriage equality in 2011.

“Our focus last month on the LGBTQ+ community embodies our commitment to diversity and inclusion,” said PA executive director Rick Cotton.

LaGuardia Airport, LaGuardia Community College and JetBlue all collaborated on the exhibit.

The Port Authority also celebrated Pride Month during June with rooftop films and interactive performances.

“We’ve been laser-focused on developing an agency-wide inclusion mindset that encompasses everything we do each day,” added PA chairman Kevin O’Toole.

“From our hiring practices, which have resulted in nearly 50 percent of all new hires being minority can-

didates, to our support of employee resource groups like PA Pride, we will continue to foster a diverse and inclusive environment among our workforce.”

from $3.5 million to $15 million, thereby minimizing an unnecessary barrier to participation while also allowing for regulations to raise the cap above $15 million on an industry by industry basis; • Requiring contractors to make a good faith effort to retain an MWBE subcontractor before they are able to apply for a waiver; • Requiring waivers to be reported quarterly at a minimum, and in some cases monthly, to the Division of MWBE; • Increasing the period of time that businesses are certified from three to five years; • Increasing the discretionary threshold from $200,000 to $500,000; • Requiring contracting agencies to establish four year growth plans regarding the utilization of MWBEs; and • Establishing a “Workforce

Diversity Program” which would require state agencies doing construction projects to meet aspirational goals for a diverse workforce.

Another bill would update the New York City MWBE Program by: • Allowing agencies to make procurements of goods and services for up to $500,000 from MWBEs without a formal competitive bidding process; • Adding a firm’s status as an MWBE to the criteria that may be used in creating a pre-qualified procurement list; • Creating a small business and MWBE mentorship program in the New York City Department of Design and Construction; and • Enhancing the ability of MWBEs to compete for contracts with both New York City schools and the School Construction Authority.

QUEENS QUICKLY

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queenschamber.org Email your announcement or promotion to info@thisisqueensborough.com

PROMOTIONS, ANNOUNCEMENTS & APPOINTMENTS was a member of Cornell’s computer beginning in December 2002.

Morrisett named dean versity, science faculty from 1996 to 2004.

In addition, he has been a board member He then served as the associate dean for of Northwell’s Feinstein Institute for Medical at Cornell Tech computer science and engineering, director of Research since 2002.

Greg Morrisett, dean of Cornell’s Faculty of Computing and Information Science (CIS) and an international expert in software security, has been named the Jack and Rilla Neafsey Dean and Vice Provost of Cornell Tech.

Morrisett has stewarded CIS through four years of explosive growth, recruiting worldrenowned faculty, integrating the computer and information science departments, and spearheading the development of the new Department of Statistics and Data Science.

His research focuses on building provably correct and secure MORRISETT software, with an emphasis on cryptographic schemes, machine learning and compilers.

Morrisett will take the helm of Cornell Tech as it moves into its second phase of development, building on its cutting-edge faculty, strong relationships with industry and New York City leaders, and innovative, cross-disciplinary and socially conscious approach to technology education.

“I know both the great challenges and great opportunities that the campus affords the university,” Morrisett said. “The mission and rise of technology in society demands a new approach to thinking about how we educate students.”

In addition to deepening connections with the Ithaca campus, Morrisett said he looks forward to continuing Cornell Tech’s engagement with New York City through programs such as Women in Technology and Entrepreneurship in New York and the K-12 Initiative.

“As New York City becomes an increasingly important technology hub, we want to help make sure it’s inclusive, representative of a broad range of disciplines and avoids some of the problems we’ve seen emerge as technology becomes more and more central to our lives,” Morrisett said. “We need to teach students to develop not just the new cutting-edge stuff, but to think in an ethically robust fashion.”

Morrisett, who received his B.S. in mathematics and computer science from the University of Richmond, and his M.S. and Ph.D. in computer science from Carnegie Mellon Uni-

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the Center for Research on Computation and Society, and professor of computer science at Harvard University before returning to Cornell as CIS dean in 2015.

Westrich included on ‘Best Doctor’ list Dr. Geoffrey Westrich, an orthopedic surgeon in Fresh Meadows and Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS) in Manhattan, has been named a top orthopedic surgeon in New York magazine’s “2019 Best Doctors” issue.

“It’s an honor and a privilege to be among the phyWESTSRICH sicians chosen for this guide,” said Westrich. “I believe it’s one indication that we’re achieving our goal of providing outstanding and compassionate care to our patients.”

Westrich specializes in diagnosing and treating complex injuries and diseases of the hip and knee.

In addition to his medical degree, which he received from Tufts University School of Medicine, Westrich has a degree in engineering, which comes into play when he is called on to help design new and improved joint replacements and surgical instrumentation.

Westrich is past president of the prestigious Eastern Orthopaedic Association and belongs to a number of professional societies, including the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons, Orthopedic Association, American Association of Hip and Knee Surgeons, American Medical Association and Arthritis Foundation.

Epstein elected chair of Northwell board The Northwell Health Board of Trustees elected Michael Epstein of as its new chair of its 31-member board.

Epstein is a senior partner at the law firm Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP in Manhattan and has served as a Northwell trustee for 14 years. He was an associate trustee before that,

Epstein also serves on boards of the Jewish Board of Family and Children’s Services and the Jonas Salk Foundation. He is a past member of the Dean’s Advisory Council for the College of Arts & Sciences at Lehigh University, as well as advisory panels EPSTEIN to Congress and the National Academy of Sciences’ National Academy of Medicine on intellectual property matters.

Epstein is also a sought-after public speaker who has published more than 60 articles on intellectual property law.

“I am deeply honored to be elected chair of Northwell,” he said. “I look forward to working with Michael Dowling, his management team and my colleagues on the board as we continue to achieve new milestones as one of the country’s premier health care organizations.”

Hagan named COO of First Central Savings

Paul Hagan has been named president and Queens Chamber of Commerce 75-20 Astoria Boulevard, Suite 140 Jackson Heights, N.Y. 11370-1131 Entire Contents Copyright 2019 by Queensborough. All letters sent to the QUEENSBOROUGH should be brief and are subject to condensation. Writers should include a full address and home and office telephone numbers, where available, as well as affiliation, indicating special interest. Anonymous letters are not printed. Name withheld on request. No such ad or any part thereof may be reproduced without prior permission of the QUEENSBOROUGH. The publishers will not be responsible for any error in advertising beyond the cost of the space occupied by the error. Errors must be reported to the QUEENSBOROUGH within five days of publication. Ad position cannot be guaranteed unless paid prior to publication. Schneps Communications assumes no liability for the content or reply to any ads. The advertiser assumes all liability for the content of and all replies. The advertiser agrees to hold the QUEENSBOROUGH and its employees harmless from all cost, expenses, liabilities, and damages resulting from or caused by the publication or recording placed by the advertiser or any reply to any such advertisement.

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July 2019 • Volume 15 • Issue 7

PROMOTIONS, ANNOUNCEMENTS & APPOINTMENTS chief operating officer of First Central Savings Bank. Hagan replaces Ed Petrosky, who served First Central Savings Bank for three years.

“Paul’s strength as a leader will be a vital asset to the overall growth and success of our bank,” said board chairman Joseph Pistilli.

“We are especially grateful for his wisdom and expertise he brings to our community bank as our new president.”

Hagan brings over 30 years of industry leadership experience to First Central. In 1987, he began his career with KPMG, rising to senior manager.

In previous roles, Hagan spearheaded bank redevelopment and reviHAGAN talized customer bases for community institutions, and also has experience elevating banks to publicly traded companies, such as Reliance Federal Savings, where he served as chief financial officer.

Additionally, he’s worked as a consultant for Carver Savings Bank and, most recently, as executive vice president and chief financial officer at Hanover Community Bank.

Hagan is a graduate of SUNY Albany and a certified public accountant. He currently resides in Garden City.

“First Central has enormous opportunities in front of it, and I am both honored and excited to lead our amazing team forward,” Hagan said. “We’re focused on providing top-notch personalized customer service and excellent business and lending opportunities to our valued clients and community partners.”

Cokley named head of Operations at CTK The Christ the King High School Board of Trustees announced that Veronica Cokley has been appointed as Director of Operations at the high school.

Cokley has been at Christ the King High School over 13 years, serving as executive assistant to the president, Michael Michel, where she assisted in the COKLEY management and opera-

tion of the school and its facilities.

She has also served as assistant to the Board of Trustees.

“We congratulate Ms. Cokley on her welldeserved promotion,” said Michel. “Her hard

work and dedication to Christ the King is constant and unwavering. Her efforts, along with those of our faculty, staff and administrators make Christ the King a great place to learn and grow as a students and young adults.”

Moore retires after nearly 50 years at Coke Just before the radio and television airwaves were introduced to what would become an international hit in “I’d Like to Buy the World a Coke,” Noemi Moore walked into the Coca-Cola Bottling Company of New York’s Brooklyn facility at the age of 18 and began what would be an almost fivedecade career with one of the world’s bestknown brands.

Since 1970, Moore and the company have grown together through iconic moments, milestones, innovations and professional achievements.

Fortyeight years ago everyone in New York management was a man and there were no fax machines or copiers, but both workplace dynamic and technology have transformed.

“I say I have a PhD in the Coca-Cola Company,” said the Valley Stream resident, who climbed through at the company’s various facilities in Brooklyn, Queens and Long Island.

Moore started as a switchboard operator and eventually held titles of office manager, executive assistant to the vice president of Sales, regional controller and financial analyst. She is currently the business manager at the Liberty Coca-Cola Beverages in Smithtown, where she manages a team of administrators that work six days a week.

She recognizes her first boss, Robert Freedman, as giving her the inspiration to be able to advance her career. He became her mentor and gave her the foundation to grow within the company.

“I have worked with, and for, many great leaders in Coca-Cola,” said Moore, who has held her current management role for almost 22 years. “This includes one being the first female that was promoted into management in the New York branches and many others along the way.

I have learned that to be a good leader one must lead by example and be fair, but also firm.”

“Noemi lives all of the CocaCola values, especially passion and collaboration,” said Fran McGorry, co-owner of Liberty CocaCola Beverages.

“Throughout her entire tenure, she lifted her team members up and made everyone else around her better. Her departure will certainly be felt.”

In 2004, Moore was nominated by her manager and selected to represent CocaCola as a torchbearer in New York City for the 2004 Olympics.

As the mother of a severely handicapped child, Moore reflected that it was sometimes overwhelming for her to find a balance between work and family life.

However, she found her work provided her with the strength to face her own personal challenges.

In the late 1980s, when her son was still a young child, she worked with her managers at Coca-Cola on a flexible schedule so she could accommodate her son’s needs.

“The company understood what I was going through, and they wanted me to be here, so they worked with me,” said Moore.

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A COMMUNITY BANK DEDICATED TO EDUCATION SUPPORTING LOCAL STUDENTS PART OF THE MISSION AT MFS Maspeth Federal Savings Bank partners with multiple educational institutions in Queens to improve the quality of learning for thousands of students.

When it comes to banks that put their money where their mouth is, you’ll be hard-pressed to find a local organization that gives back to its community to the extent that Maspeth Federal Savings (MFS) does.

For many years, MFS has been proactive in its hands-on commitment to education by providing generous funding for vital programs, facility upgrades, and entry-level career opportunities and internships.

This year, MFS partnered with St. John’s University, Martin Luther High School, and St. Stanislaus Kostka Elementary School. Their philanthropic support helped these institutions maintain a successful culture of learning.

The bank’s relationship with Martin Luther School in Maspeth

has been strong for decades. David Daraio, the bank’s COO, is an alumnus of the school, and is proud to help the school by creating opportunities for students, especially those interested in finance.

“Community partner, supporter and friend are just a few words I would use to describe Maspeth Federal Savings and their relationship to Martin Luther School,” said Chris Brown, director of Development & Alumni Relations at Martin Luther School. “There is a ‘service to our community’s culture’ that lives and breathes throughout their organization.”

St. Stanislaus Kostka in Maspeth is another school that Maspeth Federal works closely with.

Marketing manager Jill Nicolois, along with two directors and the bank’s COO, work together as members of St. Stan’s Endowment Committee, helping to run events and fundraise throughout the year.

The bank makes considerable financial donations to St. Stan’s,

which enables the school to continue to maintain and upgrade the school building, as well as their professional faculty. The bank also plans to fund a new STEM Lab for the school. This will help St. Stan’s better prepare their students for the competitiveness of high school admissions.

The bank also partnered with St. John’s University, specifically their athletics program. The bank’s financial commitment to the university helped the school fulfill its commitment to their student athletes.

Recent grads can take advantage of internship opportunities at MFS to help begin a career in the world of banking. This spring, they accepted four interns from Molloy College and are hiring four interns from St. John’s University over the summer.

Bank CEO Tom Rudzewick, is passionate about the bank continuing the tradition of supporting organizations that foster education.

“The future of our generation is in these classrooms, and it is our duty to ensure that these schools

The summer interns at Maspeth Federal Savings pose for a photo.

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are able to provide a high quality of education,” said Rudzewick.

Outside the classroom, MFS teaches children how to save, and explains why doing so is vital to their futures. They also offer children’s savings accounts that come with a gift, an educational coloring book, and a tour of the facility when they sign up.

MFS is the proud recipient of the Consumer Service Bank Choice Award, winning first place in Overall Quality, also earning the New York City Customer Service Award for their years of customerfocused service.

There are also many free events throughout the year, such as tree planting around Memorial Day, recycling days, a kid’s carnival, summer concerts and movie nights, all events that play into their commitment to the community.

Many people like the convenience of big banks, but are these banks supporting the communities where you live and work?

Maspeth Federal has a big heart and is showing Queens the meaning of supporting community.

July 2019 • Volume 15 • Issue 7

CHAMBER MEMBER NEWS

YANOFSKY TO TAKE OVER AT KUPFERBERG Following a nationwide search, Kupferberg Center for the Arts at Queens College welcomes Jon Yanofsky as its new director.

Yanofsky is a performing arts and nonprofit professional with over 25 years of experience in

JON YANOFSKY the field. Before coming to Kupferberg, he served as the director of the Brooklyn Center for the Performing Arts at Brooklyn College, as well as the director of marketing for Jazz at Lincoln Center.

Yanofsky also served as the executive director of the Paramount Center for the Arts (200309), where he led the organization through a successful rebuilding effort as well as a capital renovation campaign.

Yanofsky has also worked as a freelance consultant for clients such as BRIC/Celebrate Brooklyn and the Irish Arts Center, and served on various panels and workshops, including the Doris Duke-funded Jazz Audiences Initiative, Chamber Music America’s National Conference, the Mid-Atlantic Arts Founda-

tion grant review, NYSCA grant review, and the Association of Performing Arts Presenters Emerging Leadership Institute.

“I am thrilled to join the Kupferberg staff and community at this exciting time in the organization’s trajectory,” Yanofsky said. “The Kupferberg’s role as a strong and visible leader in Queens, Western Long Island, and the larger New York City arts and cultural community is an incredibly compelling aspect of the job.

“I look forward to continuing the great tradition of the performing arts at Queens College, and to furthering our programs for artists and communities to connect in shared meaningful experiences around the performing arts,” he added.

Yanofsky received his B.A. from the University of California at Santa Cruz, graduating with honors with a double major in Sociology and African American Studies.

Sponsored by New York Community Bank, The Kupferberg Presents 2019-2020 season features a vibrant lineup of worldclass cultural events, concerts, and family programs at Colden Auditorium, Lefrak Concert Hall, Goldstein Theatre, and select offcampus locations.

Over 350,000 individuals attend events at Kupferberg Center for the Arts each year. For tickets and information, visit kupferbergcenter.org or call the box office at (718) 793-8080 Tuesday through Friday from 12 to 6 p.m., Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., and up to one hour prior to all performances.

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COVER STORY

MATTONE FORMS NEW REAL ESTATE FIRM

BY BENJAMIN FANG

A veteran of the real estate development industry for 38 years, Carl F. Mattone has an impressive resume that spans nearly four decades.

In 1995, when he was appointed president of The Mattone Group, the Queens-based firm led by his father, Joseph M. Mattone Sr., he took charge of all facets of deals, from negotiating and handling construction to financing, putting tenants in place, and coordinating leases.

The Mattone Group developed both large and small lots, mostly for retail. The company was responsible for dozens of properties, including a row of restaurants outside Queens Center Mall, a shopping center anchored by a Stop & Shop in Springfield Gardens, and a 30,000-square-foot retail and office complex in College Point.

Perhaps their greatest achievement was building Jamaica Center, a 460,000-square-foot retail complex with two levels of underground parking, two levels of retail, and a movie theater on the third floor that boasts 3,200 seats and 15 screens.

“It was a great accomplishment for the family to work together and get it done,” he said.

But after decades of leading his family business, Mattone and his son, Carl J. Mattone, decided to venture out on their own.

Late last year, they formed their own real estate company, CFM Development, based in Whitestone.

With the senior Mattone serving as president and CEO and his son as vice president, they’ve hit the ground running.

CFM Development has already closed on an office building in Bayside, and the firm is also working on closing a piece in Commack, Long Island, and a restaurant building in Woodhaven.

“It’s a little early to say the fastest-growing company, but six months to a year from now, we can make that kind of statement,” he said. “We’re in the process of getting there.”

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Carl Mattone recently left the Mattone Group to form CFM Development with his son.

Mattone said his father, Joseph M. Mattone Sr., is still chairman of The Mattone Group. He considers him a “great mentor” and role model who taught him a lot about real estate.

“But it just came time,” he said.

“My son and I getting out on our own and doing our own thing, it’s really that simple.”

Mattone said his vision is for the new company is to have a great reputation, build a nice portfolio of properties, and work well with partnerships.

He’s still ambitious and has different ways and methods of growing the company.

“I still have fire in my belly and I want to keep going,” he said. “I want to keep building some deals.”

Granted, CFM won’t be doing the $100 million deals that Mattone is used to, but he said they will do smaller deals and have more fun doing it. The firm will then build a solid management team to manage their own portfolio.

“It’s a long-term play, it’s not that we buy and sell,” Mattone

said. “We buy, hold, and manage, and we want to build a nice portfolio going into the future.”

The company’s tagline is “Build Great Futures,” which Mattone takes to mean not just developing, but sustaining relationships and communities. The real estate veteran has long been involved with philanthropic causes, as well as local politics.

“We’re not absentee landlords,” he said. “When we do a project in a neighborhood, we get involved in the local baseball or football league, the reading skills programs.

We’re very community-based and have a give-back mentality.”

That’s especially the case in Queens, where the Mattone family is headquartered. Though CFM Development will build throughout the five boroughs and Long Island, Mattone said most projects will likely be in Queens because of how familiar they are with the borough, its zoning and retail needs.

“Once you’re a Queens person, you’re a Queens person for life,” he said. “You never leave your home,

that’s just the way it is.”

Mattone also recognizes the real estate boom in the borough, particularly after the rezoning of areas like Long Island City, which spurred a lot of development. He said he believes in incentivizing the private sector to create jobs and build up.

“It’s just taking advantage of what opportunities are out there,” he said. “We don’t know how it’s going to change in the future, but we’re obviously going to keep our eye on it and try to anticipate changes in the market and capitalize on that.”

He also acknowledged some of the challenges ahead, particularly the “ever-changing, evolving” market. Companies like Amazon have affected almost every kind of business in the world, he said, including real estate and retailers who are trying to compete.

When the cost of doing business, especially in New York City, isn’t cheap, it’s easier to have a $2-perCONTINUED ON PAGE 12

Dr. Raz Winiarsky, an orthopedic surgeon at LIJ Forest Hills, receives an appreciative hug from knee replacement patient Margarette Adam

Knee replacement patient is ready to dance again When Margarette Adam injured her left knee in 2015 working as a patient care technician, her life suddenly got harder. Walking became difficult, climbing stairs an obstacle course, and her beloved dancing a distant memory.

“On a scale of one to 10, the pain was worse than a 10,” said Ms. Adam.

Adding to her discomfort, the 60-year-old Brooklyn woman also had osteoarthritis (OA), a progressive condition that slowly wears away the joint cartilage cushioning the bones of the knee. OA is the most common form of arthritis, affecting more than 30 million Americans.

In February, the surgeon performed a total knee replacement (also known as a knee arthroplasty) on Ms. Adam at LIJ Forest Hills.

The procedure involves removing the arthritic cartilage and underlying bone of the femur and tibia – the bones that meet at the knee – and replacing it with metal implants. A plastic spacer is inserted between the metal implants to create a smooth gliding surface.

“We were able to align her knee, so the knee is no longer deformed and the motion is painless,” said Dr. Winiarsky.

Ms. Adam’s physical limitations and soreness caused her to consult Raz Winiarsky, MD, an orthopedic surgeon at LIJ Forest Hills.

About 700,000 total knee replacements are performed in the United States each year.

They can require a two-day hospital stay, like Ms. Adam had, or be done as ambulatory surgery.

“She had severe pain in her left knee,” explained Dr. Winiarsky. “Her knee was deformed and she had poor range of motion in it.”

Five months after the surgery, Ms. Adam is undergoing physical therapy and looking forward to returning to work by the end of the summer.

Sponsored by Long Island Jewish Forest Hills

When asked about her dancing, Ms. Adam smiles and says, “I’m trying.”

Over the last decade, materials used for joint replacements have improved, making them more durable. According to Dr. Winiarsky, prosthetic joints can now last 15 to 20 years compared to a life expectancy of 10 years for previous technology.

That’s important because Baby Boomers – those born between 1946 and 1964 – make up a sizeable number of those getting knee and hip replacements and are more active than previous generations.

At LIJ Forest Hills, there are 11 orthopedic surgeons and sports medicine doctors who specialize in providing comprehensive care for conditions and injuries involving the hand, shoulder, elbow, hip, knee and spine.

For more about orthopedic surgery at LIJ Forest Hills, visit: foresthills.northwell.edu/findcare/orthopaedic-surgery

THIS IS QUEENSBOROUGH

queenschamber.org

COVER STORY

MATTONE DISCUSSES GOALS & CHALLENGES CONTINUED FROM PAGE 10

square-foot warehouse as opposed to a $40-per-square-foot retail location, Mattone said.

His strategy is to anticipate what’s happening in the market globally, be open-minded and adapt. He will also bank on good relationships with the community, retailers and other partners.

“We’ve been very fortunate, over seven months, to have all these opportunities,” he said, “because we’re capitalizing on old relationships and reputations.”

Like any good business, CFM Development has both short- and long-term goals. Mattone said within the company’s first year, he would love to complete four deals.

Next year, he would like to double that amount. He sees it as a reasonable expectation.

“Do I set the bar a little high? Yes, but I don’t set it so high that people get frustrated and can’t reach those objectives,” Mattone said.

“In order to keep morale going, you have to achieve your goals.

“I push people, I raise the bar,” he added, “especially since we’re on our own.”

Mattone said he’s also tried to create a healthy and fun work atmosphere in the office. Several employees have been with Mattone for over two decades, and regular consultants come twice a week to discuss deals.

With integrity and a positive attitude at the core of the office culture, Mattone said everyone enjoys working there.

“Try to enjoy what you do,” he said. “Once something becomes burdensome and you’re not enjoying it, what are you doing it for?”

Long term, Mattone is training his son, who is 26 years old, to take over the company someday. He’s already been “baptized by fire” and thrown into the mix to learn about real estate development, management and maintenance.

“My goal is to retire eventually and turn things over to him,” Mattone said. “I’m a hardworking guy, but I’m not a workaholic. I’m not

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Pictured (from left) are Carl F. Mattone, Patricia Rossi, Joseph Alessandro and Carl J. Mattone. going to be behind my desk at 85 years old. It’s not me.”

Mattone said he’s pushing hard to get things done within the next ten years.

“By then, he’ll have 15 years under his belt,” he said, “which is more than enough to really understand what’s going on and how to deal with it.”

The younger Mattone said he’s been watching his father, effectively doing a “real-life apprenticeship.”

“I don’t want to stop at being as good as him, but be even better than him,” he said. “Like any father would, like any boss would, he wants everyone to do the right thing. I’m just trying to take it and run with it.”

One thing that Mattone wants to pass along to his son is the skill and art of negotiating. He said the key is to not allow issues get personal or emotions get the better of you.

“When you knee-jerk react or emotionally react, it’s like making a decision in the heat of anger, and it’s typically the wrong decision,” he said. “Your emotions are really driving the deal, not your business acumen or business sense.”

The elder Mattone hopes to also pass along that strong work ethic, integrity and reputation that his own father taught him many decades ago. His father, an attorney by training, lived through an era when attorneys were not allowed to advertise.

“He had to go out and hand out business cards almost every night, hoping somebody would call him the next day because he had seven kids to feed,” Mattone said.

“That’s what my father taught me.

If you’re honest and work hard, you’ll be successful.”

CFM Development is located at 150-33 14th Avenue in Whitestone.

July 2019 • Volume 15 • Issue 7

CHAMBER NEWS & EVENTS

FORUM ON ENERGY LAWS When New York City passed its own Green New Deal earlier this year, building owners were tasked with figuring out how to comply with the new law within the given time frame.

The bill that affects them the most is Intro. 1253, now called Local Law 97 of 2019. The law requires owners of buildings larger than 25,000 square feet to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 40 percent by 2030, and 80 percent by 2050.

Emissions are calculated by the amount of electricity, natural gas and fuel oil used in the building.

To be in compliance, building owners must submit an emissions intensity report, stamped by a registered design professional, every year starting in 2025. If they fail to comply, they will face substantial fines.

The new policy is expected to impact more than 57,000 buildings across the city.

To help prepare and guide property owners through the process, the Queens Chamber of Commerce’s

Energy and Environmental Committee recently recreated a Gold Standard Task Force.

The task force is comprised of experts and professionals from some of the industry’s leaders, including JouleSmart Solutions, Sol Alliance, Radiatorlabs and the Energy Economic Development Corp.

According to Marshall Haimson, president of E-Capital Development and the co-chair of the committee, these experts can work with both large and small building owners on single or multiple measures.

They will identify best practices to help property owners understand what needs to be done, and guide owners to cost-effective solutions with little or no out-of-pocket expenses.

Additionally, they will help building owners be in compliance with the new emission standards –– thus benefiting the environment and saving on operating expenses in the

“What sets Ridgewood apart from other banks is their service. If I have a need, they take care of it.

I never have to worry.”

Jeff Ceraso Starving Artist Café & Gallery

CONTINUED ON PAGE 29

From “Starving Artist” to Thriving Business.

As co-owner of Starving Artist Café & Gallery, Jeff Ceraso needed a bank that could keep up with the fast pace of his business. He turned to Ridgewood, where he found the flexible accounts, sophisticated technology and fast, responsive service he needed to move his business forward.

Get the solutions you need to save time and improve cash flow.

Speak with a Business Banking Relationship Manager today.

www.ridgewoodbank.com (844) 772-4722

THIS IS QUEENSBOROUGH

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QUEENS CHAMBER NEWS & EVENTS

EXPERTS DISCUSS HOSPITALITY IN THE DIGITAL AGE

BY BENJAMIN FANG The digital revolution has impacted the way businesses operate and thrive, including the hospitality and tourism industries.

To discuss the implications of these changes, the Queens Chamber of Commerce’s Hospitality Committee assembled a panel of experts on June 27 at LaGuardia Community College.

Paul Neuman, president of the Long Island City-based Neuman’s Kitchen Events & Catering, moderated the panel. He noted that approaches to storytelling have changed even in the last two years.

Brian Cirillo, founder of NY 360Tours, a virtual marketing company, said back then, having the best website was so important for businesses.

Now, if you Google any business or brand, they’re usually buried.

“Businesses are putting all their resources into social,” he said.

For Ben Guttmann, co-founder and partner of the Digital Natives Group in Long Island City, email is still an important tool to reach audiences. Whereas social media platforms have what he called “leased audiences,” in email marketing, you maintain a list of people you’re reaching.

Videos are also an important component of digital storytelling, according to Kyle Susmin, president of the company 1Motion. For busi-

nesses in the hospitality industry, customers want to see the experience they’re going to have before they get there.

“It’s more about telling your story than selling your product,” Susmin said. “It’s a constant story you’re telling.”

The panelists also discussed how social media channels serve different audiences. For a semiprivate audience, Facebook Groups or Slack channels may be the way to go, Guttmann said.

While Snapchat has gone up and down and Twitter has been written off by many users, Facebook is still a viable option, especially for older crowds.

Guttmann, who teaches a digital marketing class at Baruch College, said he always asks students what platforms they use daily.

“They all still have Facebook, but they use it like a utility,” he said.

Jake Oliver, vice president of the nonprofit consulting firm Anat Gerstein, said Twitter still has its value, especially when engaging members of the media or elected officials.

He said LinkedIn is another valuable platform for networking and developing thought leadership. For businesses or organizations that place a premium on visuals, however, Instagram is vital.

Many hospitality businesses are still deciding how to allocate their budgets on the digital side.

Susmin, an expert in videos, said while generally people think video production will “cost

them an arm and a leg,” their strategy to keep costs low is to capture all the film in one day, and then cut up the videos.

“You can repurpose content,” he said.

Cirillo advised, before even spending a penny on digital marketing, that businesses get a free “Google My Business” page, which gives companies more control of what shows up in search results.

He said business owners should make sure their company name, address and phone numbers are correct. Then they add reviews, add photos and even virtual tours to the page.

“Optimize those pages as much as possible,” Cirillo said.

One audience member asked the panel about how to maximize search engine optimization.

Susmin responded that creating content, and posting regularly on social media or your website, will help you rank higher in searches.

“The best SEO is a properly built website and good content,” Guttmann said.

Oliver added that while social media platforms are free to set up, businesses should keep putting up content and engage with users.

Both Susmin and Cirillo encouraged businesses to not be afraid to put their foot forward and try their best with digital.

“It’s better than being scared the entire time,” Susmin said. “Just do it, that’s the only way to get better.”

Pictured from left to right are panel members Paul Neuman, Brian Cirillo, Ben Guttman, Kyle Susmin, and Jake Oliver.

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QUEENS CHAMBER NEWS & EVENTS

CHAMBER HONORS TWO AT GOLF OUTING

BY BENJAMIN FANG Business leaders from around the borough convened at the Garden City Country Club on June 24 for the annual Queens Chamber Foundation Golf Outing and Dinner.

The foundation is the nonprofit arm of the Queens Chamber of Commerce, and raises money for scholarships for local students.

This year’s honorees were Richard Dzwlewicz, regional vice president of TD Bank, and Stephen R. Preuss, vice chairman of Cushman & Wakefield.

Dzwlewicz, a longtime member of the chamber’s executive committee and the current assistant treasurer, has participated in the

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golf outing many times, but this was his first time as an honoree.

“It’s great to be honored by the chamber and to be recognized for everything that I do, and that TD CONTINUED ON PAGE 24

July 2019 • Volume 15 • Issue 7

QUEENS CHAMBER NEWS & EVENTS

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THIS IS QUEENSBOROUGH

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NONPROFIT NEWS

TOWN HALL STILL BRINGING PEOPLE TOGETHER

BY BENJAMIN FANG When Flushing Town Hall was built in 1862, it was erected to send off and welcome back Union soldiers fighting in the Civil War. Thousands of conscripts from throughout Long Island, including the village of Flushing, were sworn into the Union Army in the building’s assembly hall upstairs.

“My understanding is that when soldiers left New York to go and fight in the South, there was no formal send-off place or welcomeback-home location,” said Ellen Kodadek, executive and artistic director of Flushing Town Hall.

“So the town fathers at the time said, ‘we need a town hall.’”

Over the next century, the Romanesque Revival-style edifice was used for a variety of purposes. It was used as a venue for light opera and traveling theatrical productions, and for close to six decades in the 1900s, it served as a courthouse and a jail.

While the lobby had a bank branch, the upstairs portion was still used as a town hall for community meetings.

At some point, it was leased out to a private owner, which is when it started to really “fall into disrepair,” Kodadek said.

Despite its protected status granted by the Landmarks Preserva-

tion Commission in 1967 and the National Register of Historic Places in 1972, Flushing Town Hall still “suffered extensive neglect” for the better part of two decades, according to the organization’s website.

That’s when the city stepped in.

Former Borough President Claire Shulman, Community Board 7 and other local groups spearheaded an effort to save the building.

In 1990, Justice Phyllis Flug of the Queens County Supreme Court issued a ruling that the facility would be given back to the city.

That allowed Shulman to begin the process of choosing a nonprofit to manage the dilapidated structure.

They chose the Flushing Council on Culture and the Arts (FCCA), an organization that was founded in 1979 and operated out of a storefront in Downtown Flushing.

“The organization was very involved in some major festivals and Flushing Meadows-Corona Park,” Kodadek said. “In the first decade, Flushing Council partnered with around 50 Queens arts-based organizations.”

Under the leadership of founding executive and artistic director JoAnn Jones, FCCA moved into the building on Northern Boulevard and began its nine-year, $8 million renovation.

The abandoned eyesore was transformed into a visual and per-

Ellen Kodadek with staff members on the steps of the landmark institution. (Gala Photos: Sixty First Productions)

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Ellen Kodadek is executive and artistic director for Town Hall. forming arts center. The first-floor galleries and performance space opened to the public in 1993, followed by the second-floor theater hall in 1999.

“We’re now mandated to operate it, program it and steward it on behalf of the city of New York, which owns the building,” Kodadek said.

In 1996, Flushing Town Hall was added to the city’s Cultural Institutions Group. All CIG members, including Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center and the Queens Museum, operate out of city buildings and are a line item in the city budget for operating support.

Throughout its history, Flushing Town Hall, which is now synonymous with FCCA, has stayed true to its mission: to bring people together by presenting arts and culture from around the world.

The organization has an extensive arts and education program.

According to Kodadek, the Education Department served 22,000 children and families last year alone.

Employing roughly 30 teaching artists, all of whom are “masters” of different cultural traditions or disciplines, Flushing Town Hall brings performers and touring artists, often from overseas, to perform.

School groups come from not just the five boroughs, but also

Long Island, New Jersey, Connecticut and all over the metropolitan area.

Flushing Town Hall also has an extensive jazz history, including launching the Queens Jazz Orchestra in 2008. That is led by Dr. Jimmy Heath, an NEA Jazz Master, longtime Queens resident, and a contemporary of jazz legends Louis Armstrong and Dizzy Gillespie.

“We were actually presenting jazz before there was jazz at Lincoln Center,” Kodadek said. “We present jazz throughout the year, both emerging artists and artists that are more recognized now.”

One of the institution’s most popular series is called “Global Mashups,” which brings together musicians from entirely different cultures. The night starts with a dance lesson while each band plays separately. In the final set, all of the bands, which have never met before, jam together.

“They have to navigate that musical conversation in the same way that you do when you meet someone for the very first time,” she said. “It’s a lot of fun.”

In her role as artistic director, Kodadek’s job is to make sure all of the programming has an arc that makes sense. It has to fit on their stage and be affordable, relevant, impactful and creative.

The programming has to tie back

July 2019 • Volume 15 • Issue 7

NONPROFIT NEWS

Pictured (from left) at the 40th anniversary gala are treasurer Bill McClure, vice president Veronica Tsang, honoree Claire Shulman, executive director Ellen Kodadek, honoree Emily Lin, president James S. J. Liao; trustee Barbara Garii, and secretary Michael Sperendi. to the group’s mission of bringing people together. That’s why Flushing Town Hall organizes a lot of cross-cultural programs.

One example is an exhibit two years ago in February, when Lunar New Year landed on the same day as Valentine’s Day. Calling it “Lucky in Love,” Kodadek and her team showcased wedding attire from different cultures loaned by community members.

They had dresses, suits, accessories and accoutrements from different parts of China, Japan, Korea and India.

“It was really beautiful and remarkable,” she said. “The generosity of the community, to loan us some of their most precious objects, was great.”

The curators also learned a lot from the exhibit. For example, Shawn Choi, Flushing Town Hall’s director of Marketing and Community Engagement, loaned the clothes he and his wife wore at

their own wedding.

From their contribution, the organizers learned of a Korean tradition where the groom’s mother throws chestnuts at the bride during the ceremony. The bride catches them in her dress, and the amount she catches symbolizes the amount of children they’re going to have, according to Kodadek.

“So it’s all about longevity and good luck,” she said. “It was lovely to learn all about these traditions, which is very important to us.

“We really want to celebrate the diversity of people,” Kodadek added. “It’s really a great way to build community, for people to discover the creativity and beauty of different cultures that they may be completely unfamiliar with.”

In a borough as diverse as Queens, where close to 200 languages are spoken representing hundreds of cultures, it’s important that cultural institutions reflect, honor and celebrate that diversity,

Kodadek said.

As the only multidisciplinary organization in the neighborhood, Flushing Town Hall has filled that role perfectly.

“Because we were built with this welcoming idea, to welcome back soldiers from the Civil War, it’s almost like it’s in the DNA of the building to be welcoming to people,” she said.

Kodadek also sees Flushing Town Hall as a space where people feel at home in the community. It brings together individuals from different cultural backgrounds, ages and genders to enjoy the arts.

“It could be a child who sees himself or herself represented on stage in a way they may have never experienced before, or someone who comes here, grappling with other issues, but they’re part of a community dancing, laughing and singing together,” she said. “By the end of the night, you don’t feel so much that you’re a stranger any-

more.”

On June 6, Flushing Town Hall celebrated its 40th anniversary by honoring Shulman, who was given the “Jo-Ann Jones Award for Devoted Leadership.”

They also presented architect Emily Lin, a longtime supporter of the organization, with the “Howard Graf Award for Creative Design & Architecture.” Graf, a Jamaicabased architect, oversaw the building’s $8 million renovation project as chair of the FCCA. When grappling with the question about the next 40 years of Flushing Town Hall, Kodadek said she’s focused on continuing both the organization’s stability and growth. That means expanding education services for thousands of students, keeping programs affordable for the community, and continuing to be a venue that brings people together.

“Everything for us relates back to our mission,” Kodadek said.

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queenschamber.org

MUSIC, DANCING AND FORTNITE AT USTA It certainly rained a lot in June.

Hopefully, this means that Mother Nature will let the sun shine a lot in July, as Queens is overflowing with outdoor activities.

July 3-Aug. 21, Outdoor Cinema.

Free Wednesday night screenings of mostly foreign films with related live performances and food. The fun starts at 7 pm, but movies screen when darkness falls. Schedule: “Cielo” (Canada/Chile) on July

3; “Purple Noon” (France/Italy) on July 10; “Anbessa” (Ethiopia/ Italy) on July 17; “The Story of the Weeping Camel” (Germany/ Mongolia) on July 24; “En El Séptimo Día” (USA) on July 31; “Dark Toons” (Europe) on Aug. 7; “La Ciénaga” (Argentina) on Aug. 14; and “March of the Penguins” (France) on Aug. 21.

Socrates Sculpture Park, 32-01 Vernon Blvd., LIC, socratessculpturepark.org.

THUNDERBIRD AMERICAN INDIAN POWWOW

LIVE AT THE GANTRIES

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July 12-14, FORTNITE J a m a i c a Downtown Jazz Festival. This weekend-long music marathon includes free and ticketed concerts, a guided JazzWalk tour, exhibitions, and special screenings. Southeast Queens native Milford Graves, a legendary percussionist, headlines the live music. Other acts include Alchemy Sound Project, Morgan Guerin, Keith Jordan, and Flamenco Latino. Jamaica Center for Arts & Learning, 161-04 Jamaica Ave., and Jamaica Performing Arts Center, 153-10 Jamaica Ave. jcal. org.

July 16-Aug. 13, Live at the Gantries. Free outdoor concerts near the LIC Waterfront on eight consecutive Tuesdays at 7 pm.

Schedule: Yacouba Sissoko (West African) on July 9; Latin folklorist Claudia Valentina on July 16;

ARIANYS WILSON PHOTOGRAPHY

the Slavo Rican Assembly on July 23; The Cold Club of Queens on July 30; New Bojaira on Aug. 6; Cumbia River Band on Aug. 13; Akoko Nante Ensemble on Aug. 20; and 123 Andrés on Aug. 27.

Gantry Plaza State Park, vicinity of Center Boulevard and 47th Road, kupferbergcenter.org.

July 25-28, Epic Games. The top 100 solo players and the top 50 duo teams from around the world compete in the Fortnite World Cup Finals. Each player gets at least $50,000, and the solo champion walks away with $3 million. Arthur Ashe Stadium, USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center, Flushing Meadows Corona Park, epicgames.com.

July 26-28, Thunderbird American Indian Powwow. Now in its 41st year, NYC’s largest powwow features three days of intertribal dance competitions.

More than 40 Indian Nations perform, and activities include Hoop Dancers and a Sunset Lighting of the Bonfire. Native American art, crafts, jewelry, and food are available for sale. Queens County Farm Museum, 73-50 Little Neck Pkwy, Glen Oaks, queensfarm. org.

The monthly “It’s In Queens” column is produced by the Queens Tourism Council. More info at itsinqueens.com.

July 2019 • Volume 15 • Issue 7

QUEENSBOROUGH CALENDAR OF EVENTS JULY 7/10, 9 AM

ALERT!!!...A CONVERSATION ABOUT SECURITY

A panel with decades of industry knowledge will share ways to safe guard you and your organization and equip you with solid solutions to protect both you and your organization.

FREE Register at queenschamber.org Queens College Campbell Dome 65-30 Kissena Boulevard Flushing 7/10, 3 PM

HOW TO LEVERAGE LINKEDIN AND TWITTER FOR YOUR BUSINESS

Is your business on LinkedIn yet and are you maximizing your account’s value? Are you using Twitter effectively? Explore best practices and smart tips to jumpstart your engagement with Catherine Ventura of Venn Diagram.

FREE Register at queenschamber.org HSBC Bank 107-15 Continental Avenue Forest Hills

rain or shine. $85/$75 (Member) Register at queenschamber.org World’s Fair Marina Marina Road 1 Flushing 7/22, 6 PM

BUILDING A FINANCIAL FOUNDATION, PART ONE

The Queens Chamber of Commerce hosts its first Financial Education Workshop about building your financial foundation.

This special program will be conducted in Chinese.

FREE Register at queenschamber.org Queens Library 41-17 Main Street Flushing 7/22, 6 PM

BUILDING A FINANCIAL FOUNDATION, PART TWO

The Queens Chamber of Commerce hosts its second

Financial Education Workshop about building your financial foundation. This special program will be conducted in Chinese.

FREE Register at queenschamber.org Queens Library 41-17 Main Street Flushing 7/31, 9 AM

BALANCING THE COMPETING DEMANDS OF WORK AND LIFE

This workshop will explore strategies to effectively cope with and balance the demands of work and personal lives utilizing flexible work initiatives to promote more effective use of time at and away from work. With NYIT professor Joshua Bienstock.

FREE Register at queenschamber.org Queens Chamber of Commerce 75-20 Astoria Boulevard Jackson Heights

AUGUST 8/8, 9 AM

NEW MEMBER ORIENTATION

Learn about the benefits that come with being a member of the Queens Chamber of Commerce.

FREE Register at queenschamber.org Queens Chamber of Commerce 75-20 Astoria Boulevard Jackson Heights 8/21, 4 PM

MATTERS OF THE HEART: HEART DISEASE DIALOGUE AND CPR TRAINING

This session will equip you with critical information and adequate training so you too can save lives.

FREE Register at queenschamber.org Plaza College 118-33 Queens Boulevard Forest Hills

7/11, 9 AM

BREAKFAST SPEED NETWORKING EVENT

A fast-paced event that guarantees you’ll build your professional network and increase your business bottom-line. Within a matter of twenty minutes you’ll be introduced to at least 20 new contacts.

FREE Register at queenschamber.org Queens Chamber of Commerce 75-20 Astoria Boulevard Jackson Heights 7/17, 5 to 8 PM

QUEENS CHAMBER SUMMER BOAT CRUISE

Tickets include three-hour open bar, appetizers and carving station, and prize giveaways and raffles. This event will take place

The Queens Chamber of Commerce’s Annual Summer Boat Cruise will take place on July 17

For any registration or more information on these events or any other events please call us at 718.898.8500 or visit us on the web queenschamber.org

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Presents CRUISE INTO SUMMER - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

3 HOUR OPEN BAR DJ /CARVING STATIONS PASSED APPETIZERS RAFFLES /NETWORKING - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

JULY 17TH, 2019 5PM – 8 PM

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$75 per person for QCC Members $85 per person for all others Sponsors:

1 WORLD’S FAIR MARINA, FLUSHING, NY 11368

Boarding and Event Begins: 5:00 PM Ship Departs: 6:00 PM sharp Returns to Port: 8:00 PM

Fully weather-proof & air conditioned. We sail rain or shine.

Complimentary parking adjacent to Marina

Sponsorship Opportunities Available – Call Joanne Persad at 718.898.8500 ext. 123 or email jpersad@queenschamber.org or visit queenschamber.org

SPACE IS LIMITED REGISTER TODAY AT QUEENSCHAMBER.ORG

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The Business News of Queens & The Official Magazine of The Queens Chamber of Commerce

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September 2018 . Volume 14 . Issue 9

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SCRAP

BUILDING

NYC

REBNY HEAD TALKS ACCOMPLISHMENTS AND CHALLENGES AHEAD FOR REAL ESTATE INDUSTRY

THE WOMAN BREAKING GENDER STEREOTYPES AT CITY SCRAP METAL IN LONG ISLAND CITY

• ASSEMBLYMAN RON KIM EXPLAINS ‘COMMUNITY CURRENCY’

November 2018 . Volume 14 . Issue 11

REAL TALK

METTLE

HEAD OF DDC DISCUSSES HER NEW POST, CONSTRUCTION CHALLENGES & EMCEEING THE CHAMBER’S 2018 BUILDING AWARDS GALA

CHAMBER TAKES TO THE SEAS FOR ANNUAL NETWORKING EVENT

• CHAMBER FORUM DISCUSSES HEALTH CARE FOR SMALL BUSINESSES

“There are a lot of people at DDC who work very hard, and they don’t get the credit that they deserve.”

DDC COMMISSIONER LORRAINE GRILLO

August 2018 . Volume 14 . Issue 8

“We want people to know developers and property owners love the city as much as other people.”

OWNER AND PRESIDENT MICHELE ROTHMAN

REAL ESTATE BOARD OF NEW YORK PRESIDENT JOHN BANKS

CHAMBER HONORS FOUR AT ANNUAL BUSINESS PERSON OF THE YEAR AWARDS

Profiling Queens’ Most Dynamic People To subscribe to this monthly, glossy magazine, visit thisisqueensborough.com or call BQE Media at 718-426-7200.

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EXPERT ADVICE

IMPROVING VOTER TURNOUT IN QUEENS Fewer than one in four eligible voters in Queens cast a ballot in the 2017 New York City general election, and according to the Campaign Finance Board (CFB), the borough includes eight of the bottom 25 neighborhoods in voter turnout citywide.

In the interest of Queens, this situation must improve. The adoption of more modern, secure voting technology would better allow Queens’ diverse communities to experience an easier time at the polls, particularly those whose primary language is not English or who have disabilities.

Disability rights advocates recently surveyed new secure voting machines that improve the experience of those with disabilities. Dustin Jones was among the many who tried the ExpressVote XL machine, filling out a sample

ballot just as if voting in a regular election, easily completing the process and verifying selections.

“I absolutely love it,” said Jones, who attended the event with a group from the Center for Independence of the Disabled. “It’s easy to use and very responsive. I also think it’s very inclusive.”

More than 1 in 20 people in Queens under the age of 65 has a disability, “I’ve been voting since I was 18 and using a wheelchair for the past eight years,” he added. “All of the little things that they have taken into consideration with this machine are going to make people with disabilities want to come out and vote.”

The machine, created by Election Systems & Software, permits voters to verify the printed paper record using the same accessible

devices they used when marking the ballot in the language of their preference.

The borough also has a majority of residents who speak a language other than English at home. In fact, it is estimated that some 160 languages are spoken in Queens County.

Currently, the City of New York offers voter registration in 15 different languages.

Displaying the future of voting, the machine has a touchscreen that allows for any language to be programmed, so that voters whose first language is not English can simply read the ballot in their preferred language without having to navigate a crowded ballot with small print and multiple languages.

“We are fully committed to giving all voters the ability to vote independently and enjoy the same

Dustin Jones of Center for Independence of the Disabled tries out the Express XL accessible voting machine. voting experience,” said Judd Ryan, senior vice president at ES&S.

DZWLEWICZ, PREUSS HONORED AT GOLF OUTING CONTINUED FROM PAGE 16

Bank does,” he said. “The chamber is really doing incredible work.

“The most important thing about the chamber is that it brings people together,” he added. “It’s an opportunity for business owners to meet other business owners.”

Dzwlewicz joined TD Bank in 2006 and has served as the regional vice president of Queens since 2009. He later became regional vice president of the Bronx in 2016.

He oversees the bank’s 32 locations in Queens and nine in the Bronx.

“TD is always expanding, always opening up new locations,” Dzwlewicz said. “It really is a fantastic place to be, and we truly support the community, the chamber and many other nonprofits.”

Dzwlewicz graduated from St. John’s University, where he earned his bachelor’s degree in finance. He began his banking career in 1987.

In addition to his long tenure with the Queens Chamber, the Port Washington resident is also on the board of York College, the Boy

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Scouts, Helen Keller Services for the Blind and more.

“I really get involved,” Dzwlewicz said. “The bank allows me to do that, so it supports me in the ability to support those organizations.”

He added that it turned out to be a beautiful day for the golf outing, which he noted was extremely well attended.

“Weather was good, and the golf was okay too,” he said.

Preuss, the event’s other honoree, also has a long history working in Queens neighborhoods. Previously the vice president of sales for Massey Knakal Realty Services, Preuss now focuses on investment sales, primarily in Queens, for Cushman & Wakefield.

“Queens is where I do the majority of my business,” he said.

“We’re involved in almost every community out there.”

Over his 16-year career, Preuss has transacted in nearly $3 billion of investment and commercial real estate. He has sold more than 350 properties, and currently has over $800,000 in exclusive listings.

Preuss serves on the board of the Greater Flushing Chamber of Commerce, Long Island Partnership, Greater Jamaica Development Corporation and Queens Community House.

He said the Queens Chamber “really pulls all of these neighborhoods together,” which is why he was extremely honored to be recognized at the golf outing.

“I think it’s important to support the neighborhoods that we sell buildings in, and make each one of these neighborhoods better,” Preuss said. “If we can do that, then it increases the values overall. Everyone’s a winner at that point.”

Although this was Preuss’s first Chamber golf outing, he said he had a fantastic time.

“I can assure you, whether I’m an honoree or not, I’m going to be at every single one of these outings

going forward,” he said.

Despite all he has done in Queens, Preuss is looking forward to doing even more.

“We really have a lot of momentum in Queens communities,” he said.

July 2019 • Volume 15 • Issue 7

QUEENS CHAMBER PARTNERS & AFFILIATES 82ND STREET PARTNERSHIP

37-06 82nd Street, Jackson Heights, NY 11372 Executive Director: Leslie Ramos 718.335.9421 82ndstreet.org QUICK GLANCE: Budget of $224,000 with more than 200 businesses under its umbrella.

The district is on 82nd Street from 37th Avenue to Baxter Avenue. The board meets quarterly with the annual meeting in June.

There are free immigration services every Monday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at 71-29 Roosevelt Avenue. All services are free, confidential and open to any member of the community. Some of the services include DACA, TPS and document replacement and renewal. Call (212) 652-2071 with any questions.

Recently, Queens Council on The Arts commissioned eight Queens-based artists to create temporary public artworks throughout Jackson Heights through their first ever, public art commissioning program, ArtSite.

BAYSIDE VILLAGE BID

213-33 39th Avenue, Bayside, NY 11361 Executive Director: Christine Siletti 718.423.2434 info@baysidevillagebid.com

QUICK GLANCE: Budget of $218,000 and over 350 members.

Founded in 2007, the BID includes commercial property owners and residents on Bell Boulevard between 35th Avenue and Northern Boulevard, as well as a block east and west on 41st Avenue.

BUSINESS CENTER FOR NEW AMERICANS (BCNA)

78-27 37 Avenue, Jackson Heights, NY 11372 Business Development: Tshering Gurung 347.730.6468 tgurung@nycbcna.org QUICK GLANCE: Since 1997, BCNA has been serving New York City entrepreneurs.

BCNA is an approved Small Business Administration Intermediary Lender and a certified Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI). BCNA’s Microloan program is the cornerstone of its services.

They provide small business loans and microloans to business owners who are not able to obtain loans from traditional lenders.

FOREST HILLS CHAMBER OF COMMERCE PO Box 751123, Forest Hills, NY 11375

President: Leslie Brown 718.268.6565 FHChamber11375@gmail.com FHChamber@aol.com QUICK GLANCE: Re-formed in 1995, the group has over 225 members.

Chamber meetings are held on the last Wednesday of the month at 9 a.m. at the West Side Tennis Club, 1 Tennis Place, in Forest Hills.

This month’s meeting will take place on July 31.

On June 9, the chamber hosted the Forest Hills Festival of the Arts on Austin Street, featuring live music, unique merchandise, gourmet food and rides for the kids.

The next major event on the chamber’s calendar is the popular Jazz Thursdays, which will take place on August 15 and 22 on 70th Road between Queens Boulevard and Austin Street.

GATEWAY JFK

Executive Director: Scott Grimm-Lyon info@GatewayJFK.org GatewayJFK.org QUICK GLANCE: Formerly the Greater JFK Industrial BID and founded in 2016, the group seeks to provide support to the off-airport air cargo and services district through supplemental services and improvements, technical

20% discount on lodging for all new business booked in the months of June and August!

Groups looking to host workshops, summer camps, international travel programs, and conferences can take advantage of this offer while enjoying use of their onsite dining facilities and classroom/meeting venues as well.

Call Cheryl for a quote today!

(718) 990-2027 stjohns.edu/conference-services 25

THIS IS QUEENSBOROUGH

queenschamber.org

QUEENS CHAMBER PARTNERS & AFFILIATES and professional services for its members, and advocacy and administration.

GatewayJFK is seeking sponsors for banners on Rockaway Boulevard. Participating sponsors will have their logo displayed on the lower portion of the banners for one full-year. Sponsoring the banner will cost $1,000, but sponsoring three or more banners costs $750 per banner.

Sponsors have the chance to make 57,000-plus daily impressions if located in the southern section of the district, and 24,000-plus in the northern section. If interested, contact GatewayJFK at 516-730-3400 or scott@gatewayjfk.org.

GREATER FLUSHING CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

39-01 Main Street, Suite 511, Flushing NY 11354 Executive Director: John Choe john@flushingchamber.nyc 646.783.8985 flushingchamber.nyc QUICK GLANCE: Founded in 2014 and representing over 200 businesses.

In May, the chamber welcomed the greenmarket back to Maple Playground on Kissena Boulevard. It is open on Wednesdays from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The Chamber hosted its second annual Flushing World’s Fair expo on June 28 and 29 to showcase the diverse business community in the neighborhood. It included presentations and workshops, as well as resources for entrepreneurs and local businesses.

Upcoming events include: • Grow NYC Greenmarket - Wednesday, July 3, 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. - Celebrate the opening of the GrowNYC Greenmarket at Maple Playground with a PuppetMobile performance exploring the tale of Bessie’s Big Shot on July 3 at 11 a.m.

• Tour de Flushing - Sunday, July 14, All Day - Join Transportation Alternatives Eastern Queens Committee, Greater Flushing Chamber of Commerce, and Eastern Queens Greenway for a free 20-mile bike ride exploring some of the city’s greatest neighborhoods, parks, and streets.

GREATER JAMAICA DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION

90-04 161st Street, Jamaica, NY 11432 President: Hope Knight 718.291.0282 gjdc.org QUICK GLANCE: Founded in 1967, the group has 75 members.

GJDC’s work expands economic opportunity and improves quality of life for the ethnically and economically diverse residents of Jamaica and for the region at large, which benefits from rational, well-planned, and sustainable metropolitan growth.

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GREATER WOODHAVEN DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION WOODHAVEN BID

84-01 Jamaica Avenue, Woodhaven NY 11421 718.805.0202 gwdcbid@hotmail.com woodhavenbid.com QUICK GLANCE: Budget of $257,000 with more than 350 businesses under its umbrella.

On Jamaica Avenue from Dexter Court to 100th Street. They are providing free benches for store owners along Jamaica Avenue. They also provide 2.5 and 5 percent home improvement loans.

JAMAICA CENTER BID

161-10 Jamaica Avenue, Suite 419 Jamaica, NY 11432 Executive Director: Jennifer Furioli 718.526.2422 jamaica.nyc @JamCenterBID (Twitter) @jamcenterbid (Instagram) @Jamaica Center BID (Facebook) QUICK GLANCE: Budget of over $1 million.

Founded in 1979, the Jamaica Center BID serves over 400 businesses on Jamaica Avenue between Sutphin Boulevard and 169th Street.

The BID’s goal is to promote and maintain Downtown Jamaica as a thriving business hub and an enjoyable destination to shop, work, live and visit.

The BID’s sanitation team is out on Jamaica Avenue 360 days a year. The BID offers marketing and promotion for the district, including a value card program, banner and rubbish bin sponsorship opportunities, and supports business owners in opening or expanding their operations.

The BID is the proud recipient of a threeyear, $300,000 Avenue NYC grant and is currently conducting a Commercial District Needs Assessment (CDNA), which will inform future programing.

The BID will be hosting Family Fun on the Avenue on Saturday, July 13, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., with an encore on Saturday, August 17. There will be life-sized games, Bubbledad, music, mini golf course, dance class and community vendors in the middle of Jamaica Avenue.

JFK INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

616 Duke Street, Westbury, NY 11590 Executive Director: Mercedes Altman 516.492.0513 jfkairportchamberofcommerce.org QUICK GLANCE: Founded in 1978, the group has over 200 members.

JFK Airport is the only airport in the country to have its own chamber of commerce wholly dedicated to the airport business communi-

ty, which employs 35,000 people. The airport handles more than 50 million passengers a year, using almost a half-million square feet of warehouse space to handle more than a million tons of air freight cargo a year.

Upcoming events include: • July 10, 8:30-10 a.m.: JFK CoC Directors General Monthly Meeting. JFK International Airport, Building 14 – Conference Room “A”.

Guests are welcome but must RSVP. Light breakfast will be served. Contact JFKCoCExec@ gmail.com to confirm the date.

LONG ISLAND CITY PARTNERSHIP

President: Elizabeth Lusskin 718.786.5300 longislandcityqueens.com Founded in 1979, the Long Island City Partnership advocates for economic development that benefits LIC’s industrial, commercial, cultural and residential sectors. The goal is to attract new businesses to the neighborhood, retain those already here, welcome new residents and visitors, and promote a vibrant and authentic mixed-use community. The LIC Partnership operates the LIC Business Improvement District and the LIC Industrial Business Zone.

On July 17 from 8 to 10 a.m., the partnership will hold a Business Breakfast at the LIC Conference Center at 41-21 27th Street. Join the partnership as they bring together a panel of experts to discuss the benefits and impacts of available investment and development programs in Long Island City, such as Opportunity Zones, NYS CFA, and IDA. Speakers include Seth Pinsky, RXR, Louis Vlahos, Farrell Fritz, P.C. and Sandra Wilkin of Bradford Construction.

MASPETH CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

P.O. Box 780265, Maspeth, NY 11378 President: David Daraio 718.335.1300 maspethchamberofcommerce.org QUICK GLANCE: Founded in 1953, they have 120 members and a budget of $115,000.

• July 9 at 12 p.m. - The Maspeth Chamber of Commerce’s monthly meeting will take place at Connolly’s Corner at 71-15 Grand Avenue. The agenda includes a discussion of the proposed Maspeth BID and Spring Banner promotion.

MASPETH INDUSTRIAL BUSINESS ASSOCIATION (MIBA) BOC: 96-11 40th Road, Corona, NY 11368 Coordinator: Quincy Ely-Cate 718.205.3773 qelycate@bocnet.org mibanyc.org QUICK GLANCE: Roughly 600 businesses with 30 active members.

July 2019 • Volume 15 • Issue 7

QUEENS CHAMBER PARTNERS & AFFILIATES The Maspeth Industrial Business Association, a project of the Business Outreach Center Network, provides a collective voice in advocating the needs and interests of industrial and manufacturing businesses in Maspeth.

They help companies in the Maspeth Industrial District in developing workforce, accessing tax credits, obtaining financing, navigating government regulations and, in some cases, finding real estate.

MIDDLE VILLAGE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

79-47 Metropolitan Ave., Middle Village, NY 11379 President: Salvatore Crifasi 718.894.8700 Sal@Crifasi.com QUICK GLANCE: Budget of $8,000 with 35 businesses under its umbrella.

Formed in 1929. MVCC meets annually and focuses on the Metropolitan Avenue shopping district between 69 and 80 th streets.

Annual membership fee is $150, and they are looking to gain momentum through attracting new members. The mission is to improve the area and assist local businesses if they have any concerns or needs.

MYRTLE AVENUE BID

The BID has also been involved in a zoning initiative for Myrtle Avenue. Executive Director Ted Renz is working with, and has the approval of the community board, to preserve the integrity of the business feel of Myrtle Avenue by making it a special zoning district. City Planning is looking at the request now. The plan seeks to keep the look of the two- and three-story commercial infrastructure in tact.

Upcoming events include: • 4th of July Sidewalk Sales - Thursday, July 4 to Sunday, July 7.

• Glendale Kiwanis Street Festival - Sunday, July 21, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. - On Myrtle Avenue from Forest Avenue to Fresh Pond Rd. Contact Meteor Festivals (718-444-6028) for vendor opportunities.

• Lamar Peters Performing at 71st Ave Plaza - Saturday, July 27, 4 to 7 p.m. - The Ultimate Tribute to the King, Peters brings all the eras of Elvis alive on stage.

One of the longest running BIDs is also one of the more innovative in its approach to helping maintain an active business corridor by helping landlords rent vacant properties. The website ridgewood-ny.com shows properties that are currently for rent in the district.

QUEENS ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION

62-14 Myrtle Avenue, Ridgewood, NY 11385 Executive Director: Ted Renz 718.366.3806 QUICK GLANCE: Budget of $500,000 with over 300 retail and service businesses under its purview.

Board meetings are held four times a year with the annual meeting in June. The district includes Myrtle Avenue in Ridgewood between Fresh Pond Road and Wyckoff Avenue. Program support is provided by the Ridgewood LDC.

12-55 Queens Boulevard, Room 309 Kew Gardens, NY 11424 Executive Director: Seth Bornstein 718.263.0546

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THIS IS QUEENSBOROUGH

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QUEENS CHAMBER PARTNERS & AFFILIATES queensny.org QUICK GLANCE: Budget of $1.5 million and a resource for over 2,000 businesses in the borough of Queens.

Funded by Department of Small Business Services, they strive to create and retain jobs via programs that grow neighborhoods and assist small businesses. QEDC assists by providing one-on-one consultations, hosting workshops, operating training courses and networking events.

ROCKAWAY BUSINESS ALLIANCE

info@rockawaybusinessalliance.org QUICK GLANCE: Budget of $40,000 and a resource for over 200 businesses.

The Rockaway Business Alliance was founded in 2012 after Hurricane Sandy. RBA’s vision is to create business corridors that are clean, safe, and welcoming, with shopping, dining, attractions, and engagement for the local community and the visitors drawn to Rockaway’s beaches and open spaces.

ROCKAWAY DEVELOPMENT & REVITALIZATION CORPORATION

1920 Mott Avenue, Far Rockaway, NY 11691 President: Kevin Alexander 718.327.5300 www.rdrc.org QUICK GLANCE: Founded in 1978, the group has 30 members.

Founded in 1978, the Rockaway Development & Revitalization Corporation (RDRC) was established to promote the revitalization of the Rockaway’s economic base and neighborhoods by creating long-standing partnerships with city and state agencies. RDRC is governed by a twelve-member board of directors and a fivemember merchant advisory board.

RDRC’s current city and state collaborations include the Downtown Far Rockaway Storefront Improvement Program, The Downtown Far Rockaway Public Wi-Fi Project, The Rockaway East Workforce Development Program and most recently, the planned $288,000,000 Downtown Far Rockaway Redevelopment Project.

With over 250 businesses and 61,000 or 53 percent of the Rockaway’s entire population living within 2 miles of downtown Far Rockaway, one of RDRC’s goals is to reduce the over $91 million in market leakage to neighboring downtown shopping districts.

To address this challenge, in 2014 RDRC rejuvenated the Rockaway East Merchants Association (REMA). Today with RDRC as its administrator, REMA membership now includes 40-plus local businesses with an active calendar of events that includes an annual merchant’s fair,

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talent show, fashion event, holiday tree lighting and live concerts.

REMA membership meetings are held on the fourth Monday of the month at 1 p.m. at the corporation’s office at 1920 Mott Avenue in Far Rockaway.

STEINWAY ASTORIA PARTNERSHIP BID

25-69 38th Street, Suite 1C, Astoria 11103 Executive Director: Marie Torniali 718.728.7820 info@steinwaystreet.nyc steinwaystreet.org QUICK GLANCE: Founded in 1991, the BID has over 300 members.

The Steinway Street Business Improvement District encompasses all 300 business located on Steinway Street from 28th Avenue to 35th Avenue. National chain stores such as Victoria’s Secrets, The Gap, Benetton, and Express are side by side with local family owned shops some of them fixtures on the street for some 50 years.

Board meetings are held seven times a year.

The BID’s vision is to make Steinway Street user friendly, while highlighting the local businesses on the street and bringing together the Astoria community in a positive way.

The Central Astoria LDC Waterfront Concert and Movie Series will return on July 11. Concerts will be held on Thursdays July 11, 18 and 25 at 7:30 p.m., and movie screenings on Monday July 22 and 29 at sunset on the Astoria Park Great Lawn on Shore Road between the Hell Gate Bridge and Astoria Pool.

The series is made possible through funding of council members and New York City Cultural Affairs.

The Swing Time Big Band will perform on the 11, Lost Soul Fond on the 18, and Bon Journey on the 25. Moving screenings include Singing In The Rain on the 22 and Clueless on the 29. Free and open to the public!

SUNNYSIDE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

PO Box 4399, Sunnyside, NY 11104 President: Vanessa Ceballos 718.729.4688 www.sunnyside-chamber.org QUICK GLANCE: Annual budget of $55,000.

The chamber is an organization built around assisting and helping local business and professionals by providing resources to increase business, safety and historical preservation throughout the neighborhood.

At its recent annual meeting, Chamber members elected Vanessa Ceballos, owner of Firefly Petite Cafe & Bistro on 43rd Avenue, to serve as 2019-20 president.

SUNNYSIDE SHINES

45-56 43rd Street, Sunnyside, NY 11104 Executive Director: Jaime-Faye Beam 718.606.1800 director@sunnysideshines.org sunnysideshines.org QUICK GLANCE: Budget of $480,000 with more than 250 businesses under its umbrella.

The BID is still looking for sponsors for Sunnyside Street Banners along Queens Boulevard and Greenpoint Avenue. There are still a number of locations still available, call the office for more info. Companies that are not located in Sunnyside are invited to participate as well. Sponsorships start at $350 and last for one year.

Upcoming events include: • Sunnyside Date Nights at Lowery Plaza with Salsa Lessons - Wednesday July, 10, 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. There will be free partner dance lessons at the plaza and select dinner specials at local restaurants. The event will take place at 40th Street and Queens Boulevard and is a weekly event throughout the summer.

• Beats in Bliss Plaza with Queens Boro Dance Festival - Thursday, July 11, 4 to 7 p.m.

- A performance by local Queens-based dancers. Festivities include games and crafts starting at 4 p.m., with dance performances kicking off at 5 p.m. This is a weekly event through September 26.

• Sunnyside Outdoor Movie Nights Spiderman: Into The Universe, Friday July 26, 8 to 10 p.m. - This summer, the Sunnyside Shines Business Improvement District is bringing outdoor movies at both Noonan Playground (Greenpoint Avenue and 43rd Street) and Torsney/Lou Lodati Playground (Skillman Avenue and 42nd Street).

• Lowery Plaza Pop-Up Market - Saturday, July 27, 12 to 6 p.m. - The Queens International Night Market will set up shop at 40th Street and Queens Boulevard. The market will feature local vendors ranging from jewelry, art, collectibles, clothing, food, and more.

SUTPHIN BOULEVARD BID

89-00 Sutphin Boulevard, Suite 204C Jamaica, NY 11435 Executive Director: Glen Greenridge 718.291.2110 sutphinblvdbid@verizon.net QUICK GLANCE: The BID was founded in 2004 and represents 134 businesses, 56 properties and 39 property owners along Sutphin Blvd. between Hillside and 94th avenues.

The BID is currently accepting applications for vendors interested in taking part in the 2019 Harvest Festival. This year, the festival will take place on Saturday, September 21, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

July 2019 • Volume 15 • Issue 7

NEW MEMBERS The Botanist

jasonoffice.com WBE specializing in office products, printing, office furniture and Janitorial & breakroom supplies.

Daroga Power, LLC

Patrizia’s Italian Restaurant

138-72 Queens Blvd.

Jamaica, NY 11435 shopbotanist.com 226 West 37th Street, 3rd Fl New York, NY 10018 darogapower.com

Jason Office Products 140 W 31st St. New York, NY 10001

CORPORATE

The Botanist Daroga Power, LLC Jason Office Products Patrizia’s Italian Restaurant Premier Paint Roller Co., LLC Safeguard Global The Marcal Group INTRODUCTORY

Aetna Century 21 Sunny Gardens Realty, Inc. Compound FlatRate Moving Micarole Enterprises Corp.

Prototype Music Radiator Labs Rios Interiors Corporation ServPro of Forest Hills Ridgewood Statewide Public Affairs Techie Youth Transworld Business Advisors of Flushing

69-35 Grand Ave. Maspeth, NY 11378 patrizias.com Patrizia’s has been a family owned and operated establishment for over 25 years. Our family is involved in every aspect of the day to day activities to make sure that your dining experience at Patrizia’s is always great. As with Italian tradition, every single customer is treated like family. Each dish is prepared with fresh organic ingredients that use the family’s recipes dating back over 150 years. Aside from dining in, we also provide pick-up, delivery and catering for all occasions. Superb food, impeccable service, and a unique family atmosphere distinguishes Patrizia’s from any other restaurant and makes it a one of a kind experience.

With locations in Williamsburg, East Tremont & Woodlawn, The Bronx, Staten Island, Long Island (Hicksville, Massapequa & Hauppauge), Sheepshead Bay, Manhattan, Maspeth, and Red Bank & Old Tappan in New Jersey, amazing family style dining is just around the corner.

Premier Paint Roller Co., LLC

Premier Paint Roller Co LLC 131-11 Atlantic Ave. Richmond Hill, NY 11418 premierpaintroller.com Premier is one of the largest manufacturers of paint rollers, paint brushes and related accessories in the U.S. We manufacture products for various markets and uses at the most competitive pricing. Three generations of leadership have committed to setting the highest standards of excellence for paint accessories in the industry.

Safeguard Global

Safeguard Global 19 Locust Ave. Glen Head, NY 11545 safeguardworld.com Removing complexity for HR professionals through the perfect combination of local expertise, technological innovation, and best in class service (in every corner of the globe).

The Marcal Group

2361 Nostrand Ave., Suite 901 Brooklyn, NY 11210 themarcalgroup.com The Marcal Group remains focused on its primary mission of identifying unique development opportunities. This includes reposition-

ing land for strategic ground up projects in diversified market sectors, including residential, commercial, retail, affordable housing, short term office space Corner Office and our latest venture- short term medical space MedWorks.

We welcome the partnership of like-minded capital partners seeking to maximize their equity through ground-breaking projects and initiatives.

ENERGY PANEL CONTINUED FROM PAGE 13 long run.

“We hand-selected the top people in those sectors,” Haimson said. “That’s who we’re bringing to the table.”

To help advise owners on next steps, the Gold Standard Task Force is hosting its inaugural workshop, called “How NYC Building Owners Will Cash In on New Environmental Standards,” on Wednesday, July 31, at the Queens Chamber office.

Haimson said they will discuss the impact of the new local law. The negative impact, he said, is potential fines. But the positive impact is the opportunity to dramatically improve operational costs while still being in compliance.

“We’ll have how-to’s on how to finance these projects,” he said.

The workshop will also go over how to produce measured, verified, guaranteed and insured greenhouse gas reductions and economic returns.

Haimson said this will be the first in a series of monthly or bi-monthly workshops hosted by the task force.

“We’re looking to reach as many building owners as possible,” he said.

Statement required by the Act of August 12, 1970, section 3685. Title 39, United States Code, showing the ownership, management and circulation of Queensborough magazine, published 12 times per year, and owned by the Chamber of Commerce of the Borough of Queens, 75-20 Astoria Boulevard, Suite 140, Jackson Heights, New York 11370. Statement filed September 1, 2018. Publisher: Chamber of Commerce of the Borough of Queens Editor: Thomas Grech Known bondholders, mortgagees, and other security holders owning or holding one percent or more of total amount of bonds, mortgages or other securities, none. Extent & nature of circulation: Avg. each issue, Actual single issue, Preceding 13 mos., (Nearest to filing date). Total number of copies 3,110 (3,009). Paid and/or requested circulation: Dealer, carrier sales 579 (607), Mail subscriptions, 1,937 (2,002), Total 2,516 (2,609). Free Distribution By mail 0 (400), By other means 198 (200), Total 198 (200). Total distribution 2,714 (2,809), Office Use, leftover, spoiled 396 ( 2 0 0 ) , Return from news agents 0 (0), Total 3,110 (3,009), Percent paid 92.70 (92.88).

I certify that the statements made by me above are correct and complete. Thomas J. Grech, Editor

29

THIS IS QUEENSBOROUGH

queenschamber.org

EXECUTIVE COMMMITEE

CHAIRPERSON’S ADVISORY COUNCIL

EXECUTIVE STAFF

Thomas Santucci

Richard Dzwlewicz

Thomas J. Grech

Brendan Leavy

Nash Roe

Fran Biderman-Gross

Joanne M. Persad

Jacqueline Donado

Chairperson

Associate Treasurer

Vice Chairperson

Associate Secretary

Treasurer

Immediate Past Chair

Patrick Yu

Susan Browning

Mayra DiRico

President & CEO

Chief of Operations

Alejandra Espejo Financial Controller

Secretary

Business Development Manager Strategic Program Coordinator

Jef Gross

Committee Development & Member Engagement Manager

William Blake Dominick Ciampa Joseph Farber Louis D. Laurino

Joseph M. Mattone, Sr John E. Roe, Sr. George Rozansky Gerard Thornton

QUEENSBOROUGH (ISSN0033-6068 is published 12 times a year for $12.50 annually by the Queens Chamber of Commerce of the borough of Queens. 75-20 Astoria Blvd, Suite 140, East Elmhurst NY 11370-1131.

Periodicals postage paid at Flushing NY and additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Queens Chamber of Commerce 75-20 Astoria Blvd., Suite 140, East Elmhurst NY 11370-1131.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS Fran Biderman-Gross Joshua E. Bienstock Michael Billia Susan Browning Kenneth J. Buettner Charles E. Callahan KY Chow

Carol Conslato Sal Crifasi Mayra DiRico Richard Dzwlewicz Joseph R. Ficalora Tamara Gavrielof Howard Graf

Raymond Irrera Kenneth Koenig Henry Kuykendall Neil Levin Jeffery E. Levine Carl Mattone Patricia Mezeul

Jeffrey Owens Nayan Parikh Albert F. Pennisi Vincent L. Petraro Esq Nash Roe Jeffrey Rosenstock Juan Santiago

Thomas Santucci Mark Scheinberg Caryn Schwab Sher Sparano Michelle Stoddart Terri Thomson Henry Wan

Patrick Yu Daniel Zausner

CORPORATE MEMBERS A&L Cesspool Services Corp A. Giannopoulos Architects AAA Northeast AARP Ackman-Ziff ADP Major Accounts Adria Hotel and Conference Center Airlogix Alma Bank American Lions LLC Amna Construction Corp AmTrust Title Andromeda Antun’s of Queens Village Apple Bank for Savings Ashnu International, Inc. Atco Properties Accounts Payable Aurora Contractors, Inc. Baker Tilly Virchow Krause, LLP Bank of America Merrill Lynch Bank of Hope BankUnited, N.A Berkman, Henoch, Peterson, Peddy & Fenchel Bethpage Federal Credit Union Borchert & LaSpina, P.C. Boyce Technologies Inc. Bridgehampton National Bank Broadway Stages Cactus Holdings Inc Capital One Bank Carmel Car and Limo Service Center for Automotive Education and Training Cerini and Associates, LLP. Ciampa Organization Cipico Construction, Inc. Complete Orthopedic Services, Inc Conference Associates, Inc

Cord Meyer Development LLC Cornell NYC Tech Corporate Development Systems, Inc. Courtyard by Marriott CPEX Real Estate Crescent Properties, Inc Crown Castle Curaleaf Cushman & Wakefield DGC Capital Contracting Corp.

Douglas Elliman Real Estate DY Realty Services, L.L.C. E Central Medical Management East Coast Energy Group Ecosave Inc. Edge Auto Inc. Elmhurst Hospital Center Emigrant Mortgage Company EMU Health Services ENT and Allergy Associates, LLP Enterprise Fleet Management Exquisite Construction Fabiani Cohen & Hall, LLP Family Residences and Essential Enterprises, Inc. (FREE) Farrell Fritz, P.C. Financial Recources Brup Investment Services LLC First American International Bank Flushing Bank Flushing Council On Culture & The Arts Forest Hills Financial Group Inc. GF55 Partners Global Industrial Goldenwood Property Advisors Goodwill Industries of New York & Northern New Jersey, Inc.

Grassi & Co. Greater NY Automobiles Dealers Association Greenberg Traurig Greenpoint Manufacturing & Design Center (GMDC) Greiner Maltz Company of NY Gum Studios Hampton Inn by Hilton JFK Airport Healthy Corner Pharmacy Inc. HiLine Construction Hilton Garden Inn Long Island City New York HK Capital Home2Suites Long Island City/ Manhattan View HSBC Bank Hyatt Place Flushing INDA, Association of Nonwoven Fabric Industry Innovative Lending Platform Association Innovo Property Group International Asbestos Removal Inc. iRCM, Inc. James F. Capalino & Assoc.

Jaros, Baum & Bolles JetBlue Airways Corporation Jetro/ Restaurant Depot JFA Insurance Brokerage & Associates Inc. JGM Construction Development, LLC JRT Realty Group Inc. Kasirer Consulting Kaufman Astoria Studios Inc. Kimco Realty Corporation Klein Weath Management/ Hightower Advisors

COMMITTEE LEADERSHIP COMMUNICATIONS Joshua Bienstock NYIT bienlaw@aol.com

ENERGY

Marshall Haimson E-Capital Development marshall@e-capitaldevelopment.com

HEALTHCARE & WELLNESS

Susan Browning Long Island Jewish Forest Hills sbrowning1@northwell.edu Bert Lurch E Central Medical Management bertl@ecmmgt.com

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HOSPITALITY

REAL ESTATE

Jim Quent Statewide Public Affairs jquent@statewidepublicaffairs.com Laura Altimari Fine Taste NYC finetastenyc@gmail.com

Martin Cottingham Avison Young martin.cottingham@avisonyoung.com Michael Wang Politan Real Estate mwang121@gmail.com

MANUFACTURING

TECHNOLOGY

Geoffrey Smith NY Grant Company Geoffrey@nygrants.com Thomas Powell Boyce Technologies tpowell@boycetechnologies.com

NONPROFIT

Larry Grubler Transitional Services of NY lgrubler@tsiny.org Maria Odysseus Investors Bank modysseus@myinvestorsbank.com

Bobby Giurintano TGI Office Automation bgiurintano@tgioa.com Fred Canone Telehouse mwang121@gmail.com

TRANSPORTATION Kris Amato TD Bank Kristin.amato@td.com

Lessing’s Food Service Management Levine Builders Luxury Office Suites LLC Lyons Mortgage Services, Inc. Madison Realty Capital Main Street Radiology Marriott International, Inc Mazars USA LLP McBride Consulting & Business Medisys Health Network MedPlex Mega Contracting Group LLC MetroPlus Health Plan Metropolitan Taxicab Board of Trade MicroGrid Neworks, LLC Mikkeller NYC Molloy College Mount Sinai Hospital of Queens Mr. T Carting Corp.

MTA Long Island Rail Road Muss Development Company New York + Atlantic Railway New York Building Congress New York Business Corporation New York Health Plan Association New York Oil Heating Association New York Racing Assn. Inc. New York Restaurant Association New York Safety and Training New York Times, The Northwell Health OneGroup OTJ Architects Patrick B. Jenkins & Associates Petro Home Services Plastic Surgery of New York Portnoy, Messinger, Pearl & Assoc., Inc. Premier Payroll Solutions Prime Storage Progressive Waste Solutions/IESI NY Corp QSIDE Federal Credit Union Quadlogic Controls Corporation Queens Center Mall Queens Public Communications Corp.

Queensborough Community College Quontic Bank RCG Mortgage Related Retail Corporation

Royal Waste Services, Inc. Russo’s On The Bay Samuel Goldstein & Co PC Santander Seagis Property Group, LP ShiftPixy Signature Bank Silvercup Studios Simon Baron Development Skyline Risk Management, Inc. SL Green Realty Corp.

Solomon Agency Corp.

St. Francis Preparatory School St. John’s Episcopal Hospital St. John’s University Structural Engineering Technologies, P.C. Target Terrace On The Park TFCU TGI Office Automation Thales USA Inc. The ALLCOT Group LLC The Durst Organization The First National Bank of Long Island The Heskel Group The Sweet Construction Group T-Mobile Treasure Island Storage TSC Traning Academy, LLC Ultrasound Solutions Corp.

United Airlines United Nations Federal Credit Union United Public Adjusters & Appraisers, Inc. USTA National Tennis Center, Inc. Valley National Bank Vanguard Insurance Agency Vassilaros & Sons Coffee Venture House Villa Russo Waste Management of New York LLC Watch Guard 24/7 LLC Welby, Brady & Greenblatt, LLP WellLife Network Wells Fargo WeWork Windstream Enterprise York College - CUNY Zara Realty

We hope you are enjoying the newly designed, expanded Queensborough, the monthly publication of the Queens Chamber of Commerce. We, the Chamber, direct and approve all content deciding what stories are covered in each issue, editing all copy and forwarding information that is contained in the publication.

BQE Media produces it for the Chamber. We look forward to continuing to highlight the outstanding business persons, services and activities that make our borough unique. We welcome all your letters, manuscripts, etc. Please send all materials to the Queens Chamber of Commerce at 75-20 Astoria Boulevard, Suite 140, Jackson Heights, NY 11370 or call 718.898.8500 for more information.

We reserve the right to edit for space limitations. Your support of the magazine is critical to its success. We encourage you to include Queensborough in your advertising plans. To place your ad, please call BQE Media at 718.426.7200.

July 2019 • Volume 15 • Issue 7 MAJOR CORPORATE MEMBERS

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