This Is Queensborough - December 2021

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December 2021 . Volume 17 . Issue 12

BUSINESS

HEROES

CEO OF FOUNDATION AMONG ELEVEN HONORED BY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE FOR WORK DURING COVID

“WE THOUGHT HELPING THE CHAMBER HELP OTHER SMALL BUSINESSES WAS THE BEST THING WE COULD DO TO SUPPORT THIS GREAT CITY.”

PETER G. PETERSON FOUNDATION CHAIRMAN & CEO MICHAEL PETERSON

ALSO

• SMALL BIZ SPOTLIGHT: REMIX & RARE CUT • WHAT 5G MEANS FOR YOUR COMPANY’S FUTURE • QCC HELPS SAVE OLDEST GAY BAR IN QUEENS

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December 2021 • Volume 17 • Issue 12

MESSAGE FROM THE CHAIR LOOKING BACK, MOVING FORWARD “It’s the most wonderful time of is a perfect time to reflect and look the year.” Those are the opening ahead between the holiday gatherlyrics to one of my favorite holiday ings and time spent with loved ones.

The Queens Chamsongs celebrating this ber can help you exejoyous beloved season.

It invokes the spirit cute your plans movof looking back while ing forward. Our endgiving subtle hints to less array of resources, what’s to come. partnerships within Business owners the community, and especially take time opportunities to netout during this season work will stimulate of the year to reflect on business growth. You their accomplishments owe it to yourself to and achievements TOM SANTUCCI make the connection. while eagerly thinking CHAIRPERSON The most important about what the new takeaway I want to year will bring. leave you with is “the Did we hit our goals? How can past can help accelerate your path we improve operations? Is this forward to success.” business model stainable? What’s Thank you for what has been the best way to make the greatest a tremendously successful year impact in the coming months and despite our ongoing pandemic. year ahead?

We’re grateful for your continued I, like many of you, have pon- support. From my family to yours, dered some of these same questions. here’s to a wonderful holiday seaThe final days and weeks of 2021 son and hugely successful 2022.

MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT & CEO

YES, QUEENS, THERE IS A SANTA As this holiday season approaches, in this season when it all becomes I reflect back to childhood memories abundantly clear. of the excitement surrounding my This month, the Queens Chamletter to Santa. It is always included ber proudly honored those in our the latest, greatest toy or gadget that community who went above and I imagined would bring tremendous beyond proving their devotion to joy and happiness.

Queens. Our Business Heroes of the It also brings to mind this phrase Year event at Terrace On the Park from an editorial in Flushing was our titled “Is There a opportunity to simply Santa Claus?” It first say “thank you” for appeared in Septemdoing what you do. ber 1897 and has Throughout this become part of popuissue, we pay tribute lar Christmas folkto these heroes and lore. others who know a Looking back over thing or two about the past 12 months, love, generosity, despite still having to and devotion. As the deal with this ongo- THOMAS J. GRECH chapter closes on ing pandemic, we 2021 and a new seacan’t forget the key PRESIDENT & CEO son begins, make it elements that bind us a point to become together: love, generosity and devo- familiar with these business owners tion. and numerous others in our Queens As a business owner, you experi- community. ence these elements firsthand from Here at the Chamber, we pride your employees, clients and customers on a daily basis. It’s typically CONTINUED ON PAGE 15

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QUEENS QUICKLY

GOVERNOR SIGNS ‘DOMINIC ACT’

Governor Kathy Hochul last month signed the “Dominic Murray Sudden Cardiac Arrest Prevention Act.” On October 5, 2009, 17-year-old Dominic Murray collapsed in sudden cardiac arrest while playing basketball at Farmingdale State College. Those who witnessed his collapse did not recognize that he was in distress, which delayed initiating cardiopulmonary resuscitation, and an automated external defibrillator was not used until EMS arrived.

The new law will require New York State to establish rules for the treatment and monitoring of students who exhibit signs or symptoms of sudden cardiac arrest.

Schools will be required to include information on signs and symptoms on permission forms or paperwork that students must fill out to take part in athletics. That information will also be available on the state Department of Health website.

The law will go into effect July 2022.

“I was an adjunct at SUNY Farmingdale at that time and remember the shock and sadness of that day,” said Thomas Grech, president and CEO of the Queens Chamber of Commerce.

“Dominic’s death could have been prevented.

This law will ensure that schools, students, and their families are educated on sudden cardiac arrest, its signs, symptoms, risks and can help save a life.”

Murray was the son of Queens Chamber of Commerce board member Melinda MurrayNyack. This law is a testament to her advocacy over the course of a decade to increase awareness about sudden cardiac arrest. Successful identification of the warning signs is critical to identifying and preventing tragedy.

“More than 23,000 young people under age 18 die from sudden cardiac arrest every year,” said Murray-Nyack, who is also founder and president of the Dominic A. Murray 21 Memorial Foundation. “SCA is the number-one killer of student athletes and the leading cause of death on school campuses.

Primary prevention, which is the goal of Dominic’s law, plays an indispensable role in helping to reduce these tragedies,” she added.

The bill was sponsored by State Senator Jim Gaughran and Assemblyman Jeffrion Aubrey of Queens.

“The Dominic Murray law evolved from a tragedy,” said Aubry. “The passion and devotion of his mother Melinda made this happen.

It insures that a tragedy like the one that befell Dominic is less likely to happen again.”

AI TRACKS PURCHASES AT TERMINAL 4 JFKIAT, the operator of Terminal 4 at John F. Kennedy International Airport, announced a partnership with SSP America and Zippin to launch a contactless, frictionless retail concept leveraging artificial intelligence technology, the first of Zippin’s locations in an air terminal.

Zippin’s new technology for the Camden Food Express, located at Gate B42, offers a grab-and-go food and beverage selection and leverages AI technology to enable an entirely contactless shopping experience.

Customers enter the store through a turnstile tapping their credit card as they enter, and then begin shopping. As they do, Zippin’s AI system automatically identifies the items and builds the customer’s virtual cart with the corresponding monetary value.

When the customer leaves the store, the total amount spent is automatically charged to the

card the customer used to check in at the store entrance.

“Zippin allows guests to get in, take what they want and leave within seconds rather than minutes, so they are able to get on with their trip,” said Gary Jacobus, Senior Vice president of Business Development for Zippin.

CON EDISON WINS AWARD FROM EPA Con Edison received an award from the Environmental Protection Agency for fighting climate change and protecting public health by helping customers use less energy.

The company earned the 2021 Energy Star Partner of the Year Sustained Excellence Award for its energy efficiency programs. Those programs provide incentives to customers who upgrade their lighting, HVAC systems, appliances and other equipment.

“It is gratifying to receive this honor from the agency that leads our nation’s quest to ensure that we keep our air and water clean and fight climate change,” said Gregory Elcock, Con Edison’s director of Energy Efficiency Programs. “Avoiding energy usage is the most cost-effective and efficient way to prevent emissions of carbon and other greenhouse gases from entering the air.”

EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan also said it was impressive that Con Edison’s energy efficiency programs have continued to succeed through the disruption the COVID-19 pandemic has caused.

“Your sustained commitment is precisely what is needed to solve the climate crisis and build a clean energy economy,” he said.

It is the second significant award Con Edison has gotten this year for its environmental performance. In April, the Smart Electric Power Alliance named Con Edison to its Utility Transformation Leadership Board for its commitment to creating a clean, carbon-free energy system.

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

Crystal Windows Provides Endowment to QC ..................................................22

TECH SPOTLIGHT: Deepti Sharma of FoodtoEat ...............................7

Stay Connected With the Queens Chamber in December .............................25

Chamber Helps Save Oldest LGBTQ+ Bar in Queens .........................8

Get to Know the Chamber’s Newest Members ..................................................29

SMALL BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT: Remix and Rare Cut ...........10-11 Business Heroes of the Year Awards ...................................................12-17 Lifeware Focuses on Integrative Medicine ..............................................18 Marrs Makers Focuses on Masks for Children ......................................20 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

December 2021 • Volume 17 • Issue 12

EXPERT ADVICE

WHAT 5G MEANS FOR YOUR BUSINESS

BY MIKE FINLEY

The latest global health challenge has revealed what many in the tech industry have long known—digital transformation is changing the landscape of business. Once a mere line item on business plans, the coronavirus pandemic has moved digitization from consideration to requirement.

From Queens to Brooklyn and beyond, digital solutions are front and center for New York businesses, especially as industries, both public and private, work together to ensure a strong recovery amid COVID-19 challenges.

Recent data from McKinsey shows that both business and consumers vaulted five years forward in digital adoption in a matter of weeks. Rapid migration to digital is everywhere—optimizing operations, increasing efficiencies, driving health and safety protocols, and enabling new touchless experiences. Behind many of these critical new use cases, 5G technologies are taking a front seat to help companies keep pace.

5G is a critical component to every company’s digital transformation, and most organizations need a better understanding of what it means for their business. It comes down to two key fundamentals: convergence and speed.

carry both a cell phone and a pager to stay in touch with business and have a landline phone both at home and the office.

As wireless networks became more sophisticated and wireless devices got smarter, these services started merging. Text messaging made the pager obsolete. 3G networks made it possible to send and retrieve email from your cell phone and surf the web. Smartphones, 4G and the cloud changed the game, converging nearly every business function in the palm of your hand.

With 5G, convergence continues to evolve, entering new territory to connect all parts of business, whether on-site or remote. Leading IT departments integrate multiple wireless technologies throughout their enterprise with a converged architecture that applies the right 5G technology to the right 5G use case.

Want IoT sensors on a factory floor? Private LTE and 5G networks are great options to ensure security and data visibility. Need to add touchless, self-service payment and mobile kiosks for customers?

Consider cellular and network solutions like distributed antenna systems (DAS) for high-density areas.

Looking to better manage connectivity for employees or guests?

Wi-Fi 6 and Wi-Fi 6E can introduce gigabit speeds for the enterprise.

CONVERGENCE POWERS CONNECTED BUSINESS

INCREASE SPEED TO PULL AHEAD

Convergence is a term in the tech world for bringing together a combination of technology solutions into one managed system. It removes siloed approaches from business operations and will play an important role in managing the 5G networks behind digital initiatives.

Throwing up one Wi-Fi access point in an office no longer cuts it.

Enterprises must now bring together cellular and Wi-Fi through convergence to enable scalable, secure and data-driven digital transformation.

Convergence has led to nearly every digital advancement. Three decades ago, it was customary to

Speed joins convergence as a critical factor for championing 5G-powered business.

As we’ve seen from the past year, digital progress is moving at lightning speed, requiring companies to act fast and at scale. To meet transformation goals with velocity, executives are growing their partner ecosystem. While reskilling talent and building internal systems are important, external support expedites the process and simplifies innovation complexities like 5G. Previous generations saw businesses tackle wireless networks on their own, but the intricacies of

A team from Boingo surveys Grand Central Terminal.

5G calls for expert service providers who can uniformly manage all wireless technologies. “Neutral host” has emerged as the preferred business model for facilitating fast digital change across business verticals with a technology-agnostic approach.

It converges diverse networking solutions under one managed platform to connect every person and thing within an organization, working in the background to link together a new era of business.

In New York, Boingo’s neutral host model works behind the scenes to connect business, people and things at major airports, transit stations, stadiums and commercial properties—from JFK and LaGuardia to the Long Island Rail Road’s Atlantic Branch and Grand Central Terminal East Side Access facility.

Our 5G networks help the Port Authority of New York & New Jersey and Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) enable digital transformation to improve business operations and the connected passenger journey.

FINAL THOUGHTS

Adopting 5G and shifting to a digital-first mindset can be daunting, but businesses who tackle it head on will get ahead. Start your

strategy by auditing all of the applications, devices and machines that interact with your business and identifying which of them can be automated.

Then look to 5G experts like Boingo to help implement your digital transformation strategy to ensure business success today and well into the future.

Mike Finley has over three decades of leadership experience in the global telecom industry. He is the CEO of Boingo Wireless.

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PROMOTIONS, ANNOUNCEMENTS & APPOINTMENTS education experience in the areas of diversity, TF Cornerstone, Black Entrepreneur Initiative Valea returns to NYC equity, and inclusion (DEI), student and alumni and Ladies of Hope Ministries. and fundraising and development.

Previously a member of several Queens boards, to join Northwell team affairs, The college created task forces and advisory

join team at Borough Hall

With more than 30 years of clinical research and academic leadership at several major medical institutions, Dr. Fidel A. Valea has been appointed system chief of gynecologic oncology at Northwell Health and director of gynecologic oncology at the Northwell Health Cancer Institute.

Valea joins Northwell from the Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine in Roanoke, Virginia, where he was chair of obstetrics and gynecology for five VALEA years.

Prior to that, Valea held several leadership roles during his 12-year tenure at Duke University School of Medicine, including vice chair of education, residency program director in obstetrics and gynecology, and fellowship director in gynecologic oncology.

As director of gynecologic oncology at the Northwell Health Cancer Institute, Valea will direct the development of the gynecologic oncology program throughout the health system’s central region, working collaboratively with Northwell’s Division of Gynecology Oncology.

“As a nationally recognized physician and educator, we look forward to working closely with Dr. Valea as he helps the Cancer Institute standardize care and build multidisciplinary programs in gynecologic cancer across the health system, said “We are especially pleased to welcome Dr. Valea to Northwell, as he has strong professional ties to the New York City area, which is an asset as he starts his new role,” said Dr. Richard Barakat, director of the Northwell Health Cancer Institute.

Born in Havana, Cuba, Valea was raised in New York City, where he earned a bachelor of science degree in biomedical engineering from Columbia University School of Engineering and Applied Sciences before medical school at the State University of New York at Stony Brook.

DeWese to spearhead diversity efforts at QC Jerima DeWese has been appointed as Queens College’s first chief diversity officer (CDO)/ dean of diversity.

DeWese, who earned an MA in Urban Affairs and Public Management from Queens College in 2011, has more than two decades of higher

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the role of CDO/dean of diversity at the senior leadership level, supplementing the duties of the existing Title IX compliance officer, to enrich its commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.

DEWESE Most recently, DeWese served as the chief diversity and affirmative action officer, Title IX coordinator, and ADA Section 504 compliance officer at SUNY Purchase, where she oversaw the school’s Office of Diversity and Compliance and its Multicultural Center.

While at Purchase, she created implemented and facilitated campus-wide anti-bias training for all college stakeholders, secured and maintained Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI) designation for the college, and chaired the college’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Strategic Plan committee.

In her new role, DeWese will partner with the president and campus constituents in spearheading efforts to establish diversity, equity, and inclusive excellence as core values throughout all aspects of the Queens College community. ”As a New Yorker, a product of the CUNY system and a Queens College alumna, I am truly honored to be given this opportunity to serve as chief diversity officer/dean of diversity of Queens College,” said DeWese. “I am so looking forward to the fulfilling experience to collaborate and partner with the entire Queens College community.”

Young, Mallon headed to Borough Hall Borough President Donovan Richards has appointed two fresh faces to leadership roles within his office.

Ebony Young will assume the duties of deputy borough president, while Michael Mallon will be named chief of staff.

They are replacing outgoing Deputy Borough President Rhonda Binda and outgoing Chief of Staff and Senior Advisor Franck D. Joseph II. “Ebony’s track record in the non-profit and housing sectors and Michael’s work in government exemplify the kind of passion and perspective we need to move Queens forward,” Richards said.

Young, a Woodside resident, has spent over two decades working in the nonprofit sector as an executive leader at the Long Island City YMCA,

committees, Young has worked in areas of youth development, healthy living and social justice reform.

She most recently ran for City Council in District 26 covering the YOUNG westernmost neighborhoods of the borough.

“I believe in the vision of the Borough President Donovan Richards, and I look forward to building a Queens that works for everyone,” Young said.

Mallon most recently served as director of Intergovernmental Affairs for Richards’ office, overseeing events and productions, civic engagement initiatives, and hate crimes and bias response.

He is a founding member of the Riders Alliance, as well as president of the Lesbian and Gay Democratic Club of MALLON Queens.

“Borough President Richards has truly delivered for the World’s Borough over the past year, and I remain committed to working alongside him to build upon that progress,” Mallon said.

(EVAN TRIANTAFILIDIS) 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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December 2021 • Volume 17 • Issue 12

TECH SPOTLIGHT

This week’s featured tech entrepreneur is @ foodtoeat co-founder and CEO Deepti Sharma (@deeptinyc). Together with her team at FoodtoEat, Deepti helps immigrant, women, and minority food vendors secure catering gigs at corporate events throughout the city.

Could you tell us a little bit about FoodtoEat, and how you got your start?

The idea for FoodtoEat started when I was waiting for too long in a food truck line, and I asked myself, why don’t food trucks have technology they can receive orders with?

Fast forward a few years, and we had set up shop as an online ordering platform for food trucks, food carts, and restaurants. Later, we decided to pivot from a consumer model to a B2B model, helping these small businesses by facilitating partnerships with corporations who need event catering.

How have you been working to support your local community during these challenging times?

When COVID hit, our offices shut down and things turned south for a while, and we immediately realized that the most crucial thing we could do at that moment was to help our community. We decided to use our networks to raise money to feed those experiencing food insecurity through a crowdfunding campaign and grant applications.

I’m proud to say that we helped feed over 150,000 New Yorkers in eight months, with all meals coming from local restaurants.

We were able to help both small businesses affected by COVID and communities that were experiencing food insecurity because we took action and thought strategically about the areas where we could fit in where local governments weren’t able to.

Why are you excited about the future of tech in Queens?

I say this all the time: Queens really is the world’s borough. We are the most diverse place on Earth, with literally hundreds of languages spoken here. And the most exciting thing about

all this is that diversity is becoming more and more welcome, and it’s leading to a more collaborative atmosphere for us all.

Everyday, I see leaders on all levels coming together to work with one another. It’s so important that we’re not just staying in our own lanes. This new paradigm shift will only lead to more innovation and new opportunities.

EXPERT ADVICE

THE VALUE OF A EMPLOYEE BENEFITS PROGRAM If you are a small business owner, you may debate whether implementing an employee benefits program is worth the cost. For most small companies, however, there are multiple significant advantages to offering benefits to employees, solidly justifying the cost.

The reality that exists in the business world is that benefits do matter. A solid benefits program allows a business to attract and retain key employees, leading to a more content and productive workforce.

Here are the reasons why every small business should consider implementing an employee benefits program: • Attracting the Best Employees. The reason here is two-fold.

First, companies desiring to hire the best position candidates need an employee benefits program simply because most of their corporate peers offer one. In order to be

competitive, an employee benefit program is imperative since the typical employment applicant values benefits and salary as two of the key motivators when they consider a position.

Secondly, offering a strong benefits package represents that a company cares about its employees, has a strong financial infrastructure and is willing to invest in the well-being of its employees.

• Retention of Valued Employees. For the same reasons that a solid benefits program provides an edge to companies in the hiring process, a good benefits program is needed to keep those valued employees from seeking employment elsewhere.

And less turnover also means the company saves on costs associated with hiring and training new employees. The clients with a company exhibiting high turnover can also be in jeopardy, as they

often become aware of the problem and view it as a corporate weakness.

• Maintain Employee Wellbeing. A healthy workforce is a productive workforce, and productive employees build solid companies.

Employees with a comprehensive benefits package will be encouraged to facilitate the care of minor medical issues by receiving treatment before they mushroom into more serious health problems since they won’t fear high levels of outof-pocket costs when visiting providers.

• Improve Employee Morale.

Employers who treat their employees right are most likely to enjoy a loyal and satisfied workforce.

The mood in the office will be a positive one when employees think the business owner genuinely cares about their health and well-being, boosting morale and enabling workers to feel good about the company. And clients can usually sense this!

• Enhance Employee Produc-

tivity. The result of everything mentioned to this point - attracting the best job candidates, retaining those same employees over time, maintaining their well-being and keeping their morale high - means that a company will be more likely to enjoy a productive workforce.

This in turn is a positive reflection on the company ownership and lead to greater overall success.

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 about My Benefit Advisor, visit our website at qcc.mybenefitadvisor. com or contact Glynis Roberts at (212) 706-9451.

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QUEENS CHAMBER NEWS

FRIEND’S FOREVER: QCC HELPS SAVE TAVERN

BY EVAN TRIANTAFILIDIS Friend’s Tavern will remain in Jackson Heights, where it has served the LGBTQ community in Queens since 1989, serving the community as the oldest gay bar in Queens.

Opened in 1989 by Eddie Valentin, Friend’s rented its location at 78-11 Roosevelt Avenue. With the help of the Queens Chamber of Commerce, elected officials and TD Bank, the bar was able to purchase the building after the owner nearly sold the place to another buyer.

Valentin credits the dedication and determination of his team and staff for creating an atmosphere of love and friendship, as well as a safe space for many of his longtime patrons and employees.

“When we opened up this spot 32 years ago, we never imagined how far it would get and how it would bring a community together,” said Valentin. “We learned that working with the community and helping our customers is much more rewarding than selling drinks and making a couple of dollars.

“We integrated ourselves with the community and our customers,” he added. “We became an asylum or refuge for many people, especially in Jackson Heights.”

Valentin was ill with COVID-19 in the early months of the pandemic when he found out the landlord was trying to sell the building.

Nearing the end of his lease, Valentin reached out to Assemblywoman Catalina Cruz, who then reached out to the Queens Chamber of Commerce. Chamber CEO Tom Grech then connected the Valentin with TD Bank.

Representatives from the Queens Chamber of Commerce, TD Bank and elected officials joined Friend’s Tavern owner Eddie Valentin to celebrate the purchase of the bar’s Jackson Heights building.

“When Eddie called me, the only person I could think of calling was Tom Grech,” said Cruz. “Not a city or government agency, but Tom, because every single time any of our businesses have needed help, it’s been Tom.” Steven Garibell, TD Bank’s vice president for Business Development LGBTQ+, helped the business obtain a commercial mortgage after an attempt to secure a loan with another bank fell through.

“Thank god for the Queens Chamber of Commerce and Catalina Cruz for stepping up and intro-

ducing me to Steven Garibell,” said Valentin. “Just having somebody listen to me when I thought the whole world was closing in on me, it was a beautiful thing.”

Ralph Bumbaca, TD Bank Market president of New York City, said it was crucial to keep a local legacy going in the heart of Queens.

“We sat down with them and really understood what their goal was,” said Bumbaca. “They understood the business and understood the property. It’s all about the individuals. They showed determination, the will and a level of enthusiasm for supporting the community.”

Va l e n t i n , who was born in Puerto Rico, says his business has long served as a safe space for his patrons.

In 1993, Friend’s

“WE LEARNED THAT WORKING WITH THE COMMUNITY AND HELPING OUR CUSTOMERS IS MUCH MORE REWARDING THAN SELLING DRINKS AND MAKING A COUPLE OF DOLLARS.” 8

Tavern helped sponsor the inaugural Queens Pride Parade and has continued to provide a nurturing environment to immigrants who find themselves in America for the first time.

“Their first steps are in Queens, because that’s where the two major airports are,” said Valentin of newcomers to the country. “From there, they start looking for a place of refuge, a place that is going to accept them as they are. Many of them are running from persecution in their home countries.

“They end up coming through our front doors and then it’s our job to help them and guide them,” he continued. “Not just telling them what the drink of the day is, but leading them to a nonprofit organization that can help them. If we know there’s a job opening somewhere, we’re letting them know about it.

They come here and they’re always welcomed with a smile.”

December 2021 • Volume 17 • Issue 12

EXPERT ADVICE

THE REALITY OF PAYING BACK TAXES

BY WAYNE SCULLY If you owe back taxes, you are likely going to end up paying every dime.

Despite what you hear on radio and television commercials from sketchy companies, very few people qualify for the reduced settlement program that the IRS offers.

Just for the sake of comparison, consider IRS data for 2020. Last year, the feds accepted 14,288 reduced settlement applications, but set up over 1.8 million payment plans.

That’s a huge difference.

And that was a pandemic year, during which the IRS shut down collection activity for several months. In 2019, the IRS set up over 2.8 million payment plans, while accepting only 17,890 reduced settlement offers.

If you’re one of the few fortunate souls that qualifies for the reduced settlement, we’ll fight on your behalf to get you the best deal possible.

For everybody else, our job is still to get you the best deal possible, but the goal is slightly different.

Wayne Scully is a certified public accountant. He can be reached at (718) 938-4601.

Here’s a brief summary of the process: 1. An in-depth analysis of your financial situation.

2. Categorizing living expenses “clearly allowable,” “maybe allowable” and “definitely not allowable.”

3. Positioning the “maybe allowable” expenses as allowable with the IRS in order to minimize your monthly payment.

4. Subtracting all the allowable expenses from your income to arrive at the monthly payment proposed to the IRS. There are several other steps and considerations, of course, but for the majority of people this is what the process more or less boils down to.

The difficulty of the entire process is convincing the IRS to accept the “maybe allowable” expenses as “definitely allowable” expenses.

The most important factors in that process are what kind of tax you owe and how much. Business tax debts are a bit more complicated than personal tax debts, and the more you owe, the more complex things get.

For example, if you owe the IRS $10,000 or less in personal income tax, it’s a piece of cake. As long as you can afford a large enough payment to wipe out the tax debt within three years, these payment plans are easy to set up.

That’s why on many of those radio and TV commercials they tell you to call only if you owe $10,000 or more.

At the next tier, for tax debts in the

$10,000 to $25,000 range, things get slightly more complex, but not tremendously so. Past $10,000, that three-year time requirement goes away, and you can do a longer payment plan.

As the amount of the tax debt increases from here, your specific facts and circumstances start to play a bigger role in determining how things play out.

Factors such as whether or not you’ve had tax debt before, whether or not the IRS assigns a field agent to your case, or whether you’ve responded to past IRS notices in a timely manner can start to impact how the IRS treats you and looks at your case.

Now that you know all this, you will still want to talk to a professional any time you owe the IRS money.

FIRST-PERSON ACCOUNT A MWBE NAVIGATING A COVID ECONOMY

BY SHANNON GOINS It has certainly been an interesting year and a half. As a small business, if we hopped on an actual roller coaster it probably would have been easier.

We are in the business of cleaning and cleaning the green way. We are huge advocates of the environment and the eco-friendly measures to protect human health.

This is the heart of soul of our organization and has really allowed us to provide all businesses of all sizes a true solution when combatting COVID came into play.

Don’t get me wrong, this wasn’t simple, but as a small business our priority was the small business.

We educated, guided, and even offered free cleanings to help our fellow small businesses in need.

We ran social media campaigns showcasing our dedication to small business and to keep thriving with eco-advocacy.

Our belief and message were

being seen more than ever because the world was in peril, and this was an adoption truly that should have happened long before.

In the later part of 2020, we become certified as an MWBE in a multi-faceted way. What I mean by that, is we were awarded this certification from the state, city, Port Authority, and NYNJ Minority Supplier Development Council.

Now what? We were a dynamic small business with a fantastic capabilities statement, let the connecting begin! Except there’s a little more to it than that. Nevertheless, we continued navigating with enthusiasm.

Navigating in a way that we are in the last stages of development for an app that will change the way our vertical does business. It is a full-service communications tool to build a better way to service our customers. Incorporating the green way of life throughout.

We will utilize this technology

to augment our value add, help us build an even better quality of service, and enhance our presence as a qualified MWBE in New York City.

The CEO that I have had the privilege to work for in this last CONTINUED ON PAGE 25

Shannon Goins is Head of Strategy for ProCelanings.

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SMALL BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT

EVERYTHING OLD IS NEW AGAIN AT REMIX

BY KERRY MURTHA Tamara Cohen left her job at a tech company four years ago to head up a second-hand furniture store that’s dedicated to finding eco-friendly solutions to traditional junk removal.

“I’ve always been interested in owning a sustainable business that would allow me to implement change and make a difference,” said Cohen.

In 2019, the impassioned environmentalist opened a Remix Market franchise after partnering with The Junkluggers of New York City, a regional arm of a national network of companies that set out to eliminate 100 percent of waste from the country’s landfills by recycling and donating the trash it collects from residential homes and commercial businesses.

With that goal in mind, Cohen donates 90 percent of the wares she receives at her Long Island City storefront to more than 50 nonprofit organizations around the city while pledging 10 percent of her overall sales to Habitat for Humanity.

The franchisee also offers secondhand items to TV and film crews to help the industry transition to sustainable set designs.

She resells the remainder of her inventory - which ranges from sofas to contemporary artwork - to the general public. “We’re diverting items that would otherwise be thrown away, and getting them into the hands of people who really need them,” Cohen said.

The shop stockpiles hundreds of furnishings a day from the nearly 20 trucks that collect unwanted home goods from Junklugger customers. Items are then catalogued and priced at 50 percent of their original market value or less, depending upon their condition and how long they remain on the showroom floor.

“We do extensive online research to identify each item’s brand, custom-made designs like West Elm and Ethan Allen among them,” explained Cohen, “and price

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accordingly.”

Cohen said she caters to young professionals looking to furnish their first apartments, as well as to sustainably minded homeowners in search of high-quality items.

“We don’t do a lot of advertising, but we are super active on social media,” she added. “Our customers peruse what we have online but our same-day turnover requires us to be a brick-and-mortar store.”

Revenue, which Cohen expects to exceed $800,000 for 2021, have doubled year over year since the doors opened three years ago. In March she expanded her floor space when she relocated to her current 5,000-square-foot storefront from an outlet less than half the size in Astoria.

“We’ve been busting at the seams,” Cohen noted, an uptick that stemmed in part from the city’s mass exodus of residents at the onset of the pandemic. “We had a continuous influx of furniture throughout the lockdown. We were closed for a month, but then began selling our pieces curbside until

Members of the Remix Market NYC Team: Mary Townsend, Bob Faggella, Executive Director Tamara Cohen, Ashely Mcdonald, Jessica Sanchez and Craig Miller. we could reopen our doors to the public.”

In the past two years, Remix

has grown from a staff of three to eight employees to keep up with the demand. Cohen said she’s plan-

Remix Market NYC collects a catalogue of sofas, chairs, lamps, rugs, artwork and more that the Long Island City storefront resells to the public and donates to nonprofit organizations.

December 2021 • Volume 17 • Issue 12

SMALL BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT

RARE CUT: A BRAND WITH PURPOSE

BY KERRY MURTHA

Five years ago, Anthony Orisses didn’t know much about pocket squares. Today, the 36-year-old entrepreneur is a key player in the men’s fashion industry, churning out more than 30 different designs of the popular accessory from the makeshift manufacturing business he runs out of his Astoria garage.

“It all started when I was at an awards dinner with my boss,” Orisses said. “He was about to go up to the podium and asked me at the last minute to fold his $100 pocket square. I tried my best, handed it to him and he went up and gave an incredible speech.”

The pocket square didn’t fare as well. “When we looked at pictures after the event, we saw that it sunk down into his pocket. I thought it was crazy to spend that kind of money on something so worthless.”

The mishap started a conversation that prompted Orisses to research alternatives to the flaccid fabric. He came up with a concept that would infuse a copper wire mesh inside the material to make for easy folding and help it keep its shape. His patent on the process is pending.

Orisses later contracted with a New Jersey-based company to assemble the squares and invested in a heat press machine and rolls of printing paper to design and package the accessories in his backyard garage, a space that still houses his

REMIX MARKET ning to expand to larger digs within the next two years and hopes to grow her nonprofit partnerships to include New York City’s schools, theaters and other organizations while continuing to build out a team that is devoted to reducing the environmental footprint.

“I have a dedicated, passionate staff committed to our cause,” she said, “and I look forward to extending the reach of our reuse center.”

sports equipment, a Foosball Table and a dartboard. “It’s still a typical young guy’s space, not very big, but I make it work.”

Last September, after several delays, he launched Rare Cut. “I was originally scheduled to start in March of 2020, but the whole world was suddenly dealing with the onset of a pandemic,” he noted.

“Even when we did launch six months later, it seemed crazy that a guy in sweats was selling pocket squares out of his garage, but it happened.”

In the first 30 days, the company - which carries the registered tongue-in-cheek tagline “It Stays Up” - had more than $50,000 in sales. Orisses credits the start-up’s initial success to the ongoing dialogue he created with potential customers before his launch.

“I elicited feedback all along the way, asking people’s opinions about colors, prints and things like that,” he said. “I think people wanted to be part of something brand new, being built from the ground up.”

Orisses said he personally contacted those who shared in his journey once the company was up and running. The reception far exceeded his funding goal of $10,000 and his sales continue to rise.

Since the turn of the millennium, the pocket square has enjoyed a renaissance of sorts. Once an accessory reserved for formal wear, its role in men’s attire has changed in the last few years.

“Fewer guys are wearing ties today, opting for open collared shirts,” Orisses said, “but they’re gravitating to pocket squares to add a little extra something that makes their wardrobe less casual.”

Rare Cut works with local artists to design their colorful prints, which include creative motifs like “Rockaway Beach,” “Queens Baseball,” and “Mykonos Blue,” a nod to the founder’s Greek heritage.

The company relies heavily on social media and its e-commerce website to sell its wares, an exten-

Anthony Orisses, founder of Rare Cut, sports his popular “Rockaway Beach” inspired pocket square. sive online reach that Orisses has taken advantage of to prop up fellow businesses and raise awareness for special causes.

To that end, the owner began a campaign in the middle of the COVID-19 outbreak to help restaurants, bars and others struggling to keep their doors open. He created a “shop local” pocket square and an accompanying T-shirt that featured an iconic New York City coffee cup with Lady Liberty’s torch rising from the steam.

He invited local business owners to share their stories on his social media site and donated 10 percent of the items’ sales to The Barstool Fund.

The company recently invested in a similar effort to raise breast cancer awareness. Orisses designed

a pink ribboned pocket square and tee and asked survivors to talk to his online audience about their battle with the disease. A portion of the proceeds were pledged to the Avon Foundation.

The Queens businessman is now increasing the company’s exposure by doing pop-up vendor events and connecting with wholesalers to get his pocket squares in brick-andmortar stores.

The next phase of design will focus on custom orders. “We’ve already done monogrammed squares for a wedding party and I’m looking into how to include pictures of pets on our fabric and other forms of customization,” he said. “I don’t want to be just a company with a product, but more of a brand with a purpose.”

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BUSINESS HEROES OF THE YEAR

CHAMBER HONORS COVID BUSINESS HEROES

The Queens Chamber of Commerce held its first Business Heroes of the Year awards ceremony at Terrace on the Park, honoring 11 leaders in business who helped the borough and city weather the COVID-19 pandemic.

Here’s a little background on each honoree:

MELVA MILLER ABNY

Melva Miller is CEO of the Association for a Better New York (ABNY), a nonprofit dedicated to strengthening the city’s neighborhoods and supporting large and small businesses.

A Laurelton native, Miller’s roots in Queens have led her to hold several senior economic development roles during her career, as well as previously serving as the deputy borough president.

She oversaw the creation of the Jamaica NOW Action Plan, and was also lead organizer of the Western Queens Tech Strategic Plan, which promoted equitable growth of the Long Island and Astoria tech ecosystem.

A part of ABNY since 2018, Miller led the organization’s outreach efforts for the 2020 Census. Miller also conceptualized ABNY’s “Black Leadership in New York City: Conversations on Power, Politics, and Racial Justice,” a six-part discussion series regarding systemic racism and economic inequality in New York City.

With a proven track record developing and implementing effective community development strategies in the non-profit sector and in public service, Miller collaborates across diverse constituencies to envision and launch effective programs.

Miller holds a Bachelor’s degree from John Jay College, a Master’s

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degree in social work from Hunter College School of Social Work, and a second Master’s degree in Philosophy from the Graduate Center at the City University of New York (CUNY).

She is also a Ph.D candidate in the Social Welfare program at CUNY’s Graduate Center with the research topic of stakeholder participation in community economic development.

RACHEL KELLNER AIGNER CHOCOLATES

When Rachel Kellner and her husband Mark Libertini purchased Aigner Chocolates on Metropolitan Avenue in Forest Hills seven years ago, their top priority was to maintain the same quality and freshness of the sweets that the business is known for.

From decadent marzipan to Star Wa r s - t h e m e d chocolates for kids, Aigner is the go-to stop for many residents of Queens.

F o r t u n a t e l y, COVID-19 did not stop Kellner and her husband from running their business. If anything, the pandemic provided them with alternative methods to do so, as well as new outlooks on what they could do for the community during a time of isolation and uncertainty.

“During COVID, there wasn’t a lot to look forward to, and there wasn’t a lot of joy that people were experiencing,” said Kellner.

In response, Aigner Chocolates held various events, including Halloween and Christmas experiences for families. Kellner said the proudest moment for her business was the Rainbow Bunny Exchange initiative, where she collected drawings of rainbows with uplifting messages for healthcare workers from neighborhood children in exchange for a chocolate bunny pop.

Three-hundred drawings in total

were collected and given to Elmhurst Hospital to create a mural, and it’s still there today. Aigner Chocolates has also generously donated to local hospitals and organizations including Queens Community House, Queens Center For Progress and Long Island Jewish Forest Hills, all while celebrating the business’ 90th anniversary during the height of COVID-19.

“Part of our mission and our vision is to make the world a better place through sharing the tradition of our chocolates and carrying that on,” said Kellner.

“We felt it was our obligation to spread joy and provide healing, because there’s something really healing about food.”

Kellner said that she and her husband are very excited to be recognized by the Queens Chamber of Commerce for their contributions to the borough, but feel it was their responsibility to do those things — recognition or not.

“It’s an honor to be recognized for everything that we did, but we just feel so good about how we were able to help and heal in our own way, and using chocolate to do that,” she said.

duced 3,000 ventilators. The success of the ventilator project led Boyce Technologies to develop an automated N95 mask assembly line.

Boyce Technologies also designs and manufactures emergency response systems, intercom systems, security alarm systems, radio and wireless networks and customer information display systems.

The company was awarded a contract to make emergency intercoms for New York subway stations, and oversaw the development of the Help Point units and underground radio systems.

A graduate with a Master of Professional Studies from New York University, Boyce previously served as the COO to E.A. Technologies, Inc., where he designed security and communications systems. An Oyster Bay native, Boyce also serves on the executive board of the Long Island City Partnership and the Manufacturing and Industrial Innovation Council.

CHARLES BOYCE BOYCE TECHNOLOGIES

NUPUR ARORA QUEENS CURRY KITCHEN

Seeing his work impact the lives of others is what motivates Charles Boyce, founder and president of Boyce Technologies Inc. With facilities located in the heart of Long Island City, Boyce has been focused on the custom manufacturing and the design of products that have a major impact in the transit security and communications industries since 2008.

Boyce Technologies answered the call to manufacture FDAapproved ventilators at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. They became the only non-medical equipment producing company to mass produce FDA-approved ventilators in just 30 days. Typically, ventilators takes a year to produce.

In the end, the company pro-

Queens Curry Kitchen is the brainchild of Nupur Arora, which was born out of the pandemic.

Being an experienced home cook for several years with a published book and a spice company already under her belt, Queens Curry Kitchen, a food delivery service, began with a simple phone call. A man from Long Island asked Arora if she could cook and deliver food for his elderly parents in Rego Park, who were unable to cook for themselves.

Arora accepted the challenge,

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BUSINESS HEROES OF THE YEAR and would post her latest meals to social media, which resulted in many other people reaching out to her in hopes to score homemade Indian food as well. Because this all happened when COVID19 was at its worst, Arora came across numerous clients who were fighting the virus, and generously donated food to those families.

“It was just a simple gesture, and people kept insisting to pay for it,” said Arora. “I said ‘No, I just want you to eat healthy, fresh food that’s been made the same day.’ And I’m going to give enough so that the whole family can eat it, not just you.”

In addition to helping clients with COVID-19, Arora donated food to people going through other intense medical procedures, including gastric bypass surgery and chemotherapy patients.

She was also able to collaborate with a family member in India who runs “Hunger Heroes,” a project intended to help feed people who were laid off and living in the streets because of COVID-19.

Part of what makes Arora’s cooking process so special is that she takes the time to recite prayers and mantras to bless the food.

“I just like to be in a certain state of mind when I’m blessing the food and making sure that it’s positive and nutritious for everybody,” she said.

Arora added that when cooking for those who do not share the same religion as her, she would research prayers from that religion intended for healing, helping to send wishes of speedy recovery to those who needed it.

Arora said that she’s thankful for the honor the Queens Chamber has bestowed her with, because she is simply following her calling.

“I can be a little candle, I’m not trying to be the moon or the sun, but to spread some light wherever I’m at,” she said. “I’m happy to bring a smile to somebody’s lips with the food.

“But I’m just doing what feels right,” she added, “And I hope that I could continue this legacy and have more people come to know about it, so I can keep doing what I love.”

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MARK BOCCIA ONE STATION PLAZA, AUSTIN’S ALE HOUSE & BOURBON STREET

Like most restaurant owners, Mark Boccia, owner of One Station Plaza, Austin’s Ale House and Bourbon Street, knew that navigating business during the pandemic would be a struggle and a challenge. However, something that comes naturally to him and his family over the last 30 years is getting to know the people of Queens and working alongside the community.

One of Boccia’s greatest achievements and contributions to the community is the nonprofit organization he formed with his son, Food For The Fearless. The idea came to life from a 2:30 a.m. phone call Mark Boccia, Jr., who recently became a physician’s assistant, made to his father.

Because he was still in school at the time and not on the front lines himself, the younger Boccia felt it was his calling to help feed hospital workers who witnessed the worst of COVID-19 unfold in front of their eyes.

“We got together with the people at Bourbon Street and started a GoFundMe, which later on became the full-blown nonprofit,” said Boccia, Sr. The team raised over $130,000, and so far they’ve fed over 11,000 essential workers, including doctors, nurses, police officers, firefighters and teachers. While the worst part of the pandemic has fortunately come to a close, Food For the Fearless is still something the Boccias and their restaurant staff are actively pursuing, and they are ready to help if another catastrophe plagues the borough.

Boccia is extremely honored to have been recognized in the Business Heroes of the Year Awards, and expressed his immense respect for the Queens Chamber of Commerce. “They are always

out there to help the community, the businesses and to keep Queens fluid and on top of our game,” said Boccia. “Thank you to Tom Grech and Brendan Leavy for the way they’ve structured the Queens Chamber and the way they help people. I have nothing but respect, and I’m glad that I’ve gotten to know them.”

PATRICK OROPEZA BOLIVIAN LLAMA PARTY

Even though they are on the younger side, Patrick Oropeza and his brother Alex are already mainstays in New York City’s Latinx food scene. The brothers’ restaurant — Bolivian Llama Party — previously operated locations in Columbus Circle and Fort Greene, serving up modern interpretations of classic Bolivian Dishes Like many eateries throughout the five boroughs, Bolivian Llama Party was hit hard by the pandemic. Patrick Orpeza and his brother were forced to shut down both the Manhattan and Brooklyn locations, but luckily they had an ace in the hole: Queens!

Last year, the brothers converted a commissary kitchen location on 48th Avenue in Queens into the latest Bolivian Llama Party restaurant.

The new location at 44-14 48th Avenue has experienced great success already, serving up food for delivery, takeout, and outdoor dining.

“Over a year ago, BLP decided to throw a Hail Mary and open a new location at the start of the pandemic,” Patrick Orpeza explained. “That could have easily been the worst business decision we could have made, but our community and BLP fans embraced us and gave us the ability to thrive during a time that decimated the restaurant industry.”

The menu, which is curated by Patrick Oropeza, the restaurant’s chef, remains largely the same, featuring fan favorites including

a Bolivian BBQ Brisket Bowl, Quinoa Kale Salad, and Artichoke Mac ‘n Queso. Bolivian Llama Party is perhaps most famous for its Saltenas, small pastry shells with stew-like fillings that are reminiscent of empanadas.

Despite the pandemic-era challenges, Bolivian Llama Party is still dedicated to bringing recognition to the rich culinary history of Bolivia through fun and creative efforts. So far, Queens has been the perfect place to pursue that dream.

“During the past 18 months, BLP’s pandemic strategy was simply to pay forward the overflowing love we received,” Patrick Oropeza added. “Whether through food donations or supporting local charities, BLP continues to spread their brand of Llama Love. To be considered a business hero during a pandemic year is humbling and a testament that giving selflessly truly is a business survival strategy.”

FRANK RUSSO RUSSO’S ON THE BAY

With more than three decades of experience in the hospitality industry, Frank Russo attributes his success to his family-oriented nature and his commitment to community.

Frank began his career at a young age, working alongside his father and uncle at Villa Russo, where the Russo family tradition of hospitality began over 50 years ago in Richmond Hill.

The beliefs of exemplary service and exquisite cuisine were passed down the family tree.

Frank founded Russo’s on the Bay in 1987, and many of its management staff members have been with the company for 20 years or more, many getting their start as teenagers working at the Howard Beach reception venue and catering facility.

Russo’s on the Bay has hosted

December 2021 • Volume 17 • Issue 12

BUSINESS HEROES OF THE YEAR thousands of special occasions spanning from baptisms, communions, birthday parties and weddings. Generation after generation, families and corporations have hosted holiday and award parties in the versatile and infinitelyadaptable space.

Russo has also brought the venue’s hand-crafted artisan selections to fine supermarkets. With little time and knowledge required on the part of amateur chefs, the gourmet side of the company brings its fresh dining directly into the home. Chefs at the Howard Beach venue strive to create new recipes and seasonal menus for those at their two kitchens and in-house bakery.

In 1994, Russo and his brother founded Angels on the Bay, a nonprofit children’s charity raising money to help children affected with pediatric illnesses. The organization has raised millions of dollars that has contributed to the education and research of lifethreatening diseases.

JONNEL DORIS SMALL BUSINESS SERVICES

Jonnel Doris was appointed as the new commissioner of the Department of Small Business Services (SBS) last May, during the height of the pandemic’s first wave in New York City. Yet despite the dire circumstances, Doris — who previously served as the director of the Mayor’s Office of Minority and Women Owned Enterprises (MWBEs) — has continued to advocate for entrepreneurs and business owners since stepping into the role.

“Part of what we’ve been able to do so far is begin to increase our engagement and really get a clear picture of what it means to now think about recovery,” Doris explained in a previous interview.

Doris said it’s “very sobering” to take on this new role during the current crisis, but it makes the

work that much more important, significant, and relevant.

“It is a challenge, but we’re up to the challenge,” he added.

“We’re embracing it, and we will continue to do so.”

In September 2016, Doris was appointed as the city’s first senior advisor and director of the Mayor’s Office of MWBEs. He was tasked with addressing the disparity in city contracts awarded to minority and women-owned businesses.

The de Blasio administration set three goals for the office: award $25 billion to MWBEs by 2025, certify 9,000 MWBEs by 2019, and award 30 percent of the value of all city contracts to MWBEs by 2021. According to Doris, the city has already awarded $14.6 billion to MWBEs through the OneNYC program, putting it ahead of schedule.

“We exceeded all of our targets,” he said. Doris said the experience he gained at his former post will help in his current role, given the correlation between those who have been hit hardest by the virus “in a very disproportionate way” and those who own MWBE firms.

“Our role as SBS is to be the voice, ears and advocates for small businesses,” he added. “We understand the uniqueness that small businesses play in the fabric of our city and how they contribute to the vibrancy of our neighborhoods.”

LARRY ZOGBY RDS SAME DAY DELIVERY

Larry Zogby has always found a way to serve his community while succeeding at business. He began his career managing restaurants in Bay Ridge, before purchasing his current business — RDS Same Day Delivery Service — from his father Mitchell Zogby, Jr. in 1986.

For over 30 years, the younger Zogby has provided delivery services to businesses in a variety of fields, including medicine, fashion, retail, finance, and construction. In that time, RDS has developed a reputation for meeting a variety of transportation needs, ranging from IT servers and large equipment to farm-fresh food and

other perishable goods.

Despite the decades of success, Zogby — a native New Yorker — still credits his hometown for all his successes.

“This award isn’t just about one man,” Zogby said. “This was truly a community effort that I had the pleasure of helping to organize.

My employees and our amazing partners worked tirelessly through the challenges that a worldwide pandemic threw our way to make this happen. I am so grateful to the Queens Chamber for acknowledging our hard work.”

With an on-time delivery rate of 98.7 percent, RDS Same Day Delivery employs the fastest messengers in the five boroughs. The company consistently strives to be transparent and effective, allowing customers to track packages in real time with GPS technology.

These virtues have allowed RDS to serve some of the biggest clients in New York City, including Netflix, NYU Langone Medical Center, City Harvest, and EmblemHealth.

DECLAN MORRISON STACKED SANDWICH SHOP

The borough’s love and appreciation for Stacked Sandwich Shop is evident in its 46,000-plus Instagram followers alone. On social media, you can see several posts of their colorful, mouth-watering sandwiches that appear to be carefully “stacked,”as the name suggests.

O w n e r s Declan and Natasha Morrison come from a restaurant background, having worked all positions, from barbacks to owners, for the majority of their lives. The two opened Austin Public in 2014, which saw

great success until it took a hit in 2020 — like most other restaurants did in some way — when COVID-19 plagued the world.

Upon closing the restaurant and having a lot of time on their hands, the Morrison’s discovered a passion for creating salads and sandwiches, and that is how Stacked was born. Their extensive menu offers breakfast options, including bagels and oats, build-your-ownsalads and sandwiches, as well as Stacked’s signature, handcrafted salads and sandwiches.

When COVID-19 shut down Austin Public, Morrison began feeding frontline workers at Queens hospitals.

“The least I can do is to cook for them a good meal,” Morrison told the Forest Hills Times back in June. “Frontline workers are the people that stepped up to the plate when they were needed the most, and the sacrifices that they are making throughout the pandemic should never be forgotten. They worked days, nights, weeks, and months without thinking about themselves and without seeing their families.”

CEO’S MESSAGE CONTINUED FROM PAGE 3

ourselves on providing resources and opportunities to enable sustainable growth for businesses like yours. When one prospers, we all prosper. It’s that collective energy that makes this community we call home unique.

So, yes Queens, there is a Santa Claus! How do you know?

Because he facilitates a spirit of love, devotion and generosity that motivates you to give your absolute best despite the circumstances.

I continue to say I have the greatest job in the world, and I thank you from the bottom of my heart for an amazing year of continued support.

Here’s wishing each and everyone of you a very safe, wonderful holiday season and a prosperous year ahead.

Queens STRONG!

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BUSINESS HEROES OF THE YEAR

FOUNDATION HELPS SMALL BUSINESSES THRIVE

BY JESSICA MEDITZ Continuing the legacy of his father, Michael Peterson dedicates himself to exploring the ways he can help improve America’s economy.

As chairman and CEO of the Peter G. Peterson Foundation, named after the late founder Peter Peterson, Peterson sets the path for the steps the foundation will take to address the fiscal challenges that are ever-present in the nation’s economy.

One of the most influential ways the Peterson Foundation promotes this message is through supporting smaller innovative projects across the country through grants and partnerships.

“Many states, counties and regions of the country face various fiscal challenges within their budgets,” said Peterson. “We try

to promote fiscal responsibility so that budgets are sustainable and that the next generation is not negatively impacted by decisions we make today.”

As a native New Yorker, Peterson feels passionately about helping small businesses throughout the five boroughs after major setbacks due to the pandemic.

With that sentiment in mind, the Peterson Foundation joined forces with the Partnership for New York City, NYCEDC, Department of Small Business Services and the Chambers of Commerce in all five boroughs to launch the NYC Small Business Resource Network.

Peterson and the Peterson Foundation granted $2.8 million to fund the Small Business Resource Network, which assists entrepreneurs to address challenges related to marketing, tech-

nology, real estate, legal services and more.

To honor Peterson and the foundation’s contributions to SBRN and its ultimate success, the Queens Chamber of Commerce recognized him at its firstever Business Heroes of the Year awards.

“Those who launch, manage and operate our city’s small businesses are the real heroes tonight,” said Peterson at the event. “Small businesses are what make Queens a thriving and flourishing part of this wonderful city. They’re what create the vibrancy and lifeblood of this borough, and are essential to the fabric of this community.”

Peterson emphasized the impact of small businesses on the entire city, citing the presence of over 230,000 of that provide jobs to 3 million people.

The Small Business Resource Network launched in September 2020, and has since helped 23,000 businesses. Peterson proudly shared that 80 percent of the businesses who worked with SBRN are minority, immigrant or women-owned.

The grant provided by the Peterson Foundation allowed for the five chambers to collectively hire 22 small business specialists who worked on the ground to ensure the businesses received the services they needed.

“The network is a true collaborative effort,” said Peterson.

“When COVID hit, we knew we needed to help. And knowing what we know about small businesses, we thought helping the chamber help other small businesses was the best thing we could do to support this great city.”

The evenings honorees pose for a group photo with Queens Chamber of Commerce President & CEO Tom Greach (second from left) and elected officials. At center is Peter G. Peterson Foundation chairman & CEO Michael Peterson.

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December 2021 • Volume 17 • Issue 12

BUSINESS HEROES OF THE YEAR

QCC HONORS BUSINESS HEROES OF THE YEAR RECOGNIZE THOSE WHO STEPPED UP DURING HEIGHT OF COVID-19

BY JESSICA MEDITZ The Queens Chamber of Commerce and other business figures of the borough gathered at Terrace on the Park to celebrate the first-ever Business Heroes of the Year Awards in front of a crowd of about 400 people.

President and CEO Tom Grech took the time to introduce and honor the awardees, who come from various backgrounds in the hospitality and technology industries and philanthropy.

District Attorney Melinda Katz expressed her gratitude for small businesses and all they’ve done for the borough during the height of COVID-19.

“At the end of the day, whether

we were dealing with a worldwide pandemic, whether we were dealing with an overdue conversation on policing in the United States, whatever we were working on and dealing with, we had to count on our businesses to continue to thrive and survive,” said Katz.

She presented the first award of the evening to Melva Miller of ABNY, who was also Katz’s former deputy borough president when she served as borough president.

Honoree Charles Boyce of Boyce Technologies was commended by Grech for saving lives throughout New York State by mass producing ventilators during the height of the pandemic.

While not everyone can be a

frontline healthcare worker them- orees Jonnel Doris of NYC Small selves, many people view food and Business Services, Larry Zogby of hospitality as a way of symboli- RDS Same Day Delivery Service cally healing. and Michael Peterson of the Peter This is especially true for honor- G. Peterson Foundation fit the bill. ees Rachel Kellner “It was a wonof Aigner Chocoderful evening lates, Nupur Arora and it’s a great of Queens Curry honor to be given WHATEVER WE WERE Kitchen, Mark this award by the WORKING ON AND Boccia of Bourbon DEALING WITH, WE HAD Queens ChamStreet, Patrick Orober,” said Michael TO COUNT ON OUR peza of Bolivian Peterson.

BUSINESSES TO Llama Party, Frank “We’ve worked CONTINUE TO THRIVE Russo of Russo’s very hard with AND SURVIVE on the Bay and them along with Declan Morrison the other chamDISTRICT ATTORNEY of Stacked Sandbers of commerce MELINDA KATZ wich Shop, who all across the city donated their skills to help out small to feed frontline workers and other businesses,” he continued. “So to suffering from COVID. be here tonight in person to meet As for services and organizations some of the other small business who dedicate their time to help leaders in this community and to smaller businesses succeed, hon- be a part of this is a great honor.”

“

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TECHNOLOGY

LIFEWARE FOCUSES ON INTEGRATIVE MEDICINE

It’s no surprise that our healthcare system is complex, expensive and unwieldly to navigate. In 2020, healthcare costs were 18 percent of our $21 trillion GDP, with one third of that $3.8 trillion being spent on chronic conditions known to be mostly preventable.

Moreover, many experts predict costs for our current approach to healthcare to rise unsustainably without producing widespread improvements in population wellness.

Integrative Medicine (IM) is a precise, predictive and personalized approach to identifying and mitigating health risks. This wellness pathway focuses on “Health Span,” or how well your life serves you within a given “Life Span.”

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We are bringing IM closer to everyone’s lifestyle with smartly designed medical services pavilions that combine vitality and longevity concepts with whole body health goals, epigenetic risk mitigation and hormetic training practices in a health studio environment.

Our planned secure network of Vigevity Pavilions can complement existing medical practices, be integrated into health clubs or aging communities, and become an efficient vehicle for helping new medical practitioners establish their own neighborhood IM footprint and receive assistive financing in the process.

LifeWare is the innovation-forwellness brainchild of Ascher Shmulewitz, Debra Hubers, Benjamin Soffer, and Robert Colombo, a

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globally respected team of research, medical, genomics, bioinformatics, intellectual property and bioengineering folks that have repeatedly pushed forward the leading-edge of medicine, life sciences, wellness, healthy-aging, bioengineering and scientific innovation for decades.

Shmulewitz is a renowned and respected cardiologist, electrical engineer, bioengineer, educator, serial medical innovator and chief executive who has conceived, launched and developed over a dozen successful healthcare, diabetes prevention, diagnostic, nutrition, interventional, pharmaceutical, monitoring and medical device companies in the US, Israel and Europe.

Hubers is sought-after expert in outcome-based medicine, epigenetics and women’s health who

founded and operates businesses devoted to genomic testing and assessment, customized bioidentical nutraceuticals and menopause revitalization chemistry that includes a compounding pharmacy providing personalized risk-reduction prescriptives to its clients.

Soffer is an economist, lawyer, academic and entrepreneur who has built, developed and marketed organizations focused on stimulating healthcare and allied medical practices innovation and providing medical technology transfer pathways from academia to various commercial businesses, hospitals

and institutions in the US, Europe and Israel.

Colombo is a systems engineer, bioengineer, educator and innovator who has founded successful companies to research and develop devices, models, sensors, algorithms, analytics, wearable technology, secure networks and systems for aging in place, trauma care, orthopedics, brain health, artificial organs, prosthetics, hemodialysis and transplant surgery.

LifeWare has assembled a novel financing group that includes a publicly traded investment vehicle (infinitymedical.co.il) that de-risks and maintains convertible liquidity for interested investors. For more information, contact Robert Colombo at (908) 625-0388) or rsc@teknowsisinc.com.

EXPERT ADVICE

IS ASSET-BASED LENDING FOR YOU? During stressful economic times, as recent events have demonstrated, businesses have sought out asset-based lending to fuel their recovery as opposed to more traditional corporate loans. There is good reason; cash flow limitations due to reduced demand, supply chain issues, and global events have made standard borrowing structures unattainable for many organizations.

Asset-based loans are secured by corporate working assets such as accounts receivable, inventory, and other fixed assets. These assets are analyzed and evaluated via field examinations and appraisals to establish appropriate advance rates on these assets, which provide a level of reduced risk for lenders.

The timeline involved to obtain an asset-based facility is similar to that of a traditional loan. However, when problematic issues or events arise, the turnaround time is generally quicker and easier for clients.

The pandemic has made asset-based loans more popular than ever, as companies look for new ways to generate working capital and drive growth in an uncertain future.

Here are a few of the advantages to asset-based loans to consider: • Improved Liquidity: The most important benefit that your company gets from using assetbased financing is improved liquidity. When used correctly, the facility can provide you with financial stability and predictable CONTINUED ON PAGE 23

Valley Bank can provide your company with the financial services and advice you need to ensure that your business recovers today and thrives tomorrow, and decide whether asset-based lending is right for your business. To learn more, contact Joseph M. Triscoli at (212) 253-4918 or JTriscoli@ valley.com.

December 2021 • Volume 17 • Issue 12

QUEENS CHAMBER MEMBER NEWS

RWNYC CELEBRATING TEN YEARS IN QUEENS

BY NICHOLAS LOUD Resorts World New York City (RWNYC) is turning 10.

RWNYC recently hosted elected officials and community leaders from across New York for a leadership breakfast to celebrate the anniversary.

“Resorts World New York City is honored to work with a cohort of such inspiring elected officials and community leaders who are dedicated to promoting social and economic good in Queens and New York State,” aid Michelle Stoddart, RWNYC vice president of Community Development.

Elected officials joined Robert DeSalvio, president of Genting Americas East, at the upscale RW Prime to celebrate RWNYC’s accomplishments over the last decade, including generating more than $3 billion in revenue to support New York’s public schools and creating thousands of good-paying union jobs.

They also commemorated ten years of community partnership and initiatives like the Good Neighbor Network, designed to inspire, empower, and advocate for social and economic good in Queens and New York State.

In addition to the casino reaching the ten-year mark, RWNYC cel-

ebrate another milestone this year when it opened the 400-room Hyatt Regency JFK next to the casino in August.

Last month, the new addition was honored at the Queens Chamber of Commerce’s Building Awards ceremony in the category of New Construction/Hotels & Motels.

Construction crew managed to keep the project on track despite dealing with a global pandemic.

The Resorts World team had to contend with the idea of delaying hotel construction partially or completely during the pandemic, but resolved to forge ahead and fulfill their commitment to serving the people of Queens.

“It was the culmination of years of hard work and a dedication that no matter what challenges we faced, we were going to open this worldclass hotel,” Choi said. “More than anything, I was proud to share that moment with my colleagues whose tireless efforts led to this moment.”

Over the past ten years, RWNYC has worked alongside a number of local organizations, including the Boys and Girls club of Metro Queens and the Greater Jamaica Development Corporation.

Most recently, they launched the “Good Neighbor Network,” a community partnership designed to inspire, empower, and advocate

Pictured from left to right are Deputy Queens Borough President Rhonda Binda, Michelle Stoddart, Councilman Daneek Miller; Robert DeSalvio, Assemblywoman Stacey Pheffer Amato, Community Board 10 chairperson Betty Braton, State Senator Joseph Addabbo, Jr., Councilman Eric Ulrich and Frank Galluscio.

Pictured from left to right are Assemblywoman Alicia Hyndman, Assemblywoman Stacey Pheffer Amato, Robert DeSalvio, Assemblyman Gary Pretlow and Assemblywoman Vivian Cook. for social and economic good in Queens focused on a broad range of issues, including workforce development, arts and culture, and health and wellness.

The Resorts World team believes that their commitment to completing the hotel project on time is not only a testament to their own resilience, but to the resiliency of Queens as a whole.

“There truly is no place in the

world quite like Queens and we are so fortunate to call this our home,” Choi said. “As we know, Queens was hit very hard by the pandemic and we wanted to do our part in helping to rebuild our community.

We want to show the world that Queens is open for business and at Resorts World they have New York’s only stay, play, dine, shop and be-entertained destination,” he added.

Pictured from left to right are Robert DeSalvio, Michelle Stoddart, Assemblywoman Stacey Pheffer Amato, and State Senator Joseph Addabbo, Jr.

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THIS IS QUEENSBOROUGH

queenschamber.org

TECHNOLOGY

WITH MASKS, ONE SIZE DOES NOT FIT ALL LIC-BASED MARRS MAKERS FOCUSES ON MASKS FIT FOR CHILDREN

BY JULIE MOLINE Young children are finally getting vaccinated, yet the pandemic threat prevails and, with that, face masks are still required in most school districts around the country.

Although mask wearing has been practiced for nearly two years, there’s been scant attention on ensuring children’s masks fit well enough to be comfortable, functional and practical.

Marrs Makers, a Long Island City-based fashion and leather goods brand, is determined to address that problem.

“Masks marketed for children— even if labeled ‘child’—don’t

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reflect the vast difference in size between a kindergartener and a pre-teen,” said Amy Sheets, founder of Marrs Makers. “Mask manufacturers realize this, but there are no specific standards for determining sizes and materials for children, who have breathing capacity that’s different than adults and who might have special needs.

“Just because a face mask or N95 respirator is smaller doesn’t mean it’s suitable to be worn throughout the school day,” she added. “So kids, particularly those 12 years and younger, are often left with masks that are too hot, too tight, too loose or simply uncomfortable

and ineffective.”

Together with Pedro Chavez, head of Queens-based Tratado LLC, a hardware and software technology company serving the apparel industry, Marrs Makers launched an initiative called Masks Fit for Kids in spring 2021.

With the assistance of the Queens Chamber of Commerce and a grant from the PPE Assistance Fund administered by ITAC, the New York City center for the New York Manufacturing Extension Partnership, the company designed and implemented a pilot study at an elementary/middle school in Jackson Heights.

Over three days, and in close coordination with the principal and school staff, it conducted facial measurements of over 100 students ranging in age from Pre-K through 8th grade.

“Queens has been an ideal test

site for this measurement project because of its demographic and ethnic diversity, including groups hit hard by the pandemic,” Chavez said. “We’re grateful for the Chamber of Commerce’s ability to introduce us to the right resources that allowed us to get traction from the start, and then—once the pilot was concluded—to be able to meet with leaders in government and manufacturing to determine what can be done collaboratively.”

Those metrics were used to produce washable cotton masks, smaller versions of Marrs Makers masks produced early in the pandemic for the US military and first responders. Local seamstresses laid off during the pandemic did the sewing.

“Design and production were a hyper-local Queens effort, and this pilot program confirmed what we now see as a critical need,” Sheets

December 2021 • Volume 17 • Issue 12 said. ment and manufacturing industry The project’s next goals involve to establish mask design guideexpanding this research through a lines, Marrs Makers will offer broader anthropometric measure- training, both virtual and in-person, ment survey of city school chil- to teach students and faculty proper dren. mask selection.

After collecting the Training programs data, Marrs Makers will also be availwill analyze results able for local garment and suggest protocols manufacturers, identito guide manufacfying ways to incorturers of masks and porate different sizes other types of PPE for to match demand. youth, an effort that “Besides creating will improve design, new business opportuproduction and pronities for local fabricacurement of safetytors, it would create a related products for more resilient supply children. chain,” Chavez said.

Sheets and Chavez Julie Moline is a free- “That’s vital not just continue to work with for the current panlance writer who’s the Queens Cham- written extensively on demic, but to be preber of Commerce to the garment industry. pared for future health maximize public and emergencies.” private resources, with the goal “Mask measures in schools being to sustain local research and should eventually disappear,” added improve services to New York Sheets. “Still, parents now see the City’s schools, businesses, work- benefit of using face coverings to force, and health and social ser- keep their kids safe—from COVID vices responding to the COVID-19 variants, bad colds or the flu—and emergency. we know that a properly fitting After working with the govern- mask is an essential way to do that.”

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

Luxury Apartments in Jamaica, Queens 166-07 Hillside Avenue Jamaica, NY 11432 718.291.3331 • application@zararealty.com

THIS IS QUEENSBOROUGH

queenschamber.org

NONPROFIT NEWS

CRYSTAL GIFTS $1.1 MILLION TO QC MONEY WILL PROMOTE ASIAN ART, PROVIDE STUDENT SCHOLARSHIPS

BY JESSICA MEDITZ International art students at Queens College are one step closer to achieving their dreams with the help of Crystal Window & Door Systems.

Thomas Chen, founder and chairman of the company, and his family donated $1.1 million to the college’s new School of the Arts to support Asian contemporary art.

A reception was held at Queens College last month to celebrate his generosity.

The endowment will fund three key initiatives: exhibitions of Asian art at museums and galleries located on campus, scholarships for students who are passionate about representing Asian contemporary art, and a visiting artist program so established artists can share their success with students and display their work.

“The Chen family has so graciously decided to give back to this community where they started on their path to such great success,” said college president Frank Wu. “It will benefit students here paying homage to the Chen family’s roots in Asia.”

Chen emigrated to the U.S. from Taiwan in 1982 with little money and speaking no English. After much hard work and dedication, Chen founded Crystal Window & Door Systems, and received various awards and honors including Business Person of the Year by the Queens Chamber of Commerce and one of New York’s 100 Most Powerful Minority Business Leaders by Crain’s New York Business.

“The Chen family and Crystal Windows have done so much for our working families throughout the borough and the city,” said Congresswoman Grace Meng. “They have really provided and supported so many new resources, expanded existing opportunities and opened up windows of opportunities.”

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A touching moment during the event was when Simmi So, a native of Hong Kong and a studio art and psychology double major at Queens College, spoke about being a beneficiary of the Chen family’s endowment.

So shared her personal hardships about being an international student, from worrying about her American peers not being able to understand her to her financial struggles amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

But for So, her art was the one outlet that made everything else make sense, where she was truly able to express herself.

“English is my second language, I always find it difficult to use English to express myself,” she said.

“However, art helped me break out of my shell. Through art, I was able to communicate with my classmates and start making new friends. There is no language barrier in art, and I think that’s the beauty of it.”

Steve Chen, son of Thomas Chen and president of Crystal Window

Tiffany Eason of the Borough President’s Office, presents a proclamation to Thomas Chen as Queens College President Frank Wu looks on. & Door Systems, thanked all the speakers for their acknowledgements and proclamations and gave the crowd some insight as to why the donation is important to him.

“When my family came to America, we came to Queens,” he said.

“So it makes perfect sense to support an institution like Queens College that has proven over the years to be a valuable source of education for so many immigrants and

first generation Americans.

“This is our biggest endowment and foundation to date,” the younger Chen added. “Appreciation of art transcends languages and borders that separate us. Therefore, it’s very special to us and our family to provide the first major gift toward establishing a new School of Arts benefitting future generations and their educational artistic endeavors.”

Thomas Chen presents a check to QC President Frank Wu surrounded by elected officials and his family.

December 2021 • Volume 17 • Issue 12

ASSET-BASED LENDING CONTINUED FROM PAGE 18

cash flow. This benefit can help stabilize operations for companies that are growing rapidly, have tight cash flows, or have seasonal revenues.

• Efficient Cash Management: Asset-based loans apply collections directly to the outstanding loan balance, thereby reducing borrowings costs.

• Flexible Terms: Asset based loans generally call for fewer financial covenants and lower financial covenant hurdles than traditional cash flow structured loans. In addition, with assetbased loans, there are few restrictions on how you can spend funds as long as it is for a business purpose, while traditional loans tend to specify and limit the application of loan proceeds.

Furthermore, as your company’s sales and profits grow, your assets will grow, thus making it easier for an asset-based lender to increase

the amount of your line.

• Easier to Qualify: Given the evaluation of the collateral and the structure established to lend, assetbased loans have a reduced risk.

Therefore, banks are less focused on the traditional balance sheet evaluation.

The pandemic and its effect on the global economy hurt businesses of all sizes and industries.

These businesses would benefit from asset-based lending. Being able to utilize a loan during these times is what sets asset-based lending apart from traditional lending facilities.

One final thought: your assetbased relationship manager, because of the additional due diligence around your company’s assets, books and records, has a deeper understanding of your business and its intricacies. It is not uncommon for your relationship manager to uncover issues before the issues cause serious problems for your business.

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Managing Payments properly will secure this reality faster than anything else. PaySwipe, Inc services thousands of NY Metro businesses since 2004.

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Visit our website at queenschamber.org for additional member benefits.

December 2021 • Volume 17 • Issue 12

QUEENSBOROUGH CALENDAR OF EVENTS DECEMBER 12/1, 3 to 7 PM

COMMONPOINT QUEENS JOB FAIR

Whether you are looking to land that new job or switch careers we have options for you. Attend the Commonpoint Queens Job fair and have the chance to interface with 60 companies who are currently hiring. There will be something for everyone as all job sectors will be represented.

Register at queenschamber.org Commonpoint Queens 67-09 108th Street Forest Hills

let your voice be heard to affect change within your organization in 2022 and beyond.

VIRTUAL Register at queenschamber.org 12/10, 9:30 AM

MANAGING DIFFICULT PEOPLE IN THE WORKPLACE

This program offers practical strategies for managers and supervisors and workers who need to work with employees who are exhibiting difficult or disruptive behavior.

VIRTUAL Register at queenschamber.org

12/1, 6 PM

12/10, 1 PM

2021 who went above and beyond for their community to ensure that the needs of others were met.

Register at queenschamber.org Terrace on the Park 52-11 111th Street Flushing

The Queens Chamber of Commerce Internship Connection (QCIC) has partnered with Wendt Partners, a B2B business growth consulting firm, to showcase the work they’re doing in Queens and opportunities within their company.

VIRTUAL Register at queenschamber.org

12/6, 10 AM

12/14, 2 PM

BUSINESS HEROES OF THE YEAR

QCIC STUDENT SERIES: WENDT Join us as we celebrate the heroes of 2020 & PARTNERS

THE LARGEST COMMUTER RAILROAD IN THE NATION: LONG ISLAND RAILROAD

THE Transportation Committee is pleased to present Phil Eng, President of MTA LIRR. During this presentation Mr. Eng will discuss the future of moving people on the LIRR and their culmination of a historic $6 billion capital program.

Register at queenschamber.org The Auditorium at Bulova Corporate Center 75-20 Astoria Boulevard Jackson Heights 12/7, 2 PM

SMALL BUSINESS COMMERCIAL LEASE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM

If your business needs help with a commercial lease issue in New York City, you may be eligible for free legal services through the Commercial Lease Assistance Program​to help with signing a new commercial lease, amending, renewing, or terminating an existing commercial lease, addressing a commercial lease-related issue.

VIRTUAL Register at queenschamber.org 12/9, NOON

EXPECTATIONS FOR THE NEW ADMINISTRATION FROM LOCAL NONPROFITS

With a new administration comes tremendous opportunity for nonprofits and numerous other industries. Here’s your opportunity to

SMALL BUSINESS TAXES

Whether you are self-employed or own a small business, there will be something helpful for everyone at this event. Come with your tax questions and you will leave with answers.

VIRTUAL Register at queenschamber.org

JANUARY 1/19, 10 AM

COFFEE, DOUGHNUTS, AND 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.

Register at queenschamber.org Queens Chamber of Commerce 75-20 Astoria Boulevard, Suite 140 Jackson Heights

EN ESPANOL 12/15 & 12/16, 4 PM

CREA UN PLAN DE NEGOCIO CON UNA APLICACION GRATUITA

Sea parte de nuestro taller interactivo de 2 sesiones para crear su plan de negocios con un aplicación gratuita. En el taller aprenderás qué aplicación móvil puedes utilizar para crear tu plan de negocio, cómo descargarlo y utilizarla.

VIRTUAL Register at queenschamber.org

12/20, 11 AM

PROGRAMA DE SUBSIDIOS DE NYS PARA LA RECUPERACION DE PEQUENAS EMPRESAS

El Programa de subsidios de NYS para la recuperación de pequeñas empresas por la pandemia de COVID-19 (el “Programa”) se creó para ayudar, mediante subsidios independientes con fines de lucro que actualmente son viables y que han tenido dificultades económicas por la pandemia de COVID-19. Conozca los detalles de como aplicar y los beneficios del progama.

VIRTUAL Register at queenschamber.org The Queens Chamber of Commerce offers seminars and presentations in many other languages, including Chinese, Bengali and Russian. Visit queenschamber.org for more information.

PROCLEANINGS CONTINUED FROM PAGE 9

year is growing his company with a strategic mind and a steadfast drive. He believes very passionately that to provide the level of service in which we commit, it needs advantage and innovation utilizing technology.

I have also experienced, as a white woman, the lack of real opportunity and real contracts that our MWBE has been so fortunate to receive.

I read an article recently published by the Daily News that the city is letting down its minority and women-owned businesses, this was according to a report from Mr. Stringer’s office. Only 3.8 percent of city contracts were awarded to these businesses as of June 30. Mr. Stringer’s office additionally gave the city a grade of “C” on sending business to MWBE’s.

It was even worse for Black-owned businesses. Only 6.8 million in city contracts were awarded, which decreased around 2.8 million from the previous year. This earned the city an “F.” The situation has improved with Asians, Hispanics and women.

This silver lining? With the new administration coming in there will be a huge opportunity to address the systemic inequities still being experienced by people of color. We are counting on this to change the temperature and enhance the number of contracts awarded to qualified MWBE’s.

As we all are trying to rebuild this beautiful city through everything that COVID has caused, let’s hope we are rebuilding the right way and empowering every single business regardless of race.

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this is...

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.

December 2021 • Volume 17 • Issue 12

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 provides 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-onone advice on business management and marketing to over 10,000 businesses.

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.

BUSINESS OUTREACH CENTER NETWORK (BOC, INC.)

FOREST HILLS CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

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,

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

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THIS IS QUEENSBOROUGH

queenschamber.org

QUEENS CHAMBER PARTNERS & AFFILIATES 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.

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

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 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.

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.

MASPETH CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

JAMAICA CENTER BID

120 members and a budget of $115,000.

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 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.

JFK INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

P.O. Box 300687, Jamaica, NY 11430 Executive Director: Clorinda Antonucci President: Al DePhillips Vice President: Joseph Morra JFKCoCExec@gmail.com jf kairportchamberofcommerce.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

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P.O. Box 780265, Maspeth, NY 11378 President: David Daraio 718.335.1300 maspethchamberofcommerce.org QUICK GLANCE: Founded in 1953, they have

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-

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.

MIDDLE VILLAGE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

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

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

December 2021 • Volume 17 • Issue 12

NEW MEMBERS CORPORATE

Combs & Company

234 Fifth Avenue, Suite 501 New York, NY 10001 combsandco.com The innovative insurance brokerage that takes the confusion out of insurance, and dare we say, makes it fun. Our dedicated team of producers and client managers provide clients with in-depth risk assessments so that we can help implement a strategy to protect you, your family, your employees, and your business.

Mesrow Financial

140 East 45th Street, 30th Floor New York, NY 10017 mesirow.com In 1937, Norman Mesirow founded an independent financial services firm owned by employees and invested in the interconnected success of clients, communities and workplace culture. Today, we carry that vision forward.

Red Eye Group LLC

159-24 Hillside Avenue Jamaica, NY 11432 redeyegroupllc.com Red Eye Aviation is a dynamic business that is locally operated in NYC by a Minority-owned Business Enterprise that is financed by its owners and private investors. We provide staffing,

resources, and services for Airlines and Airports nationwide.

REIL Capital

307 West 36th Street New York, NY 11797 reilcap.com As a family owned and operated company, we know how much your small business means to you. That’s why we’re committed to providing a cost-effective, fast, and simple process to finance your business and assist the growth of your company.

W & M Fire Protection Services

630 Broadway Avenue Holbrook, NY 11741 wmfireprotection.com A leading fire protection company based in the New York metropolitan area, W&M Fire Protection provided fire suppression engineering, design and installation for commercial, residential, industrial and institutional construction projects, using the most innovative sprinkler CAD technologies

INTRODUCTORY Coran Ober P.C. 25-02 Francis Lewis Blvd Flushing, NY 11358 coranober.com

Inside Track PR 38-12 11th Street Long Island City, NY 11101 insidetrackpr.com Little Flower Children& Family Services of NY 2450 North Wading River Road Wading River, NY 11792 littleflowerny.org Opulence Glamour Skin Clinic 7506 Metropolitan Avenue Middle Village, NY 11379 opulenceglamour.com Papp Realty 4402 30th Avenue Astoria, NY 11103 pappreality.com The Martin de Porres School 621 Elmont Road Elmont, NY 11003 mdp.org Urban Upbound 1211 40th Avenue Long Island City, NY 11101 urbanupbound.org

QUEENS CHAMBER PARTNERS & AFFILIATES ROCKAWAY EAST MERCHANTS ASSOCIATION (REMA4US)

1032 Beach 20th Street Far Rockaway, NY 11691 rema4us.org QUICK GLANCE: 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 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.

STEINWAY ASTORIA PARTNERSHIP BID

25-69 38th Street, Suite 1C, Astoria 11103 Executive Director: Marie Torniali 718.728.7820

info@steinwaystreet.nyc steinwaystreet.org QUICK GLANCE: Founded in 1991, the BID

has over 300 members. The Steinway Street Business Improvement District encompasses all 300 business located on Steinway Street from 28th Avenue to 35th Avenue. National chain stores such as Victoria’s Secrets, The Gap, Benetton, and Express are side by side with local family-owned shops.

SUNNYSIDE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

PO Box 4399, Sunnyside, NY 11104 President: Vanessa Ceballos 718.729.4688 sunnyside-chamber.org QUICK GLANCE: With an annual budget of

$55,000, the chamber is an organization built around assisting and helping local business and professionals by providing resources to increase business, safety and historical preservation throughout the neighborhood.

SUNNYSIDE SHINES

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.

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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 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 Ads Engineers, DPC Aeroterm Amna Construction Corp Antun’s of Queens Village 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 Berkshire HathawayHomeservices Laffey International Realty BJ’s Wholesale Club Blumenfeld Development Group, Ltd. Capital One Bank

Carben Construction Inc. Carter Milchman and Frank CBRE CDS-Mestel Construction Center for Automotive Education and Training Cerini and Associates, LLP. Champion Elevator Corp.

Ciampa Organization Cine Magic LIC Studios, LLC Cipico Construction, Inc. CitizensRx CLEAR Secure, Inc. Combs & Company Complete Supply Cord Meyer Development LLC Cornell Tech Cort CPower Energy Management Crann Integrated Solutions Crescent Properties, Inc Cross County Savings Bank

Crown Castle Crystal Window & Door Systems, Ltd Dedline AV Direct Clean Service Solutions East Coast Energy Group Eastern American Technologies EDGE AUTO INC Emigrant Mortgage Company Enterprise Fleet Management EOS Electrical Corp EW Howell Construction Group First Central Savings Bank FLUID MECHANIC’S CORP Forest Hills Financial Group, Inc. Gatsons Electric, Inc. Gil-Bar Industries, Inc. GOLDEN AGE HOME CARE INC goPuff Graf & Lewent Architects Greater NY Automobiles Dealers Association

COMMITTEE LEADERSHIP ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT Leonard Jacobs Jamaica Center for Arts & Learning leonard@jcal.org Adrienne Whaley Queens Underground Black & Brown Film Festivals queensunderground718@gmail.com

BANKING & LAW

Paul Harrison Chase paul.harrison@chase.com Jackie Harounian Wisselman, Harounian & Associates jackie@lawjaw.com

COMMUNICATIONS Jake Oliver Anat Gerstein jake@anatgerstein.com Henry Ramos Deadline AV henry@deadlineav.com

HEALTHCARE & WELLNESS

Bert Lurch E Central Medical Management bertl@ecmmgt.com Prabhleen S. Virk Citrin Cooperman pvirk@citrincooperman.com

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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

FOOD, BEVERAGE & 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

NOT FOR PROFIT

Larry Grubler Transitional Services of NY lgrubler@tsiny.org Maria Odysseus Investors Bank modysseus@myinvestorsbank.com Wendy Phaff Gennaro Queens Center for Progress wphaff@queenscp.com

REAL ESTATE

Martin Cottingham Avison Young martin.cottingham@avisonyoung.com Kevin Louie RIPCO klouie@ripcony.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

HANAC, Inc. HE2PD, Inc. Healthy Corner Pharmacy Heatherwood Communities Himmel + Meringoff Properties HNY Ferry, LLC Hydro Quebec IKEA Queens INDA, Association of Nonwoven Fabric Industry INF Associates, LLC Innovo Property Group Instacart J Strategies, Inc J.W. Hampton Jr. & Co., Inc. James E Fitzgerald Jason Office Products JGM Construction Development Kasirer Consulting Kaufman Astoria Studios, Inc. Knights Collision Experts Inc. Krispy Kreme Laffey Real Estate Levine Builders Littler Mendelson, P.C. Lyons Mortgage Services, Inc. M & T Bank Madison International Realty Madison Realty Capital McBride Consulting & Business Mega Contracting Group LLC Mesirow Financial 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 Northwell Health Nuvo Solutions Onegroup Owareco, LLC Patrick B. Jenkins & Associates PGA Mechanical Contractors, Inc. Popular Bank Priority 1 Security LLC ProCleanings Co QSIDE Federal Credit Union Queens College

R.A.M.S. Mechanical Inc. Red Eye Group LLC REDI Group, LLC Reef Technology REIL Capital Related Retail Corporation Ripco Investment Sales RXR Realty Safety Facility Services Samaritan Daytop Village Securitech Group, Inc. Signature Bank SL Green Realty Corp.

Solo Energy & Electrical, Inc. Solve Together LLC Spectrum Reach Squad Security Inc. St. Francis Preparatory School St. John’s University Standard Group Starbucks Corporation Sterling Risk Structural Engineering Technologies, P.C. Sullivan Engineering LLC SUNation Solar Systems Target TGI Office Automation The Center for Musculoskeletal Disorders The First National Bank of Long Island TLC Virtual Resiliency Total Fire Protection Transmission Developers, Inc. TSC Traning 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 Vassilaros & Sons Coffee Vista LIC Hotel, Best Western Premier Collection W & M Fire Protection Services W. SCULLY, CPA, P.C. Waste Management of New York LLC Watch Guard 24/7 White Coffee Corp Wisselman, Harounian & Associates, P.C. York College - CUNY

December 2021 • Volume 17 • Issue 12 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.

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Happy Holidays from

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