This Is Queensborugh - January 2020 by BQE Media - Queens Ledger Brooklyn Star Newspaper Group

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January 2020 . Volume 16 . Issue 1

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January 2020 • Volume 16 • Issue 1

A Message From the CHAIR

THIS YEAR, RESOLVE TO GET INVOLVED With the holiday season behind edge, as well gain a great deal us and a new year ahead, it’s that of information that could signifitime of the year when cantly impact business individuals traditiongrowth. ally make resolutions. Throughout the year, Some commit to Queens Chamber hosts beginning a healthier numerous networking lifestyle. Others might events, including busiresolve to spendness card exchanges ing time with family and breakfast speed and friends. One of networking. They’re the best resolutions designed for you to for the coming year meet other members as a business owner TOM SANTUCCI and fellow business would be increasing CHAIRPERSON owners in Queens to your engagement with increase your profesQueens Chamber. sional network. There is no shortage of opportuThere are 11 industry commitnities that exist for you to expand tees, ranging from Energy to Entreyour business network and lend preneurship and Innovation, where your industry expertise and knowl- you can contribute to programming

geared toward educating our mem- Queens Chamber. bers, as well as build relations that If by chance you’re currently takwill translate into ing advantage of new business. various opportuAND SO BEGINS Attending any I shared, AN EXCITING NEW nities one of our grantit’s my desire YEAR WITH AN funded programs you’ve seen the ABUNDANCE OF with topics across value of memOPPORTUNITIES AS all spectrums of bership. business afford Regardless of A BUSINESS OWNER you the most FOR YOU TO FORGE your involveup-to-date informent, we greatly A NEW PATH AND mation affecting appreciate all INCREASE YOUR your business. you do and look ENGAGEMENT WITH forward to what And so begins QUEENS CHAMBER. 2020 has in store an exciting new year with an Wishing you abundance of a very profitable opportunity as a business owner and prosperous new year. Thank for you to forge a new path and you for supporting Queens Chamincrease your engagement with ber.

A Message From the PRESIDENT & CEO 2020 FULL OF OPPORTUNITIES FOR CHAMBER MEMBERS Please feel free to contact us at behalf and look forward to anothUshering in a new year means cussion Breakfast with the canit’s time to turn the page with didates for Borough President, queenschamber.org should you er monumental year of providing an event you won’t have questions regarding mem- great service to our members and anticipation for all want to miss! ber benefits, engagement oppor- future members. the next 12 months Throughout 2019, tunities or simply ways to get Thank you for your continued has in store. we leveraged our involved. Our staff is always support of Queens Chamber. All Queens Chamber resources to show ready to assist. the best for a very profitable and is in the process you the value I’m honored to work on your prosperous 2020. of planning strateof your gic programming Q u e e n s around relevant Chamber topics that will posmemberitively impact your ship. This business. We’re also creating net- Thomas J. Grech year will be no differworking opportu- PRESIDENT & CEO ent. Please nities designed to make every broaden your busieffort to take advantage ness network. There are a few things to of the engagement opporanticipate this month. Mark your tunities we make availcalendar and join us at PaNash able. Whether it’s an educaEuroSoul on Thursday, January 23, for an evening of networking tional panel discussion, seminar or networking to kick off the new year. In the latter part of the month, event, each have been “Achieve Financial Indepen- created for your benefit. dence” on January 27 at Queens Regardless of the size of Library in Jackson Heights. A your business - small with program entitled “Small Business fewer than ten employees Taxes” in early preparation for or a major corporation the 2020 tax season is scheduled Queens Chamber is comThe Queens Chamber of Commerce said farewell to 2019 with its annual mitted to your sustainable for the last week of this month. holiday party for staff, members and their guests. More photos on page 11. February 4 is our Business Dis- growth.

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QUEENS QUICKLY CAUSE TO CHEER CAMPAIGN LAUNCH The St. John’s Athletic Department and Ridgewood Savings Bank launched the Cause to Cheer campaign, a community initiative to raise funds for worthy causes. As part of the partnership, local organizations have the opportunity to support their fundraising efforts by earning a percentage for tickets sold within their community to select St. John’s men’s basketball games this season. Participating groups will also receive a special gift courtesy of Ridgewood Savings Bank when cheering on the Red Storm this season at Madison Square Garden and Carnesecca Arena. “We strive to support our communities and Cause to Cheer is a fun way to help local organizations,” said Matt Schettino, Ridgewood Savings Bank’s vice president of Marketing. Groups participating in the program will receive a custom ticket link and promo code for select men’s basketball games that can be shared with members of their organization and community. For more information, visit RedStormSports. com/Ridgewood or contact Courtney Perzan at (718) 990-6874 or perzanc@stjohns.edu.

real-time, is now available on Google Nest Hubs placed at the Welcome Center in the Arrivals Hall, as well as at the post-security information booth/help desk located in the retail lounge. Interpreter mode provides information agents at T4 with simpler, faster and more effective translation capabilities to help customers locate luggage, navigate the terminal, and find concessions and ground transportation. “T4 is widely regarded as the international gateway to New York City, with more than 21 million passengers traveling through the terminal each year, the majority of whom are international travelers,” said Roel Huinink, president

and CEO of JFKIAT. “We are delighted to make their experience more seamless and efficient as they travel through the terminal.” The introduction of the Google Assistant’s interpreter mode is JFKIAT’s latest move to bring innovative technology into the terminal to enhance the customer experience. Last year, JFKIAT introduced biometric boarding at several international gates throughout the terminal. T4 was also the first terminal in New York to offer Aira Access, providing passengers who are blind or have low vision with instant access to enhanced visual information and real-time service to navigate the terminal. In 2018, the terminal also welcomed CLEAR, which allows travelers to verify their identity and get to their flights with the tap of a finger or blink of an eye.

T4 ADDS GOOGLE TRANSLATION JFKIAT, the operator of Terminal 4 at John F. Kennedy International Airport, is the first airport terminal in the world to bring the Google Assistant’s interpreter mode real-time translation technology to customers traveling through T4. The Assistant’s interpreter mode, which can translate conversations across 29 languages in

The Queens Chamber of Commerce partnered with Councilman Paul Vallone, the We Love Whitestone Civic Association and Whitestone Village Merchants Association to host the annual Whitestone Holiday Tree Lighting. The event featured Christmas carols, live music, local dance groups and a visit from Santa Claus.

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

Three Pop-Up Chamber Opportunities in January .............................................21

Melinda Katz Sworn In as New District Attorney ...................................7

Partners & Affiliates News and Happenings ........................................................25

Port Authority Opens Outreach Office for LGA Project .......................8

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

Chamber, OATH Host City Summons Workshop ..................................10 Five Honored at Business Person of the Year Awards ...........................12 COVER STORY: James Hendon Discusses New Role .........................14 Vietnam Veterans Memorial Opens in Queens .......................................16 4

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MANAGING EDITOR Shane Miller

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January 2020 • Volume 16 • Issue 1

NEW LIFE SCIENCES LAB COMING TO LI CITY King Street Properties and GFP Real Estate recently broke ground on Innolabs, a new stateof-the-art life sciences facility at 45-18 Court Square in Long Island City. The new 267,000-square-foot property will provide lab and office spaces for New York’s bright and talented scientists. “The Court Square location made an immediate impression on us,” said Thomas Ragno, founder of King Street Properties. “With access to seven subway lines, a variety of amenities, and a dynamic live-work setting, Innolabs is ideally positioned to be at the center of the growing life science market in New York City.” The Innolabs facility will feature state-ofthe-art lab and office spaces, a dynamic layout that will allow tenants to work productively and efficiently in collaborative environments in a centralized location in Long Island City to mitigate long commutes. In addition to modern lab space, Innolabs will offer tenants a wide selection of amenities, including bike storage, a grab-and-go cafe, showers, and professional spaces to host industry events. “It is exciting to see the life sciences flourish

and develop throughout New York City with the development of state-of-the-art lab facilities,” said Eric Clement, managing director of Strategic Investments for the Economic Development

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PROMOTIONS, ANNOUNCEMENTS & APPOINTMENTS where he has been a member since positions with ground handling, operations, Marcus joins board of Committee, equipment leasing and airline operators at JFK. 2015. “I am excited to be a part of this entreprebegan his career in 1979 at Ernst Commonpoint Queens & Langowski neurial company,” said Falacara. “This is an Young, and retired from Commonpoint Queens announced that Jacquelyn “Jackie” Marcus will be joining its Board of Directors. “Jackie is a Commonpoint Queens parent,” said CEO Danielle Ellman. “As our newest board member, she embodies the spirit of community, commitment, and energy that is the mission of Commonpoint Queens.” Marcus is currently vice president of Supply Chain for NYU Langone Health. She is responsible for the endto-end supply chain for the health system and the school of medicine. She joined the organization in spring 2019. MARCUS Previously, Marcus held the same post for New Avon LLC, a private company that was majority-owned by Cerberus Capital. During her tenure, she substantially changed the organization by driving cost savings and efficiency. She consolidated the distribution footprint and led the sale of beauty manufacturing. Earlier in her career, Marcus worked for Phillip Morris managing third-party vendors in support of marketing. She began her career with Hewlett Packard, where she held multiple roles within manufacturing and distribution. Marcus holds a Master of Business Administration from D’Amore-McKim School of Business at Northeastern University and a Bachelor in Business Administration from the University of Massachusetts Amherst. She currently resides in Jackson Heights with her husband and son. Commonpoint Queens is a social services organization serving 52 sites in Queens, including the Sam Field Center and Central Queens, where many of our programs are based.

Langowski to head NE Region at NASBA The National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA) announced that Stephen F. Langowski, an accountant based in Forest Hills, will join its Board of Directors. Langowski will serve as northeast regional director. In addition to his new role as regional director, Langowski will serve as a member of the Relations with Member Boards Committee and as chair of NASBA’s Compliance Assurance

KPMG’s Asset Management practice after 25 years of delivering audit and advisory services in the public sector and financial services industry. In 1981, he joined the New York State Society of CPAs and has since served as its president, vice presiLANGOWSKI dent and member of the Executive and Finance committees. A David Rockefeller Fellow and member of the Governing Council of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the Citizens Budget Commission, Langowski currently serves as vice chair of the New York State Board of Public Accountancy.

Falacara named COO with ARK at JFK The ARK at JFK announced that Michael Falacara will be joining its senior management team as chief operating officer. Falacara will be responsible for day-to-day operations and interactions with air carriers, cargo agents, ground handlers and regulatory bodies to reinforce The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey/ JFK Airport’s status as one of the U.S.’ premier airports for traveling animals. “With over 30 years of air cargo and ground handling experience at JFK, we believe that Mike brings invaluable knowledge of air cargo FALACARA and port operations to The ARK’s team of seasoned real estate, financial, marketing and animal handling professionals,” said John Cuticelli, Jr., CEO and founder of The ARK at JFK. Prior to The ARK at JFK, Falacara was chief operating officer for dnata us, responsible for managing over 3,000 employees, overseeing 7 discrete business lines that produced over $100 million in revenue. In this role, he coordinated ground handling for approximately 200 daily international flights from over 45 different airlines at 17 U.S. airports. Before dnata, Mike held various senior level

opportunity to bring a niche business line to forefront of the aviation community here at JFK and beyond.” Falacara is a native of Long Island and presently lives with his wife and children in Massapequa.

Randell promoted in Assembly office Daniel Randell, former Legislative and Community Affairs Coordinator for Assemblyman Stacey Pheffer Amato, will now hold the position of Deputy Chief of Staff within her office. Randell joined Pheffer Amato’s team in January of 2017 as a community liaison and has gained extensive experience in the Assembly legislative process, as well as handling cases large and small with constituents, civic associations and government agencies. A Queens native, Randell began his legislative career as an intern in the State Assembly in 2014 while attending SUNY Albany. After graduating from SUNY Albany with a bachelor’s degree in Political Science, Randell went on to work as a real estate coordinator with MTA Capital Construction. Randell studied at Baruch College, graduating with his Masters of Public Administration in 2017 while working part-time in Pheffer Amato’s office. Queens Chamber of Commerce 75-20 Astoria Boulevard, Suite 140 Jackson Heights, N.Y. 11370-1131 Entire Contents Copyright 2019 by Queensborough. All letters sent to the QUEENSBOROUGH should be brief and are subject to condensation. Writers should include a full address and home and office telephone numbers, where available, as well as affiliation, indicating special interest. Anonymous letters are not printed. Name withheld on request. No such ad or any part thereof may be reproduced without prior permission of the QUEENSBOROUGH. The publishers will not be responsible for any error in advertising beyond the cost of the space occupied by the error. Errors must be reported to the QUEENSBOROUGH within five days of publication. Ad position cannot be guaranteed unless paid prior to publication. 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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January 2020 • Volume 16 • Issue 1

PROMOTIONS, ANNOUNCEMENTS & APPOINTMENTS

KATZ SWORN IN AS QUEENS DISTRICT ATTORNEY BY BENJAMIN FANG For the first time in the history of Queens, a woman is serving as the top prosecutor in the borough. On January 6, hundreds of elected officials, community leaders and civic groups attended the swearing in of Melinda Katz as the new Queens district attorney. The ceremony took place inside Carnesecca Arena at St. John’s University, where Katz attended law school before a long career in politics that includes stints in the Assembly, City Council, and most recently, as Queens borough president. After being sworn in by Chief Judge Janet DiFiore, Katz said in her speech that every office she’s held, and all of her education and training, led her to this spot. “I’m convinced I’m here at the right time, at the right place, to be the steady hand of this great team to bring justice to this borough,” she said. “It is clear looking back that this position is the logical outcome of the path I have followed my entire life.” Katz defeated public defender Tiffany Caban, former judge Greg Lasak and nearly half a dozen other candidates in the Democratic primary for district attorney last summer. After a manual recount, the former borough president emerged with a 55-vote advantage over Caban. It was enough for her to claim victory. Katz easily beat the Republican candidate, Joe Murray, in the general election in the fall. During the campaign, Katz pledged many reforms to the office, which was led for three decades by Richard Brown until he stepped down just before his death last year. In her inauguration speech, Katz said there has been a “growing awareness” of the injustices and inequities of the criminal justice system. “We are in a position to stand up, speak out and make real change,” she said. Before she took office on January 1, Katz already announced several

new policies. The new Queens district attorney will no longer follow the “180.80 waiver policy,” which demands that defendants waive their right to a timely grand jury if they want to initiate a plea bargain negotiation. The office will also adopt a new policy of engaging in plea bargain discussions after indictment, a reversal from the previous administration. “These are policies that aided and forced defendants to accept plea bargains,” Katz said. “But they did not, in my opinion, further the cause of justice.” Another addition is the creation of the borough’s first conviction integrity unit, which will be led by Bryce Benjet, a former senior staff attorney with the Innocence Project. Katz said her office will continue to focus on issues like gun violence, immigration and hate crimes. As for bail reform, Katz called the “old system” of keeping people in jail for not having money “preposterous.” She pledged during the campaign to end the use of cash bail. But she was criticized when her office requested cash bail in a case on January 1, according to reports. Outside her inauguration at Carnesecca Arena, a small group of protesters demanded change. In her speech, Katz addressed those criticisms, calling it an “ongoing process.” “My office is committed to ending cash bail in all forms, period, but it must be done right,” she said. “We need to make sure it’s done in a way that’s sustainable. We will figure it out.” The new district attorney said they have more time to assess the “inner workings of the office,” they will take another look at other policy and structural changes after 100 days. “I know we will meet and surpass those challenges,” Katz said. Dozens of elected officials attended the ceremony, including Lieutenant Governor Kathy Hochul, Attorney General Letitia James and Mayor Bill de Blasio.

Melinda Katz is the first new district attorney in Queens in 30 years and the first woman to ever hold the post.

Hochul spoke about the need to drive down hate crimes, which are up 20 percent from one year ago. “This is when history has called upon Melinda Katz to step forward and protect innocent citizens,” she said. “That is the challenge of 2020.” James, meanwhile, said she’s looking forward to Katz’s “openminded approach” to serving justice. “Melinda takes office at a pivotal moment of criminal justice reforms,” she said. “I’m confident she is the right person at the right time to steer the ship of justice here in Queens in a new and better direction.” The mayor, who served with Katz in the City Council a decade ago, praised her for her work ethic and professionalism. De Blasio also said she believes in justice and fairness. “She is not wedded to the ways of the past,” he said. “By her very being, she is someone who wants to see us do better, wants us to improve and innovate all the time.” Michael Simons, dean of the St. John’s University School of Law, noted that Katz graduated from the school in 1990 and was admitted to the bar in 1991, right around the

time Brown took office. He said 30 years ago, there was no “progressive prosecutor,” but Queens now has a person at the helm who embraces that vision. “This ceremony marks not just a changing of the guards, but a changing of how the office of district attorney is conceived,” Simons said. At the inauguration, Katz also announced her leadership team, which includes Jennifer Naiburg as chief assistant district attorney, Camille Chin-Kee Fatt as chief of staff, and Colleen Babb as executive assistant district attorney for community partnerships. Johnnette Traill will head up the Appeals and Special Litigation Division, Daniel Saunders will lead the Major Crimes Division, Pishoy Yacoub spearheads the Supreme Court Trial Division, and Angela Albertus will be in charge of the Criminal Practice and Policy Division. John Castellano will return to the office as counsel to the Queens DA. “I was elected because of the trust I will bring, a steady hand in these times of uncertainty,” Katz said while closing out the ceremony. “I look forward to that challenge.”

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BUSINESS NEWS

PORT AUTHORITY OPENS LGA OUTREACH OFFICE

BY BENJAMIN FANG

To ensure the local community has access to information and opportunities, the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey officially opened its LaGuardia Redevelopment Community Office in December. Located at 98-12 Astoria Boulevard in East Elmhurst, the approximately 1,100-square-foot site will be a central place where residents and businesses can learn about jobs, business opportunities and training. “We really do recognize that in order to make progress and do these major projects, we really do need to respect and ensure that benefits are accruing to the neighborhoods around the area,” said Port Authority executive director Rick Cotton. The $8 billion LaGuardia Airport redevelopment project already had a mobile office that hosted more than 100 events in 2019 alone. But the community office is the next step in building the airport “in consultation and

Port Authority Rick Cotton (center) was joined by then-Borough President Melinda Katz and Assembly Jeff Aubrey to cut the ribbon the new office, which will be staffed by LaGuardia Community College students.

discussion” with the community, Cotton said. The Port Authority leader also

announced last week that they will have a second round of fouryear scholarships for local stu-

dents to attend Vaughn College of

support a new airport within their city.” According to Vero, New York City began a partnership with the federal Works Progress Administration (WPA) to begin construction on the new airport in 1937. On October 15, 1939, the $23 million airport was dedicated as “New York Municipal Airport.” It formally opened for business on December 2 of that year. “The first flight to arrive at the airport was a TWA DC-3,” Vero said. Before the airport even opened, the country’s five largest airlines at the time committed to using it. Vero said the airport also had a training and logistics function during World War II. For a few years, transatlantic flights operated from LaGuardia, eventually shifting to Idlewild Airport, which is now John F. Kennedy International Airport.

In the decades since, the airport has undergone several renovations, including the replacement and expansion of the central terminal building. Terminal D was added in the 1980s, followed by Terminal C in the 1990s. “We will never lose sight of where we began, right here in this historic landmark terminal,” Vero said, standing inside the Marine Air Terminal, “the gateway to the world’s first transatlantic flights.” In 2015, Governor Andrew Cuomo, standing alongside former vice president Joe Biden, announced a multi-billion plan to rebuild LaGuardia Airport. Vero said with a 25 percent increase in passenger growth over the last 10 years, bringing the airport to over 30 million annual air passengers, it was necessary to redevelop their old and outdated facilities. LaGuardia Airport opened an

18-gate concourse on the western half of the new Terminal B last December, as well as a seven-gate eastern concourse in October. By next year, Terminal B’s new arrivals and departures hall is set to open as well. Vero said this redevelopment will take the 80-year-old airport into the 21st century. The interim general manager noted that it’s critical to take time to recognize milestones that the airport team has worked so hard to reach. “Give staff an opportunity to just take a minute and really appreciate and enjoy the wins,” Vero said. “They work hard each and every day here. “An 80th birthday for an airport doesn’t come around every day,” he added, “so I thought it was worthwhile to take a brief pause and enjoy the time.”

CONTINUED ON NEXT PAGE

LAGUARDIA CELEBRATES 80 YEARS IN THE SKIES

BY BENJAMIN FANG Executives and staff from the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey marked the 80th birthday of LaGuardia Airport last month with a celebration and retelling of its history. The genesis of the airport began with an outburst from its namesake, former New York City mayor Fiorello La Guardia, in 1934. La Guardia’s TWA flight arrived in Newark Airport, which was at the time the only commercial airport serving the New York City region. The mayor refused to deplane, noting that his ticket said “New York.” He then ordered the plane to be flown to Floyd Bennett Field in Brooklyn. “He did an impromptu press conference,” said Tony Vero, the interim general manager at LaGuardia Airport. “He urged New Yorkers to

CONTINUED ON PAGE 10

January 2020 • Volume 16 • Issue 1

BUSINESS NEWS ALLEVIATING CONGESTION ONE TRUCKLOAD AT A TIME BY SHANE MILLER Trucks making deliveries in Downtown Flushing will now have more options to avoid double-parking on the neighborhood’s already congested streets. The Department of Transportation (DOT) recently created five new loading zones, doubling the number of loading zones in the area. DOT worked with local business owners, Councilman Peter Koo’s office and Community Board 7 to identify the best locations for the loading zones. The issue, say local business leaders, is that they are being underutilized. “The loading zones decrease double-parking, increase bus travel times and improve the quality of life,” said Koo. “The problem is that they are not being used. It’s our hope that delivery companies just don’t know about them.” So last month, Koo joined DOT

officials and business owners to highlight the loading zones and encourage their use. Dian Yu, executive director of the Downtown Flushing Transit Hub Business Improvement District, noted that when delivery trucks are ticketed for doubleparking, the company often passes that cost on to the small business owner receiving the delivery. “Additional loading and unloading zones are extremely crucial to the success of our local businesses,” he said. There are more than 200 supermarkets and restaurants in Downtown Flushing requiring near-daily deliveries. The popular New World Mall food court alone receives upwards of 100 deliveries per day. “It’s important to alleviate traffic,” said CB7 district manager Marilyn McAndrews. “But we also need to help our small businesses by getting the trucks in and out of here as quickly as possible.”

FIVE NEW LOADING ZONES • Main Street, west side, between 37th and 38th avenues - All Days • Part of Roosevelt Avenue, north side, between Main and Prince streets - 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., All days • 40th Road, north side, between Main and Prince streets - 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., Except Sunday • Part of 41st Avenue, north side, between Main Street and College Point Boulevard - 7:30 a.m. to 7 p.m., Except Sunday • Part of 41st Avenue, south side, between Main Street and College Point Boulevard - 8 a.m. to noon, Except Sunday

FIVE EXISTING LOADING ZONES • 39th Avenue, south side, between Main Street and 138th Street • Roosevelt Avenue, north side, near the corner of Union Street • Part of 40th Road, south side, near the corner at Main Street • Part of 41st Road, north side, near the corner at Main Street • Part of Barclay Avenue, north side, between Kissena Boulevard and Union Street

Business and civic leaders point to a sign indicating one of five new loading zones in Downtown Flushing.

PA OPENS LGA OFFICE CONTINUED FROM PAGE 8

Aeronautics and Technology. Six students were awarded the scholarship last year, which includes not only a full ride, but also paid internships at the Port Authority and an opportunity to work in the field of aviation operations upon graduation. Sharon DeVivo, president of Vaughn College, said in her 23 years at the educational institution, she has seen the ecosystem around aviation grow. “There has never been a better time to be in aviation,” she said. “The job growth is projected for the next 20 years is really going to be incredible.” DeVivo said Vaughn has been recognized as among the best in the nation in lifting students from the bottom 40 percent in income to the top 40 percent. “What a great pathway aviation really provides to change families’ lives,” she said. According to Cotton, the LaGuardia Airport redevelopment has so far awarded $1.4 billion to minority and women-owned business enterprises (MWBEs). More

than $450 million in contracts have gone to Queens-based businesses. In the last round of hiring at new concessions in the new Terminal B concourse, more than 50 percent of new jobs created to Queens residents as well. “We are committed to delivering and being measured, criticized or credited, but measured by what actually in the real world gets delivered to the community,” Cotton said. Even the new East Elmhurst community office was built by mainly MWBEs and Queensbased firms, he said. It will be staffed by paid interns from LaGuardia Community College. “It’s a symbol of what we’re all about,” Cotton added. Assemblyman Jeff Aubry heaped praise on the Port Authority for its engagement of the community around the airport during the reconstruction project. “You can tick down the lost of things the Port Authority said they would do, and they have accomplished,” he said. “That’s why I continue to support them and encourage them to continue this.”

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Queens chamber NEWS & EVENTS

CHAMBER, OATH HOST CITY SUMMONS FAIR BY BENJAMIN FANG Residents and small business owners got a lesson in dealing with summonses issued by city agencies. Last month, the Queens Chamber of Commerce teamed up with the city’s Office of Administrative Trials and Hearings (OATH) for a resource fair inside the Hollis Library. Representatives from the Department of Buildings, Fire Department, Department of Sanitation, Department of Health and other agencies were on hand to answer questions from attendees. Abdullah Zahid, manager of the Hollis Library and a homeowner in Queens Village, said he found the resource fair helpful. He was issued a sanitation summons recently for mixing up his papers with his recyclables. But on his summons, he noticed that he was only given two weeks to pay the fine, even though a possible hearing date would be after the payment deadline. “So I was confused, how would I go to the hearing without paying?” Zahid said. “Once I paid, that means I admitted and there’s no point of going to the hearing.” The library manager said he paid the fine anyway, but sought clarity from OATH at the fair. “It’s a good way to discuss, OATH gave me very helpful information,” he said. “It’s a lesson for the future.” During the fair, OATH deputy commissioner for Public Affairs Marisa Senigo explained that everyone has the opportunity to fight their charges. “We are the independent court where you would go to fight charges,” she said. “We are where you go to tell your side of the story.” Senigo noted that city summonses have a dismissal rate of about 48 percent. Some agencies have a lower dismissal rate. The FDNY, for example, dismisses only 8 to 10 percent of its summonses.

“That’s because they take fire safety very seriously, they make it a point to do very good inspections,” Senigo said. “They also send representatives to every single hearing to represent the agency’s side.” The Department of Sanitation, meanwhile, has a dismissal rate

closer to 70 percent. They do not send representatives to OATH hearings, making those summonses easier to contest. Senigo noted that if agencies don’t appear at a hearing, a resident or business owner can contest the summons online, over the phone,

by mail or webcam. They can submit testimony by phone and send evidence by email. “What you’re basically doing at a hearing is you’re trying to be more credible than the summons,” Senigo said. “The hearing officer is making a credibility finding.”

LAGUARDIA AIRPORT TURNS 80 CONTINUED FROM PAGE 8

Vero said what resonates most for him from LaGuardia Airport’s history is that planning for an airport has to “remain flexible.” “The aviation industry is changing so rapidly,” he said, “but as we plan for the future, we have to build flexibility into our plans to get the most out of what we’re doing. “The growth of the airport is phenomenal,” Vero added. “It’s only going up from there.” State Senator Jessica Ramos, who also spoke at the celebration, said LaGuardia Airport is a “deeply inherent part” of the social fabric in Queens. Not only does it operate across the street from homeowners, but it also employs many Queens residents. “We’ve been soaring for 80 years,” Ramos said.

Pictured from left to right are State Senator Jessica Ramos, LaGuardia Interim General Manager Tony Vero, Deputy General Manager Christina Callahan, and Port Authority Director of Aviation Huntley Lawrence.

January 2020 â&#x20AC;˘ Volume 16 â&#x20AC;˘ Issue 1

chamber NEWS & EVENTS

CHAMBER HOSTS ANNUAL HOLIDAY PARTY The Queens Chamber of Commerce celebrated the end of 2019 and the decade with a holiday party with members of the business community. Attendees enjoyed food, music and even a special performance. It also served as a networking opportunity for chamber members and non-members alike. The event wrapped up a fruitful year of business events, educational workshops and networking gatherings.

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BUSINESS PERSON OF THE YEAR AWARDS

FIVE HONORED AT ANNUAL EVENT BY BENJAMIN FANG At the end of every year, the Queens Chamber of Commerce honors local business leaders who have contributed to a prosperous and thriving borough. On December 4 at Terrace on the Park, the chamber recognized five honorees: Rick Cotton, executive director of the Port Authority; Tyquana Henderson-Rivers, president and CEO of Connective Strategies Associates; Alexandra Vassilaros, president of Vassilaros & Sons Coffee; and Chris Xu, president of United Construction and Development Group. Dimitrios “Jimmy” Kaloidis, the philanthropist, entrepreneur and co-owner of Terrace on the Park, was honored posthumously. “These individuals are not only extraordinary business people, they believe in doing well by doing good, and giving back,” said Tom Grech, president and CEO of the Queens Chamber. “They may come from different industries and different walks of life, but they all represent the very best of Queens and contribute greatly by creating opportunity throughout the borough.” Cotton, the evening’s Hall of Fame honoree and keynote speaker, said the award is recognition of the teamwork of the Port Authority in rebuilding the borough’s two airports. Altogether, the Port Authority is investing $23 billion in Queens, including $13 billion for John F. Kennedy International Airport, $8 billion to LaGuardia Airport, and $2 billion for the LaGuardia AirTrain. Cotton said they are “moving full steam ahead” to get these projects done, and committed to doing so “in close consultation” with the neighborhoods surrounding the airports. “We are completely committed to ensuring that real, tangible benefits flow to the Queens communities impacted by the airports and by the major construction,”

Pictured from left to right are Maria Odysseos, Tyquana Henderson-Rivers, Alexandra Vassilaros, Chris Xu, Borough President Melinda Katz, and Tom Grech. he said. Delivering an update on the progress at LaGuardia, Cotton said they’ve already completed a new garage and two new concourses for Terminal B. By the middle of next year, they will open the Terminal B arrivals and departures hall, as well as 70 percent of the airport’s new roadways. “That means nearly one-third of every flight at LaGuardia Airport today comes into the new gates,” Cotton said. “That’s real progress.” Six months ago, the Port Authority’s board approved $2 billion to fully fund the AirTrain project, which is now in the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)’s environmental review process. “We are pressing hard to advance this project,” Cotton said. The Queens Chamber is also part of a coalition called “A Better Way to LGA,” which in Novem-

ber called for the revitalization of the Flushing Bay Promenade as part of the AirTrain project. “We are fully committed that we will leave the promenade far better than it has been,” Cotton said. The Port Authority executive concluded his keynote remarks by acknowledging that the construction process for rebuilding the airports has not been “easy on anyone.” “I appreciate the patience and understanding,” he said. “I promise that when it’s done on time and on budget, New York will be proud of them.” Henderson-Rivers, who hails from southeast Queens, said “it’s not everyday” that someone like her is honored as a business leader. “For 30 years, I have been working in this community,” she said. “It has been an honor and a privilege.” Vassilaros noted that her company is proud to be immigrant-

grown, and now, wholly womenowned. “Queens is the best advertisement for why diversity works,” she said. “Different people from different parts of the world can live together and thrive together.” Xu, whose company is building the 67-story Skyline Tower in Long Island City, which is the tallest structure outside of Manhattan, spoke about his roots as an immigrant. After moving to the United States in 1986, Xu started working as a contractor for a construction company for $40 a day. In 1994, he founded United Construction and Development Group, and started by building small single-family and multifamily homes. He got his first construction loan from Maspeth Federal Savings bank. Today, his company has $1.2 billion in projects, 99 percent of which are in Queens. “We always work with the community,” Xu said.

January 2020 • Volume 16 • Issue 1

BUSINESS PERSON OF THE YEAR AWARDS

Pictured clockwise from top left are Tyquana Henderson-Rivers & friends; Larry Sokol & Salvatore Crifasi; Seth Bornstein & Bill Driscoll; Carl J. Mattone & Nash Roe; United Construction and Development Group with Borough President Melinda Katz; and Tom Grech, Rick Cotton & Katz. 13

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COVER STORY

DVS COMMISSIONER REFLECTS ON JOURNEY BY BENJAMIN FANG Only in its third year as a city agency, the Department of Veterans’ Services (DVS) has a new leader at the helm who boasts a background in both military service and entrepreneurship. James Hendon was officially appointed as DVS commissioner by Mayor Bill de Blasio on November 1. He succeeded retired Brigadier General Lorree Sutton, who had served as the agency’s founding commissioner since 2016. Hendon said he’s excited to be in his new role, which has raised his “A game” when it comes to doing right by the 210,000 veterans who call New York City home. “It really pushes you to your next level, to be around good people,” he said. “Everyone is on the same sheet of music trying to do great things for this community.” SERVING IN THE ARMY The Miami native first decided to join the armed forces when he was in high school. Hendon said his mother took him to see Crimson Tide, a 1995 submarine film starring Denzel Washington and Gene Hackman. Washington’s character was depicted attending a service academy in the movie, which put the idea in Hendon’s mind. It appealed to his desire to give back. “I think deep down, I always wanted to serve, always wanted to help people and do right,” he said. “And contribute to other folks being able to succeed and have life, liberty and happiness.” Hendon served in the U.S. Army for seven years as an active duty infantry officer. He was deployed as a mortar platoon leader and a battalion public affairs officer to Iraq in 2005. He later worked as an admissions officer for West Point, where he graduated in 2002, for two year s from 2006 to 2007. He then served as the senior advisor to the Afghan Border Police in Afghanistan until 2009.

FROM DUTY TO BUSINESS After leaving active duty, Hendon went to graduate school at the Harvard Kennedy School and Columbia Business School. He remains in the U.S. Army reserve today. “I like being available if they need me,” he said. After graduating, Hendon worked as an associate in Real Estate Investment Banking Group at Deutsche Bank. But the job “didn’t take,” he said, because he couldn’t see the immediate benefit and impact it had on everyday people. “It was just starting to grate at me,” he said. Around that time, one of Hendon’s friends from school was starting a new company, boosted by funding from the U.S. Department of Energy, to help small businesses and nonprofit organizations do energy retrofits. Hendon became the first hire at the company BlocPower, and worked as the chief operating officer for the next three years. “I loved helping the smaller groups. That is America, these small businesses and nonprofits and houses of worship,” he said. “I feel like that’s where our community is.”

After BlocPower began to “make a pivot,” Hendon took a class on entrepreneurship at New York University and set up his own company. He founded Energy Economic Development Corporation (EEDC), which had a similar function: helping small businesses finance and perform energy retrofits. Those retrofits included actions to improve an organization or company’s heating, cooling, lighting and installation systems to reduce energy consumption and their carbon footprint. LEARNING FROM DIVERSITY While he was BlocPower and later with EEDC, Hendon joined the Queens Chamber of Commerce. He attended meetings of the chamber’s Energy Committee, for which he served as co-chair. Understanding the rich diversity of Queens, Hendon said he learned how both the chamber and other Queens businesses used a demographic approach to outreach that could be applied to his work in city government today. That translates to reaching out to and communicating with all demographics of veterans, from women and LGBTQ veterans to students,

seniors and those still serving. “I take that model and try my best to mimic it here within this organization,” he said. BUSINESS LESSONS Years after taking the entrepreneurship class at NYU, Hendon was also asked to run the Veterans Future Lab, the school’s first incubator for veteran entrepreneurs. He maintained that role until he was appointed DVS commissioner. Today, Hendon serves as a visiting research scientist for the Institute for Invention, Innovation and Entrepreneurship. The unpaid position at NYU is another way for him to “continue to be of value to entrepreneurs in that space.” “I feel like each job kind of prepared me for this one now,” Hendon said. “To go from someone who first worked at a traditional company to then working at a startup then having my own small business.” At the Veterans Future Lab, different entrepreneurs seeking help approached Hendon with all sorts of challenges. “I feel like that constant problem solving is something that I carry with me to this new job,” he added.

January 2020 • Volume 16 • Issue 1

COVER STORY “The same things you look at when you have a startup or a small business, I think that analysis applies here.” One overlap that Hendon has found between government and the business world is “constant intellectual curiosity.” Running a business, at the end of the day, is “just a science experiment,” he said, with hypotheses, tests and changes. “That same thing is what we do here in government,” he said, “and I appreciate that.” But a major difference is the “institutional heft and memory” that serving in the government involves. While it is a powerful strength, Hendon said, it also means not being as able to adjust as quickly on the fly. “You’ve got to be mindful that it’s such a huge ship that it won’t be as agile,” he said. “It can’t change in the same way that things can change in a business. “When it was a business, it was just myself and a few people. You

can pivot on a dime,” he added. “Whereas here, there are so many mechanisms to go through.” The upside of that “institutional heft,” Hendon said, is that the impact is much greater. SETTING GOALS In many ways, Hendon noted, DVS itself is like a startup in city government. In just three years, the agency has already built a “strong suite of programs and offerings” to the veteran community, Hendon said. The next phase of their work is making sure people know about them. “We’ve got such good things cooking here,” he said. “We just had to get it functioning and able to be self-sustaining.” DVS offers VetConnectNYC, a network that connects service members, veterans and their families to service providers through an online platform. In partnership with NYC Service, DVS also runs Service2Service, a program that

provides mentorship to veterans looking to work in the public sector. Another project is Pay for Success, a rapid employment initiative targeted specifically at veterans who come from past combat employments. “We’ve got great services, but we want to make sure now that we’re getting the word out,” Hendon said, “so they can take advantage of what we’ve got.” One of his biggest goals is the outreach piece, and uplifting the entire veteran community in New York City in terms of social and economic outcomes. “If the veteran community is a bell curve,” he said, “we’re looking to shift that entire bell curve to the right.” CLOSING THE GAPS As the only agency of its kind in the nation offering services to veterans on a city level, DVS was formed to better serve New York

City’s more than 210,000 service members, veterans, and their families. The commissioner said there are three ways DVS closes those gaps, such as introducing veterans to providers who can help them and convening stakeholders to create initiatives organically. If there’s a gap that is not filled, he said, DVS can step in and play that role. The agency doesn’t just serve veterans, but also caregivers, survivors and family members. Hendon concluded that the agency is open to any offerings, opportunities and comments that people in the community can provide to improve their services to veterans. Just hiring a veteran, doing business with veteran-owned establishments or spreading the word about DVS helps. “Whatever thoughts or suggestions folks have, things they can offer and bring to the table in support of veterans, let us know,” Hendon said.

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VIETNAM VETS MEMORIAL FINALLY OPENS IN QUEENS BY BENJAMIN FANG What was once a dream in the minds of Vietnam veterans in Queens is finally a reality. Last month, the Vietnam Veterans Memorial at Elmhurst Park officially opened to the public. Dozens of elected officials, veterans and residents attended a ribbon-cutting ceremony to mark the occasion. The celebratory event culminated a decade-long push for the $2.85 million monument, which features a curved bench flanked by two semi-closed granite walls. One wall bears the names of 371 men from Queens who fought and died in the Vietnam War. The second features a timeline of the war and a map of key locations, which officials hope will be used as an educational tool. The memorial and the flagpole will be illuminated at night, which Parks Commissioner Mitchell Silver said will create a “serene space” for reflection. “The legacy of these men will forever be commemorated right here in Elmhurst Park for many years to come,” he said. An additional plaque inscribed on the wall honors the lives of veterans who died from illnesses related to their service in Vietnam. It includes the name of Pat Toro, a former president of the Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 32 who began the push for a memorial in 2008. Toro passed away in 2014 from complications related to exposure to Agent Orange. Michael O’Kane, another former president of VVA Chapter 32, said the memorial had become Toro’s “obsession” and his life’s work. “Pat’s vision was to have one central, unifying memorial for all of Queens,” he said. “It was literally his dying wish that this get done.” “This is bittersweet,” added Evelyn Toro, Pat’s wife and an advocate for the project. “I know he’s looking down and smiling.” After Toro’s death, the task fell on O’Kane and Chapter 32 to raise funds and design the project. Borough President Melinda Katz, who actually allocated $150,000 for the memorial 10 years ago as a

City and elected official cut the ribbon on the new memorial in Elmhurst Park. member of the City Council, fully funded the entire project. A decade later, she saw it through to completion. Her last ribbon-cutting ceremony as the borough president was for the Vietnam Veterans Memorial. Katz noted that the Parks Department placed the names on the wall specifically in the spot that gets the most sunlight in the entire park. “If there is a sun gleaming in the sky, the names on the wall will shine brightly,” she said. “I think that was a very important personal touch.” John Rowan, national president of the Vietnam Veterans of America, recalled that when the Vietnam veteran’s memorial was built in Washington, D.C., his organization got to see the list of every person whose name was inscribed on it. One of his chapter members and another friend, whom he described as a “computer geek,” went name by name and figured out who on that list was from Queens. That’s how they created the list of 371 names for the Queens memorial. Rowan said the people on the new memorial were a reflection of the diversity of today’s borough, with nearly every ethnic group and religious represented. “Many of them were not citi-

zens,” he said. “They died serving a country they weren’t even citizens of.” Rowan added that he’s particularly proud that the memorial is located in Elmhurst, where he grew up. It’s also the neighborhood where VVA Chapter 32 started, back when the group met in the former Community Board 4 office on Broadway. The VVA president noted that the number of Vietnam veterans alive is “rapidly shrinking,” which underscores the importance of remembering them.

“Please come by and visit this memorial,” Rowan said. O’Kane added that there are “no words” that can convey what this memorial means to Vietnam vets. He said having the 371 names inscribed in the memorial was an important design element. “We wanted people to be able to reach out and touch their loved one’s names,” he said. “It’s a visceral connection. “We truly hope that the people of Queens can come to find some peace here,” O’Kane added. “This is a dream come true to us.”

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nonprofit news

QCH LAUNCHES FAMILY LITERACY INITIATIVE reading. The program will be funded by matching donations from former Secretary Lew and his current employer, private equity firm Lindsay Goldberg, totaling $200,000 over the course of two years. According to Redmond, QCH had long been looking into a model for family literacy to embed in its 14 afterschool programs for young students. When former Secretary Lew approached the community house about a donation in his sister’s honor, an initiative based on literacy seemed like the perfect fit. This is especially appropriate given Lew’s

interest in reading and writing. “Literacy is key to lifelong learning and the key to lifelong opportunities,” Redmond BY SARA KREVOY said. “It’s a way of interacting with the world, learning to communicate in many different Rebecca Lew stepped foot in Queens Comforms and being confident in your ability to munity House (QCH) on 62nd Drive for the express yourself. first time nearly 20 years ago. She was then a “If we’re not giving kids those essential middle-aged woman hoping to overcome her tools, we’re denying them access to a lot of difficulty with computers in one of the site’s possibilities,” he added. free adult classes. Last month, QCH hired a literacy specialist “Rebecca’s attitude was the thing that was to work with the staff in its afterschool proreally most appealing about her,” said QCH grams and develop curriculums that will be chief strategies officer Dennis Redmond, who reflective of the communities served by each taught Lew’s computer class that respective site. year. “She just had this wonder“We’re taking it in the forful attitude and this openness mat of also providing a holistoward learning.” tic approach,” said Helena Redmond recalls that Lew’s Ku, associate executive direcself-deprecating sense of humor tor for Youth Services, who is helped ease tensions for other supervising the Rebecca Lew students. She was not shy Family Literacy Initiative. about admitting she struggled Ku explained that while the with computers as a technology specific methodologies and that felt foreign to her, and this programs are right now in the quickly fostered a sense of camainformative process, the idea raderie within the class. behind the initiative is to give After her initial course at QCH, parents, guardians and family Lew returned to volunteer as a members the skills to support teaching assistant for the incomtheir child’s learning through ing computer class. From then interactive activities. But that on, she became a familiar face isn’t always easy. around the community house and For immigrant families, the the Forest Hills neighborhood. language barrier between the One day, Redmond ran into English used in a student’s Lew outside the community school setting and what is “Rebecca was a very giving person, so the fact that we house in Forest Hills and discovspoken at home can discourwould be doing something in her name that would be ered that her brother is former age parental figures from helping young kids to develop that same love of U.S. Secretary of the Treasury feeling they can contribute to literacy, she would be very pleased.” Jacob Lew, whom QCH was their child’s academics. QCH CHIEF STRATEGIES OFFICER DENNIS REDMOND looking to honor at a gala. However, Ku and Redmond Rebecca Lew encouraged her pointed to storytelling, which brother to accept the honor, and can be done in a parent’s spoke with Redmond at length native language, as a means to about their childhood in an apartment lined eternal love of reading and her desire to share support literacy. This method comprises both that with the next generations of her family. relaying stories to children and asking kids to “floor-to-ceiling with books.” “It was very clear that in her home this love Throughout the years, she gifted her nieces develop or express their own stories in return. of books and love of learning was omnipres- and nephews - and later, great-nieces and Parents can also ask students at home about nephews - with books to celebrate occasions. what they are reading in school, focusing on ent and formed their life,” he explained. Bounds of research indicates that early lit- questions that bridge a connection between Lew had been making arrangements to reconnect with QCH and volunteer as a eracy development is a strong predictor of a characters and messages in the book with the Friendly Visitor to homebound seniors when child’s future academic success. QCH serves child’s own environment. she passed away unexpectedly in November nearly 2,800 students a year in its afterschool “We understand a lot of our parents are enrichment programs, but their impact is lim- working, sometimes two jobs,” Redmond 2018. In tribute to her, QCH launched the Rebecca ited to only a few hours a week. said. “So giving them something simple they That is why the new initiative is focused can start to do at home during dinner gives Lew Family Literacy Initiative, a program with the goal of engaging families in the on family literacy, which constitutes creating them the chance to engage.” development of their children’s enjoyment of a home environment that nourishes a child’s Other potential ideas for the program

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January 2020 • Volume 16 • Issue 1

nonprofit news include an essay-writing contest and a “Dr. Seuss Day” to get families excited about literacy. “Part of it is increasing the parents’ understanding of literacy and appreciating that their kids are enjoying reading,” said Ku. “Then if they find they may need some supports, we can provide them with other resources for their own lives.” QCH is a multi-service agency that offers ESOL classes, housing support, immigrant services and connection to other programs geared toward adult learning. The community house is developing partnerships through the Rebecca Lew Family Literacy Initiative as well. A few weeks ago, the literacy coordinator for the program brought vans full of books from the Queens Library to one of QCH’s school-based sites. Overall, Redmond believes the new program is one that fittingly

celebrates Lew’s life and legacy. “Rebecca was a very giving person, so the fact that we would be doing something in her name that would be helping young kids to develop that same love of literacy, she would be very pleased,” he said.

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INDOOR FUN ON FIRE DURING COLD JANUARY January is a cold month in Queens, but the borough’s cultural venues keep it warm with fun indoor activities such as concerts, dance performances, lectures, an art show, and Lunar New Year celebrations. Jan. 11, An Evening of Chamber Music for Piano and Strings, 7 pm. Works by Chopin, Dvorak, Brahms, and others with Musica Reginae Productions pianist Barbara Podgurski and the original members of the MRP Chamber Players – Cyrus Beroukhim (violin), Robert Burkhart (cello), and William Hakim (viola). $20. The Church-in-theGardens, 50 Ascan Ave., Forest Hills, musicareginae.org. Jan. 12, GingerBread Lane Giveaway, 2 pm. Employees break down the annual smorgasbord of gingerbread, royal icing, and candy and give away pieces to the public. Free, but bring a bag. New York Hall of Science, 47-01 111th St., Flushing Meadows Corona Park, nysci.org. Jan. 12-26, Winter Art Show. The 19th annual display features work by Queens-based artists in a variety of styles and mediums, including painting, draw-

ZHOU FAMILY BAND

LUNAR NEW YEAR CELEBRATION ing, mixed media, and photography. Viewing hours are Thursday-Sunday, noon to 4 pm. $5. Bayside Historical Society, 208 Totten Ave., baysidehistorical. org. Jan. 25, An Afternoon of Archie Bunker, 2:30 pm. “All in the Family” was a popular TV sitcom that first aired between 1971 and 1979. Though filmed in Hollywood, it was set in a middle class Queens neighborhood and it dared to

address such topics as rape, abortion, menopause, homosexuality, and racial prejudice. Jim Cullen discusses, sells, and signs his book “Those Were the Days: Why All in the Family Still Matters” during this Queens Historical Society lecture. $5, $3 for students. Kingsland Homestead, 143-35 37th Ave., Flushing, queenshistoricalsociety.org. Jan. 25, Lunar New Year Celebration, noon to 4 pm. Celebrate the Year of the Rat with crafts, performances, and a lucky

plant sale. Queens Botanical Garden, 43-50 Main St., Flushing, queensbotanical.org. Jan. 26, Zhou Family Band, 2 pm. Co-presented with World Music Institute, this group plays traditional wind and percussion music from birth and death celebrations of the people of Central-Eastern China that date back 600 years. Zhou family members have been playing Chinese folk music called “Bolin Laba” for seven generations. $18, $12 for students, free for teens. Flushing Town Hall, 137-35 Northern Blvd., flushingtownhall.org. Jan. 26, Dog Man, 1 & 3 pm. TheaterWorksUSA presents this children’s musical about best friends George and Harold, who write a musical about their favorite Dav Pikey comic book character: Dog Man. Part canine, part human, this hero loves to fight crime and chew on furniture, but can he save the city from Flippy, the cyborg fish and his army of Beasty Buildings? Will he catch Petey, the world’s most evil cat? And will the boys finish the show before lunch time? Queens Theatre, 14 United Nations Ave. S., Flushing Meadows Corona Park, queenstheatre.org. The monthly “It’s In Queens” column is produced by the Queens Tourism Council. More info at itsinqueens.com.

January 2020 • Volume 16 • Issue 1

queensborough Calendar of events JANUARY 1/15, 10 AM to 2 PM

POP-UP CHAMBER

The Pop-Up Chamber offers a range of services and advice in little time. Stop by for a quick 15 minutes of consultation. Queens Library 95-06 Astoria Boulevard East Elmhust, NY 1/21, 10 AM to 2 PM

POP-UP CHAMBER

The Pop-Up Chamber offers a range of services and advice in little time. Stop by for a quick 15 minutes of consultation. (NOTE: Tell the security desk you’re going to see Adam Orlansky at WeWork before going to the 13th floor.) WeWork Queens Plaza 41-21 27th Street Long Island City, NY 1/22, 9 AM

NEW MEMBER ORIENTATION...RULES OF ENGAGEMENT

There are three goals of the New Member Orientation: Review of Your Member Benefits, Website Utilization & Committee Recruitment. Register at queenschamber.org Queens Chamber of Commerce 75-20 Astoria Boulevard Jackson Heights, NY

FEBRUARY 2/4, 8 to 11 AM

THE FUTURE OF BUSINESS IN QUEENS: A DISCUSSION WITH THE CANDIDATES FOR QUEENS BOROUGH PRESIDENT

All declared candidates for the Queens borough president special election have been invited to attend. Antun’s 96-43 Springfield Boulevard Queens Village, NY 2/5, 2:30 to 4:30 PM

DEVELOPING CULTURAL INTELLIGENCE Equip your leaders, teams, and staff to simultaneously advance the values and needs of your organization while adapting to the cultures touched by your organization. Register at queenschamber.org Queens Chamber of Commerce 75-20 Astoria Boulevard Jackson Heights, NY

2/6, 9 AM

NEW CYBER LAWS FUTURE OF REGULATIONS

Our Technology Committee has assembled a team of experts to discuss the new cyber laws and the impact they’ll have on small business. Register at queenschamber.org Queens Chamber of Commerce 75-20 Astoria Boulevard Jackson Heights, NY 2/7, 10 AM TO NOON

2020 TAXES FOR SMALL BUSINESSES SEMINAR

A seminar on handling taxes as a small business. Register at queenschamber.org Business Center for New Americans 78-27 37th Avenue, Suite 1 Jackson Heights, NY 2/12, 9 AM

BUSINESS SPEED NETWORKING

A fast paced event which guarantees you’ll build your professional network and increase your business bottom-line.

CRITICAL THINKING IN THE 21ST CENTURY

Critical thinking is a self-directed process by which one takes deliberate steps to think at the highest level of quality. In short, business leaders must be critical thinkers. Register at queenschamber.org Queens Chamber of Commerce 75-20 Astoria Boulevard Jackson Heights, NY 2/27, 2 TO 6 PM

COMMERCIAL LEASE ASSISTANCE CLINIC

A complimentary commercial lease review where small business owners can speak 1-on-1 with an attorney. Register at queenschamber.org Business Center for New Americans 78-27 37th Avenue, Suite 1 Jackson Heights, NY

1/23, 6 PM

IT’S 2020...LET’S NETWORK

A fantastic opportunity to meet fellow business owners and Members of the Queens Chamber of Commerce. Come prepared with business cards and be ready to talk about your aspirations. PaNash EuroSoul 144-14 243rd Street Rosedale, NY 1/27, 5:30 to 7 PM

ACHIEVE FINANCIAL INDEPENDENCE

Plan to get out of debt in 2020 and get back on the road to financial independence. Queens Library 35-51 81st Street Jackson Heights, NY

Each year, the Queens Chamber of Commerce hosts a forum with the borough president (pictured is the 2019 event) to give our members the opportunity to hear directly from their elected representatives about the issues impacting the Queens business community. As we are now in the midst of a campaign for borough president, the Chamber is instead hosting a discussion with candidates on February 4

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QUEENS chamber member news

PLAZA PREPS STUDENTS ON ‘HOLIDAY HEART’ BY SARA KREVOY The holiday season means an abundance of family, friends and food. But with all the hustle and bustle of the holidays, most of us don’t take the time to consider the heightened risk to our physical health around this time of year. In December and January, elevated stress from gift shopping and entertaining guests combined with overindulgence of fatty, salty foods and alcoholic beverages during celebrations creates the perfect storm for an elevated risk for heart problems. Last month, Dr. Darryl Anderson, director of the Medical Assistant Program at Plaza College, joined students for an event promoting awareness of “holiday heart” syndrome. The presentation prepared students for what they may experiPlaza College students learned about the unique dangers too much holiday cheer presents to the heart. ence when they begin to work in hospitals and outlined strategies for end or during festivities immedi- symptoms of “holiday heart” after lar rest and exercise, as well as conpreventing the condition. consuming alcohol, such as diz- suming alcohol in moderation over According to a study by faculty at ately prior to being evaluated. “Normally because of all the ziness, difficulty breathing, chest the holidays, or abstaining when Tufts and UC San Diego, the number of heart-related deaths in the stressors involved in the holiday pain and loss of consciousness, possible. U.S. increases by 5 percent in the period, individuals become lax on should go to the ER. Monitoring vital signs, in parThe overwhelming majority of ticular blood pressure, is critical, weeks around the December and diet and sleep patterns are more arrhythmias associated especially for individuals with a New Year holidays. Coined by Philip Ettinger in 1978, with “holiday heart” family history of hypertension or Daily visits to hospitals for heart failure “holiday heart” syndrome refers to syndrome normally high blood pressure. increase by 33 percent an acute cardiac arrhythmia, often self-terminate once Students honed their practical the individual ends in the four days after skills at the end of the presenatrial fibrillation, that occurs in their drinking binge, tation by screening each other’s Christmas. Another study by the BMJ otherwise healthy individuals after but nearly 30 percent blood pressure. The event not only a drinking binge. of cases recur within enhanced the students’ education, found a 15 percent a year. spike in heart attack but also armed them with the tools Complications relat- to educate their families and comrisk around Christmas irregular,” Anderson explained. ed to the condition include new or munities. and New Year’s. Coined by Philip Ettinger in 1978, “Individuals are put under extreme worsening heart failure, life-threat“The main goal of the event “holiday heart” syndrome refers to stress within the physiological sys- ening arrhythmias, community- is education,” said Britney Traacquired pneumonia, stroke, heart vis, director of communications at an acute cardiac arrhythmia, often tem, cardiovascular in particular.” People preoccupied with holiday attack and clotting (thromboembo- Plaza College. “A healthy lifestyle atrial fibrillation, that occurs in otherwise healthy individuals after a plans can also forget to take pre- lism). Some episodes can even end doesn’t start and stop with holiday scription medications, making them in death. drinking binge. heart, and taking care of yourself Anderson emphasized the impor- doesn’t only apply during the holiEttinger and his co-evaluators even more vulnerable to heart-relattance of keeping healthy habits to days. initially recognized the trend in a ed issues. High intakes of caffeine and salt, reduce the risk for “holiday heart” study of patients admitted to the “We have to start somewhere,” hospital for episodes of cardiac as well as holiday weight gain and syndrome. One step is minimiz- she added. “So if we can educate arrhythmia shortly after the holi- extreme fluctuations in exercise ing dietary intake of salty, fried people on the importance of sleep, routine, also exacerbate the risk for and fatty foods, and replacing them diet and exercise now, then hopedays. with more fruits and vegetables. All of the patients had heavily “holiday heart” syndrome. fully it will transfer into the new Those experiencing common Anderson also recommends regu- year.” consumed alcohol over the week-

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MASPETH FEDERAL UNVEILS RENOVATED BRANCH BY BENJAMIN FANG After a year of renovation, the Ridgewood branch of Maspeth Federal Savings is now open for business. Community leaders and supporters of the bank recently cut the ribbon on their newly rebuilt site at 66-60 Fresh Pond Road. The branch is replete with a new customer service area, universal tellers and a digital bar in the front, among other features. “We’re very excited about the connection to the community,” said Tom Rudzewick, president and CEO of Maspeth Federal, “and how we can really bring what the bank does to the community of Ridgewood.” The building was designed to make sure that community members can see inside the branch, Rudzewick added, so they can understand that “we’re here for them.” “We’re projecting what happens in this branch out to the street,” he said. Ken Rudzewick, former president of Maspeth Federal, said the bank bought the site in 1998. It had been a Chase Bank branch dating back to 1921. When the building became available for sale, Maureen Walthers, publisher and owner of the Ridgewood Times and Times Newsweekly, was inhabiting the second floor. It was Walthers who encouraged Rudzewick to buy the property. “We came over and bought the building the next day,” he said. “She was really the person that gave us the key to be in the Ridgewood area. “Since then, it’s been a very steady branch,” Rudzewick added. “Now, we’ve moved it in a modern direction.” The younger Rudzewick, who took over as president and CEO in 2016, noted that Ridgewood continues to grow and thrive as a neighborhood. More families have entered the community and new buildings are going up as well, he said.

“We know there’s value here, that’s why people are coming into Ridgewood,” he said. “This project was undertaken so that we can serve the neighborhood, including our customers, our businesses and our community groups.” During the hours-long celebration, Rudzewick handed out awards to community organizations that have “made the community what it is.” Honorees included the East Coast Car Association, Greater Ridgewood Historical Society, the Peter Cardella Senior Citizens Center, the Ridgewood Kiwanis Club and more. Another group recognized was Polonians Organized to Minister to our Community (POMOC), a nonprofit social services agency that is located just upstairs from the Maspeth Federal Savings branch on Fresh Pond Road. In addition to their locations in Maspeth and Ridgewood, Maspeth Federal Savings also has branches in Forest Hills, Fresh Meadows,

Rego Park and New Hyde Park. Rudzewick said their next location will be in Elmhurst. State Senator Joseph Addabbo, who attended the ribbon-cutting ceremony, said Maspeth Federal is not just a bank, but a “true good

neighbor.” “Maspeth Federal has been the standard for being part of the community,” he said. “To see Maspeth reinvesting in Ridgewood is a great sign, not only for the economy, but for our neighborhood.”

January 2020 • Volume 16 • Issue 1

Queens chamber Partners & Affiliates 82nd Street Partnership

37-06 82nd Street, Jackson Heights, NY 11372 Executive Director: Leslie Ramos 718.335.9421 82ndstreet.org QUICK GLANCE: Budget of $224,000 with more than 200 businesses under its umbrella. The district is on 82nd Street from 37th Avenue to Baxter Avenue. The board meets quarterly with the annual meeting in June. There are free immigration services every Monday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at 71-29 Roosevelt Avenue. All services are free, confidential and open to any member of the community. Some of the services include DACA, TPS and document replacement and renewal. Call (212) 6522071 with any questions. The Partnership is quiet for the winter, but will be hosting an event nearly every weekend in May. Check their website for more information.

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. The BID was forced to cancel the 6th Annual Children’s Holiday Parade and Lighting Ceremony on December 1 due to inclement weather.

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 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. The Bayside Business Association will host another virtual networking event on January 8 at 6 p.m. Register at bit.ly/BBAevent.

Business Center for New Americans (BCNA)

78-27 37 Avenue, Jackson Heights, NY 11372 Business Development: Tshering Gurung

347.730.6468 tgurung@nycbcna.org QUICK GLANCE: Since 1997, BCNA has been serving New York City entrepreneurs. BCNA is an approved Small Business Administration Intermediary Lender and a certified Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI). BCNA’s Microloan program is the cornerstone of its services. They provide small business loans and microloans to business owners who are not able to obtain loans from traditional lenders. The BCNA is hosting several events in the coming months in partnership with the Queens Chamber of Commerce. See page 21 for more details.

Forest Hills Chamber of Commerce

PO Box 751123, Forest Hills, NY 11375 President: Leslie Brown 718.268.6565 FHChamber11375@gmail.com FHChamber@aol.com QUICK GLANCE: Re-formed in 1995, the group has over 225 members. Chamber meetings are held on the last Wednesday of the month at 9 a.m. at the West Side Tennis Club, 1 Tennis Place, in Forest Hills. This month’s meeting is on January 29.

GATEWAY JFK

Executive Director: Scott Grimm-Lyon info@GatewayJFK.org GatewayJFK.org QUICK GLANCE: Formerly the Greater JFK Industrial BID and founded in 2016, the group seeks to provide support to the off-airport air cargo and services district through supplemental services and improvements, technical and professional services for its members, and advocacy and administration. GatewayJFK is seeking sponsors for banners on Rockaway Boulevard. Participating sponsors will have their logo displayed on the lower portion of the banners for one full-year. Sponsoring the banner will cost $1,000, but sponsoring three or more banners costs $750 per banner. If interested, contact GatewayJFK at 516-730-3400 or scott@gatewayjf k.org. The BID recently launched the GatewayJFK Rideshare portal to match commuters with others who live and work close to each other. Commuters are free to choose how frequently they want to carpool and with whom. If you are a member who regularly carpools and you need to leave work in an emergency, the free Guaranteed Ride Program will get you to your destination for free by public transit, taxi, Lyft or Uber.

Greater Flushing Chamber of Commerce

39-01 Main Street, Suite 511, Flushing NY 11354 Executive Director: John Choe john@f lushingchamber.nyc 646.783.8985 f lushingchamber.nyc QUICK GLANCE: Founded in 2014 and representing over 200 businesses. The Greater Flushing Chamber of Commerce is hosting a trip to Taiwan this month. Members who signed up will leave on January 12 and return January 21. The Flushing Lunar New Year Parade is on January 25 at 11 a.m. The Chamber will be hosting a pre-parade celebration at St. George’s Church at 135-32 38th Avenue at 9:30 a.m.

Greater Jamaica Development Corporation

90-04 161st Street, Jamaica, NY 11432 President: Hope Knight 718.291.0282 gjdc.org QUICK GLANCE: Founded in 1967, the group has 75 members. GJDC’s work expands economic opportunity and improves quality of life for the ethnically and economically diverse residents of Jamaica and for the region at large, which benefits from rational, well-planned, and sustainable metropolitan growth.

Greater Woodhaven Development Corporation Woodhaven BID

84-01 Jamaica Avenue, Woodhaven NY 11421 718.805.0202 gwdcbid@hotmail.com woodhavenbid.com QUICK GLANCE: Budget of $257,000 with more than 350 businesses under its umbrella. On Jamaica Avenue from Dexter Court to 100th Street. They are providing free benches for store owners along Jamaica Avenue. They also provide 2.5 and 5 percent home improvement loans. Community Board 9 will vote this month on the GWDC’s popular street festival. This year it will take place on Sunday, October 11.

Jamaica Center BID

161-10 Jamaica Avenue, Suite 419 Jamaica, NY 11432 Executive Director: Jennifer Furioli 718.526.2422 jamaica.nyc @JamCenterBID (Twitter) @jamcenterbid (Instagram)

THIS IS QUEENSBOROUGH

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Queens chamber Partners & Affiliates @Jamaica Center BID (Facebook) QUICK GLANCE: Budget of over $1 million. Founded in 1979, the Jamaica Center BID serves over 400 businesses on Jamaica Avenue between Sutphin Boulevard and 169th Street. The BID’s goal is to promote and maintain Downtown Jamaica as a thriving business hub and an enjoyable destination to shop, work, live and visit. The BID’s sanitation team is out on Jamaica Avenue 360 days a year. The BID offers marketing and promotion for the district, including a value card program, banner and rubbish bin sponsorship opportunities, and supports business owners in opening or expanding their operations. The BID is the proud recipient of a threeyear, $300,000 Avenue NYC grant and is currently conducting a Commercial District Needs Assessment (CDNA), which will inform future programing. The Down to Earth Farmers Market is held every Friday on Parsons Boulevard between Jamaica and Archer avenues and every Saturday on 160th Street between Jamaica and 90th avenues until November 23.

JFK International Airport Chamber of Commerce

616 Duke Street, Westbury, NY 11590 Executive Director: Mercedes Altman 516.492.0513 jf kairportchamberofcommerce.org QUICK GLANCE: Founded in 1978, the group has over 200 members. JFK Airport is the only airport in the country to have its own chamber of commerce wholly dedicated to the airport business community, which employs 35,000 people. The airport handles more than 50 million passengers a year and more than a million tons of air freight cargo. The Chamber will hold its closed-door board meeting this month on January 8. The general members meeting will take place on February 12.

Long Island City Partnership

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

Business Zone. The Partnership will host its 2020 Members Celebration on January 15 from 5 to 7 p.m. at Manducatis Rustica at 46-35 Vernon Boulevard. This year, they are also inviting non-members to purchase a ticket and join the celebration. Non-members will have the opportunity to meet current members and community neighbors over light bites and refreshments. On February 9 from 10 to 11 a.m., the Partnership will host a planning meeting for this year’s LIC Springs! festival, which will take place on May 9. The planning meeting will take place at the New York Irish Center at 10-40 Jackson Avenue.

Maspeth Chamber of Commerce

P.O. Box 780265, Maspeth, NY 11378 President: David Daraio 718.335.1300 maspethchamberofcommerce.org QUICK GLANCE: Founded in 1953, they have 120 members and a budget of $115,000. • The Chamber’s Monthly Meeting will take place on Tuesday, January 14, at noon It will be held at Connolly’s Corner at 71-15 Grand Avenue.

Maspeth Industrial Business Association (MIBA)

BOC: 96-11 40th Road, Corona, NY 11368 Coordinator: Quincy Ely-Cate 718.205.3773 qelycate@bocnet.org mibanyc.org QUICK GLANCE: Roughly 600 businesses with 30 active members. The Maspeth Industrial Business Association, a project of the Business Outreach Center Network, provides a collective voice in advocating the needs and interests of industrial and manufacturing businesses in Maspeth. They help companies in the Maspeth Industrial District in developing workforce, accessing tax credits, obtaining financing, navigating government regulations and, in some cases, finding real estate.

Middle Village Chamber of Commerce 79-47 Metropolitan Ave., Middle Village, NY

11379 President: Salvatore Crifasi 718.894.8700 Sal@Crifasi.com QUICK GLANCE: Budget of $8,000 with 35 businesses under its umbrella. Formed in 1929. MVCC meets annually and focuses on the Metropolitan Avenue shopping district between 69 and 80 th streets. Annual membership fee is $150, and they are looking to gain momentum through attracting new members. The mission is to improve the area and assist local businesses if they have any concerns or needs.

Myrtle Avenue BID

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. One of the longest running BIDs is also one of the more innovative in its approach to helping maintain an active business corridor by helping landlords rent vacant properties. The website ridgewood-ny.com shows properties that are currently for rent in the district. The BID has also been involved in a zoning initiative for Myrtle Avenue. Executive Director Ted Renz is working with, and has the approval of the community board, to preserve the integrity of the business feel of Myrtle Avenue by making it a special zoning district. City Planning is looking at the request now. The plan seeks to keep the look of the two- and three-story commercial infrastructure intact. There are no event planned for January, but the BID will host its Presidents’ Day Sidewalk Sales from February 14-17.

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

January 2020 • Volume 16 • Issue 1

Queens chamber Partners & Affiliates

GJDC WELCOMES CO-WORKING SPACE TO JAMAICA BY SARA KREVOY As Jamaica advances its renaissance of commercial and residential development, the downtown neighborhood is taking steps for the future of business. The Greater Jamaica Development Corporation (GJDC), Empire State Development (ESD) and local leaders were joined by Lieutenant Governor Kathy Hochul last month in breaking ground on an affordable co-working space at the Moda Building in downtown Jamaica. Anticipating completion by spring 2020, the Downtown Jamaica Co-Working and Training Facility will accommodate a 12,000-square-foot area for up to 80 local entrepreneurs and independent professionals to nourish a commercially synergistic comLieutenant Governor Kathy Hochul (fourth from left) joined GJDC CEO Hope Knight (third from right) and munity, all while reducing operaother Jamaica community leaders to announce a new co-working space in downtown Jamaica. tional costs. “At the GJDC, we study what has worked in the past, and more force. Through sharing work- classroom and training center, the underpass at 159th Street into importantly, what is going to work space, as well as resources and complete with a screen system a public space, installing highin the future for our community,” equipment, community businesses for presentations and two adjust- speed broadband for the commusaid the organization’s president and freelancers will have a hand able partitions to create a flexible nity, and improving neighborhood dining options. layout. and CEO, Hope Knight. “Projects like these, we don’t Funding for the proj“Many of the individuals ect is supplemented by dream up in Albany, that is the who will now have access a grant of $1.65 mil- brilliance of the downtown revito office space represent the PROJECTS LIKE THESE WE DON’T lion to be distributed by talization initiative,” said Hochul. very type of creative entreDREAM UP IN ALBANY, THAT IS THE BRILESD, part of the $10 “We want to empower the local preneurs necessary to fuel LIANCE OF THE DOWNTOWN REVITALIZAmillion in state funds communities, because nobody vibrant economic growth.” TION INITIATIVE. WE WANT TO EMPOWER awarded to downtown knows or loves this community as Knight explained that THE LOCAL COMMUNITIES. Jamaica in the first much as the people in this room.” although downtown Jamaica - LT. GOV. KATHY HOCHUL Additional contributors to the round of Governor is currently home to more Cuomo’s Downtown GJDC project, which will see an than 1.5 million square feet Revitalization Initiative overall investment of $5.1 milof commercial office stock, lion, include Assemblywoman (DRI). a combination of inflexible Each year, the program invests Vivian Cook, State Senator Leroy lease terms and strict credit his- in building Jamaica’s commercial $100 million across ten neighbor- Comrie, Borough President tory requirements blocked many landscape from the ground up. GJDC’s co-working location, hoods across the state in an effort Melinda Katz, Deutsche Bank homegrown entrepreneurs from which will take over the Moda to implement community visions Foundation and National Grid. utilizing it. “Great things are happening The circumstances are even Building’s fifth floor, will feature for reinvigorating their respective here in Jamaica, and that is evimore compelling, she notes, when conference rooms, casual meet- local economies. DRI funds for Jamaica have dent in what we are seeing today,” considering the large percentage ing spaces, private offices, sound of small businesses in the neigh- booths and scattered copy centers. been allocated to six other com- said Councilman I. Daneek Miller, In addition, those using the munity developments that are cur- who advocated in the City Council borhood operating with less than space will have access to a kitch- rently underway: a Prime Skills for $300,000 in support for the cofive employees. The facility will be the first of en/public lounge area, mailroom Entrepreneurship Fund, a career working space. “People want to prep program at Edison High be here, and they want to be able its kind in downtown Jamaica, and mediation booth. Also included in the construc- School, creating more inviting to ensure that we are reflecting the and is expected to support more than 250 jobs in the local work- tion plans is a state-of-the-art gateway to downtown, converting needs and values of the people.”

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Queens chamber Partners & Affiliates ing events. Upcoming events include: • Queens StartUP! Startup Marketing on Saturday, January 11, from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. - This workshop will help you lay the foundation of what’s needed in a successful startup marketing strategy. It will also cover common channels and best practices. It will take place at the Queens Library at 41-17 Main Street in Flushing. • Legal Considerations for Startup Businesses on Wednesday, January 15, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. - Many people get overwhelmed with the legal aspects of starting a business. This workshop will give you guidance on topics like how to register, the differences between a C-Corp and an S-Corp, and more. It will take place at the Queens Library at 41-17 Main Street in Flushing. • Queens StartUP! Testing Your Business Model on Saturday, January 18, from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. - This workshop focuses on using Business Model Canvas to run experiences and help you figure out how your startup creates and delivers value. It will take place at the Queens Library at 41-17 Main Street in Flushing. • Ready? Set. Go! on Thursday, January 23, from 6 to 8 p.m. - A 90-minute free workshop that takes you all the things you need to think about when going into business. It provides a general overview of what it takes to start a business; legal considerations and what it takes to fund a new venture. It will take place at the Queens Borough Hall at 120-55 Queens Boulevard in Room G110 in Kew Gardens. • Queens StartUP! Entrepreneurial Financing on Saturday, January 25, from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.- This workshop focuses on providing financial model templates to help earlystage entrepreneurs with forecasting so they can be equipped to submit the application for the StartUP! Competition. It will take place at the Queens Library at 41-17 Main Street in Flushing. • Get Business from New York City and State Government on Thursday, January 30 from 10 a.m. to Noon - Learn about getting certified as a Minority/Woman Business Enterprise with NYC & NYS, what you will need to do to obtain government contracts, and how you can leverage your certification to get more business. It will take place at The Entrepreneur Space at 36-46 37th Street in Long island City. • Get Business from New York City and State Government on February, 27 from 10 a.m. to Noon - See information above. It will take place at The Entrepreneur Space at 36-46 37th Street in Long island City.

Rockaway Business Alliance 28

info@rockawaybusinessalliance.org QUICK GLANCE: Budget of $40,000 and a resource for over 200 businesses. The Rockaway Business Alliance was founded in 2012 after Hurricane Sandy. RBA’s vision is to create business corridors that are clean, safe, and welcoming, with shopping, dining, attractions, and engagement for the local community and the visitors drawn to Rockaway’s beaches and open spaces.

Rockaway Development & Revitalization Corporation

1920 Mott Avenue, Far Rockaway, NY 11691 President: Kevin Alexander 718.327.5300 www.rdrc.org QUICK GLANCE: Founded in 1978, the group has 30 members. Founded in 1978, the Rockaway Development & Revitalization Corporation (RDRC) was established to promote the revitalization of the Rockaway’s economic base and neighborhoods by creating long-standing partnerships with city and state agencies. RDRC is governed by a twelve-member board of directors and a fivemember merchant advisory board. RDRC’s current city and state collaborations include the Downtown Far Rockaway Storefront Improvement Program, The Downtown Far Rockaway Public Wi-Fi Project, The Rockaway East Workforce Development Program and most recently, the planned $288,000,000 Downtown Far Rockaway Redevelopment Project. With over 250 businesses and 61,000 or 53 percent of the Rockaway’s entire population living within 2 miles of downtown Far Rockaway, one of RDRC’s goals is to reduce the over $91 million in market leakage to neighboring downtown shopping districts. To address this challenge, in 2014 RDRC rejuvenated the Rockaway East Merchants Association (REMA). Today with RDRC as its administrator, REMA membership now includes 40-plus local businesses with an active calendar of events that includes an annual merchant’s fair, talent show, fashion event, holiday tree lighting and live concerts. REMA membership meetings are held on the fourth Monday of the month at 1 p.m. at the corporation’s office at 1920 Mott Avenue in Far Rockaway.

Steinway Astoria Partnership BID

25-69 38th Street, Suite 1C, Astoria 11103 Executive Director: Marie Torniali 718.728.7820 info@steinwaystreet.nyc

steinwaystreet.org QUICK GLANCE: Founded in 1991, the BID has over 300 members. The Steinway Street Business Improvement District encompasses all 300 business located on Steinway Street from 28th Avenue to 35th Avenue. National chain stores such as Victoria’s Secrets, The Gap, Benetton, and Express are side by side with local family owned shops some of them fixtures on the street for some 50 years. Board meetings are held seven times a year. The BID’s vision is to make Steinway Street user friendly, while highlighting the local businesses on the street and bringing together the Astoria community in a positive way.

Sunnyside Chamber of Commerce

PO Box 4399, Sunnyside, NY 11104 President: Vanessa Ceballos 718.729.4688 www.sunnyside-chamber.org QUICK GLANCE: Annual budget of $55,000. The chamber is an organization built around assisting and helping local business and professionals by providing resources to increase business, safety and historical preservation throughout the neighborhood.

Sunnyside Shines

45-56 43rd Street, Sunnyside, NY 11104 Executive Director: Jaime-Faye Beam 718.606.1800 director@sunnysideshines.org sunnysideshines.org QUICK GLANCE: Budget of $480,000 with more than 250 businesses under its umbrella. The BID is still looking for sponsors for Sunnyside Street Banners along Queens Boulevard and Greenpoint Avenue. There are still a number of locations still available, call the office for more info. Companies that are not located in Sunnyside are invited to participate as well. Sponsorships start at $350 and last for one year.

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. The Air Train Jazz takes place on Sutphin Boulevard every Thursday from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Jamaica AirTrain Station.

January 2020 • Volume 16 • Issue 1

New members Corporate

Olympia Court Real Estate

71-32 Austin Street, 2nd Floor Forest Hills, NY 11375 Real estate property development and investment property real estate brokerage.

Piermont Bank

4 Bryant Park, 3rd Floor New York, NY 10018 piermontbank.com Piermont is reinventing commercial banking for privately owned businesses. We are here to provide high-growth businesses with common sense finance solutions and tailored banking services.

Samaritan Daytop Village

138-02 Queens Boulevard Briarwood, NY 11435 samaritanvillage.org What began as one community’s compassionate effort to reach struggling youth, Samaritan Daytop Village has evolved into a comprehensive human services agency with more than 50 locations across New York City and beyond.

The Liquidity Store

9 Mitchell Drive Great Neck, NY 11024 theliquiditysource.com The Liquidity Source has been providing commercial mortgage brokerage and consulting services for over ten years in the New York tristate area. We work with real estate developers, individual property owners, and as advisors to family offices, accountants and lawyers.

Damian Family Care Centers, Inc.

89-56 162nd Street, Third Floor Jamaica, NY 11432 DamianHealth.org Damian Family Care Centers, Inc. is a notfor-profit primary medical health center & dental care services provider.

Receivable Collection Services, LLC 170 Jericho Turnpike Floral Park, NY 11001

Glenwood Infinity LLC (Hello Panda) 122 Baxter Street, Suite 705 New York, NY 10013

ProHEALTH Care

1 Dakota Drive, Suite 320 Lake Success, NY 11042 prohealthcare.com ProHEALTH Care offers a full range of health care services at locations across New York. We are a group of highly trained doctors and other health care providers. Our goal is to provide

you with the care you need, when and where you need it.

Catholic Charities Brooklyn & Queens

191 Joralemon Street Brooklyn, NY 11201 ccbq.org Since 1899, Catholic Charities Brooklyn and Queens has been changing lives and building communities while serving our neighbors in need with mercy and compassion.

Rego Park Seniors Club LLC

6339 99th Avenue Rego Park, NY 11374 regoparkseniors.com Rego Park Seniors Club offers seniors and individuals a variety of activities and opportunities for socialization. Rego Park Seniors Club provides adult day care services in Rego Park Queens, New York and surrounding areas. Services offered include organized daily activities in a community-based setting, door-to-door transportation, meals, and professional supervision. Contact our staff for more details on respite care services and rates.

Astoria Sports Complex

34-38 38th Street, 2nd Floor Astoria, NY 11101

INTRODUCTORY

RDS Same Day Delivery Service 37-41 Vernon Boulevard Long Island City, NY 11101 rdsdelivery.com Green Energy Technology 16 W. 36th Street, Suite 601 New York, NY 11249 Get-NY.com Agent New York Life Insurance Company 6945 108th Street, Apt. 4K Forest Hills, NY 11375 SweetGig 502 Spring Valley Road Green Village, NJ 07935 QSAC, Inc. 2509 Broadway Astoria, NY 11106 qsac.com The Parc Hotel 39-16 College Point Boulevard Flushing, NY 11354 parchotel.com Match My Spirit 209-10 41st Avenue, 3B Bayside, NY 11361 matchmyspirit.com New America Marketing 225 E 34th Street New York, NY 10016 newamericamarketing.com

Gateway Primeclass Travel Services 35-37 36th Street Astoria, NY 11106 gatewayvipservices.com

Herrick, Feinstein LLP 2 Park Avenue New York, NY 10016

Ming Properties, LLC P.O. Box 368 Jericho, NY 11753

Philly Pretzel Factory Forest Hill 118-14 Queens Boulevard Forest Hills, NY 11375 phillypretzelfactory.com

Alex Isak Realty Services 118-35 Queens Boulevard, Suite 400 Forest Hills, NY 11375 alexisakrealty.com Glow Community Center 133-29 41st Street, Avenue, 1st Floor Flushing, NY 11355 glownyc.org Queens County Farm Museum 7350 Little Neck Parkway Floral Park, NY 11004 queensfarm.org Signs and Decal Corporation 410 Morgan Avenue Brooklyn, NY 11211

Hotel de Point 20-07 127th Street Flushing, NY 11356 hoteldepoint.com

Statement required by the Act of August 12, 1970, section 3685. Title 39, United States Code, showing the ownership, management and circulation of Queensborough magazine, published 12 times per year, and owned by the Chamber of Commerce of the Borough of Queens, 75-20 Astoria Boulevard, Suite 140, Jackson Heights, New York 11370. Statement filed September 1, 2019. Publisher: Chamber of Commerce of the Borough of Queens Editor: Thomas Grech Known bondholders, mortgagees, and other security holders owning or holding one percent or more of total amount of bonds, mortgages or other securities, none. Extent & nature of circulation: Avg. each issue, Actual single issue, Preceding 13 mos., (Nearest to filing date). Total number of copies 3,200 (3,116). Paid and/or requested circulation: Dealer, carrier sales 633 (756), Mail subscriptions, 1,688 (1,604), Total 2,321 (2,360). Free Distribution By mail 0 (0), By other means 198 (200), Total 198 (200). Total distribution 2,519 (2,560), Office Use, leftover, spoiled 681 ( 5 5 6 ) , Return from news agents 0 (0), Total 3,200 (3,116), Percent paid 92.14 (92.18). I certify that the statements made by me above are correct and complete. Thomas J. Grech, Editor

THIS IS QUEENSBOROUGH Executive commmitee

queenschamber.org Executive Staff

Thomas Santucci

Richard Dzwlewicz

Thomas J. Grech

Brendan Leavy

Nash Roe

Fran Biderman-Gross

Joanne M. Persad

Jacqueline Donado

Chairperson

Associate Treasurer

Vice Chairperson

Associate Secretary

Treasurer

Immediate Past Chair

Patrick Yu

Susan Browning

Mayra DiRico

Secretary

President & CEO

Business Development Manager

Chief of Operations

Strategic Program Coordinator

Alejandra Espejo

Jef Gross

Financial Controller

Neil Wagner

Business Service Program Manager

Manager of Committee Development

Chairperson’s advisory council William Blake Dominick Ciampa Joseph Farber Louis D. Laurino

Joseph M. Mattone, Sr George Rozansky Gerard Thornton

QUEENSBOROUGH (ISSN0033-6068 is published 12 times a year for $12.50 annually by the Queens Chamber of Commerce of the borough of Queens. 75-20 Astoria Blvd, Suite 140, East Elmhurst NY 11370-1131. Periodicals postage paid at Flushing NY and additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Queens Chamber of Commerce 75-20 Astoria Blvd., Suite 140, East Elmhurst NY 11370-1131.

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

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

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

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

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

Patrick Yu Daniel Zausner

corporate members A&E Real Estate A&L Cesspool Services Corp A. Giannopoulos Architects AAA Northeast AARP Ackman-Ziff ADP Major Accounts Adria Hotel and Conference Center Aeroterm AFC Urgent Care - Howard Beach Alma Bank Amna Construction Corp AmTrust Title Andromeda Antun’s of Queens Village Apple Bank for Savings Apple-Metro, Inc. Ashnu International, Inc. Assured Environments Atco Properties Accounts Payable Aurora Contractors, Inc. AYC Properties LLC Baker Tilly Virchow Krause, LLP Bank of America Merrill Lynch Bank of Hope BankUnited, N.A Bellozino Bethpage Federal Credit Union Blink Fitness BNB Boyce Technologies Inc. Broadway Stages Capital One Bank Center for Automotive Education and Training Cerini and Associates, LLP. Ciampa Organization Cipico Construction, Inc.

CityMD ClearCell Power Conference Associates, Inc Cord Meyer Development LLC Corporate Development Systems, Inc. Courtyard by Marriott CPEX Real Estate Crescent Properties, Inc Crown Castle Crunch - Rosedale Cushman & Wakefield Daroga Power, LLC E Central Medical Management East Coast Energy Group Ecosave Inc. Edge Auto Inc. Elmhurst Hospital Center Emigrant Mortgage Company EMU Health Enterprise Fleet Management eXp Realty: Andrew Wu Exquisite Construction Family Residences and Essential Enterprises, Inc. (FREE) Farrell Fritz, P.C. First Central Savings Bank Flushing Bank Flushing Council On Culture & The Arts Forest Hills Financial Group Inc. GF55 Partners Global Industrial Goldenwood Property Advisors Goodwill Industries of New York & Northern New Jersey, Inc. Graf & Lewent Architects Greater NY Automobiles Dealers Association

Greenberg Traurig Greenpoint Manufacturing & Design Center (GMDC) Greiner Maltz Company of NY Gum Studios Hampton Inn by Hilton JFK Airport Hilton Garden Inn Long Island City New York HK Capital Manhattan View Hyatt Place Flushing INDA, Association of Nonwoven Fabric Industry Innovo Property Group International Asbestos Removal Inc. iRCM, Inc. James F. Capalino & Assoc. Jaros, Baum & Bolles Jason Office Products JetBlue Airways Corporation JFA Insurance Brokerage & Associates Inc. JGM Construction Development, LLC Jones Lang LaSalle Kasirer Consulting Kaufman Astoria Studios Inc. Kimco Realty Corporation Klein Weath Management/Hightower Advisors Laffey Real Estate Laser Bounce of Brooklyn Inc. Lessing’s Food Service Management Levine Builders Lime Luxury Office Suites LLC Lyons Mortgage Services, Inc.

M&V Provision Company Madison Realty Capital Main Street Radiology Manpower Marriott International, Inc McBride Consulting & Business Medisys Health Network Mega Contracting Group LLC MetroPlus Health Plan Metropolitan Taxicab Board of Trade MicroGrid Neworks, LLC Molloy College Mount Sinai Hospital of Queens Mr. T Carting Corp. Muss Development LLC NEOLEDGE Neuman’s Kitchen Newtown Creek Superfund Site New York + Atlantic Railway New York Health Plan Association New York Oil Heating Association New York Restaurant Association New York Safety and Training NYC Ferry Operated by Hornblower Northwell Health OneGroup Parker Jewish Institute for Health Care and Rehabilitation Patrick B. Jenkins & Associates Patrizia’s Italian Restaurant Petro Home Services Plastic Surgery of New York Portnoy, Messinger, Pearl & Assoc., Inc. Premier Paint Roller Co LLC Premier Payroll Solutions Prime Storage

COMMITTEE LEADERSHIP ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT Michelle Stoddart ResortsWorld Casino New York City michelle.stoddart@rwnewyork.com Jayson Simba Festival of Cinema NYC FestivalofCinemaNYC@gmail.com

COMMUNICATIONS Joshua Bienstock, NYIT bienlaw@aol.com Dayana Cabeza Be Growth Consulting contact@begrowthconsulting.com

ENERGY

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

ENTREPRENEURSHIP & INNOVATION Bill Staniford bill@staniford.com Michael Grella Grella Partnership Services mike@socialquityventures.com

HEALTHCARE & WELLNESS

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

HOSPITALITY

REAL ESTATE

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

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

MANUFACTURING

TECHNOLOGY

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

NONPROFIT

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

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

TRANSPORTATION Kris Amato TD Bank Kristin.amato@td.com William Harris Edge Auto Rental william@edgeautorental.com

Priority 1 Security LLC QSIDE Federal Credit Union Quadlogic Controls Corporation Queens Center Mall Queens Public Communications Corp. Radisson Hotel JFK RCG Mortgage Related Retail Corporation Rochdale Village Community Center Royal Waste Services, Inc. Russo’s On The Bay Safeguard Global Samuel Goldstein & Co PC Seagis Property Group, LP Signature Bank Silvercup Studios Simon Baron Development Sive, Paget & Riesel P.C. Skyline Risk Management, Inc. SL Green Realty Corp. Solomon Agency Corp. Spring Hill Suites New York Jamaica/JFK Airport Squad Security Inc. St. Francis Preparatory School St. John’s University Structural Engineering Technologies, P.C. Sussman-Automatic Corporation Target TC Electric Terrace On The Park TFCU TGI Office Automation Thales USA Inc. The Andy Li Team at Compass The Botanist The Durst Organization The First National Bank of Long Island The Heskel Group The Lovett Group The Marcal Group The Sweet Construction Group T-Mobile Treasure Island Storage TSC Traning Academy, LLC Ultrasound Solutions Corp. United Airlines USTA National Tennis Center, Inc. Valley National Bank Vanguard Insurance Agency Vassilaros & Sons Coffee Vic Kessler Signs LTD Vishnick McGovern Milizio LLP Waste Management of New York LLC Watch Guard 24/7 LLC WellLife Network Wells Fargo WeWork White Coffee Corp Windstream Enterprise York College - CUNY Zara Realty

January 2020 â&#x20AC;˘ Volume 16 â&#x20AC;˘ Issue 1 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.

This Is Queensborugh - January 2020

Articles inside

Melinda Katz Sworn In as New District Attorney

COVER STORY: James Hendon Discusses New Role

Five Honored at Business Person of the Year Awards

Chamber, OATH Host City Summons Workshop

Promotions, Announcements & Appointments