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August 2021 . Volume 17 . Issue 8
NYC’S
ON VACCINES: “IT’S THE SINGLE MOST IMPORTANT THING IN THE FIGHT AGAINST COVID TO PREVENT THE AVOIDABLE SUFFERING THAT TOO MANY EXPERIENCED DURING THE PREVIOUS WAVES.”
DOCTOR CITY’S TOP DOC TALK TO QUEENSBOROUGH AS COVID CASES IN THE CITY START TO CREEP UPWARDS
ALSO
• QUEENS CHAMBER SETS SAIL • JEFF SCHICK OF SPRITE MEDIA • CHAMBER FORMS PARTNERSHIP WITH WILLETS POINT GROUP
HEALTH COMMISSIONER DR. DAVE CHOKSHI
EMU Health now offering a variety of Genetic Screenings for Cancer Emu Health’s multispecialty center in Glendale, Queens provides a wide range of primary and special care services to its patients.
just one focus such as, ones associated with breast cancer. There’s multiple different types of genetic testing, you either can have the simplest form for just breast, which is BRCA,” Dr. Sachs said. “But we can test all the way up to 80 plus genes, including pancreatic colon.”
From primary care to gynecology to cardiology, orthopedics, and now multiple screening tests for markers of cancer mutations. Genetic screening is a complex process where a person’s DNA is analyzed for mutations that occur as the body grows and repairs itself. Dr. Darren Sachs, is the Director of Breast Surgery at EMU Health, a board-certified general surgeon, and an expert on the nuances of genetic screening. “Genetic testing allows us to know in advance if you are at a higher risk of developing cancer,” said Dr. Sachs. “if somebody thinks they might potentially have breast cancer, the genetic screening is really the preliminary thing that’s done in order to determine.” Testing can be done on samples of blood, saliva or from a swab of the inside of a cheek. It is a similar collection method compared to those used for genealogy services like 23andMe and other ancestry websites.
Testing does not always give you aggressive breast cancer, we’d be clear answers, but genetic counafraid that you had a genetic mu- selors are trained to interpret and tation that caused you to have this explain the test results and what they might mean to you and your breast cancer at an early age.” family. But it’s important to unGenetic testing looks for specif- derstand that genetic test results ic mutation markers, one such can’t always guarantee you’re not example is for a patient with a at increased risk. family history with breast cancer. For example, if someone is being “I explain genetic testing like a tested because they have a family crystal ball,” said Dr. Sachs, refermember with a known BRCA mu- encing some people’s apprehentation, testing might focus only on sion towards genetic testing belooking for that specific mutation. cause of what it can potentially In people of Ashkenazi Jewish de- uncover. “It can open your eyes to scent, testing might focus on the something that could happen to specific BRCA mutations that are in the future, which can be intimmost common in this group of idating, yet is information that is priceless.” people
“Unfortunately, a lot of patients think when you ask them about their family history of cancer, they’ll only say, ‘Oh, my mom’s side,’ they always forget that half One of the first things that’s done their genes come from their dad’s at EMU Health when a patient side.” comes in thinking they might have cancer is the intake of patient fam- One of the unique aspects of Emu ily history as well as past medical Health’s genetic screening serhistory to identify possible cancer vices is that their tests can look risk. Dr. Sachs said, “if you were for a multitude of mutations at an really young, and you have very exam should there be a need, not
To find out more information about Genetic Cancer Testing, you can contact EMU Health, located at 83-40 Woodhaven Blvd. by calling 718.850.4368.
August 2021 • Volume 17 • Issue 8
MESSAGE FROM THE CHAIR
FRESH PERSPECTIVES The Queens Chamber is your In less than 30 days, our routines will shift from the lazy days of primary resource for helping your business thrive, with summer back into full educational programbusiness mode. Calenming designed to keep dars will begin to popuyou informed and on the late and the thought of cutting edge of what’s facing post-Labor Day happening in the busitraffic will be a reality. ness community, such As you ponder these as landlord, parking or thoughts, it is the perfect zoning issues that would opportunity to consider normally hinder your fresh new perspectives growth. about how you manage Networking opportuyour business opera- TOM SANTUCCI nities, many of which tions. CHAIRPERSON are finally pivoting to Might I suggest you consider some of these tips as we in person, enable you to grow your approach the final months of 2021: contacts and consumer base. Visit queenschamber.org • Prep work – Create a wish list of what you would like to accom- for events, resources, and more plish by December 2021. designed to help you thrive. • Clarify goals – Access your It is my sincere hope you had a current position, then set achiev- wonderful summer thus far, and able, measurable, and timely goals that you will take my advice to that align with market opportuni- look at fresh new perspectives for ties. your business. • Create benchmarks – ProacOn behalf of the entire Board, tively measure everything. This thank you for your overwhelming will motivate you to review and support of Queens Chamber. You analyze. are the best part of what we do.
MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT & CEO
THREE-HOUR TOUR
Over the past month, I hope This month, we are poised to you had the opportunity to take provide you with a number of outfull advantage of all that summer standing opportunities designed to has to offer. Mets baseball games, educate and expand your network. outdoor community Speed Networking events, lazy days on returns with its fastthe beach, and simply paced mode of meetspending time with ing new contacts. It is loved ones. by far one of the most Without a doubt, exciting networking this is what summer is opportunities we offer. all about. Queens Chamber is In mid-July, the also thrilled to offer an Queens Chamber Airport Employment hosted our first sigJob Fair with over 100 nature event in nearly THOMAS J. GRECH openings at both JFK 15 months: the annual PRESIDENT & CEO and LaGuardia airboat cruise via the Skyports. You do not want line Princess. It was to miss this event. great having everyone come togethVisit queenschamber.org for er again after such a long absence. details and registration. This effort Many thanks to our amazing is supported by Borough Presisponsors for their support in mak- dent Donovan Richards, Counciling this a successful three-hour tour. CONTINUED ON PAGE 14
love WHERE YOU
live LETS BEAUTIFY JAMAICA TOGETHER ZARA'S PHILANTHROPY Involvement on community boards richmond hill hs computer lab Voices of Jamaica features community events Fundraising
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QUEENS QUICKLY
STATE OKAYS ASTORIA ENERGY STORAGE
The state Public Service Commission last month okayed the construction and operation of a battery-based energy storage facility with a capacity of up to 100 megawatts in Astoria. The $132 million facility will be built by East River ESS, LLC. It is expected to be operational by December 31, 2022. Utility-scale battery storage will play a vital role in New York’s clean energy future, especially in New York City where it will help to maximize the benefit of the wind power being developed offshore. The project will help displace fossil fuel-fired generation when the demand for power is highest. The East River Energy Storage System will hold enough electricity to power more than 16,000 average-sized homes for several hours, or enough to power the World Trade Center for about a day. It will be built off 20th Avenue near the East River on land owned by the New York Power Authority, where the Charles Poletti power plant was formerly located. The batteries will be charged from the existing grid at times when the demand for power is low and less expensive. They will be discharged at times when the demand for power is high, decreasing the need for power from fossil fuelfired plants.
GET YOUR BIZ IN DSNY WASTE PROGRAM The Department of Sanitation (DSNY) launched a new tool to enable the participation of a wide and diverse network of businesses in the Commercial Waste Zones (CWZ) program. The website, nyccwznetwork.com, is a direc-
tory and resource for companies responding to the CWZ request for proposals to learn about and connect with other companies that wish to work as subcontractors or other secondary service providers. Companies interested in working as subcontractors can use this tool to publicize their information and services directly to the pool of eligible prime contractors. This networking platform allows the commercial waste industry to include a range of
specialty service providers to help further the goals of the CWZ program. Services offered by subcontractors or other secondary service providers may include customer outreach and education, microhauling of organic waste, employee training, material donation and food rescue partnerships, container and compactor services, language access assistance and more. Companies interested in listing their services can submit their information through a questionnaire on the directory’s homepage. DSNY is currently conducting a competitive request for proposals (RFP) for commercial waste collection services under CWZ.
To help New Yorkers with unique immunodeficiency diseases, Resorts World New York City partnered with the New York Blood Center (NYBC) “Be The Match” program to help patients fight blood cancers and other diseases by connecting them with their genetically matched donor. Donors joined the “Be The Match” registry to connect with an unrelated marrow patient to potentially save their life. Pictured is Courtney Heyward, RWNYC community development specialist giving blood.
TABLE OF CONTENTS Promotions, Announcements & Appointments .......................................6
Stay Connected With the Queens Chamber in July ..........................................17
Tech Council Spotlight: Jeff Schick of Sprite Media .............................7
Partners & Affiliates ...................................................................................................19
Hydro-Quebec Looks to Bring Clean Energy to Queens ....................8
Get to Know the Chamber’s Newest Members ..................................................21
Real Talk About the Future of Heavy-Duty Electric Vehicl.................9 Chamber Partners With Willets Point Development Group ..............10 COVER STORY: COVID Talk With Commissioner Chokshi .........12 IRS Levies: What You Need to Know ......................................................15 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
August 2021 • Volume 17 • Issue 8
MUSEUM ADDS FIRST CORPORATE PARTNER After a closure of more than a year due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Louis Armstrong House Museum has reopened for tours in Corona. Along with the reopening, the museum also launched a new Corporate Partners program, with Resorts World New York City (RWNYC) joining as the inaugural partner at the $10,000 level. “Resorts World is proud to partner with the Louis Armstrong House Museum to help preserve the legacy of an international icon and one of the greatest musicians of our time,” said Michelle Stoddart, vice president of Community Development for RWNYC. “We have supported the museum for over ten years and look forward to presenting the history of Louis’ legendary career to our guests.” Members of the new Corporate Partners program enjoy a wide range of benefits for their employees and opportunities for brand exposure through the museum’s expansive roster of inperson and online programs. Funds will support not only tours of the historic house, but also outreach programs that promote the historical and cultural legacy of Louis Armstrong, a pivotal figure in American music. The Corporate Partners program is intended to introduce the museum to new supporters in the business community at a time of growth and evolution for the Museum. Regina Bain assumed the role of executive director last summer at the height of the pandemic, steering the museum through the uncertainties, ensuring the organization’s survival, and creating a host of virtual programs that kept the museum engaged with the community. The new 14,000-square-foot Louis Armstrong Center will open later this year. The space will feature a new exhibition, a 70-seat performance venue and a permanent home for Armstrong’s vast archive of recordings, manuscripts, photographs and other items saved by Armstrong and his wife, Lucille, during the decades they lived on a quiet block of 107th Street. The museum hopes the opportunities afforded by the new center will be seen as a platform for corporations and brands who recognize the enduring importance of Armstrong’s legacy and want to align with the museum’s mission of bringing greater visibility to that legacy. The center’s first exhibition will be “Here to Stay,” curated by renowned Jazz pianist and multimedia artist Jason Moran. It will explore Armstrong’s life on stage, on screen and in the studio. It will also present a lesser-known portrait of Armstrong as a global humanitarian and fearless champion of equality and human rights. It will also look at the importance of Lucille Armstrong, who was not only a partner to Louis in every sense during his lifetime, but it was
QUEENS QUICKLY through Lucille’s tireless efforts that their house and archives were preserved, resulting in the museum that exists today. “This is a pivotal time for the museum,” said Bain. “Despite the difficulties of the past year, we have launched several new programs, undertaken critical restoration work on the historic house, and are completing the final phases of construction on our new center.”
T4 OFFERING DUTY FREE GOODS ONLINE JFKIAT, the operator of Terminal 4 at John F. Kennedy International Airport, announced a partnership with Inflyter and DFS Group to launch a branded digital marketplace for Duty Free shopping. This e-commerce offering enables travelers flying through T4 to purchase Duty Free items online before arriving at T4, or while waiting for departure at their gate, dining at the terminal, or enjoying one of T4’s premium lounges. Customers can visit the website, place their
orders, and complete payment before arrival or while waiting for their flight to depart. Purchases will be delivered directly to the gate and passengers will receive their items just before they enter the aircraft. “JFKIAT has continued to innovate T4’s offerings to ensure our customers have a seamless experience from curb to gate, and we are proud to partner with Inflyter and DFS Group to launch one of the first digital Duty Free marketplaces in a U.S. airport terminal,” said Roel Huinink, president and CEO of JFKIAT. “As we begin to see more passenger traffic return, we are pleased to offer a new way for our customers to enjoy a premium shopping experience at T4.” This offering is JFKIAT’s latest move to enable a contactless customer experience. In 2019, JFKIAT launched AtYourGate at T4, giving customers the ability to order food and beverages on the AtYourGate app and have items delivered to their gate. With the launch of the digital marketplace, JFKIAT also plans to expand the offering to include other retailers within T4 to provide customers with a wider range of products to shop.
RICHARDS LAUNCHES ‘QUEENS SHOP SMALL’ Borough President Donovan Richards will be visiting a local small business every month as part of a new initiative to promote shop-
ping locally. CONTINUED ON PAGE 15
Borough President Donovan Richards with Dawn Kelly in her shop, The Nourish Spot.
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THIS IS QUEENSBOROUGH
queenschamber.org Email your announcement or promotion to info@thisisqueensborough.com
PROMOTIONS, ANNOUNCEMENTS & APPOINTMENTS Deligiannidis named mation Technology, Ann Freese ensures the tive M.B.A. from University of Maryland. She bank’s technology supports its overall opera- is a graduate of the National School of Banking. medical director tions and business goals, and is aligned with Active in the Rotary Club of Rockaway, ManDr. Konstantinos Deligiannidis has been named medical director of Northwell Health House Calls after serving as the program’s director of education and quality since 2016. In his position, Deligiannidis provides direct care and supervises a multidisciplinary staff to deliver quality health care to vulnerable, frail elderly patients in their homes in Long Island, Queens and Manhattan. “Dr. Deligiannidis brings strong leadership and collaboration among colleagues along with honed clinical skills in treating patients at home with multiple chronic illnesses,” said Dr. Zenobia Brown, medical director and vice president of population health care management at Northwell Health Solutions. DELIGIANNIDIS “Along with his colleagues, he stays committed to treating patients during the coronavirus pandemic and delivering Covid-19 vaccines to homebound individuals.” Prior to joining Northwell, Deligiannidis practiced as a family medicine physician at the Barre Family Health Center at UMass Memorial Health Care in Barre, Massachusetts. He earned his BA at Harvard University, his MPH at the Boston University School of Public Health, and his MD at the University of Massachusetts Medical School. Board-certified in family medicine, Deligiannidis holds the position of associate professor in medicine at the Donald and Barbara Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell. A recipient of numerous honors and awards, Deligiannidis was named House Call Educator of the Year in 2018 by the American Academy of Home Care Medicine. Northwell’s House Calls program is a national leader in providing home-based primary care to medically complex seniors. .
Ridgewood promotes four to First VP Ridgewood Savings Bank promoted four longtime employees to first vice president. Collectively, the four employees - Ann Freese, Gregory Hrycak, LouAnn Mannino and Mirsada Tagani - possess over 150 years of experience at Ridgewood alone. As first vice president and director of Infor-
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long range strategic management goals. She supervises Information Technology and Records Management and monitors external risks and threats to protect the bank. Her career at Ridgewood began in 1989 as management trainee. Freese received her M.S. in banking and money management from Adelphi University and her undergraduate degree in finance from SUNY New Paltz. She helps to “multiply the good” in the community by supporting many of the FREESE Bank’s Spirit of Ridgewood events and charities. She resides in Franklin Square with her husband and three children. As first vice president and director of Commercial Lending, Gregory Hrycak is responsible for sourcing, originating, and underwriting the process of commercial real estate loans throughout the five boroughs, Westchester County, Long Island, and the Lower Hudson Valley region. Hrycak received his undergraduate degree in management from St. John’s University and his M.B.A. in finance HRYCAK from Adelphi University. He helps to multiply the good in the community by volunteering with the Interfaith Nutritional Network (INN), a Long Island food pantry based in Hempstead. A resident of Valley Stream, Hrycak is married and enjoys working on his ’65 Buick Wildcat convertible. As first vice president and director of Branch Operations, LouAnn Mannino is responsible for running the bank’s branch network. She also coordinates staff training, customer outreach, business growth, and ensures that sales and a great client experience are met. Her career began at Ridgewood as a part-time teller in the main branch. Mannino received her MANNINO undergraduate degree in organizational management from St. Joseph’s College and an Execu-
nino helps to multiply the good as Treasurer of Rockaway W.I.S.H. (Women Inspired to Support & Help), as a lector at St. Francis de Sales Parish, and as a gala fundraiser at Xavier High School, where her son is a senior and president of the student council. Married, she resides in Belle Harbor. As first vice president and director of Digital Channels, Mirsada Tagani is responsible for personnel who carry out the Bank’s check clearing and payments, online, digital and mobile accounts, Ridgewood Financial Academy, the bank’s Customer Contact Center, along with product development and implementation. Her career at Ridgewood began in 1992 as a parttime teller. TAGANI Tagani received both an M.B.A. and an M.A. in management from St. Joseph’s College and her undergraduate degree in Finance from Baruch College. She is a graduate of the National School of Banking and serves in an advisory capacity on the board of NCR Corporation, and Fiserv. An active fundraiser for Make-A-Wish Foundation, Tagani supports bank events in the communities Ridgewood serves. She is a resident of Whitestone and is married with two children. Queens Chamber of Commerce 75-20 Astoria Boulevard, Suite 140 Jackson Heights, N.Y. 11370-1131 Entire Contents Copyright 2021 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. BQE Media 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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August 2021 • Volume 17 • Issue 8
QUEENS TECH SPOTLIGHT The Queens Tech Corner is a running segment on Chamber social media channels highlighting tech entrepreneurs doing exciting things in Queens. This month, This Is Queensborough features Jeff Schick is founder and chief technology officer at Sprite Media (sprite-media.com), a Queens-based company that produces digital signage and designs websites with an eye toward affordability, so that all businesses— large and small—can benefit from their work. What exactly is digital signage? Digital signage is essentially what it sounds like, a digital image or video that is usually used to market a product. You see digital signage everywhere nowadays: just look at the menu behind the counter at any big coffee shop chain, those advertisements at the bus stop that change every few seconds, or anywhere around you in Times Square. The medium allows you to work with a great variety of effects. The best part about digital signage is that you can utilize it to get
creative in ways that regular old signage simply won’t allow for. How have you used your skills to help companies and other organizations in Queens during the pandemic? Since I founded Sprite Media, and especially during the pandemic, I’ve been working with clients to ensure they are presenting their businesses well through a visually appealing, easyto-navigate website. The first impression you make on your potential customer is an essential part of any business, and for many, that first impression comes from your website. I always start by asking my clients the question, “What are you trying to accomplish with this website?” This simple question helps clarify a lot, both for myself and the client: if their primary goal with their website is selling a product or service, there’s a specific way to approach that, just like there’s a specific way to approach a website that primarily seeks to inform viewers on the mission of a nonprofit organization. What does it mean to you to help out busi-
nesses in Queens? Back in the early days of the pandemic, I joined one of the Queens Chamber’s business recovery initiatives, using my skills to help small businesses identified by the Chamber build their online presence. It’s been tremendously rewarding being able to help the small businesses of Queens get back on their feet, bolder and better than ever before.
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TECHNOLOGY
MAKING QUEENS CAPITAL OF CLEAN ENERGY BY PETER ROSE Hydro-Quebec, the largest renewable energy generator in North America, is pleased to join the Queens Chamber of Commerce and contribute to the health, prosperity, and vitality of the borough’s community as it builds back better and stronger in response to COVID-19. Thanks to its vast hydropower system and interconnected transmission network, Quebec has been supplying Upstate New York with clean flexible and reliable electricity for over 100 years. But because of transmission bottlenecks in the middle of the state, this clean energy wasn’t getting to where it’s most needed to significantly clean up our energy supply: New York City. Currently, less than 30 percent of New York’s energy mix is renewable. As of April 2021, with the closure of the Indian Point Nuclear facility, New York City’s largest source of non-emitting power, it’s the burning of fossil fuels that provide 90 percent of the city’s electricity needs. Much of that electricity is produced in and near communities, including in Queens. This has resulted in higher-than-average asthma rates due to local air pollutants emitted from the plants’ smokestacks located in the middle of neighborhoods. Further, the price volatility and high costs of operating those plants increase the burden on families struggling to pay their electricity bills. In response to the growing climate and health crisis, New York State has set into law targets for 70 percent renewable electricity by 2030 and 100 percent carbon-free power by 2040. Included in the law are ambitious goals for developing offshore wind and land-based wind and
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solar. However, in doing the math and taking into consideration all contracted and planned renewable energy, the state recognized a gap in potential downstate supply to meet these targets, and as a result created a new tier in its Clean Energy Standard. Following this assessment, the state launched a competitive process to select projects to increase the penetration of renewable sources of electricity into New York City and reduce its reliance on fossil fuels. Hydropower is a great solution because it’s proven cost competitive, reliable, flexible, and can provide the balancing capacity that other renewable generation sources need to be effectively integrated into New York’s electricity system. Hydro-Québec’s energy can be a significant part of the solution, but new interconnecting transmission is required to reach New York City.
The proposed Champlain Hudson Power Express (CHPE) transmission line arriving in Astoria could help bridge that gap by providing this new interconnection. CHPE is a shovel-ready, underground, and underwater line that will use New York union labor. It is the only project of its kind that is fully permitted and could begin construction this year and start delivering clean power in 2025. CHPE would provide $50 billion of economic benefits over the contract period and create an estimated 1,400 direct construction jobs and 3,000 indirect jobs. Thanks to 1,250 MW of renewable power - enough electricity for more than 1.2 million homes – this clean power influx will reduce carbon emissions by approximately 3.9 million metric tons annually, equivalent to removing 44 percent of cars from New York City streets. It will also reduce localized pollutants by 20 percent with half of that decrease occurring in New York City and directly benefiting disadvantaged communities.
Also, a $40 million Green Economy Fund would be created to support job training programs accessible to frontline and environmental justice communities Hydro-Québec and CHPE’s New York-based developer, TDI, have proposed the delivery of clean baseload power available 24/7 to New York City as well as the option for a combination of hydroelectricity and New York renewable energy that would connect to CHPE Upstate. Having access to constantly available clean baseload hydropower at the flick of a switch and the unparalleled energy storage services of the Hydro-Québec reservoir system is the most cost effective and reliable way to balance the future development of local variable renewable sources like solar and wind. Hydro-Quebec is committed to further strengthening its ties in Queens. Together we can contribute to making the “World’s Borough” the capital of New York’s clean energy transition.
HEAVY-DUTY ELECTRIC VEHICLES CONTINUED FROM PAGE 9
infancy, the role of utilities needs to focus on the success of the sector and protecting ratepayer money.
WHAT NEEDS TO BE DONE
• Innovate Business Models — Often, the end user just wants a vehicle to perform its core job, which is delivering goods or transporting passengers and collecting fares and charges. Hence it is essential that innovative business models remove all challenges and provide like-forlike replacement. Let financing of fleets, monetizing electric fleets as grid services, and providing chargers be left to the pros to create the gas stations of the future. • Expand Utility Footprint - Utilities need to be proactive by investing in both vehicle rebates and charging infrastructure. Unlocking
billions in infrastructure will not happen by waiting on the sidelines. Utilities exist in the public interest and should step up in this role to serve communities who depend on them. • Innovate Regulations - Transportation electrification is a complex multi-industry undertaking and electricity regulators should acknowledge that they do not have the expertise required. The electrification of MD/HD
vehicles has the potential to provide new opportunities for fleet operators while achieving the critical goal of emission reductions and improved air quality. Initiatives like the NYSERDA Clean Transportation Prize promise to jumpstart the transition, but for EV fleets to be truly viable, small fleets, not just the Amazons of the world, will need support in the form of greater affordability, access, and business model innovation. Navneet Trivedi is co-founder and chief operating officer of Vrinda, Inc., a boutique strategy implementation firm helping clients deploy innovative business models to harness the full potential of emerging technologies. He can be reached at navneet.trivedi@vrindainc.com.
August 2021 • Volume 17 • Issue 8
TECHNOLOGY
FUTURE OF HEAVY-DUTY ELECTRIC VEHICLES BY NAVNEET TRIVEDI There is a need for rapid development of the medium- and heavyduty (MD/HD) electric vehicle sector in New York. Concerns around the cost of fossil fuels, plus environmental and health impacts of C02 and particulates, have resulted in New York pledging all new MD/ HD sales will be zero emission vehicles by 2050. NYSERDA’s Clean Transportation Prize is looking to fund $85 million in vehicle electrification and mobility projects in New York, including $24 million for MD/HD vehicles. Despite these recent initiatives, there are significant barriers to MD/HD transportation electrification that need to be addressed. Most of the current approaches are
not focused on the right problem. There are four key challenges preventing MD/HD electrification: • Business Continuity - While companies with large fleets, such as Schneider, UPS, and Amazon, are often brought up as targets for electrification, 90 percent of truck operators in the U.S. operate with six or fewer trucks and have limited access to capital. Furthermore, some fleet operators and owners view electric fleets as a threat to their legacy business due to perceived reduction in maintenance revenues. This, coupled with the complexities of charging infrastructure ownership in depots, remains a major hurdle for many operators. • Affordability and Access - MD/ HD electric vehicles are two to three times more expensive than
conventional ICE vehicles. Voucher programs generally only cover the cost difference between the two, not the full purchase of the vehicle. In addition, these programs require scraping the old truck when the new electric vehicle is delivered. The risk of replacing a dependable truck with an unfamiliar vehicle is too great for most operators. Small businesses operate on slimmer margins, and often use trucks acquired from secondary markets. The result is that the operators of the dirtiest trucks on the road today do not have access to the capital or facilities required to support an electric transition. • Nascent Private Sector - Leaving aside Tesla, which has perceived monopolistic interests, most of the other EV infrastructure providers are small and have a high cost of capital. And the nature of
startups gives them shorter runways to succeed. Public sector entities such as New York Power Authority have initiated public charging infrastructure projects, yet this will not be sufficient unless they can adopt innovative business models and public/private partnerships. • Regulatory/Business Model Limitations - Utilities are allowed by regulators to provide rebates for make-ready infrastructure, but considering the barriers described above, this may lead to building bridges to nowhere. Utilities and ratepayers have an inherent interest in orderly and sustainable electrification of transportation. The regulatory argument of utility involvement only when the market fails may not let the market develop in the first place. With EVSE providers in their CONTINUED ON PAGE 8
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EXPERT ADVICE
CONCERNS & TRENDS IN WOMEN’S HEALTHCARE
BY MATT NIEMCZYK
In a trend that has only accelerated during the past few decades, the needs and perspectives of women in regard to health and well-being have come into heightened focus within the healthcare industry. Historically, disease and treatment research focused on the male body. In the latter half of the 20th century when researching specific medical conditions, professionals began to notice that the physiological and behavioral differences that exist between sexes affect the health and outcomes of each differently. It is now clear, for instance, that a woman’s unique hormonal characteristics affect disease progression and the reactions they have to certain drug treatment regimens. Heart disease symptoms might present through chest pain in men but cause nausea, back or jaw pain in women. Even women of different races have unique and varied healthcare needs and concerns. In essence, we’ve come to understand that only by viewing the issues pertaining to well-being and a person’s health condition through
The Queens Chamber of Commerce offers its members access to My Benefit Advisor as a solution for employee benefits, including voluntary offerings. For more information, visit qcc.mybenefitadvisor. com or contact Matt Niemczyk at (201) 815-2384.
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their individual sex, gender and ethnic perspective can we properly prevent, diagnose and treat their condition to produce the best outcomes. For women, this is leading to improved overall well-being, more focused and appropriate health care treatments and an enhanced potential to save lives.
Top Concerns for Women Today For women, the COVID-19 pandemic has only served to heighten and add to their growing list of health care concerns. Finding safe and affordable methods of contraception during this time remains a priority for women today. Mental health issues, such as depression and anxiety, exhibit more frequently among women than men and have traditionally been found to be exasperated by a woman’s hormonal fluctuations. More recently, however, COVID induced realities have compounded this growing concern as stresses for those women already juggling a multitude of work and home responsibilities have increased with their role as teacher for any children at home in virtual learning environments. Adding further pressure for these mothers during the current pandemic has been the need to find safe, accessible and affordable childcare and health care services for their children. And researchers remain baffled at why even prior to the pandemic, autoimmune diseases have continued to escalate in frequency and affect more women than men. Trending Women’s Issues Additionally, as a result of changes that have been developing over many years, the following trends are shaping women’s health care today and having an impact on insurance services, healthcare premiums and the workplace environment: • Women are having fewer babies
and often delay giving birth until later in life. • Later-age pregnancies carry increased complexities, driving up costs and putting both mother and baby at risk. • Fertility services continue to increase, with many employers expanding benefits in this area. • Women are working longer as their life expectancy continues to increase. • An aging women’s population has driven an increased demand for midlife services. As funding for research in these areas continues to accelerate, the evolution of women’s health trends and medical care continues. Information acquired through research has filtered down among all aspects of the healthcare industry, changing the way doctors, hospitals and insurance carriers service and care for women patients. Technology by means of connected devices and mobile applications will continue to expand the healthcare solutions available to women. As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, at-home testing devices, tele-health integration, remote monitoring platforms and other
innovative care models have become more widely accepted and will play a critical role in providing women with access to necessary healthcare. Employers too have begun to focus more on women-specific needs by incorporating targeted benefits into their wellness programs and plan offerings. Additionally, business leaders have recognized that women, both as employees and spouses of employees, are key to the maintenance of a healthy family, as they tend to be the decision makers regarding all health-related matters for themselves and their families. As such, communications and enrollment processes have been more effectively designed to better accommodate these female perspectives, interests and personal needs. Today, there are many opportunities for a variety of concerned entities to address the unique health care challenges facing women. With continued research, increases in funding and other critical resources committed to this task, much more will be accomplished to improve the overall health of women in the years ahead.
CHAMBER PARTNERS WITH FWPC The Queens Chamber of Commerce and the Flushing Willets Point Corona Local Development Corporation (FWPC LDC) entered into an agreement that will see the two organizations partner on several projects, events and initiatives in north Queens. Founded in 2007 by former Queens borough president Claire Shulman, the FWPC LDC is composed of private and public sector stakeholders promoting economic development in the Flushing, Willets Point and Corona neighborhoods to help revitalize and stabilize the neighborhoods. “Because of borough president Shulman’s vision and the FWPC LDC’s hard work, there is a plan in place to develop a thriving community in Flushing and Willets
Point creating jobs and economic opportunity for residents throughout northern Queens,” said Tom Grech, president and CEO of the Queens Chamber of Commerce. “We look forward to completing this work in a way that both benefits the businesses and residents of Flushing, Willets Point and Corona, and pays tribute to Shulman, who did so much for Queens.” In 2017, FWPC LDC completed a revitalization plan for the Flushing waterfront. Today, the group is focused on a variety of issues facing the community, including the expansion of affordable housing, infrastructure improvement, mass transit, open space and streetscape issues. “Founding and leading the LDC CONTINUED ON PAGE 21
August 2021 • Volume 17 • Issue 8
EXPERT ADVICE
WHEN THE IMAGE IS EVERYTHING HOW CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL APPLIED LEAN TO IMPROVE MRI
performed per day was about 25. The no-show rate was 10.8 percent. The aforementioned inefficiency in the transport process BY RALPH SMITH sisted of answering two basic resulted in an average of 38 minquestions: How do we do it now? utes between patients, wheels out Ever been in a situation where How well or how badly do we do to wheels in. The scheduling prothe numbers just don’t seem to it now? cess across facilities was another add up? The first question called for major factor. The MRI unit at Children’s process analysis. The team recThe data and cause analysis Medical Center in Dallas found ognized four major internal cus- led to the identification and sucthemselves in just such a situa- tomers for the MRI process: cessful implementation of several tion. The main operating room Neurosurgery, Heart Center, process solutions. There wasn’t had three MRI machines that Hematology/Oncology, and ICU. one silver bullet or one departwere running at an average Representatives of the team met ment that was dropping the ball. monthly capacity of 58 percent, with each unit to identify process Small changes in transportayet there was a six-week tion, communication, backlog to get scheduled FIGURE 2 screening, EPIC, schedfor an image. uling and protocol added Total Studies Pre-Changes Total Studies Post-Changes Since the cost of per- 35 up to better performance forming an MRI and the across the value chain. 30 subsequent revenue generHow well did it work? ated are both substantial, 25 Recall that the utilizathis paradox caught the 20 tion before had been at 58 attention of the managepercent, which equated to ment team. They launched 25 studies per day. The a Lean process improvement breakdowns from the customer team computed that if they could team to analyze and fix the prob- perspective. They identified the increase their number of studies lems. high-level flow (Figure 1). to 29 per day, it would generate “There are so many opportuEach major step of the process over $2 million net per year for nities to save money and serve was defined and potential prob- the hospital. Within a year, the more patients,” said Paul King, lem causes listed - 55 in all. The average number of studies was 32 founding partner of Orion Devel- problems were analyzed using per day (Figure 2). opment Group. “It’s just hard to traditional cause-and-effect focus the effort when your staff is techniques, and several inter- FIGURE 3 busy saving lives or fighting off a esting root causes were found. pandemic.” For example, lack of ownerThe Lean imaging team includ- ship of the transport process ed front-line employees that had resulted in a significant portion direct, hands-on expertise, two of the utilization inefficiency. senior managers from Radiology, Another root cause that led to the chief of Anesthesiology, and multiple process problems was the director of Nursing. the lack of specificity by docBy blending the leadership tors when an MRI was ordered team with the operators within “just in case.” the process, the team was able The question of how well or to act upon recommendations how badly the process was curquickly and with guaranteed rently performing could only management buy-in. This com- be answered with data. The baseBut revenue enhancement was mitment laid a solid foundation line for measurement was the not the only result the team was for eventual success. 16-week period leading up to the proud of. The wait time to get an The team began by studying formation of the team, in which appointment shrunk dramatically the current situation, which con- the average number of studies (Figure 3). FIGURE 1
Ralph Smith is executive vice president of Strategic Services for Orion Development Group, which is located in Rockaway Park. Learn more at businessprocessmgmt.com or reach them at info@odgroup.com. Patients can now get an appointment anywhere in the system in under a week, as opposed to six weeks before. At the onset of the project, the team was contemplating whether buying another MRI machine would be necessary to reduce the backlog, so the process improvements helped avoid a large capital outlay. Finally, the no show rate
dropped from 10.8 to 7.6 percent. The team met or exceeded the initial project goals, and is now exploring how to get more MRI business to the hospital. This is a large change in mindset from the days in which the unit was swamped and simply trying to keep up. The unit has, without a doubt, redefined its image.
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THIS IS QUEENSBOROUGH
queenschamber.org
COVER STORY
CITY’S TOP DOC ADDRESSES NEW COVID CONCERNS When Dr. Dave Chokshi replaced Oxiris Barbot as commissioner of the Department of Health in August of last year, it would still be five months before the first COVID19 vaccine in the nation would be Before accepting the post of commissioner of the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, Dr. Dave Chokshi served as Chief Population Health Officer at NYC Health + Hospitals, where he built and grew an award-winning team dedicated to health system improvement, spanning innovative care models and analytics, primary care transformation, social determinants of health, community-based care management and chronic diseases and prevention. Dr. Chokshi’s prior work experience spans the public, private and nonprofit sectors, including positions with the New York City and State Departments of Health and the Louisiana Department of Health, before and after Hurricane Katrina. Dr. Chokshi served on the FEMA delegation to New York City after Hurricane Sandy in 2012. He also served as a White House Fellow and was the principal health advisor to the Secretary of Veterans Affairs. He trained in internal medicine at Brigham & Women’s Hospital, where he received the Dunne Award for Compassionate Care, and was a clinical fellow at Harvard Medical School. During his training, Dr. Chokshi did clinical work in Guatemala, Peru, Botswana, Ghana and India. He received his M.D. with Alpha Omega Alpha distinction from Penn. He also earned an MSc in global public health as a Rhodes Scholar at Oxford and graduated summa cum laude from Duke.
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given to a nurse at Long Island Jewish Medical Center in Queens. The future was still uncertain when the Jackson Heights resident assumed the role of the city’s top doctor, even as lockdown-weary New Yorkers attempted to return to some sense of normalcy, cautiously eating out, meeting with friends, and traveling. When the city began offering vaccines at the beginning of the year, it looked like a full return to normal was on the horizon, but now the highly contagious Delta variant, which research suggest even vaccinated individuals can spread, it looks like that longawaited return could be facing a major roadblock. Last month, Commissioner Chokshi took part in a Facebook Live chat with members of the Queens Chamber of Commerce to address the concerns of business owners as they start to welcome their employees back to the office even as COVID-19 cases continue to rise in the city. This Is Queensborough caught up with Commissioner Chokshi following the chat to get his opinion on some of the larger issues facing New Yorkers the pandemic appears to be making a resurgence. This is Queensborough: Queens was the “epicenter of the epicenter” during the first wave of the virus last year? As the Delta variant continues to spread, should we be concerned about Queens becoming ground zero for the pandemic once again? Dr. Dave Chokshi: Queens families have been deeply affected by the virus. Their dedication to ending this pandemic shows in the level of vaccinations. Right now, Queens is the second-most vaccinated borough in the city. To protect against the rise of Delta, I encourage those who haven’t been vaccinated to get vaccinated now. It’s the single most important thing in the fight against COVID to prevent the avoidable suffering that too many experienced during previous waves.
Dr. Dave Chokshi briefs New Yorkers on COVID. (Photo: Ed Reed/Mayor’s Office)
TIQ: To what extent will vaccines diminish the effect of the Delta variant? Will booster shots be required and, if so, for whom? DC: Vaccines are essential to defeating the Delta variant. We know that all of the authorized COVID-19 vaccines are effective in protecting against it and other currently circulating variants, particularly against severe illness causing hospitalization and death. Right now is the most dangerous time to be unvaccinated. As for boosters, we are still learning about the duration of immunity provided from vaccines to determine whether boosters are needed. Studies are ongoing regarding this and we’ll follow the science.
DC: Although fewer children have gotten COVID-19, children can still be infected with the virus that causes COVID-19 and spread the virus to others. This is why we are urging that children who are eligible for the vaccine - right now from ages 12-17 - should receive it, and the city is working on making the vaccine as accessible as possible to children and their families. At this time, masks are still required in school buildings as part of our layered approach to COVID-19 prevention. Additionally, the city is mandating that staff get vaccinated or tested weekly in time for school reopening. We also recognize, as a city, that schools promote the health of children.
TIQ: How do you think this newest wave of the virus will impact school re-openings in New York City? Do you think students should be returning to in-person classes? Should students be wearing masks this fall? Are young people atrisk of catching or spreading the virus?
TIQ: With another month of summer still ahead of us, should New Yorkers be wary of participating in outdoor activities such as visits to the beach, baseball games, barbecues? Should people avoid large gatherings once again as was the case last summer? DC: We know that outdoor trans-
August 2021 • Volume 17 • Issue 8
COVER STORY mission of the virus is lower than that of indoor transmission. Masks are important in shared indoor settings, particularly where there are many unvaccinated individuals, or we do not know the vaccination status of the people around us. That’s why we have mask mandates in places like public transit, schools, and health care and congregate settings. It is particularly important that unvaccinated people continue to use their mask, as well as follow all of the precautions we took before the introduction of vaccines, such as social distancing and regular testing. TIQ: Although New York has a stellar vaccination rate, other parts of the country are falling behind due to vaccine hesitancy. Will the rising rates of COVID19 throughout the nation affect New Yorkers? Should New Yorkers avoid travel for business or pleasure to parts of the country
with higher COVID rates? DC: New Yorkers should remain cautious about COVID-19 and take precautions while traveling. Our contact tracing data indicates that travel is contributing to a greater spread of the coronavirus, and New Yorkers should be mindful of COVID rates in the destinations they are visiting. As with other activities, traveling is safer if you’ve been vaccinated. TIQ: Borough President Donovan Richards secured millions in funding for new operating rooms and facilities at Elmhurst Hospital, do you think this new funding will have an immediate impact in the fight against COVID-19? DC: Elmhurst Hospital deserves support after its staff faced some of the worst days of the pandemic with grace, compassion and bravery. It’s where my family and I entrust our own care, and I’m grateful for the borough president’s support.
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THIS IS QUEENSBOROUGH
queenschamber.org
QUEENS CHAMBER MEMBER NEWS
ACPNY OPENS NINTH OFFICE IN QUEENS AdvantageCare Physicians (ACPNY), one of the largest primary and specialty care practices in New York, recently opened a new medical office in Jackson Heights. ACPNY will share the space with a EmblemHealth Neighborhood Care (EHNC) center, which will offer one-on-one support and free health & wellness classes. The Jackson Heights joins more than 40 offices across New York City and Long Island. It is ACPNY’s ninth office in Queens, with other locations in Astoria, Cambria Heights, Flushing, Forest Hills, Jamaica Estates, Richmond Hill, Rochdale Village, and Rockaway. ACPNY patients in the neighborhood will now easier access to specialty care provided by doctors and nurses who live in the communities they serve and are trained in cultural competency. Situated in the most ethnically diverse urban area of the world, Jackson Heights has a population of over 175,000 residents, over 80% of which are Latino or Asian. “At ACPNY, we know that accessible and quality care is both lifeaffirming and life-saving,” said Dr. Navarra Rodriguez, president and chief medical officer at ACPNY. “That’s why we are so excited to provide a new home for health where the people of Jackson Heights both live and work.” The Jackson Heights facility is approximately 18,000 square feet and includes a full laboratory, accommodations for 25 doctors, and services including pediatrics, behavioral health, endocrinology, OB/GYN, optometry, podiatry, and rheumatology Meanwhile, the strategic co-location of EmblemHealth Neighborhood Care and ACPNY is part of EmblemHealth’s commitment to addressing social determinants of health. In one convenient location, community members can access primary care providers and specialty care services at ACPNY, and find connections to community resources, such as food and housing, free
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wellness classes, and Customer Care Navigators who can answer questions about health benefits at EmblemHealth Neighborhood
Care. The Jackson Heights office is located at 40-31 82nd Street and is open Monday through Thursday
from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more information on AdvantageCare Physicians, visit acpny.com.
CEO’S MESSAGE CONTINUED FROM PAGE 3
man James Gennaro, NYC Small Business Services, and Red Eye Aviation Services. We’re not out of the woods yet, which is why our “Employer Strategies to Manage and Motivate the Remote Workplace” webinar is relevant for those who haven’t made the transition back to the physical work environment. This journey over the past 16 months hasn’t been easy, but thankfully we’ll continue to make strides towards more normalcy. One thing is certain, Queens Chamber remains in place to provide you with every resource to make your pathway as seamless as possible. I know you have heard me say it numerous times before, but it’s true: this is the BEST job ever. It enables me the opportunity, with the assistance of an amazing team
of dedicated individuals, to support this wonderfully diverse com-
munity we call home. Queens STRONG
The Queens Chamber returned to the seas after a year off.
August 2021 • Volume 17 • Issue 8
EXPERT ADVICE
IRS LEVIES: WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW BY WAYNE SCULLY In the vast majority of cases, people who have tax debt will start to pay attention to the series of letters the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) sends them as they become increasingly more threatening. So being proactive and addressing the problem head on is always the best approach. But what happens if you ignore those IRS nasty-grams? Bad things. The IRS is the largest and most effective collection agency on the planet. Their reach is international and they have the authority to take your money, an authority they exercise frequently. In fiscal year 2020, the IRS “only” wielded this power 396,269 times, which declined nearly 50 percent from 2019 due to COVID. These IRS enforcement actions, called levies, are the most common actions the agency takes to
collect money from debtors. Most people are far more afraid of a seizure, but these are rare. Levies, on the other hand, are common and occur quite rapidly, and they don’t require a court order. The two most common levies are bank levies and wage levies.
BANK LEVIES Have you or a third-party, like your bank paying you interest, ever provided the IRS with your bank account information? If yes, then congratulations, the IRS knows where you bank. If you owe the IRS money and don’t pay, they know exactly where to send a bank levy. In such a situation, the IRS will send a notice to your bank instructing them to withdraw all money in your account. The bank is required to hold that money for 21 days before sending funds to the IRS. Theoretically, 21 days gives you enough time to contest. During this time, you must get your financial records organized, file an appeal against the levy, and try to obtain a levy release.
Think about the money sitting in your account right now. What is that money for? Maybe it’s for your rent or mortgage payment on the first of the month? Perhaps paying for your child’s summer camp? Maybe it’s for groceries or the electric bill? Now, imagine you wake up tomorrow morning and that money is gone. That’s what a bank levy from the IRS feels like. If you are subject to an IRS bank levy, there is one small saving grace: only the money in the account on that day is subject to the levy. If your bank processes the levy and takes all the money out, it’s a one-time hit. The IRS would need to issue another levy in order to snag more funds, such as a direct deposit from your employer after the levy takes place. Speaking of your paycheck...
WAGE LEVIES Most wage garnishments are the result of a court order. A creditor has to sue you in court, obtain
a judgment, and then take legal action to obtain a wage garnishment. However, without ever going to court an IRS employee can issue a wage garnishment. This gets sent to your employer, who is obligated to forward the majority of your paycheck to the IRS. If your employer fails to do this, the IRS can take action against them. Unlike a bank levy, all future paychecks are taken until the wage levy is released. Also, unlike the bank levy, there is no 21-day hold for a wage levy. Your employer is required to comply with the order on the next regular payroll period. How much would it impact your life if the IRS suddenly took 70 percent of your paycheck? This is serious stuff. Most people that find themselves in this situation were well aware it was coming. The IRS is required to send a series of notices informing you of the actions they can take.
WILL VISIT ONE BUSINESS EACH MONTH CONTINUED FROM PAGE 5
Fixing either a wage garnishment or bank levy from the IRS requires rapid action, but there are things that can be done. If you want a tax strategist who knows how to navigate the IRS maze, reach me at (718) 938-4601 or waynescullycpa@gmail.com to schedule a free consultation to explain options to permanently resolve your tax problem.
“I want to keep supporting small businesses in underserved communities because a lot of times the aid that comes doesn’t always assist them,” said Richards. For his first visit, Richards stopped by The Nourish Spot in Jamaica. Dawn Kelly opened The Nourish Spot in 2017, promoting healthy living with her smoothies, wraps, and salads. “I would like his help in making sure that we could get more needed service for some of the people in the community that are down and out on their luck,” Kelly said of Richards. “There are quite a few people who need
help with homelessness, mental issues, and drug addiction. “There’s things happening around Queens like Citi Field and Arthur Ashe Stadium that we would like to be a part of,” she added. “We want their help to be a part of that.” Soon after taking office, Richards worked with the city and New York Mets to create the Queens Small Business Grant program to support businesses in areas hardest-hit by COVID-19. Over $14 million in no-stringsattached grant funding was distributed among 757 approved entities, 613 of which were minority owned. During Richards’ visit, Kelly’s was busy filling online orders.
“Business is wonderful because during the pandemic every doctor and medical professional was telling people to eat a more balanced, healthy diet,” said Kelly. “We were doing okay at first, but we got a boom of business in 2020 and had to keep up with the demand.” Before leaving, Richards presented Kelly with a citation recognizing and Kelly for her work supporting the local community, from hiring local young people to opening the shop as a true community space. “Our small businesses are the livelihood of Queens,” said Richards. “Where can you get a taste of the world besides Queens?” (SAMANTHA GALVEZ-MONTIEL)
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August 2021 • Volume 17 • Issue 8
QUEENSBOROUGH CALENDAR OF EVENTS AUGUST 8/2, 5:30 PM
BLACK BUSINESS MONTH CELEBRATION
An exclusive experience to support, promote and highlight Black-owned and founded businesses across Queens. Resources for business owners and consumers and networking and fun for everyone. Borough Hall Helen Marshall Cultural Center 120-55 Queens Boulevard Kew Gardens RSVP at queenschamber.org 8/3, 10 AM
NAVIGATING THE NYS PANDEMIC SMALL BUSINESS RECOVERY GRANT
The NYS COVID-19 Pandemic Small Business Recovery Grant Program was created to provide flexible grant assistance to currently viable small businesses, microbusinesses and for-profit independent arts and cultural organizations who have experienced economic hardship due the COVID-19 pandemic. VIRTUAL Register at queenschamber.org 8/3, 9:30 AM
MOVING ON FROM COVID
All government money comes with a myriad of rules. In this webinar we will cover a case study (or two) of government grants being deposited into a company’s bank account. The case study will give step-by-step suggestions on how to manage that money to conform to the rules of the grants forgiveness. VIRTUAL Register at queenschamber.org 8/5, 10 AM
NAVIGATING THE NYS PANDEMIC SMALL BUSINESS RECOVERY GRANT
The NYS COVID-19 Pandemic Small Business Recovery Grant Program was created to provide flexible grant assistance to currently viable small businesses, microbusinesses and for-profit independent arts and cultural organizations who have experienced economic hardship due the COVID-19 pandemic. VIRTUAL Register at queenschamber.org 8/7, NOON TO 3 PM
BUSINESS FAIR
Explore all the businesses and entertainment Downtown Far Rockaway has to offer. Beach 20th Street & Cornaga Avenue Far Rockaway
8/10, 6 to 9 PM
8/19, 11 AM
Calling all Queens techies. Meet your fellow innovators, disruptors, founders, and funders from across the tech industry at the Queens Tech Council’s first networking event. ICONYC Brewing 43-63 11th Street Long Island City Register at queenschamber.org
SBA new streamlined application portal will simplify forgiveness for millions of our smallest businesses -- including many sole proprietors -who used funds from our Paycheck Protection Program loans to survive the pandemic. VIRTUAL Register at queenschamber.org
QUEENS TECH COUNCIL NETWORKING EVENT
PPP FORGIVENESS AND EIDL UPDATES
8/20, 9:30 AM
MORNING SPEED NETWORKING: SHAKE IT UP AND GET MOVING
EMPLOYER STRATEGIES TO MANAGE AND MOTIVATE THE REMOTE WORKPLACE
8/17, 10 AM
8/23, NOON
In the 11 years of this program’s existence, it has awarded over 450 contracts worth nearly half a billion dollars. In 2021, it expects to award another 80 contractors worth $80 million. The programs is open to the small business community and the Minority, Women, or Disadvantaged businesses of New York. VIRTUAL Register at queenschamber.org
The Flushing Chinese Business Association cordially invites you to attend the inauguration of its 28 president, Dr. Yao Ming Wang, general consultant Peter Tu, and the installation of the board members. Sheraton LaGuardia East Hotel 135-20 39th Avenuye Flushing
8/17, 9 AM
Join us for the first in-person speed networking since late 2019. This is a fast-paced event that guarantees you’ll build your professional network and increase your business bottom-line. Within a matter of 20 minutes you’ll be introduced to at least ten new contacts. Queens Chamber of Commerce 75-20 Astoria Blvd. Bulova Corporate Center Cafe Jackson Heights Register at queenschamber.org
MTA SMALL BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM
8/17, 5 PM
GETTING YOUR MWBE CERTIFICATION WITH THE PORT AUTHORITY OF NY & NJ
M/WBE Certification gives you access to government contracts, networking events, inclusion in the Online Directories of Certified Businesses and much more. VIRTUAL Register at queenschamber.org
Businesses will need to develop a plan on how they can keep their workforce employed physically, emotionally, healthy and engaged. This workshop offers a road map to maximizing employee engagement, satisfaction, and productivity. This program will offer strategies to engage and motivate the remote employee by promoting worker satisfaction and harmony. VIRTUAL Register at queenschamber.org
INAUGURATION CEREMONY AT THE FLUSHING CHINESE BUSINESS ASSOCIATION
8/25, 10 AM
NEW MEMBER ORIENTATION
The Queens Chamber of Commerce is committed to maximizing your membership. If you’re a new member and have yet to participate in an orientation, please register to join us virtually. VIRTUAL Register at queenschamber.org
8/18, 11 AM TO 2 PM
AIRPORT EMPLOYMENT JOB FAIR
Red Eye Aviation Services provides services at JFK and LaGuardia airports. The company is currently looking to hire 100-plus people for positions that include customer service, ramp, baggage, cargo warehouse, drivers and much more. The Harvest Room 90-40 160th Street Jamaica
SEPTEMBER 9/8, 6 PM
GARDEN NETWORKING
This is a fantastic opportunity to meet fellow business owners and Members of the Queens Chamber of Commerce. Antun’s 96-43 Springfield Boulevard Queens Village Register at queenschamber.org
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The Business News of Queens & The Official Magazine of The Queens Chamber of Commerce
the Latest on the most infLuentiaL peopLe in queens Your inside scoop straight from the business community’s top leaders
Profiling Queens’ Most Dynamic People To subscribe to this monthly, glossy magazine, visit thisisqueensborough.com or call BQE Media at 718-426-7200. To place an ad, call BQE Media at 718-426-7200.
August 2021 • Volume 17 • Issue 8
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.
ASIAN AMERICAN FEDERATION
120 Wall Street, 9th Fl., New York, NY 10005 aafederation.org QUICK GLANCE: The Asian American Federation’s mission is to raise the influence and well-being of the pan-Asian American community through research, policy advocacy, public awareness and organizational development. Established in 1989, the Federation is a panAsian non-profit organization representing a network of community service agencies in the Northeast. These agencies work in the fields of health & human services, education, economic development, civic participation, and social justice.
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.
BAYSIDE BUSINESS ASSOCIATION 41-16 Bell Boulevard, Bayside, NY 11361 President: Ed Probst Vice President: Judith Limpert 718.229.2277 info@baysideba.com baysideba.com QUICK GLANCE: 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.
ACCOMPANY CAPITAL (FORMERLY BCNA)
78-27 37 Ave., Ste. 1 Jackson Heights, NY 11372 Business Development: Tshering Gurung 347.730.6468 tgurung@accompanycapital.org QUICK GLANCE: Accompany Capital is an
award-winning Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) and Small Business Administration (SBA) micro lender that pro-
vides small and micro business owners in New York City with low-cost loans, access to business training & technical assistance, and one-on-one counseling. Accompany Capital has disbursed over $34 million in loans and assisted over 10,000 immigrant and refugee entrepreneurs in New York City since its founding as Business Center for New Americans (BCNA) in 1997, as well as provided workshops and one-on-one advice on business management and marketing to over 10,000 businesses.
BUSINESS OUTREACH CENTER NETWORK (BOC, INC.)
85 S. Oxford Street #2 Brooklyn, NY 11217 718.624.9115 bocnet.org QUICK GLANCE: Business Outreach Center Network’s mission is to improve the economic prospects of traditionally underserved groups, with a focus on low- and moderate-income entrepreneurs and their communities, and thereby create genuinely brighter futures. At the heart of our mission is the belief that whatever their differences, people and communities share a common goal: to achieve economic stability and growth. Working in partnership with culturally diverse individuals and organizations in support of this shared goal is the hallmark of BOC.
CHHAYA CDC
37-43 77th Street, #2 Jackson Heights, NY 11372 718.478.3848 chhayacdc.org QUICK GLANCE: Core to our strategy is organizing and advocating for systemic changes that remove the barriers to well-being, housing stability, and economic mobility for our communities. For over 20 years, Chhaya has served tens of thousands of individuals and led the charge on key policy issues for immigrants, such as basement legalization, language access, tenants’ rights, and more.
CHINATOWN DISTRICT MANAGEMENT ASSOCIATION (CHINATOWN PARTNERSHIP)
217 Park Row, 2nd Floor, Suite 9 New York, NY 10038 chinatownpartnership.org QUICK GLANCE: Chinatown Partnership, led by Wellington Chen, was formed in 2006 as new start-up from grounds up to bring residents, business owners and community groups together to rebuild Chinatown following 9/11, and to preserve the neighborhood’s unique culture while ensuring its vitality in the future through strategic positioning.
With the highly popular Weekend Walks street festive series, Mid-Autumn Festival, One Day in NYC, annual Beautification/Earth Day, East West Parade with Little Italy, Double Valentine’s Day to promote the softer side of Chinatown and the Jewelry District and all the cafes, eateries in the area. Explore Chinatown marketing initiative, Lunar Stages outdoor film screenings, and Taste of Chinatown street events, Chinatown Partnership helps promote the area as a special destination to live, work, and visit.
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.
GATEWAY JFK
Executive Director: Scott Grimm-Lyon 516.730.3400 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 and professional services for its members, and advocacy and administration.
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 repre-
senting over 200 businesses.
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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THIS IS QUEENSBOROUGH
queenschamber.org
QUEENS CHAMBER PARTNERS & AFFILIATES 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: Founded in 1979, the Jamaica
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.
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.
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: Covering roughly 600 busi-
Center BID serves over 400 businesses on Jamaica Avenue between Sutphin Boulevard and 169th Street. With a budget of over $1 million, 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.
nesses with 30 active members, the Maspeth Industrial Business Association 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.
JFK INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
MIDDLE VILLAGE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
P.O. Box 300687, Jamaica, NY 11430 Executive Director: Clorinda Antonucci President: Al DePhillips Vice President: Joseph Morra JFKCoCExec@gmail.com jfkairportchamberofcommerce.org QUICK GLANCE: Founded in 1978, the group
has over 200 members. The chamber was chartered in 1978 by a group of business people in and around JFK Airport. It is the only airport in the nation to have its own Chamber of Commerce. The chamber seeks to create an environment in which members of the business community can work together to enhance the growth, well being and economic development of the airport community and its aviation industry.
LONG ISLAND CITY PARTNERSHIP
President: Elizabeth Lusskin 718.786.5300 longislandcityqueens.com QUICK GLANCE: 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
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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 80th streets. The mission is to improve the area and assist local businesses if they have any concerns or needs.
MURRAY HILL MERCHANTS ASSOCIATION OF NY
P.O. Box 1897 New York, NY 10156 212.886.5867 murrayhillnyc.org QUICK GLANCE: Murray Hill is a unique residential neighborhood in midtown Manhattan. While there is no formal boundary for the neighborhood, the area served by The Murray Hill Neighborhood Association and its sister organization the Manhattan East Community Association (MECA) extends from Fifth Avenue eastward to the East River and from 42nd Street down to 26th Street (encompassing the 10016
postal code).
MYRTLE AVENUE BID
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.
QUEENS ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION
12-55 Queens Boulevard, Room 309 Kew Gardens, NY 11424 Executive Director: Seth Bornstein 718.263.0546 queensny.org QUICK GLANCE: Budget of $1.5 million and
a resource for over 2,000 businesses in the borough of Queens. Register online for upcoming virtual events, including:
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
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.
ROCKAWAY EAST MERCHANTS ASSOCIATION (REMA4US)
1032 Beach 20th Street Far Rockaway, NY 11691 rema4us.org REMA 4 US, Inc. seeks to engage in economic development and revitalization in the Rockaway Peninsula. To strengthen our community revitalization programs and community development efforts in the Rockaway Peninsula REMA works
August 2021 • Volume 17 • Issue 8
NEW MEMBERS
TLC Virtual Resiliency
CORPORATE
Eastern American Technologies
35 Larkfield Road East Northport, NY 11731 eadv.com Established in 1972 by Gunter G. Schmidt, Eastern American Technologies is the premier technology services company to the commercial business, public sector and residential markets in the New York Metropolitan Area.
Hydro-Quebec
225 Asylum Street Hartford, NY 06103 hydroquebec.com We generate, transmit and distribute electricity. Customer satisfaction is at the very heart of our concerns, and we are strong proponents of energy efficiency. Our electricity, clean and renewable, helps combat climate change while promoting a greener, stronger economy.
REDI Group, LLC
Holiday Inn Express & Suites Woodside
10 Montieth Street, Suite 272 Brooklyn, NY 11206 tlcvirtualresiliency.com The world was not prepared for COVID-19, and many people suffer(ed) both physically and emotionally. TLC Virtual Resiliency (TLC-VR) started in response to a direct call for help from professionals struggling emotionally during the pandemic.
64-10 Queens Boulevard Woodside, NY 11377 hiexpress.com/woodsidenycny
Innovare Medical Media, LLC 3496 Route 22 Branchburg, NJ 08876
Koffsky Schwalb, LLC
500 Seventh Avenue, 8th Floor New York, NY 10018 koffschwalb.com
INTRODUCTORY
Bin There Dump That of Great Neck 227-46 109th Avenue Queens Village, NY 11429 great-neck.bintheredumpthatusa.com
SJ Innovation, LLC SJ Innovation LLC 9034 Vanderveer Street Queens, NY 11428
DTR Cleaning Co.
34-06 45th Street, 6C Long Island City, NY 11101 dtrcleaningco.com
Spectrum Business 40 Bates Street Islip, NY 11751 spectrum.com
Excalibur Reading Program Inc.
515 Clifton Avenue Lakewood, NJ 08701 redidistricts.com
80-17 61st Street Glendale, NY 11385 excaliburreadingprogram.org
The ICA Group
50 Broadway, 29th Floor New York, NY 10004 icagroup.org
PARTNERS & AFFILIATES alongside businesses, civic groups, government agencies, and non-profit organizations. REMA works to inform the public about opportunities that exist to strengthen the community, and to create a welcoming and safe environment to help expand economic opportunity in the Rockaway Peninsula.
sunnyside-chamber.org QUICK GLANCE: With an annual budget of
STEINWAY ASTORIA PARTNERSHIP BID
SUNNYSIDE SHINES
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.
SUNNYSIDE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE PO Box 4399, Sunnyside, NY 11104 President: Vanessa Ceballos 718.729.4688
$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. 45-56 43rd Street, Sunnyside, NY 11104 Executive Director: Jaime-Faye Beam 718.606.1800 director@sunnysideshines.org sunnysideshines.org QUICK GLANCE: The BID has a budget of
approximately $480,000 with more than 250
businesses under its umbrella. The mission of Sunnyside Shines is to invigorate and enrich the economic life of the neighborhood by creating a safe and dynamic commercial district.
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 Boulevard between Hillside Avenue and 94th Avenue in Jamaica.
NEW WILLETS POINT PARTNERSHIP CONTINUED FROM PAGE 10
was the capstone of Claire’s amazing life and career” said John Racanelli, chair of FWPC LDC. “Every project initiated and accomplished by the LDC has been the result of her vision, energy and tenacity. Claire cannot be replaced, but the LDC’s alliance with the Chamber will ensure that its work will go forward and endure as a monument to her leadership.” The Chamber will form a committee focused
on the work of the FWPC LDC and continue to advance projects in the three neighborhoods, as well as seek to establish an appropriate naming opportunity in recognition of Shulman’s efforts to revitalize the area. To support the ongoing efforts, the FWPC LDC and Chamber will host a fundraiser, A Night at the Ballpark on Tuesday, September 14, at 6 p.m. in the Empire Suites at Citi Field before the St. Louis Cardinals. Visit queensalive.org for additional information.
21
THIS IS QUEENSBOROUGH EXECUTIVE COMMMITEE
queenschamber.org
Thomas Santucci
Nash Roe
Thomas J. Grech
Brendan Leavy
Susan Browning
Richard Dzwlewicz
Joanne M. Persad
Jacqueline Donado
Chairperson
Associate Treasurer
Vice Chairperson
Associate Secretary
Patricia Mezeul Treasurer
President & CEO
Business Development Manager
Chief of Operations
Strategic Program Coordinator
Alejandra Espejo
Jef Gross
Financial Controller
Patrick Yu
Neil Wagner
Secretary
SENIOR ADVISORY COUNCIL
EXECUTIVE STAFF
Business Service Program Manager
Manager of Committee Development
William Blake Vincent L. Petraro, Esq. Dominick Ciampa George Rozansky Joseph Farber Gerard Thornton Louis D. Laurino Jeff Levine Joseph M. Mattone, Sr
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 Stephanie Baldwin Fran Biderman-Gross Susan Browning Kenneth J. Buettner Charles E. Callahan Ali Chaudhry Sal Crifasi
Steven DeClara Mayra DiRico Richard Dzwlewicz Charles Everett, Jr. Joseph R. Ficalora Tamara Gavrielof Howard Graf
Dr. Cameron Hernandez Raymond Irrera Kenneth Koenig Neil Levin Bert Lurch Carl Mattone Patricia Mezeul
Melinda Murray-Nyack Maria Odysseus Stephen Preuss Nash Roe Jeffrey Rosenstock Juan Santiago Thomas Santucci
Mark Scheinberg Caryn Schwab Sher Sparano Michelle Stoddart Terri Thomson Henry Wan Mark Weprin
Patrick Yu Daniel Zausner
CORPORATE MEMBERS 365 Data Centers A&L Cesspool Services Corp AARP Above All Pressure Cleaning Abrams Fensterman Aeroterm Andromeda Aora Development Approved General Contracting Inc., ARK Development LLC Aurora Contractors, Inc. Balkan Sewer and Water Main Service Bank of America BedRock Real Estate Partners, LLC BJ’s Wholesale Club Blumenfeld Development Group, Ltd. Capital One Bank
Carter Milchman and Frank CBRE Center for Automotive Education and Training Cerini and Associates, LLP. Champion Elevator Corp. Cine Magic LIC Studios, LLC Cipico Construction, Inc. Citibank CitizensRx City National Bank Clearcell Power Complete Supply Cord Meyer Development LLC Cornell NYC Tech Corporate Development Systems, Inc. Cort CPower Energy Management Crescent Properties, Inc
Crown Castle Cushman & Wakefield, Inc. Dedline AV DG Construction East Coast Energy Group EDGE AUTO INC Einbinder & Dunn LLP Enterprise Fleet Management EOS Electrical Corp Evolve IP EW Howell Construction Group Farrell Fritz, P.C. Fastsigns South Ozone Park First Central Savings Bank Fluid Mechanic’s Corp. Gatsons Electric, Inc. Gil-Bar Industries, Inc. GoPuff Graf & Lewent Architects Greater NY Automobiles
COMMITTEE LEADERSHIP ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT Michelle Stoddart ResortsWorld Casino New York City michelle.stoddart@rwnewyork.com Jayson Simba Festival of Cinema NYC FestivalofCinemaNYC@gmail.com
BANKING & LAW
Paul Harrison Chase paul.harrison@chase.com Jackie Harounian Wisselman, Harounian & Associates jackie@lawjaw.com
COMMUNICATIONS Cody Fisher Blue Ox Marketing, LLC cody@blueoxmarketing.com Leigh Schuckman Sandler Training leigh.schuckman@sandler.com
HEALTHCARE & WELLNESS
Bert Lurch E Central Medical Management bertl@ecmmgt.com Prabhleen S. Virk Citrin Cooperman pvirk@citrincooperman.com
22
ENERGY
Marshall Haimson E-Capital Development marshall@e-capitaldevelopment.com Jay Solly Sol Strategies jaypsolly@gmail.com
ENTREPRENEURSHIP & INNOVATION Bill Staniford bill@staniford.com
FAMILY-OWNED BUSINESSES Chad Callahan Plaza College cec4@plazacollege.edu Michael Shoule JW Hampton mikes@jwhampton.com
HOSPITALITY
Jim Quent Statewide Public Affairs jquent@statewidepublicaffairs.com Vincent Gentile Vassilaros & Sons Coffee vincent@vassilaroscoffee.com
MANUFACTURING Lina DeLaCruz Control Electropolishing Corp. lina@controlpublishing.com
NONPROFIT
Larry Grubler Transitional Services of NY lgrubler@tsiny.org Maria Odysseus Investors Bank modysseus@myinvestorsbank.com
REAL ESTATE
Martin Cottingham Avison Young martin.cottingham@avisonyoung.com Kevin Louie Cushman & Wakefield kevin.louie@cushwake.com Michael Wang Project Queens michael@projectqueens.com
TECHNOLOGY Bobby Giurintano TGI Office Automation bgiurintano@tgioa.com Fred Canone fc1281@gmail.com
TRANSPORTATION Marlon Taylor NY & Atlantic Railway mtaylor@anacostia.com Phil Jones LIME philip@li.me
Dealers Association HANAC, Inc. Healthy Corner Pharmacy Heatherwood Communities Himmel + Meringoff Properties Holt Construction Corp. Horticultural Creations Inc IKEA Queens INDA, Association of Nonwoven Fabric Industry INF Associates, LLC Innovo Property Group J.W. Hampton Jr. & Co., Inc. JGM Construction Development, LLC Kasirer Consulting Kaufman Astoria Studios, Inc. Laffey Real Estate Littler Mendelson, P.C. Lyons Mortgage Services, Inc. M & T Bank Madison International Realty Madison Realty Capital McBride Consulting & Business Mega Contracting Group LLC Merrill Lynch Wealth Management, Bank of America Corporation Metropolitan Taxicab Board of Trade Molloy College Mondial Automotive Mount Sinai Hospital of Queens Mr. T Carting Corp. My Benefit Advisor, LLC NBCUniversal New York + Atlantic Railway New York Crystal Cleaning New York Islanders Hockey Club New York Life Insurance Company New York State Energy Coalition, Inc. Nonprofit Sector Strategies, PBC Nuvo Solutions NYC Cooling Tower Inspections and Services, LLC NYC Ferry Operated by Hornblower Owareco, LLC Patrick B. Jenkins & Associates
PGA Mechanical Contractors, Inc. Pi Capital Partners Priority 1 Security LLC ProCleanings Co QSIDE Federal Credit Union Queens College Reef Technology Related Retail Corporation Safety Facility Services Samaritan Daytop Village Securitech Group, Inc. Signature Bank SL Green Realty Corp. Solve Together LLC Soter Technologies, LLC. Spectrum Reach Squad Security Inc. St. Francis Preparatory School St. John’s University Starbucks Corporation Sterling National Bank Sterling Sanitary Supply Corp Structural Engineering Technologies, P.C. Sullivan Engineering LLC Target TC Electric TGI Office Automation The Center for Musculoskeletal Disorders The First National Bank of Long Island Transmission Developers, Inc. TSC Training Academy, LLC Ultrasound Solutions Corp. United Airlines United Construction & Development Group Corp. United Public Adjusters & Appraisers, Inc. USTA National Tennis Center, Inc. Valley National Bank Vanguard Building Solutions, LLC Vassilaros & Sons Coffee Verus Commercial Real Estate Finance Watch Guard 24/7 WellLife Network White Coffee Corp Xin Development Group International York College - CUNY Zara Realty
August 2021 • Volume 17 • Issue 8 MAJOR CORPORATE MEMBERS
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.
23
Work
from the
HIEX
Maspeth Holiday Inn Express Maspeth Offering Special Workspace Rate Finding the right workspace is an ageless dilemma in New York City; especially when literally millions of people are being required to work from home. Luckily, the advent of shared co-working spaces has provided more options. Now, hotels have begun testing out creative ways to offer their unoccupied rooms as daytime office space for individuals and groups. The Holiday Inn Express Maspeth has found success early into the implementation of offering remote workspace rates. “We found that because so many people live with roommates in NYC that a quiet, clean space to accomplish their goals during the workday is sometimes hard to come by and that was important for people once the COVID-19 pandemic shifted people from the office to working from home,” said Francisco Victoria, the manager of the Holiday Inn Express Maspeth. “We have private rooms with premium workstations and many outlets for plugging in your laptop or phone charger that
are very conducive for working remotely.”
and Market Place for snacks and supplies.
Management at the Holiday Inn Express Maspeth feels the hotel is well suited for workday use because of the free WiFi, a 24-hour business center and 100% smoke-free rooms equipped with LCD televisions, a microwave, USB charging ports, a mini fridge and a Keurig coffee maker.
“It’s certainly a quiet and private place to work where you can feel comfortable and get a lot done,” said Jared Jeffrey, a local photographer who has used rooms at the Holiday Inn Express Maspeth as an editing suite. “This is just another way in which a hotel provides hospitality.”
“We have made upgrades throughout the hotel and because of those renovations we’re able to offer this new workplace service,” Victoria said. “We’ve seen some cases where employers have paid for their workers to use our facility as well as individuals needing temporary workspace during the day for a specific project.” Services included from unlimited printing privileges and free parking. The hotel also provideshe a “Forgot it? We’ve got it” kit to support your needs, branded notepad and pen, mask and hand sanitizer. Take advantage of our Business Center
You can book any stay at the HIEX Maspeth by contacting the front desk of the hotel: (718) 416-2500.
