This Is Queensborough - July 2021 by BQE Media - Queens Ledger Brooklyn Star Newspaper Group

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July 2021 . Volume 17 . Issue 7

GAMING ROOMS

RESORTS WORLD HEAD DISCUSSES NEW HOTEL SET TO OPEN AT QUEENS CASINO LATER THIS MONTH

“WE THINK GUESTS OF ALL INTERESTS WILL MAKE THEIR WAY TO QUEENS.”

ALSO

GENTING NEW YORK STATE PRESIDENT BOB DESALVIO

• SPOTLIGHT ON TECH COMPANY NODEGREE.COM • STAY AN ‘EMPLOYER OF CHOICE’ • CITY BREAKS GROUND AT WILLETS POINT

A message from EMU Health Director of Breast Surgery, Dr. Darren Sachs regarding National Cancer Survivors Day National Cancer Survivors Day is an annual celebration of life that is held in hundreds of communities around the world on the first Sunday in June. The day is a celebration for those who have survived, an inspiration for those recently diagnosed, a gathering of support for families, and an outpouring of thanks to the medical community. This day provides an opportunity for all people living with a history of cancer – including America’s more than 16.9 million cancer survivors – to connect with each other, celebrate milestones, and recognize those who have supported them along the way. It is also a day to draw attention to the staggering number of new cancer cases and deaths projected for this year. In 2021, there will be an estimated 1.9 million new cancer cases diagnosed and 608,570 cancer deaths in the United States. According to a report by the Cancer Research UK, the survival rate for people with eight of the most common cancers is more than three times higher when the disease is diagnosed early. More cancer research data suggests that just over 80% of those with cancer survive for at least 10 years when their disease is diagnosed at stage one or two but only a quarter of those diagnosed at stage three or four live for at least a decade more. Ten-year survival is more than 90% for people whose cancer is diagnosed at stage one, compared with 5% for those whose disease is found at stage four. In an effort to detect breast cancer as early as possible, Dr. Darren Sachs, Director of Breast Surgery at EMU Health, rec-

ommends that all women forty and over receive an annual 3D Mammogram. “Screening mammograms provide the best chance of detecting breast cancers when they are small and treatable. If we detect breast cancers when they are small and early stage, not only are more lives saved from breast cancer death, but women are also able to undergo less extensive surgeries and system therapies,” said Dr. Sachs. Dr. Sachs completed medical school at the New York College of Osteopathic Medicine in Glen Head, NY, his residency at Wyckoff Heights Medical Center in Brooklyn, NY, and his SSO Breast Surgical Oncology Fellowship at the prestigious Fox Chase Cancer Center. He is now a Surgical oncologist at EMU Health and a member of the Surgical Specialists of NY; a multi-specialty practice specializing in general surgery, founded by accomplished surgeon, Panagiotis Manolas. Besides his work at EMU Health, Manolas is currently the Chief of General Surgery, Ambulatory and Outpatient, at Lenox Hill Hospital, a clinical assistant professor of surgery at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, and assistant clinical professor at SUNY Downstate College of Medicine. Many medical centers still offer conventional 2D mammograms, which have a history of producing unclear results, false alarms, or worse – cancer being missed. EMU Health offers the Genius Exam; advanced 3D Mammogram technology that allows doctors to examine your breast tissue one layer at a time. The imaging system uses high-powered computing to convert digital breast images into a stack of very thin layers or “slices” for your ra-

diologist to review. “3D mammography technology provides us with the best breast imaging available, allowing us to detect breast cancer as early as possible. Patient survival outcomes are improved if breast cancer is detected in its early stage,” said Dr. Sachs. EMU Health doctors also utilize Savi Scout; a new revolutionary method for locating breast tumors. With this machine, EMU Radiologists can precisely identify the tissue that needs to be removed during surgical breast biopsies & lumpectomies. To schedule your yearly 3D Mammogram appointment with Dr. Sachs at EMU Health, click here and fill out the appointment form, or call 718.850.4368. EMU Health is located on 83-40 Woodhaven Blvd Glendale, NY 11385. Patients come from near-by areas like Middle Village, Kew gardens, Woodhaven, Ridgewood & Richmond Hill, however, EMU’s award winning facilities and staff are worth a trip from anywhere in Queens, Brooklyn & Manhattan.

July 2021 • Volume 17 • Issue 7

MESSAGE FROM THE CHAIR

WE’RE IN THE MIDDLE As you read this message, you’re mine the trajectory of your business likely basking in the warmth of July, over the next several months. enjoying the rays of sunA few resources the shine and all that sumChamber offers include mer has the offer. Business Services Guide, I would not be surInternship Connection, prised if you’ve made and a Member Directory, the decision to take that which provides access to much-needed break or our membership that repvacation you’ve longed resents a diverse crossfor since this same time section of industries to in 2019. Hats off to assist you with your busiyou for a well-deserved ness needs. TOM SANTUCCI break. In addition, might I Looking at the calen- CHAIRPERSON suggest as you’re out and dar, we’ve reached the about that you visit your middle point of the year. Although local and neighborhood small busithe season and weather draw our nesses, who have suffered during attention to relaxation, it’s equally this pandemic. From restaurants to important to reflect on the first six bookstores to dry cleaners, they all months of 2021 and formulate a would appreciate your visit. plan for your organization that will I can’t express how much I appreenable you to finish the year strong. ciate each and every one of you who Queens Chamber continues to support the Queens Chamber. provide you with numerous resourcEnjoy your leisure time when you es designed specifically to enable have it, shop local, and think about business growth. where you want your organization Transitioning from the virtual to be in the next five months. Stay world we’ve navigated over the past connected with us at queenscham15-plus months back to in-person ber.org. interactions, it’s important to deterWe’re in this together!

MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT & CEO

love WHERE YOU

live

CHRISTMAS IN JULY

It goes without saying this sum- expect from our social gatherings. mer will be one for the record books. More importantly, you will have With the city reopen, a large per- the opportunity to network and see centage of individuals fully vacci- individuals in person again. We look nated, and life returning to a sense of forward to you joining us. normalcy, it feels like Business success Christmas in July. is essential to everyWe’re excited to give one, so join us on July you numerous reasons 21 as the U.S. Small to celebrate with us Business Administraduring the month of tion shares information July, including an event regarding its various that has become one of programs designed to our most popular of the help your organization summer months. succeed. The Queens ChamBringing individuber is thrilled to host THOMAS J. GRECH als together has always our first major event PRESIDENT & CEO been a priority for the since March 2020. Our Queens Chamber. ProAnnual Summer Boat Cruise will viding engagement opportunities take place on July 15. Our three- allows our members and non-memhour excursion is filled with all the fun and excitement you’ve come to CONTINUED ON PAGE 21

LETS BEAUTIFY JAMAICA TOGETHER ZARA'S PHILANTHROPY Involvement on community boards richmond hill hs computer lab Voices of Jamaica features community events Fundraising

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

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NATIONAL GRID GOING ALL ELECTRIC

QUEENS QUICKLY

GATEWAYJFK ADDS SHUTTLE SERVICE

A new express shuttle service from downtown Jamaica to Springfield Gardens will give employees who work along Rockaway Boulevard in Southeast Queens a new commuting option. The GatewayJFK Connection was officially launched on May 27 after a two-month pilot period that provided more than 200 riders per day a better connection between the transit hub at Sutphin Boulevard and GatewayJFK, a Business Improvement District that is home to an estimated 8,000 jobs in warehousing, cargo, trucking, food manufacturing and other industries. “We’re currently running two shuttle busses” said Scott Grimm-Lyon, executive director of GatewayJFK. “We designed the service to be able to scale based on demand, and we think that 200 riders per day is just the beginning. We hope that the service will not only help existing

workers in the area but help attract new jobs to the area as well, especially as we rebound from COVID-19.” The shuttle runs on weekdays from 5 to 9 a.m. and 1 to 9 p.m. and operates using a mobile phone application built by the tech startup Dollaride. Riders can track the real time location of the shuttle on a map, reserve a seat, and digitally pay for their ride by downloading the Dollaride app. “I’m a local to this area of Queens” said Dollaride CEO Su Sanni, who grew up in the neighborhood the shuttle serves. “It was important for me to be part of a project like this where I had the opportunity to give back to my local community and collaborate with other leaders in Southeast Queens.” Over the next few months, the service will slowly phase from free into a paid service, with rides eventually costing $2.50. To promote the new route, GatewayJFK and Dollaride are giving away 60 free rides to people who download the app from the Google Play or Apple app store, or who sign up at dollaride.com/jfk.

National Grid joined EV100, a global initiative organized by the Climate Group, where companies commit to switching their fleets to electric and/or installing charging for staff and customers by 2030. All 106 EV100 members are increasing demand, influencing policy, and driving mass roll-out to help make EVs more rapidly affordable for everyone. “Over the next decade, we will work with other utilities, charging stations providers, automakers, policymakers, regulators, and our customers to put more EVs and charging stations on our streets,” said National Grid U.S. president Badar Khan. For National Grid, the commitment will extend company wide meaning that both the US and UK will add charging infrastructure and electrify their entire light-duty plus most of their medium-duty fleets by 2030. This equals the electrification of 5,784 vehicles by 2030. Approximately 40 percent of the Northeast’s greenhouse gas emissions are from transportation, making it a larger source of emissions than any other sector. National Grid is providing charging ports for the stations across its territories in Massachusetts, New York and Rhode Island, which is the necessary infrastructure needed to connect the station to the grid. The company has already deployed 2,500 charging ports with 16,000 on the way. The company is also helping put electric city and school buses on the road and is one of two companies in the US to adopt electric backhoes. National Grid recently unveiled its new EV Road Trip. As summer arrives and 7 in 10 Americans hit the road, National Grid is offering an online guide to tourist spots in the Northeast and ways to see them sustainably and conveniently in an EV.

TABLE OF CONTENTS Tech Council Spotlight: Jonaed Iqbal of NoDegree.com ......................5

Stay Connected With the Queens Chamber in July ..........................................17

Promotions, Announcements & Appointments .......................................6

Partners & Affiliates ...................................................................................................19

Avoid Costly Construction Mismanagement ............................................7

Get to Know the Chamber’s Newest Members .................................................21

Maintain Employer of Choice Status ..........................................................9 COVER STORY: RWNYC Head Discusses New Hotel ...................10 City (Finally!) Breaks Ground at Willets Point .....................................14 Building Back Greener in Post-COVID World ....................................15 4

PUBLISHER Walter H. Sanchez

MANAGING EDITOR Shane Miller

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

July 2021 • Volume 17 • Issue 7

QUEENS TECH SPOTLIGHT The Queens Chamber of Commerce is thrilled to debut the Queens Tech Corner, a new segment on our Queens Chamber social media channels, where we shine the spotlight on members of the Queens Tech Council, as well as tech entrepreneurs doing exciting things right here in Queens. The Queens Chamber founded the Queens Tech Council in February 2021 to foster technological innovation and economic growth in Queens, with the goal of making the borough the next big tech start-up hub. This month’s featured entrepreneur is Jonaed Iqbal, founder of NoDegree.com, a website that helps folks without college degrees excel on the job market. Tell us a bit about your background. Are you originally from Queens? I was born in Bangladesh, but my family moved to Jamaica when I was three years old. I’ve lived here ever since! I studied Math and Economics at Queens College in undergrad, and after getting a Master’s at Columbia, I

started my own business right here in Queens. What can you tell us about your start-up NoDegree.com? NoDegree.com is an online career resource solution for people without college degrees who are looking for great jobs. We help these folks find jobs that will help them sustain their families and thrive, not just get by living paycheck to paycheck. I started NoDegree.com a few years back because I saw that fundamental business skills— like good communication and networking ability—can be more important to success in the business world than whatever is printed on a person’s resume. Many talented individuals are overlooked simply because they lack a college degree. Why are you excited about tech in Queens? Queens has been my home for most of my life, and I’m excited to see our tech sector and our entire business sector grow. I think that, with the increasing trend towards hybrid-remote work, more people from Manhattan will be

drawn to what our borough has to offer. Queens is the most diverse county in America, with accessible transportation, delicious food, and a truly incredible talent pool. At every point in my life, I’ve met great friends and business partners here in Queens, and I look forward to meeting many more!

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PROMOTIONS, ANNOUNCEMENTS & APPOINTMENTS treated more than 200,000 COVID“My grandmother and parents came to New St. Mary’s honored for 19Northwell patients across the health system over a York City in the 1960’s from the Dominican 15-month span, nearly 20 percent of all cases Republic seeking a better quality care in the state. life for their family,” said St. Mary’s Hospital for Children has been recognized as a 2021 recipient of the Bronze– Commitment to Quality Award by the American Health Care Association and National Center for Assisted Living (AHCA/NCAL). The program, presented by the leading association in long term and post-acute care, honors association members across the country that have demonstrated their commitment to improving quality of care for seniors and people with disabilities. “Our kids face tremendous obstacles, but their unparalleled determination inspires all of us each day,” said Dr. Edwin Simpser, president and CEO of St. Mary’s Healthcare System for Children. “This award recognizes the hard work of our incredible team.” Created by AHCA/NCAL in 1996, the National Quality Award Program is a rigorous three-level process that is reviewed and judged by trained experts against a set of nationally recognized standards. Providers begin the quality improvement process at the Bronze level. “I applaud the resiliency of, St. Mary’s Hospital for Children for taking this important step towards sustainable quality improvement while heroically protecting and caring for residents during one of the most challenging years in recent history,” said Tammy Kelly of the AHCA/NCA.

Dowling named Top CEO by Glassdoor Northwell Health president and CEO Michael Dowling was named to the Top CEOs 2021 list by the job recruiting site Glassdoor, which compiled voluntary employee feedback from thousands of companies to rank America’s 100 best leaders. Dowling earned a Glassdoor Employees’ Choice Award with a 96 percent employee approval rating, which placed him 22nd among large company CEOs in the United States. Dowling ranked second among the nation’s top health care/hospital CEOs, and he was first among all New York CEOs. “I am dedicating this to our 76,000 employees, frontline staff who worked selflessly to care for the huge influx of COVID patients in our facilities during the first and second surge of the coronavirus pandemic, and all employees behind-the-scenes supporting our efforts during the public health crisis,” said Dowling. “Strong leadership and teamwork is a reflection of the entire organization.”

Dowling joined Northwell in 1995 as executive vice president and chief operating officer after 12 years in New York State government overseeing health and human services for former governor Mario Cuomo. In 2002, he was named president and CEO of Northwell, which has since grown to become a clinical, academic and research enterprise that includes 23 hospitals, more than 830 outpatient facilities, medical and nursing DOWLING schools, a nationally recognized research institute, the Feinstein Institutes for Medical Research and more than 76,000 employees – the state’s largest private-sector workforce. “Over the past year, company leaders around the world faced unprecedented challenges to support employees during the COVID-19 crisis,” said Glassdoor CEO Christian SutherlandWong. “Through a challenging year, it’s inspiring to see Top CEOs who, according to their employees, adapted to change, redefined visions and led with transparency while putting the health and safety of employees first.” When employees submit reviews about their employer on Glassdoor, they are asked to rate various about their employment experience, including their overall satisfaction and other workplace attributes like senior management. As part of these rating, employees are also asked to rate whether they approve, disapprove or are neutral about their CEO’s performance. The average CEO approval rating is 73 percent among the approximately 1.5 million employers reviewed on Glassdoor.

Batista tapped to head Immigrant Affairs Queens College graduate Raquel Batista has been appointed commissioner of the Mayor’s Office of Immigrant Affairs (MOIA). Batista, who is succeeding Bitta Mostofi, is an attorney with over two decades of experience advocating on behalf of immigrant New Yorkers. As commissioner, she will continue to center immigrants in New York City’s recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.

Batista. “My appointment is a testament to them and all immigrant communities that their hard work and struggle pays off. Batista is a lifelong New Yorker. Most recently, she BATISTA served as the Community Legal Fellow at CUNY Law School-CLRN. Batista previously served as an adjunct professor at Manhattan College teaching Immigration Law, Policy and Politics and at the Latin American and Puerto Rican Studies Department at the John Jay College of Criminal Justice. Before and during law school, Batista worked in various roles at the Puerto Rican Legal Defense and Education Fund (now LatinoJustice/PRLDEF) on issues from the Census to Redistricting. In 2014, she served in the Mayor’s Office of Appointments, helping to identify diverse candidates for City positions. Batista earned her Juris Doctorate from the City University of New York School of Law at Queens College and her Bachelor of Arts in Sociology, cum laude, from Manhattan College. “New York is, and will always be, a city of immigrants,” said Mayor Bill de Blasio. “Raquel has the lived experience and passion necessary to make this city a fairer and more equitable place for immigrant New Yorkers to call home.” Queens Chamber of Commerce 75-20 Astoria Boulevard, Suite 140 Jackson Heights, N.Y. 11370-1131 Entire Contents Copyright 2021 by Queensborough. All letters sent to the QUEENSBOROUGH should be brief and are subject to condensation. Writers should include a full address and home and office telephone numbers, where available, as well as affiliation, indicating special interest. Anonymous letters are not printed. Name withheld on request. No such ad or any part thereof may be reproduced without prior permission of the QUEENSBOROUGH. The publishers will not be responsible for any error in advertising beyond the cost of the space occupied by the error. Errors must be reported to the QUEENSBOROUGH within five days of publication. Ad position cannot be guaranteed unless paid prior to publication. BQE Media assumes no liability for the content or reply to any ads. The advertiser assumes all liability for the content of and all replies. The advertiser agrees to hold the QUEENSBOROUGH and its employees harmless from all cost, expenses, liabilities, and damages resulting from or caused by the publication or recording placed by the advertiser or any reply to any such advertisement.

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EXPERT ADVICE

AVOID CONSTRUCTION MANAGEMENT NIGHTMARES

BY VALERIE WHITE-SAMUEL It’s easy to get stuck with a big bill once you’ve signed a contract and have a major nightmare to handle. Here’s a quick story: We received a call from an excited and hopeful HVAC contractor who signed a $350,000 commercial contract with a charter school to replace seven commercial rooftop HVAC systems. The contractor was very familiar with residential work. In fact, they were residential experts. However, the contractor decided to venture into commercial work and bid on the contract and won. Soon after signing the contract, the contractor realized, after speaking with his partners, that they may have bitten off more than they

could handle. So they called to our team. I asked the potential client if they were licensed to do business with the municipality, a necessity to pull permits for the project they were planning, and if they had their insurance, OSHA licenses, and suppliers in place. Based on that conversation, the contractor decided that our team could help navigate those waters and source out all the suppliers that would be necessary for the project to be completed on time, within budget, and on scope. The first step was to coordinate insurance carriers to get quotes for a $10 million general liability policy, which was required by the property owners before any work could be performed. We coordinated several carriers

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and scheduled telephone conferences with the partners to discuss the policies and the pricing. Our conversations prompted even more questions that had been overlooked by the contractor. One of the carriers ran the numbers and suggested that they would lose money just from the purchase of the policy alone. The second step involved identifying suppliers of the machinery and, in this case, it was going to be for the procurement of seven ANSIZ21 Central Commercial Rooftop Furnaces. This was the second nightmare: the contractor in their bid to the school said delivery and installation of the furnaces would take 12 weeks. In actuality, it would take 13 weeks just to manufacture the equipment. The next nightmare was the budget. The contractor had won a

Valerie White-Samuel founded All Boro Expediters in 2011. It is located at 117-08 Merrick Boulevard in Jamaica. They can be reached at (718) 3745044 or allboroexpediter.com. $300,000 contract, however, the equipment alone without insurance, trades, building department permits, and sign-offs came in at $356,507.25. CONTINUED ON PAGE 15

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(718) 335-1300 www.maspethfederal.com

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EXPERT ADVICE

YOUR OPTIONS FOR BUSINESS SUCCESSION BY HENRY A. ECHEVERRIA A succession plan for your business is one of the most important safeguards you can use to ensure the company’s future success. Approximately one-third of family businesses that transfer to the next generation result in success, and only 12 percent make it to the third generation. Choosing tomorrow’s leaders and formulating a plan for your retirement, death, divorce or even disability are tasks that should be done early and tweaked often. The transfer of power and wealth can provide a smooth transition or can be the demise of a company, depending on how future leaders are chosen and groomed, and how tax and estate planning implications are handled. There are various business succession options available to the owners of privately held businesses. TRANSFER OWNERSHIP TO NEXT GENERATION When choosing and grooming successors for your business, you must consider their business strength and savvy, and the psychological and emotional impacts of any decision on employees and family members. Children who are active in the family business present both unique opportunities and potential pitfalls. You have the opportunity to take advantage of gifting and valuation discounts when transferring the business to family members. A Family Limited Partnership often works well in these circumstances. However, there is always the risk of family disagreements and the challenge of balancing the estate with family members who are not active in the business. Whether your successors are family or not, it’s important that you begin the succession process early. The first step is to recruit talented employees from the beginning and help them develop their leadership

skills within the company. You should also get them comfortable with taking over long before they actually have to step in to ensure a smoother transition. It may also be helpful to get clients used to the new leadership before they take office. Adequately preparing your successors is one of the best things you can do to maintain your company’s success in the next generation. ESOP If you choose to transfer the business to your employees, an Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) may be the solution. • Public Offering: An alternative to the ESOP is to go public. Using this method, corporate shares are offered to the public and traded on the stock market. • Recapitalization: If you would like to begin to transfer the business value while retaining control of the company, recapitalization may be the answer. SALE You may choose to sell your business to someone who is not currently involved in the company, such as a competitor, existing customer or supplier. This can be done as a lump sum sale or in the form of an installment sale that spreads the payments and tax implications over a number of years. The sale of the business may be structured as an asset sale, a sale of stock or a combination of both. As a business owner, you are motivated to sell the stock in your business in order to take full advantage of the lower capital gains tax rates (a sale of assets usually subjects a portion of the gain to ordinary tax rates). However, the market and other factors may dictate the nature of the sale. You should discuss the options available to you with your advisors. LIQUIDATION If there is no market for the business as an ongoing entity and other

options are not available, you may choose to close the business and liquidate its assets. BUY-SELL AGREEMENTS What will happen if you or a business partner wishes to retire, dies prematurely, becomes permanently disabled or gets divorced? Most closely held businesses need to have a buy-sell agreement in place when other partners, principals or shareholders are involved. Most commonly, this agreement states what occurs in the event that a partner/shareholder should die, but it should also include provisions for retirement or other departure, disability and for the divorce of a partner. If you are an individual business owner, many of these items still apply, you simply have the added challenge of determining who will purchase your business in the occurrence of one of these events. A properly structured buysell agreement stipulates in a binding contract what occurs in each of the events outlined below. • Death: There are two general structures to the buy-sell agreement in the event of death: a cross purchase or an entity purchase. In a cross purchase plan, each of the partners owns life insurance on the lives of the other partners. In the event of the death of a partner, these life insurance proceeds are used to purchase the business equity from the estate of the deceased partner. This type of plan works well in a company with few partners. The entity purchase plan is similar, except the company owns the life insurance on each of the partners, and the company purchases the deceased partner’s shares. This is easier to administer when the business has many partners. Each type of plan has its own strengths and tax implications, so it is important to discuss the decision with a professional well versed in business succession. • Disability: A disability buy-out

provision specifies the method and timing for the buy-out of a disabled partner. This can be done with an installment sale (providing the company can afford the payments) or more likely with a disability buy-out insurance policy. This policy provides a lump-sum benefit to purchase the business shares from the disabled partner. • Divorce: A divorce decree or the operation of provincial law can stipulate that all assets are divided between the spouses, including business interests. Unless the couple had a pre- or post-nuptial agreement protecting the partner’s business assets, the business may end up with a new and potentially unwanted partner. To prevent this from happening, make sure your buy-sell agreement states what should happen in the event of a divorce. Creating a business succession plan may be one of the most difficult management challenges of your professional career. Juggling the selection and preparation of successors with tax and estate concerns makes succession planning a complicated endeavor, as evidenced by the failure rate of second and third-generation businesses. The best way to successfully send your company into the future is to start forming a plan now.

Henry A. Echeverria offers financial planning and investment advisory services through Pruco Securities, doing business as Prudential Financial Planning Services (PFPS). Learn more at (800) 778-2255.

July 2021 • Volume 17 • Issue 7

EXPERT ADVICE

MAINTAINING EMPLOYER OF CHOICE STATUS BY MATT NIEMCZYK Employees and those looking for work in today’s environment have more options at their disposal than perhaps ever before. There exists a wide range of occupations, employer locations, industry types and work arrangements available to each worker. This allows an individual the ability to be more selective in choosing where they will work, why they want to work there, and how long they plan to stay there. And although each individual’s criteria is often unique and varied, there are many common concerns that tend to be shared among workers. Understanding these common issues is a critical component of creating a workplace that attracts and sustains a vibrant and growing

workforce. The term “employer of choice” is often used to describe such a company and for the employer, achieving such a status can be very advantageous. The benefits can include increased productivity, the ability to attract and retain top talent, and a healthier workplace culture, all of which can help improve the company’s bottom line. To become an employer of choice, the company leader(s) should finetune their corporate culture, branding, recruitment and retention strategies by targeting several of the following key aspects to set them above their peers: • Job Security: Employees want to be sure that their employer is in a sound financial condition and that they don’t need to worry about layoffs or downsizing.

• Opportunity for Growth: By helping employees map a strategic career path, employers of choice encourage their staff to develop their skills and careers by providing them with performance development planning, training opportunities and the resources needed to advance. • Respect and Fair Treatment: It is not reality to expect employees and their employer to agree in all matters, but their differences of opinion should always be respected. Employers should develop policies with fairness in mind, treating everyone equally and without bias. • Recognition of Performance: Employers of choice provide employee recognition to employees achieving performance successes and for those exhibiting positive, desired behaviors. • Employee Input and Empowerment: Employees are more apt to feel invested in a company when

Matt Niemczyk is an employee benefits advisor with My Benefits Advisor. they feel that leadership values their input into company processes, policies, and allow them to control their choices and make decisions. • A Well-Rounded Benefit Package: The impact of the COVID pandemic has caused CONTINUED ON PAGE 17

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COVER STORY

ALL ‘INN’: RWNYC ADDS 400-ROOM HOTEL When Resorts World New York City opened its doors in 2011, a full-service hotel was always part of the plan. A decade later, that vision will become a reality when the 400-room Hyatt Regency JFK opens its doors later this month. “We have wanted to bring a hotel to the property for so long because we’ve seen how popular our integrated resorts have been in places like Las Vegas and Singapore,” said Bob DeSalvio, who as president of Genting New York State oversees operations at the Queens casino, as well as Resorts World Catskills. “Working with an iconic brand like Hyatt with global recognition will allow us to tap into the travel and tourism market on a broader scale.” DeSalvio believes the hotel will attract a broader clientele to

RWNYC, including tourists flying in and out of JFK looking for a quicker commute to the airport, international travelers with overnight layovers, and New York City residents looking for a local getaway. “By showcasing our unparalleled hospitality, gaming, dining and entertainment offerings, we think guests of all interests will make their way to Queens,” he told This Is Queensborough. The $400 million project includes 8,000 square feet of conference rooms and meeting spaces, retail options, restaurants, and new gaming areas. The four-star, eightstory hotel will also feature nongaming amenities to attract visitors of all sorts. When it opens, the hotel is expected to create 500 jobs, and if

the past is prologue, many of those jobs will go to Queens residents. “Resorts World New York City employs an all-union workforce of nearly 1,000 people,” DeSalvio said. “Eighty-three percent of those employees are people of color and nearly 50 percent are women. Eighty percent of those workers are from New York City and more than half are from Queens.” Since it opened ten years ago, RWNYC has contributed more than $3 billion to New York’s public schools, and the new hotel will provide even more revenue to the state’s Lottery Education Fund. But RWNYC’s commitment to giving back goes far beyond simply paying taxes. RWNYC has donated millions to local charities since it opened,

but the casino’s promise to be part of the local community was never more evident after Hurricane Sandy devastated communities in south Queens, especially the Rockaways, less than a year after RWNYC opened its doors. “We provided hot meals to displaced residents and hosted a staging area for emergency vehicles,” said DeSalvio. “We even temporarily stored on casino property some of the 7,000 tress that came down during the storm.” So it was no surprise when the COVID pandemic hit Queens especially hard during the first few weeks of the outbreak that RWNYC would play a role in helping the borough cope and eventually recover. CONTINUED ON PAGE 12

The Hyatt Regency JFK at Resorts World New York City will have its grand opening later this month.

YOUR WOR LD AWA ITS. GENTING AMERICAS EAST

NEW YORK CITY

NEW YORK CIT Y’S ONLY CASINO!

CATSKILLS

WINNING WITH A VIEW

BIMINI

PARTY IN PARADISE

OPENING THIS SUMMER

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COVER STORY

FOCUS NOW ON FULL GAMING AT RWNYC CONTINUED FROM PAGE 10

“The pandemic was a challenge for us all,” DeSalvio said. “After we were forced to close, we hosted a mass COVID-19 testing and vaccination center. We donated to Fuel the Frontlines and Jamaica Hospital Medical Center.” With pandemic restrictions lifted, RWNYC is still helping local small businesses rebound. Its Community Partner Program offers free advertising and exposure to hundreds of local small businesses. And RWNYC recently joined the Queens Chamber’s “Adopt a Small Business” program. The casino is sponsoring one-year Chamber memberships for 40 small businesses, many of them restaurants in surrounding neighborhoods. “We saw first-hand what it was like to be a business that had to close during the pandemic and

how challenging it was,” DeSalvio said. “By sponsoring some of the businesses that were hardest hit during COVID, like restaurants, we hope it will give them some of what they need to get back on track.” With the hotel finished, the focus is now on getting state approval for full gaming. Currently, RWNYC offers slots and electronic games, but hopes to offer live table game dealers, a move that DeSalvio said would create thousands of more jobs at the casino. “We remain hopeful lawmakers can expedite the RFI [request for information] process, which is the first step in getting the three unawarded downstate casino resort licenses issued,” he said. “We’re ready to start the bidding process sooner than 2023, and know that if we were awarded a commercial gaming license we could quickly get people back to work.”

An artist’s rendering of the lobby of the Hyatt Regency JFK and the photos of the nearly completed lobby under construction last month.

July 2021 • Volume 17 • Issue 7

COVER STORY BOB DESALVIO

Bob DeSalvio has over 40 years of experience in the gaming and hospitality industries. As president of Genting New York State, he is responsible for overseeing all operations at Resorts World Catskills and Resorts World Casino New York City. Prior to his current post, DeSalvio served as president of Encore Boston Harbor, where he led the design, development, and opening of the largest development project in Massachusetts history with a total project cost of $2.6 billion. Previously, DeSalvio spent eight years as president of Sands Casino Resort Bethlehem. He joined the Las Vegas Sands Corporation team in 2006 when the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board awarded the license for the property and led the design, development, opening and growth of this highly profitable $840 million project. In 2019, the Las Vegas Sands Corporation sold the property for $1.3 billion. DeSalvio also spent nearly 10 years at Foxwoods Resort Casino in Mashantucket, Connecticut, where he was responsible for all aspects of marketing the resort destination with revenue exceeding $1 billion. Prior to joining Foxwoods, DeSalvio worked in various roles at Sands Atlantic City for 14 years, where he implemented marketing strategies that resulted in the highest return on invested capital for Atlantic City properties at that time.

ABOVE: An artist’s rendering of the new hotel from the air. BELOW: The team at Resorts World New York City that has been prepping the Hyatt Regency JFK for its grand opening.

THIS IS QUEENSBOROUGH

queenschamber.org

CITY (FINALLY) BREAKS GROUND AT WILLETS POINT BY ANDRE BEGANSKI City representatives and local officials gathered in a dirt lot outside Citi Field last week to break ground on the long-anticipated redevelopment of Willets Point. The initial phase will focus on environmental cleanup on what is now six acres of undeveloped land. “We are going to bring in 1,100 units of affordable housing with zero market-rate units, and units that are going to be set aside for older New Yorkers and those transitioning out of the shelter system,” said Councilman Francisco Moya. Officials touted the creation of a new school as the project’s crown jewel, which will alleviate overcrowding in the district. “This represents an opportunity for 650 children in the district to not go into any more crowded schools,” Moya added. Since Moya took office in 2018, he’s worked closely with Mayor Bill de Blasio to make the proj-

ect, which got underway during the Bloomberg administration, a reality. “We needed to be persistent to get this done, and we needed to make sure that it had the maximum impact for the community,” de Blasio said. “We’ve really gotten back to what matters, which is making sure that people can live in this community.” The cleanup will last into 2022, when the project will shift its focus to creating infrastructure for the redevelopment. The city will begin construction on the housing, school and other amenities in 2024. The project will include two acres of public open space and 680,000 square feet of retail space. “Image right here where we’re standing, we’re going to see a thriving neighborhood with affordable homes and a public school and open space for families to enjoy,” said Rachel Loeb president and CEO of the Economic Development Corporation. “It’s not often that we get the

PHOTO: MICHAEL APPLETON/MAYOR’S OFFICE

opportunity to start from scratch, but with this project we are going to build an entire community from the ground up,” said Councilman Peter Koo of Flushing. “I look forward to the day when Flushing, Willets point, and Corona will share a seamless, integrated community.” The mayor said the project is part of the “rebirth” of New York and

a future that will have impacts for generations. “We talk about affordable, but sometimes we forget what it means on a very human level,” de Blasio said. “It means a family that will for decades know they will have a place to lay their head. This is the kind of thing that really makes a difference.”

Elected and city officials take part in a groundbreaking ceremony at Willets Point.

July 2021 • Volume 17 • Issue 7

TECHNOLOGY

BUILDING BACK GREENER: WASTE TO RESOURCE

BY MYRON ALEXANDER

The COVID-19 global pandemic has clearly revealed the inner-connectedness of our essential and fundamental economies as related to our health and well-being. It showed the need to restore integrity to our natural resources and ecosystems to ensure a healthy future. How we manage our natural resources - energy, food, water and waste - will determine our ability to achieve sustained economic growth. We must envision a more equitable future and find a balance for people and the planet. During this pandemic, the efficiency of our food production, supply and delivery systems has been particularly challenged. It is a call to action that confirms our nation’s need to invest in the sustainable, local management of food resources in a manner that involves and supports people. Community-based gardening and public space landscaping can provide opportunities for education, participation, and create viable green economies. It can create jobs for individuals, students and

Myron Alexander is co-founder of OWARECO (Organic Waste Reduction & Conversion), which provide provides on-site, net-zero food and organic waste decomposition technologies. Learn more at owareco.com.

businesses, while helping to restore healthy environments and public spaces. As our nation emerges from this global pandemic, individuals, communities and businesses are eager to resume life as it was. However, it is unlikely that there will or should be a return to life “as it was.” In New York City, bustling food and entertainment industries are pillars of our local economy. We witnessed closed venues, barren avenues and deafening silence, while some businesses demonstrated resilience by reinventing their services, introducing creative and innovative ways to serve patrons and sustain operations. The experience of managing this crisis has affected nearly every aspect of our lives and continues to play out in different ways throughout the world. President Joseph Biden identified several national priorities in his State of the Union address. Among them are infrastructure, clean job creation, energy efficiency and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Therefore, inherent in our efforts to “Build Back Better,” we must “Build Back Greener.” Over the past decade, science, technology and research has developed new methods and practices for producing food, food delivery, recovery, recycling and regenerative end-use applications. Materials management and recycling has emerged as a new frontier. No longer can businesses and communities afford to view excess food and organic materials as simply scraps or waste. What we have historically labelled as “waste” is proving to be a multi-faceted, environmentally sustainable “resource” that can be upcycled to create new green jobs and potentially provide viable economic profit centers. Many cities are demonstrating the social, environmental and economic benefits of recycling. Increasingly, we are seeing U.S. cities and states declare new goals to reduce and recycle waste, avoid

greenhouse gas emissions and reduce the consumption of fossil fuels. The deployment of innovative waste decomposition technologies that can rapidly reduce and stabilize food waste and address the critical factors of volume, time, costs, labor, space and emissions

is here. The high volume of waste generated, specifically food and organic waste, how waste is managed, and the environmental affects thereof is a global priority. Sustainable waste management is a shift that will require innovation, collaborative and inclusive action.

CONSTRUCTION MISMANAGEMENT CONTINUED FROM PAGE 7 The next nightmare was that the contractor had not properly secured enough quotes for the project, and did not realize that plans and drawings must be submitted to the Building Department prior to any work. We vetted the engineer and architect, and their quote came in at $32,000, but that did not take into consideration, expediting, permits, or fees for inspections. Already the contractor and his partners were $25,000 over budget,

meaning the money would have to come from their own pockets to complete the project. This presented another hassle for the partners because they had to figure out how to perform on a contract they had underbid on to save face, or default on a contract and still have to pay money for defaulting. If you have any questions or would like to hire a hassle–free professional firm to facilitate this process for you, All Boro Expediter is always available.

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July 2021 • Volume 17 • Issue 7

QUEENSBOROUGH CALENDAR OF EVENTS JULY 7/13, 2 PM

MAKE YOUR WEBSITE WORK FOR YOU

Learn how to create a search-friendly website that drives user action and supports your goals. Whether you’re launching a new website or sprucing up an old one, this workshop will help. VIRTUAL Register at queenschamber.org 7/15, 5 TO 8 PM

QUEENS CHAMBER SUMMER BOAT CRUISE 2021

Cruise into Summer 2021! Tickets include three-hour open bar and DJ, passed appetizers and carving stations, prize giveaways, raffles, and networking. Register at queenschamber.org Skyline Princess 1 World’s Fair Marina Flushing

promoting worker satisfaction and harmony. VIRTUAL Register at queenschamber.org

AUGUST 8/17, 9 AM

MORNING SPEED NETWORKING: SHAKE IT UP AND GET MOVING

Join us for the first in-person speed networking since late 2019. This is a fast-paced event that guarantees you’ll build your professional network and increase your business bottom-line. Within a matter of 20 minutes you’ll be introduced to at least ten new contacts. Queens Chamber of Commerce 75-20 Astoria Blvd.

Bulova Corporate Center Cafe Jackson Heights Register at queenschamber.org 8/20, 9:30 AM

EMPLOYER STRATEGIES TO MANAGE AND MOTIVATE THE REMOTE WORKPLACE

Businesses will need to develop a plan on how they can keep their workforce employed physically, emotionally, healthy and engaged. This workshop offers a road map to maximizing employee engagement, satisfaction, and productivity. This program will offer strategies to engage and motivate the remote employee by promoting worker satisfaction and harmony. VIRTUAL Register at queenschamber.org

7/16, 9:30 AM

TECHNIQUES FOR MANAGING EMPLOYEE SPEECH & POSTINGS ON SOCIAL MEDIA

A single disparaging social media posting by an employee can be devastating to business brand and reputation. This program focuses on the legal guidelines established by the National Labor Relations Board as they relate to the employer’s legal rights and obligations in monitoring and reacting to disparaging employee postings. VIRTUAL Register at queenschamber.org 7/21, 11 AM

HOW THE SBA CAN HELP YOUR BUSINESS SUCCEED

Learn about the different programs offered by the U.S. Small Business Administration, such as SBA Financing Programs, Business Education, One-On-One Counselling with Resource Partners, SBDC, SCORE, and WBC. There are a multitude of Government Contracting Assistance that is accessible and can help start or expand your small business. VIRTUAL Register at queenschamber.org 8/20, 9:30 AM

EMPLOYER STRATEGIES TO MANAGE AND MOTIVATE THE REMOTE WORKPLACE

Some enterprises will return to the traditional office setting, however, for most the remote work environment will continue to be the new normal. This program will offer strategies to engage and motivate the remote employee by

Last month, the Queens Chamber of Commerce hosted a networking event at the Queens County Farm Museum with Councilman Barry Grodenchik and the Floral Park Bellerose Indian Merchant Association (F-BIMA). The Farm Store has fresh fruits and veggies and The Floral Escape is back with a new summer theme.

REMAINING AN EMPLOYER OF CHOICE CONTINUED FROM PAGE 8

many employees to reconsider their priorities when it comes to choosing benefits. Employers who have offered traditional benefit packages until recently are finding they may no longer be the employer of choice with an outdated benefit portfolio that doesn’t meet the evolving needs of their workers. Inclusion of income protection (short- and long-term disability coverage), critical Illness and hospital indemnity programs, an expansion of mental health coverage and financial wellness programs could go a long way in helping

your business stand out. It’s no easy task to continually maintaining these programs while staying within budgetary restraints, but the employer who does so will not only win the loyalty of their employees, but better position themselves as an employer of choice going forward. The Queens Chamber of Commerce offers its members access to My Benefit Advisor as a solution for employee benefits, including voluntary offerings. For more information about My Benefit Advisor, visit qcc.mybenefitadvisor. com or contact Matt Niemczyk at (201) 8152384.

this is...

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

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

July 2021 • Volume 17 • Issue 7

QUEENS CHAMBER PARTNERS & AFFILIATES 82ND STREET PARTNERSHIP

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

more than 200 businesses under its umbrella. The district is on 82nd Street from 37th Avenue to Baxter Avenue. The board meets quarterly with the annual meeting in June.

ASIAN AMERICAN FEDERATION

120 Wall Street, 9th Fl., New York, NY 10005 aafederation.org QUICK GLANCE: The Asian American Federation’s mission is to raise the influence and well-being of the pan-Asian American community through research, policy advocacy, public awareness and organizational development. Established in 1989, the Federation is a panAsian non-profit organization representing a network of community service agencies in the Northeast. These agencies work in the fields of health & human services, education, economic development, civic participation, and social justice.

BAYSIDE VILLAGE BID

213-33 39th Avenue, Bayside, NY 11361 Executive Director: Christine Siletti 718.423.2434 info@baysidevillagebid.com QUICK GLANCE: Budget of $218,000 and

over 350 members. Founded in 2007, the BID includes commercial property owners and residents on Bell Boulevard between 35th Avenue and Northern Boulevard, as well as a block east and west on 41st Avenue.

BAYSIDE BUSINESS ASSOCIATION 41-16 Bell Boulevard, Bayside, NY 11361 President: Ed Probst Vice President: Judith Limpert 718.229.2277 info@baysideba.com baysideba.com QUICK GLANCE: Founded in 2007, the BID

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

ACCOMPANY CAPITAL (FORMERLY BCNA)

78-27 37 Ave., Ste. 1 Jackson Heights, NY 11372 Business Development: Tshering Gurung 347.730.6468 tgurung@accompanycapital.org QUICK GLANCE: Accompany Capital is an

award-winning Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) and Small Business Administration (SBA) micro lender that pro-

vides small and micro business owners in New York City with low-cost loans, access to business training & technical assistance, and one-on-one counseling. Accompany Capital has disbursed over $34 million in loans and assisted over 10,000 immigrant and refugee entrepreneurs in New York City since its founding as Business Center for New Americans (BCNA) in 1997, as well as provided workshops and one-on-one advice on business management and marketing to over 10,000 businesses.

BUSINESS OUTREACH CENTER NETWORK (BOC, INC.)

85 S. Oxford Street #2 Brooklyn, NY 11217 718.624.9115 bocnet.org QUICK GLANCE: Business Outreach Center Network’s mission is to improve the economic prospects of traditionally underserved groups, with a focus on low- and moderate-income entrepreneurs and their communities, and thereby create genuinely brighter futures. At the heart of our mission is the belief that whatever their differences, people and communities share a common goal: to achieve economic stability and growth. Working in partnership with culturally diverse individuals and organizations in support of this shared goal is the hallmark of BOC.

CHHAYA CDC

37-43 77th Street, #2 Jackson Heights, NY 11372 718.478.3848 chhayacdc.org QUICK GLANCE: Core to our strategy is organizing and advocating for systemic changes that remove the barriers to well-being, housing stability, and economic mobility for our communities. For over 20 years, Chhaya has served tens of thousands of individuals and led the charge on key policy issues for immigrants, such as basement legalization, language access, tenants’ rights, and more.

CHINATOWN DISTRICT MANAGEMENT ASSOCIATION (CHINATOWN PARTNERSHIP)

217 Park Row, 2nd Floor, Suite 9 New York, NY 10038 chinatownpartnership.org QUICK GLANCE: Chinatown Partnership, led by Wellington Chen, was formed in 2006 as new start-up from grounds up to bring residents, business owners and community groups together to rebuild Chinatown following 9/11, and to preserve the neighborhood’s unique culture while ensuring its vitality in the future through strategic positioning.

With the highly popular Weekend Walks street festive series, Mid-Autumn Festival, One Day in NYC, annual Beautification/Earth Day, East West Parade with Little Italy, Double Valentine’s Day to promote the softer side of Chinatown and the Jewelry District and all the cafes, eateries in the area. Explore Chinatown marketing initiative, Lunar Stages outdoor film screenings, and Taste of Chinatown street events, Chinatown Partnership helps promote the area as a special destination to live, work, and visit.

FOREST HILLS CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

PO Box 751123, Forest Hills, NY 11375 President: Leslie Brown 718.268.6565 FHChamber11375@gmail.com FHChamber@aol.com QUICK GLANCE: Re-formed in 1995, the group

has over 225 members. Chamber meetings are held on the last Wednesday of the month at 9 a.m. at the West Side Tennis Club, 1 Tennis Place, in Forest Hills.

GATEWAY JFK

Executive Director: Scott Grimm-Lyon 516.730.3400 info@GatewayJFK.org GatewayJFK.org QUICK GLANCE: Formerly the Greater JFK

Industrial BID and founded in 2016, the group seeks to provide support to the off-airport air cargo and services district through supplemental services and improvements, technical and professional services for its members, and advocacy and administration.

GREATER FLUSHING CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

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

senting over 200 businesses.

GREATER JAMAICA DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION

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

has 75 members. GJDC’s work expands economic opportunity and improves quality of life for the ethnically and economically diverse residents of Jamaica and for the region at large, which benefits from rational, well-planned, and sustainable metropolitan growth.

THIS IS QUEENSBOROUGH

queenschamber.org

QUEENS CHAMBER PARTNERS & AFFILIATES GREATER WOODHAVEN DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION WOODHAVEN BID

84-01 Jamaica Avenue, Woodhaven NY 11421 718.805.0202 gwdcbid@hotmail.com woodhavenbid.com QUICK GLANCE: Budget of $257,000 with

more than 350 businesses under its umbrella on Jamaica Avenue from Dexter Court to 100th Street. They are providing free benches for store owners along Jamaica Avenue. They also provide 2.5 and 5 percent home improvement loans.

JAMAICA CENTER BID

161-10 Jamaica Avenue, Suite 419 Jamaica, NY 11432 Executive Director: Jennifer Furioli 718.526.2422 jamaica.nyc @JamCenterBID (Twitter) @jamcenterbid (Instagram) @Jamaica Center BID (Facebook) QUICK GLANCE: Founded in 1979, the Jamaica

and visitors, and promote a vibrant and authentic mixed-use community. The LIC Partnership operates the LIC Business Improvement District and the LIC Industrial Business Zone.

MASPETH CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

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

120 members and a budget of $115,000.

MASPETH INDUSTRIAL BUSINESS ASSOCIATION (MIBA)

BOC: 96-11 40th Road, Corona, NY 11368 Coordinator: Quincy Ely-Cate 718.205.3773 qelycate@bocnet.org mibanyc.org QUICK GLANCE: Covering roughly 600 busi-

Center BID serves over 400 businesses on Jamaica Avenue between Sutphin Boulevard and 169th Street. With a budget of over $1 million, the BID’s goal is to promote and maintain Downtown Jamaica as a thriving business hub and an enjoyable destination to shop, work, live and visit.

nesses with 30 active members, the Maspeth Industrial Business Association provides a collective voice in advocating the needs and interests of industrial and manufacturing businesses in Maspeth. They help companies in the Maspeth Industrial District in developing workforce, accessing tax credits, obtaining financing, navigating government regulations and, in some cases, finding real estate.

JFK INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

MIDDLE VILLAGE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

P.O. Box 300687, Jamaica, NY 11430 Executive Director: Clorinda Antonucci President: Al DePhillips Vice President: Joseph Morra JFKCoCExec@gmail.com jfkairportchamberofcommerce.org QUICK GLANCE: Founded in 1978, the group

has over 200 members. The chamber was chartered in 1978 by a group of business people in and around JFK Airport. It is the only airport in the nation to have its own Chamber of Commerce. The chamber seeks to create an environment in which members of the business community can work together to enhance the growth, well being and economic development of the airport community and its aviation industry.

LONG ISLAND CITY PARTNERSHIP

President: Elizabeth Lusskin 718.786.5300 longislandcityqueens.com QUICK GLANCE: Founded in 1979, the Long

Island City Partnership advocates for economic development that benefits LIC’s industrial, commercial, cultural and residential sectors. The goal is to attract new businesses to the neighborhood, retain those already here, welcome new residents

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

businesses under its umbrella. Formed in 1929. MVCC meets annually and focuses on the Metropolitan Avenue shopping district between 69 and 80th streets. The mission is to improve the area and assist local businesses if they have any concerns or needs.

MURRAY HILL MERCHANTS ASSOCIATION OF NY

P.O. Box 1897 New York, NY 10156 212.886.5867 murrayhillnyc.org QUICK GLANCE: Murray Hill is a unique residential neighborhood in midtown Manhattan. While there is no formal boundary for the neighborhood, the area served by The Murray Hill Neighborhood Association and its sister organization the Manhattan East Community Association (MECA) extends from Fifth Avenue eastward to the East River and from 42nd Street down to 26th Street (encompassing the 10016

postal code).

MYRTLE AVENUE BID

62-14 Myrtle Avenue, Ridgewood, NY 11385 Executive Director: Ted Renz 718.366.3806 QUICK GLANCE: Budget of $500,000 with

over 300 retail and service businesses under its purview. Board meetings are held four times a year with the annual meeting in June. The district includes Myrtle Avenue in Ridgewood between Fresh Pond Road and Wyckoff Avenue. Program support is provided by the Ridgewood LDC.

QUEENS ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION

12-55 Queens Boulevard, Room 309 Kew Gardens, NY 11424 Executive Director: Seth Bornstein 718.263.0546 queensny.org QUICK GLANCE: Budget of $1.5 million and

a resource for over 2,000 businesses in the borough of Queens. Register online for upcoming virtual events, including:

ROCKAWAY BUSINESS ALLIANCE

info@rockawaybusinessalliance.org QUICK GLANCE: Budget of $40,000 and a

resource for over 200 businesses. The Rockaway Business Alliance was founded in 2012 after Hurricane Sandy. RBA’s vision is to create business corridors that are clean, safe, and welcoming, with shopping, dining, attractions, and engagement for the local community and the visitors drawn to Rockaway’s beaches and open spaces.

ROCKAWAY DEVELOPMENT & REVITALIZATION CORPORATION

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

Rockaway Development & Revitalization Corporation (RDRC) was established to promote the revitalization of the Rockaway’s economic base and neighborhoods by creating long-standing partnerships with city and state agencies.

ROCKAWAY EAST MERCHANTS ASSOCIATION (REMA4US)

1032 Beach 20th Street Far Rockaway, NY 11691 rema4us.org REMA 4 US, Inc. seeks to engage in economic development and revitalization in the Rockaway Peninsula. To strengthen our community revitalization programs and community development efforts in the Rockaway Peninsula REMA works alongside businesses, civic groups, government

July 2021 • Volume 17 • Issue 7

NEW MEMBERS CORPORATE

Approved General Contracting, Inc.

362 Willis Avenue Mineola, NY 11501 approvedgc.com Our mission at Approved General Contracting is to assist and serve our clients in their construction needs, and above all, provide our clientele with an outstanding service through a collective commitment to our core values

Carter Milchman and Frank

28-10 37th Avenue Long Island City, NY 11101 cmftool.com CMF specializes in the distribution of Industrial Supplies – tools, material, and products used by most construction firms and specialty trade contractors, ranging from Janitorial and Maintenance to Demolition, Concrete, Elevator, All Mechanical Trades, Riggers, Welders, Heavy Civil and nearly everything in between.

EOS Electrical Corporation 31-00 47th Avenue, Suite 3100 Long Island City, NY 11101

Sullivan Engineering delivers a successful building envelope restoration project by providing the property owner with the technical assistance required to ensure that the appropriate materials are combined with high-quality workmanship.

INTRODUCTORY

Allied Foundation

Ronkonkoma, NY 11779 getoneservice.com

Queens Defenders

148-02 Jamaica Avenue, 2nd Floor Jamaica, NY 11435 queensdefenders.org

Ramdeen’s Electrical Contracting Corp. 132-10 Liberty Avenue South Richmond Hill, NY 11419 ramdeenselectric.com

3 Huntington Quadrangle, Suite 105S Melville, NY 11747 alliedfoundation.org

Self Employed

Atax Ridgewood

232 Kingsland Avenue, 1R Brooklyn, NY 11222

6674 Fresh Pond Road, 1st Floor Ridgewood, NY 11385 atax.com/ridgewoodny

Sports Lane

Chick-Fil-A

116-19 Liberty Avenue Richmond Hill, NY 11419 sportslaneny.com

Four Points Sheraton Flushing NY

213 Fordham Street City Island, NY 10464 spotonny.com

40-27 82nd Street Elmhurst, NY 11373 chick-fil-a.com

Spot On

3368 Farrington Street Flushing, NY 11354 marriott.com/hotels/travel/nycfl-four-points-fl

Sullivan Engineering, LLC

Sullivan Engineering LLC 134 West 29th Street, 3rd Floor New York, NY 10001 sullivanengineerllc.com

Vrinda, Inc.

301 E. 78th Street, 16B New York, NY 10075 vrindainc.com

OneService Maintenance & Security Services 22 Comac Loop, Suite 1A2

PARTNERS & AFFILIATES agencies, and non-profit organizations. REMA works to inform the public about opportunities that exist to strengthen the community, and to create a welcoming and safe environment to help expand economic opportunity in the Rockaway Peninsula.

STEINWAY ASTORIA PARTNERSHIP BID

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

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

SUNNYSIDE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

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

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

SUNNYSIDE SHINES

45-56 43rd Street, Sunnyside, NY 11104 Executive Director: Jaime-Faye Beam 718.606.1800 director@sunnysideshines.org sunnysideshines.org QUICK GLANCE: The BID has a budget of

approximately $480,000 with more than 250 businesses under its umbrella. The mission of Sunnyside Shines is to invigorate and enrich the economic life of the neighborhood by creating a safe and dynamic commercial district.

SUTPHIN BOULEVARD BID 89-00 Sutphin Boulevard, Suite 204C

Jamaica, NY 11435 Executive Director: Glen Greenridge 718.291.2110 sutphinblvdbid@verizon.net QUICK GLANCE: The BID was founded in 2004

and represents 134 businesses, 56 properties and 39 property owners along Sutphin Boulevard between Hillside Avenue and 94th Avenue in Jamaica.

CEO’S MESSAGE CONTINUED FROM PAGE 3

bers with a vehicle to plant seeds that result business growth. With the numerous resources we have available to you, the sky’s the limit. Visit queenschamber.org to learn more. As president of the Queens Chamber, I want to personally thank you for your continued support with hopes of great things happening in the days, weeks and months to come. Queens STRONG!

THIS IS QUEENSBOROUGH EXECUTIVE COMMMITEE

queenschamber.org

Thomas Santucci

Nash Roe

Thomas J. Grech

Brendan Leavy

Susan Browning

Richard Dzwlewicz

Joanne M. Persad

Jacqueline Donado

Chairperson

Associate Treasurer

Vice Chairperson

Associate Secretary

Patricia Mezeul Treasurer

President & CEO

Business Development Manager

Chief of Operations

Strategic Program Coordinator

Alejandra Espejo

Jef Gross

Financial Controller

Patrick Yu

Neil Wagner

Secretary

SENIOR ADVISORY COUNCIL

EXECUTIVE STAFF

Business Service Program Manager

Manager of Committee Development

William Blake Vincent L. Petraro, Esq. Dominick Ciampa George Rozansky Joseph Farber Gerard Thornton Louis D. Laurino Jeff Levine Joseph M. Mattone, Sr

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

BOARD OF DIRECTORS Stephanie Baldwin Fran Biderman-Gross Susan Browning Kenneth J. Buettner Charles E. Callahan Ali Chaudhry Sal Crifasi

Steven DeClara Mayra DiRico Richard Dzwlewicz Charles Everett, Jr. Joseph R. Ficalora Tamara Gavrielof Howard Graf

Dr. Cameron Hernandez Raymond Irrera Kenneth Koenig Neil Levin Bert Lurch Carl Mattone Patricia Mezeul

Melinda Murray-Nyack Maria Odysseus Stephen Preuss Nash Roe Jeffrey Rosenstock Juan Santiago Thomas Santucci

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

Patrick Yu Daniel Zausner

CORPORATE MEMBERS 365 Data Centers A&L Cesspool Services Corp AARP Above All Pressure Cleaning Abrams Fensterman Aeroterm Andromeda Aora Development Approved General Contracting Inc., ARK Development LLC Aurora Contractors, Inc. Balkan Sewer and Water Main Service Bank of America BedRock Real Estate Partners, LLC BJ’s Wholesale Club Blumenfeld Development Group, Ltd. Capital One Bank

Carter Milchman and Frank CBRE Center for Automotive Education and Training Cerini and Associates, LLP. Champion Elevator Corp. Cine Magic LIC Studios, LLC Cipico Construction, Inc. Citibank CitizensRx City National Bank Clearcell Power Complete Supply Cord Meyer Development LLC Cornell NYC Tech Corporate Development Systems, Inc. Cort CPower Energy Management Crescent Properties, Inc

Crown Castle Cushman & Wakefield, Inc. Dedline AV DG Construction East Coast Energy Group EDGE AUTO INC Einbinder & Dunn LLP Enterprise Fleet Management EOS Electrical Corp Evolve IP EW Howell Construction Group Farrell Fritz, P.C. Fastsigns South Ozone Park First Central Savings Bank Fluid Mechanic’s Corp. Gatsons Electric, Inc. Gil-Bar Industries, Inc. GoPuff Graf & Lewent Architects Greater NY Automobiles

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

BANKING & LAW

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

COMMUNICATIONS Cody Fisher Blue Ox Marketing, LLC cody@blueoxmarketing.com Leigh Schuckman Sandler Training leigh.schuckman@sandler.com

HEALTHCARE & WELLNESS

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

ENERGY

Marshall Haimson E-Capital Development marshall@e-capitaldevelopment.com Jay Solly Sol Strategies jaypsolly@gmail.com

ENTREPRENEURSHIP & INNOVATION Bill Staniford bill@staniford.com

FAMILY-OWNED BUSINESSES Chad Callahan Plaza College cec4@plazacollege.edu Michael Shoule JW Hampton mikes@jwhampton.com

HOSPITALITY

Jim Quent Statewide Public Affairs jquent@statewidepublicaffairs.com Vincent Gentile Vassilaros & Sons Coffee vincent@vassilaroscoffee.com

MANUFACTURING Lina DeLaCruz Control Electropolishing Corp. lina@controlpublishing.com

NONPROFIT

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

REAL ESTATE

Martin Cottingham Avison Young martin.cottingham@avisonyoung.com Kevin Louie Cushman & Wakefield kevin.louie@cushwake.com Michael Wang Project Queens michael@projectqueens.com

TECHNOLOGY Bobby Giurintano TGI Office Automation bgiurintano@tgioa.com Fred Canone fc1281@gmail.com

TRANSPORTATION Marlon Taylor NY & Atlantic Railway mtaylor@anacostia.com Phil Jones LIME philip@li.me

Dealers Association HANAC, Inc. Healthy Corner Pharmacy Heatherwood Communities Himmel + Meringoff Properties Holt Construction Corp. Horticultural Creations Inc IKEA Queens INDA, Association of Nonwoven Fabric Industry INF Associates, LLC Innovo Property Group J.W. Hampton Jr. & Co., Inc. JGM Construction Development, LLC Kasirer Consulting Kaufman Astoria Studios, Inc. Laffey Real Estate Littler Mendelson, P.C. Lyons Mortgage Services, Inc. M & T Bank Madison International Realty Madison Realty Capital McBride Consulting & Business Mega Contracting Group LLC Merrill Lynch Wealth Management, Bank of America Corporation Metropolitan Taxicab Board of Trade Molloy College Mondial Automotive Mount Sinai Hospital of Queens Mr. T Carting Corp. My Benefit Advisor, LLC NBCUniversal New York + Atlantic Railway New York Crystal Cleaning New York Islanders Hockey Club New York Life Insurance Company New York State Energy Coalition, Inc. Nonprofit Sector Strategies, PBC Nuvo Solutions NYC Cooling Tower Inspections and Services, LLC NYC Ferry Operated by Hornblower Owareco, LLC Patrick B. Jenkins & Associates

PGA Mechanical Contractors, Inc. Pi Capital Partners Priority 1 Security LLC ProCleanings Co QSIDE Federal Credit Union Queens College Reef Technology Related Retail Corporation Safety Facility Services Samaritan Daytop Village Securitech Group, Inc. Signature Bank SL Green Realty Corp. Solve Together LLC Soter Technologies, LLC. Spectrum Reach Squad Security Inc. St. Francis Preparatory School St. John’s University Starbucks Corporation Sterling National Bank Sterling Sanitary Supply Corp Structural Engineering Technologies, P.C. Sullivan Engineering LLC Target TC Electric TGI Office Automation The Center for Musculoskeletal Disorders The First National Bank of Long Island Transmission Developers, Inc. TSC Training Academy, LLC Ultrasound Solutions Corp. United Airlines United Construction & Development Group Corp. United Public Adjusters & Appraisers, Inc. USTA National Tennis Center, Inc. Valley National Bank Vanguard Building Solutions, LLC Vassilaros & Sons Coffee Verus Commercial Real Estate Finance Watch Guard 24/7 WellLife Network White Coffee Corp Xin Development Group International York College - CUNY Zara Realty

July 2021 • Volume 17 • Issue 7 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.

Work

from the

HIEX

Maspeth Holiday Inn Express Maspeth Offering Special Workspace Rate Finding the right workspace is an ageless dilemma in New York City; especially when literally millions of people are being required to work from home. Luckily, the advent of shared co-working spaces has provided more options. Now, hotels have begun testing out creative ways to offer their unoccupied rooms as daytime office space for individuals and groups. The Holiday Inn Express Maspeth has found success early into the implementation of offering remote workspace rates. “We found that because so many people live with roommates in NYC that a quiet, clean space to accomplish their goals during the workday is sometimes hard to come by and that was important for people once the COVID-19 pandemic shifted people from the office to working from home,” said Francisco Victoria, the manager of the Holiday Inn Express Maspeth. “We have private rooms with premium workstations and many outlets for plugging in your laptop or phone charger that

are very conducive for working remotely.”

and Market Place for snacks and supplies.

Management at the Holiday Inn Express Maspeth feels the hotel is well suited for workday use because of the free WiFi, a 24-hour business center and 100% smoke-free rooms equipped with LCD televisions, a microwave, USB charging ports, a mini fridge and a Keurig coffee maker.

“It’s certainly a quiet and private place to work where you can feel comfortable and get a lot done,” said Jared Jeffrey, a local photographer who has used rooms at the Holiday Inn Express Maspeth as an editing suite. “This is just another way in which a hotel provides hospitality.”

“We have made upgrades throughout the hotel and because of those renovations we’re able to offer this new workplace service,” Victoria said. “We’ve seen some cases where employers have paid for their workers to use our facility as well as individuals needing temporary workspace during the day for a specific project.” Services included from unlimited printing privileges and free parking. The hotel also provideshe a “Forgot it? We’ve got it” kit to support your needs, branded notepad and pen, mask and hand sanitizer. Take advantage of our Business Center

You can book any stay at the HIEX Maspeth by contacting the front desk of the hotel: (718) 416-2500.

This Is Queensborough - July 2021

Articles inside

Partners & Affiliates

City (Finally!) Breaks Ground at Willets Point

Maintain Employer of Choice Status

Stay Connected With the Queens Chamber in July

Building Back Greener in Post-COVID World

Avoid Costly Construction Mismanagement

COVER STORY: RWNYC Head Discusses New Hotel

Promotions, Announcements & Appointments