25 Annual Gala Journal

Queens Centers for Progress

2025 Annual Gala Honoring:

2025 BUSINESSMAN OF THE YEAR

2025 BANKING AND FINANCE MAN OF THE YEAR

President & Chief Executive Officer

Executive Vice President & Chief Lending Officer

Greg Bianco

Paul D. Schuldiner

Metropolitan Recycling

Rosenthal Capital Group

IN RECOGNITION OF

Cindy Heller

Director of Children’s Services

Queens Centers for Progress

FOR HER DECADES OF SERVICE TO QCP'S CHILDREN'S CENTER

tuesday - June 17, 2025

Terrace on The Park

52-11 111th Street

Corona, NY 11368

DIAMOND

D SPONSOR

BOARD MEMBERS President Thomas N. Toscano, Esq.

Secretary Patricia Coulaz

Vice Presidents Joseph A. Cristiano Hon. David Elliot Hon. Tarek M. Zeid

Treasurer Franz Gritsch

Active Past Presidents Hon. George E. Berger John J. Governale Michael Macaluso Margaret MacPherson Jack M. Weinstein

Executive Director Terri Ross

Adult Center 81-15 164th Street Jamaica, NY 11432 Tel.: 718-380-3000 Fax: 718-380-0483

Board of Trustees Gerald J. Caliendo Raymond Chan Anthony S. Cosentino Lara Gregory Tyquana Henderson-Rivers Hon. James Kilkenny Nancy Vargas Director of Development Wendy Phaff Gennaro

Bellerose Center 249-16 Grand Central Pkwy Bellerose, NY 11426 Tel.: 718-279-9404 Fax: 718-423-1404

Children’s Center 82-25 164th Street Jamaica, NY 11432 Tel.: 718-374-0002 Fax: 718-380-3214

Visit our website at: www.queenscp.org Follow us on:

@QueensCP

PROGRAM 7:30PM Awards Presentations Special Emcee

Roz Nieves Manager, Community Development Outreach QPTV Lifetime Achievement Award Cindy Heller Director of Children’s Services Queens Centers for Progress

2025 Businessman of the Year Greg Bianco Chief Executive Officer Metropolitan Recycling 2025 Banking & Finance of the Year Paul Schuldiner Executive Vice President & Chief Lending Officer Rosenthal Capital Group *OPEN BAR & CONTINUOUS DINNER STATIONS * Selection of Pop Hits Members of the Tribute String Trio DJ Music By Bravo Sound Chance Raffle, 50/50 Raffle & Silent Auction (raffles will close at 9:00PM)

THANK YOU A Very Special Thank You to QCP’s Gala Chairman

Franz Gritsch Thank you for your leadership and active involvement with Queens Centers for Progress.

T H A N K Y O U

Gala Chairman Franz Gritsch Member, QCP Board of Directors Gala Committee

Gerald J. Caliendo, Gerald J. Caliendo Architects, Raymond Chan, R.A. - Raymond Chan Architects, Anthony Cosentino, - Former Chief Engineer, Pat Coulaz - Member, QCP Board of James Kilkenny - Member, QCP Board of Hon. Tarek Zeid,

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- Tarek M. Zeid, P.E., Consulting Engineer; QCP Board of QCP Board President Thomas Toscano Executive Director Terri Director of Development Wendy

QCP Development Team Shaun Caruana, Jyoti Lakhani & Meliza Santiago

THANK YOU A MESSAGE FROM QCP BOARD PRESIDENT

Thomas Toscano Welcome to the 2025 Annual Gala. Your presence here tonight and your generous support mean everything to our mission at Queens Centers for Progress (QCP). As President of the Board of Directors, I am continually inspired by the dedication and professionalism of our exceptional staff, who approach their work each day with genuine care and compassion for the individuals we serve. These remarkable people embody the very best of human kindness and commitment.

For seventy-five years, Queens Centers for Progress has been at the forefront of empowering people with developmental disabilities to reach their full potential. We stand alongside families as they navigate daily challenges, offering our services with skill, compassion, and unwavering love. This legacy of service is only possible through the strong partnership we maintain with our Queens community, whose support enables us to fulfill our vital mission.

Tonight's Annual Gala serves as one of our most important fundraising events, allowing us to continue providing life-changing services to individuals with disabilities. I want to express my heartfelt appreciation to our outstanding Board of Directors, whose guidance and support have made this another exceptional year for both our agency and the people we serve. Their commitment to our shared vision has been invaluable to our continued success.

This evening, we have the distinct honor of recognizing three remarkable individuals who exemplify community leadership and service. We celebrate Greg Bianco, Chief Executive Officer of Metropolitan Recycling, and a close colleague of mine for many decades - and the best in our business - as our 2025 Businessman of the Year; Paul D. Schuldiner, Executive Vice President & Chief Lending Officer of Rosenthal Capital Group, as our 2025 Banking & Finance Man of the Year; and Cindy Heller, Director of Children's Services at Queens Centers for Progress, who is retiring after an extraordinary 47 years of dedicated service to our mission. These exceptional leaders demonstrate the power of selfless giving and community commitment.

Thank you for your presence, your generosity, and your willingness to make a difference in the lives of those who benefit from your participation tonight. Together, we continue to build a more inclusive and supportive community for all.

With sincere gratitude, Thomas Toscano President, QCP Board of Directors

THANK YOU SPONSORS

THANK YOU SPONSORS

THANK YOU SPONSORS

THANK YOU SPONSORS

BENEFACTOR

Greg Bianco President & Chief Executive Officer

Metropolitan Recycling

Gregory Bianco is the President and CEO of Metropolitan Recycling, a leading waste and recycling company serving the greater New York City area. With nearly 40 years of experience in the industry, Mr. Bianco has dedicated his career to redefining sustainability through innovation, leadership, and hands-on expertise.

Since founding Metropolitan Recycling in 2002, he has grown the company into one of the region’s most trusted names in environmentally responsible waste management. Prior to launching his own venture, Mr. Bianco held key leadership roles at RPS Environmental and BFI/Allied Waste Industries, where he served as New York Recycling Facilities Manager.

A true industry pioneer, Mr. Bianco has been a driving force behind some of New York City’s most significant recycling initiatives. His work has supported organizations such as the United States Coast Guard (Governor’s Island), the Port Authority’s MTA Transit System (train platform recycling program), and the NYC Department of Sanitation (curbside mixed paper recycling). Over the course of his career, he has successfully processed, marketed, and exported over 3 million tons of wastepaper from New York City, contributing greatly to the city's environmental progress.

Mr. Bianco's expertise spans contract oversight, regulatory compliance, and executive management. He personally oversees all major contracts, ensuring a smooth transition to and implementation of Commercial Waste Zones. Under his leadership, Metropolitan Recycling has managed large-scale and complex waste management operations for clients including DSNY, the Port Authority, the United States Postal Service, and more.

As CEO, Mr. Bianco works closely with a senior advisory group specializing in law, corporate strategy, and government relations. He holds several professional licenses, including from the Business Integrity Commission (BIC), the Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC), and financial securities licenses (Series 7 and 63). A graduate of the School of Design and Construction, he brings a unique combination of technical knowledge and entrepreneurial vision to every project.

Gregory Bianco’s legacy is one of service, innovation, and an unshakable commitment to making New York cleaner, smarter, and more sustainable for future generations.

Paul D. Schuldiner Senior Vice President & Chief Lending Officer

Rosenthal Capital Group Paul D. Schuldiner is Executive Vice President and Chief Lending Officer at Rosenthal & Rosenthal Inc., a privately held commercial finance company specializing in factoring, asset-based lending, purchase order financing, equipment leasing, and e-commerce direct to consumer inventory financing.

As Chief Lending Officer, Paul is responsible for driving the firm’s growth strategy and business development across all of Rosenthal’s products and offerings. He is a key member of the executive leadership team and works closely with the division heads and the Rosenthal family to manage credit policies and organizational practices for the firm’s portfolio of clients.

Paul is a seasoned financial executive with more than 38 years of experience in commercial finance and public accounting. Paul joined Rosenthal in 2016 and led the formation of the Rosenthal Trade Capital division that provides purchase order financing and alternative inventory financing solutions prior to being elevated to his current position.

He has previously held senior leadership roles at Wells Fargo Capital Finance, King Trade Capital, and as a principal of Transcap Trade Finance. In addition to purchase order financing, Paul started his career in the asset-based lending and factoring division of a NYC based finance company and practiced as a CPA in public accounting.

Paul has been featured in Women’s Wear Daily, Entrepreneur, TIME, Forbes, ABL Advisor, and The Monitor. He is a frequent contributor to The Commercial Factor, The Secured Lender and ABF Journal and has been a featured speaker at industry seminars and conferences, including the New York Institute of Credit, International Factoring Association, TMA Mid-Atlantic & Mid-America, Secured Finance Network Supply Chain Finance conference and Annual National Conference, and the Philadelphia Credit & Restructuring Conference.

Paul is currently a member of the Secured Finance Network Executive Committee and Chairman of the Factoring Committee, former Chairman of the International Factoring Association (“IFA”) Northeast Chapter and a former President of the New Jersey Chapter of the Turnaround Management Association.

He received his Bachelor’s degree in Accounting from Queens College, City University of New York.

UNDERWRITER

Cindy Heller Director of Children’s Services

Queens Centers for Progress

Cindy Heller has spent her entire professional career at QCP. Serving as the Director of its preschool has been one of the greatest honors of her life.

She started as a Special Ed Teacher in 1978, working her way up to Supervising Teacher, Educational Coordinator, Assistant Director and now Director of Children’s Services. Every day of these 47+ years has been a reminder of why she chose to work at QCP - to provide children with disabilities the opportunity to grow and thrive in an environment filled with love, respect, and opportunity.

She has been fortunate to work alongside a truly remarkable group of people. The Children’s Center staff is exceptional - each one of them dedicated to the children and families they serve. The staff’s passion, commitment, and skill have continually inspired her. She was fortunate to work under the leadership of Dan Wieder, Charlie Houston and now Terri Ross, along with Nancy Glass at the Children’s Center.

Cindy received her undergraduate degree from Cornell University, master’s degree from Columbia University and post graduate degree from Hunter College. Her husband Randy has always been a great support, and she looks forward to spending more time with her daughter Marissa, son-in-law Dan and grandchildren Justin and Brooke.

A VISIT TO QCP PROGRAMS

A VISIT TO QCP PROGRAMS

UNDERWRITER

BENEFACTOR

PATRON

PATRON

SPONSOR

SPONSOR

SPONSOR

SPONSOR

SPONSOR

FRIEND OF QCP

FRIEND OF QCP

FRIEND OF QCP

FRIEND OF QCP

FRIEND OF QCP

FRIEND OF QCP

FRIEND OF QCP

FRIEND OF QCP

FRIEND OF QCP

FRIEND OF QCP

FRIEND OF QCP

THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT

Queens Centers for Progress would like to thank the following individuals and companies for donating to our 2025 Annual Summer Gala.

Dale Akinla, II CFP AP Deauville, LLC Stuart Berger Big River Insurance Brokerage Sydnee Breuer Michael & Michelle Brill CoMetrics Partners LLC Cathy Dobkins Howard Dorman Meira Fleisch Joan Forchheimer Laurie Girsky Bennett Golub Mark Gorman Stephen Hendel Heritage Global Gordon Brothers Mark Holtzer Margaret Hopkins Charles Houston Isaac Morris Ltd. Key Bank Howard Lazarus Karen Lubitz Metropolitan Recycling Prestige Capital Primary Capital Robert Reader Mark Segal Erica Strongin Sunrise Brands Nancy Thaul Jack Weinstein White Oak Commercial Finance, LLC Rick Zucker

THANK YOU for the support and generosity!

WE’RE GOING TO DISNEY WORLD!