This Is Queensborough March 2018

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March 2018 . Volume 14 . Issue 3

TOP COP NYPD HEAD JAMES O’NEILL DISCUSSES STRATEGIES OF NEIGHBORHOOD POLICING WITH QUEENSBOROUGH

PLUS:

• CHAMBER ADDS THREE BOARD MEMBERS • MONDIAL’S LEGACY IN QUEENS

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March 2018 • Volume 14 • Issue 3

A MESSAGE FROM THE CHAIR

MANUFACTURING AN IMPORTANT PART OF QUEENS Fifteen percent of all privateThen, in November of 2015, sector jobs in New York City are Mayor Bill de Blasio announced in the manufacturing a ten-point plan to sector, according to the strengthen and preserve NYC Economic Develthe industrial and manopment Corporation. ufacturing sectors that In early 2006, the are important sources Bloomberg administraof jobs for New Yorktion created 16 Indusers of all backgrounds trial Business Zones and skill levels.

(IBZs) to help combat The de Blasio plan this problem. To bolrepresents an expanster industrial sector sion of policy, and acts growth, manufacturers as a means to propel MAYRA DIRICO the sector into the next were given tax credits for relocating to spe- CHAIRPERSON era of global innovation cific IBZs; in Queens, and commerce. Further, namely, Jamaica/JFK, the plan includes more Long Island City, Maspeth, Ridge- than $200 million in investment to wood, Sunnyside, and Woodside. spur development of new industrial

space across the five boroughs and es will be able to cross-pollinate help industrial and manufacturing and open new opportunities for one firms start, grow, and thrive in New another.

York City.

The industrial Shifting the By connecting the dots sector remains a focus to our bor- for our manufacturers, cornerstone of the ough of Queens, these businesses will be New York City according to the able to cross-pollinate economy and state Department continues to be and open new opportu- a crucial source of Labor there are now approxi- nities for one another. of decent-paying mately 1,300 jobs. The city and manufacturing state must do all businesses in Queens. it can to retain these jobs, which The Queens Chamber, through are the lifeblood for many of our its Manufacturing Committee, is chamber members. working to act as the hub and cenWe will continue to advocate for tral resource for our local manufac- the interests of our local manufacturers. By connecting the dots for turers as well as finding them ways our manufacturers, these business- to grow their operations.

A MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT & CEO

MARCH A BUSY MONTH FOR THE QUEENS CHAMBER March is action-packed here at what New York State is doing to the Queens Chamber. We are really help small- and mid-size business running the gamut of events, and owners reap the benefits of this want to make sure you are taking technology. full advantage of all the services • March 6 -New York Knicks we have to offer. Be sure to engage and Chambers of Commerce with our staff and always keep Networking Event apprised of opportunities by visitFor $50, enjoy an evening of neting our website at queenschamber. working at Lavo in Manhattan with org. all of New York City Chambers of Here is some of what’s going on Commerce plus a Knicks game on in March: March 13.

• March 6 – Energy and Envi• March 8 – Five Chamber ronmental ComAlliance MWBE mittee Meeting: Awards “Smart Buildings Presented by the are Smart BusiFive Chamber Alliness” ance and hosted in This workshop Brooklyn for the first that will provide time! Our first “Cenpowerful informatennial Talk” will tion on how smart feature a conversabuilding technoltion on the contriogy can support your butions of Minority business. Represen- THOMAS J. GRECH and Women-Owned tatives from Con PRESIDENT & CEO Business Enterprises Edison and the New to the boroughs.

York State Ener• March 9 – Labor gy Research and Development Law Seminar Authority (NYSERDA), along The workshop will provide parwith implementation experts, will ticipants with hands-on techniques provide concrete information on to maximize communication skills,

which can translate into improved productivity and reduced friction and conflict.

• March 15 - St. Patrick’s Day Luncheon with Guest of Honor NYPD Commissioner James O’Neill

• March 20 – Queens Day in Albany Join the Queens Chamber for our 2018 Queens Day in Albany! This is your opportunity to make your voice heard and meet the Queens Assembly and Senate delegation.

Mayra DiRico with last year’s Five Chamber Alliance MWBE Award winners from Queens, Nayan Parikh, owner of Ashnu International, and John Hendon, CEO of Energy Economic Development Corporation.

Parikh recently joined the Queens Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors along with two other new members. Learn more on page 7.

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QUEENS QUICKLY

Delta sharing $1 billion in profits with employees

Delta Air Lines will pay out more than $1 billion in profit sharing to it’s 80,000-plus employees for the fourth year in a row.

Delta employees earned the payout for their role in delivering record-breaking operational and customer satisfaction performance, as well as strong financial performance.

The airline has paid out more than $5 billion through its profit sharing program over the past five years.

“Our profit sharing and compensation philosophy reflects a decision we made a long time ago to share in the company’s success each year with our people who make it possible,” said CEO Ed Bastian.

Job growth in New York City has become more geographically diversified than at any time in the past forty years. Nearly half of the gains since 2009 have been in the boroughs outside of Manhattan, the largest share since at least 1975.

Brooklyn had the fastest rate of private sector job growth in the five boroughs since 2009 (38 percent), followed by Queens (24 percent).

New food recycling regs for restaurants, grocers

Approximately 1,800 restaurants and grocery stores will soon be required to recycle food, instead of sending it landfills, as part of New York City’s expanded waste separation program. The city expects this new policy, which is

part of its initiative to send zero waste to landfills by 2030, will redirect about 50,000 tons of trash each year.

The new rules will take effect in August 2018 and be enforced beginning in February 2019.

Establishments impacted by these new regulations include restaurants with a floor area of at least 15,000 square feet and grocery stores that encompass at least 25,000 square feet.

Also covered are chain restaurants with 100 or more locations in New York City that “operate under common ownership or control, are individually franchised outlets of a parent business or do business under the same corporate name.”

Under the new policy, waste can be recycled by hiring private carters (which have maximum rates set by the city’s Business Integrity Commission), self-transport or on site processing. The Department of Sanitation does not currently collect trash from private businesses, which already pay for contracted waste removal.

Queens helping drive NYC’s record job growth

Job growth in New York City has outpaced the nation and New York state since the end of the recession, according to a report released last month by state Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli.

The city added a total of 702,200 jobs between 2009 and 2017, more than during any other expansion.

“New York City is undergoing the largest and longest expansion since World War II,” DiNapoli said. “Employment is at a record level and more jobs are being created in the boroughs outside of Manhattan than ever before.”

Employment in New York City increased by 18.9 percent between 2009 and 2017, pushing employment to an unprecedented level of 4.4 million in 2017, breaking the pre-recession record by more than 600,000 jobs.

The nation and New York state had job gains of 11.5 percent during this period.

Pictured with Congressman Joe Crowley at his annual Black History Month event on February 20 at Bruno’s on the Boulevard in East Elmhurst is Brendan Leavy (Business Development Manager) and Fatena Williams (Business Development Associate) of the Queens Chamber.

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

Assemblyman Discusses Cryptocurrency With Tech Committee .................20

Browning, Klein, Parikh Join Queens Chamber Board .........................8

Upcoming Queens Chamber of Commerce events .............................................23

Two From SterlingRisk Discuss Insurance for Manufacturers ............9

Partners & Affiliates news and happenings ..........................................................24

New Tech From EFleet Keeps Vehicle Fleets Safe & Running .........12 COVER STORY: NYPD Commish Talks Neighborhood Policing ..14 Chamber Hosts Breakfast With Borough President’s Office ..............16 NYCFEC Announces Spring Programs for Family Businesses ........18 4

PUBLISHER Walter H. Sanchez

MANAGING EDITOR Shane Miller

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

March 2018 • Volume 14 • Issue 3

CHAMBER CONNECTION CORNER

CHAMBER SECURES LIGHT

BY MELISSA GOLDIN The Department of Transportation (DOT) has approved a request from the Queens Chamber of Commerce to install traffic lights at Flushing and Onderdonk avenues, a busy intersection on the border of Ridgewood and Williamsburg. They are scheduled to go up at the end of the month.

This lights intended to reduce the number of accidents at the intersection, a consequence of heavy traffic on Flushing Avenue and large commercial vehicles entering and exiting companies such as M&V Provisions, a wholesale food distributor, and Frito Lay. Congestion is especially bad between 3 and 7 a.m.

Mike Ciuffo, executive vice president at M&V, said he has witnessed countless incidents, including a hit and run about two months ago. There have been no fatalities yet, but an ambulance had to be called once and tow trucks have carted wrecked vehicles away.

He said watching pedestrians, including those getting off the B57, try to cross Flushing Avenue is like witnessing a real-life game of Frogger.

“It’s a matter of life and death

on this street,” Ciuffo said. “I was giving up hope.”

When he joined the Queens Chamber of Commerce last year, getting traffic lights installed was one of the first issues he wanted to tackle. He had previously approached DOT about the problem, as had employees at Frito Lay, but didn’t see any progress aside from a study done by the department.

The initiative picked up steam again a year ago when the Chamber organized a meeting at M&V with DOT representatives, business owners and community leaders.

DOT conducted additional studies on the intersection in the intervening months and explored alternatives to traffic lights, such as no parking signs intended to increase visibility on the street, before approving the request. The Chamber continued to work with DOT throughout this process.

Assemblywoman Catherine Nolan also pushed hard for the safety measure.

“The installation of a traffic signal at the intersection of Flushing and Onderdonk avenues is a great victory for our community,” Nolan said. “Safe streets should always be the highest priority in protecting our pedestrians.”

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PROMOTIONS, ANNOUNCEMENTS & APPOINTMENTS Lee joins LIJ Forest Hills staff Dr. Susan Lee has joined Northwell Health as chief of Breast Surgery at Long Island Jewish (LIJ) Forest Hills.

Lee has 14 years of surgical experience, bringing a multidisciplinary perspective to treating breast cancer.

“Breast surgery is so much more than just surgery,” she said. “It encompasses learning about LEE other medical aspects, such as medical oncology, plastic surgery, pathology and radiology.”

Prior to joining Northwell, Lee served as assistant director of Breast Health at NYU Winthrop Hospital in Mineola, where she practiced for four years.

From 2003 to 2014, Lee was a member of the surgical staff and served as acting director of the Breast Health Center at New York Presbyterian-Queens.

In her new position at LIJ Forest Hills, Lee is looking forward to developing a comprehensive breast health program, including a high risk clinic and incorporating genetic counseling and testing for patients with an increased risk of developing breast cancer.

“This is a field where the majority of the patients survive, so you can really make a difference in somebody’s life,” said Lee.

Rutenberg adds 3 from Queens Charles Rutenberg Realty welcomed 14 new Licensed Real Estate Professionals to the company in the month of January.

They included Donald Foo, a resiFOO dent of Jamaica who

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was previously with Exit Realty in Ozone Park, Jeong Min Yim of Flushing, who was previously with RES Queens LLC in Bayside, and Shaun Ray of Forest Hills, who was previously with Prime Realty in Little Neck Charles Rutenberg Realty specialYIM izes in residential and commercial transactions in Long Island and Queens, Brooklyn, Bronx, Westchester, Putnam, Rockland and Orange Counties.

Among the 1,900 independent real estate offices represented by Multiple Listing Services (MLS), Charles Rutenberg Realty has among the highest in market share for transactions RAY closed, available inventory and listings taken for the last five years.

The National Association of Realtors has recognized Charles Rutenberg Realty as one of the top five real estate firms in New York and the top 75 Real Estate firms in the country.

Former Meng aide joins state Linda Sun has been appointed Deputy Chief Diversity Officer in the Cuomo administration, having previously served as director of External Affairs at Global New York, where she worked closely with foreign conSUN sulates and local stakeholders on business development.

Prior to that, she served as trade manager at Global New York and also served as Queens Regional Representative.

Sun also held various positions

with Congresswoman Grace Meng, including director of Operations for the 2012 congressional campaign, chief of staff in Meng’s Assembly office and campaign manager.

She has a B.A. from Barnard College, Columbia University and an M.A. from Teachers College of Columbia University.

Quontic makes two moves Quontic Bank has tapped Danial Tariq as its vice president, business development manager.

Tariq has 15 years of retail banking sales management and relationship busiTARIQ ness development experience.

He will lead the financial institution’s Astoria branch team to drive its deposit client base, core deposit growth and customer service experience.

Meantime, Amir Ashraf ASHRAF joins Quontic Bank as branch operations manager, reporting to Tariq. His background includes 16 years in retail banking operations, branch management and customer sales support.

Northwell names cancer head After a nationwide search, Northwell Health has appointed Dr. Richard R. Barakat to lead all of its cancer services and research.

An internationally recognized surgeon and clinical investigator who specializes in robotic and laparoscopic treatment of uterine cancer and radical debulking procedures for ovarian cancer, Dr. Barakat will serve as physician-inchief and director of the Northwell Health Cancer Institute.

He will join Northwell on April 30 after 27 years at Memorial Sloan Kettering (MSK) Cancer Center in Manhattan, where he served most recently as director and vice chair of MSK’s regional care network and affiliations, and the Ronald O. Perelman Chair in Gynecologic BARAKAT Surgery.

Dr. Barakat oversaw the care of thousands of patients who were newly diagnosed with gynecologic cancer.

“I am delighted to have been offered this incredible opportunity to join New York State’s largest health care provider and impact the care of thousands of patients with cancer, including those living on Long Island, which has been my home for the past 25 years,” said Dr. Barakat.

He earned a bachelor’s degree from Queens College, his medical degree from SUNY Downstate Medical Center and an MBA from Columbia University.

Queens Chamber of Commerce 75-20 Astoria Boulevard, Suite 140 Jackson Heights, N.Y. 11370-1131 Entire Contents Copyright 2018 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.

Schneps Communications 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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March 2018 • Volume 14 • Issue 3

QUEENS CHAMBER ADDS THREE BOARD MEMBERS Susan Browning LIJ Forest Hills

Susan Browning, executive director of Long Island Jewish (LIJ) Forest Hills, formally joined the chamber last July as the cochair of the Health and Wellness Committee.

Through her work on the committee, Browning said she saw how identifying areas of interest, including insurance, access to care and specific clinical conditions, was helpful to both business owners and residents.

“I saw how working on the committee and shaping the dialogue was beneficial to the members,” she said.

Browning, a Woodside native, previously served as vice president at New York Methodist Hospital in Brooklyn and later as deputy director of LIJ Forest Hills. Her other leadership posts include senior vice president at Staten Island University Hospital.

The health care veteran will now be able to leverage her experience and expertise to not only educate the members of the Health and Wellness Committee, but all members of the chamber.

She said her goal is to provide more knowledge from a health care economic perspective, such as the importance of public-private partnerships and understanding the responsibility of a hospital to provide health care to a community.

In addition to the education aspect of the chamber’s mission, Browning said networking is also

important to build trust with the community.

“Being a health care provider, trust is an important component of providing care and providing access to care,” she said.

Prior to becoming co-chair of the Health and Wellness Committee, a position she will continue to hold, Browning said she attended Queens Chamber events. She knew Tom Grech from his leadership throughout the Queens community.

She decided to join the board because she likes the diversity of thought, diversity of people, the industries the chamber represents, and the energy and passion with which the chamber conducts its work.

“I’m looking forward to furthering the mission and vision of the chamber,” Browning said.

(Benjamin Fang)

Peter Klein

Klein Wealth Management Hightower

community from which I came.”

After earning a bachelor’s degree from Stony Brook, an MBA from Baruch College, and receiving his Chartered Financial Analyst designation in 1999, Klein went to worked for Lehman Brothers and then the Melville-based Paine Webber before striking out on his own.

Philanthropy is in his nature.

Klein sits on the boards of a number of charitable organizations, and in 2017 he recieved the Larry Kushnick Memorial Award for community Service. In his professional life, among his duties are helping clients manage legacy philanthropic portfolios designed to last for generations.

In his newest position, he hopes to work with members to grow the group, and said he has already found a receptive audience.

“I received a number of congratulations after Tom sent out an email welcoming me to the board,” Klein said. “I’m looking forward to working with the

members to make the chamber even bigger and better than it already is.”

(Shane Miller)

Nayan Parikh Ashnu International

Nayan Parikh, president of leading construction management company Ashnu International Corporation, attended his first chamber event last year. After meeting president and CEO Thomas Grech and CONTINUED FROM PAGE 19

ROBERT A. MIKLOS Medical Malpractice Attorney

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“I was really impressed with all of the good work that the chamber was doing, and I was really impressed with Tom Grech and Mayra [DiRico] and their entire team,” he said. “I’m from Queens, and even though I toil out on Long Island now, this is really a chance to give back to the business

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MARCH FOCUS: MANUFACTURING

MONDIAL AIMS TO STAY IN QUEENS

BY BENJAMIN FANG Showky Kaldawy’s father started their family-owned manufacturing company in 1956.

Originally from Lebanon, Kaldawy Sr. came to Flushing with just $21 in his pocket. But he also had an ability to repair automotive parts, and soon, he founded Mondial Automotive.

Sixty-two years later, Mondial is a thriving enterprise with clients that run the gamut from New York City agencies to Delta Airlines and Coca-Cola. Their operation has expanded to about 60 employees, led by Kaldawy, who took over as president after his father.

Mondial remanufactures automotive parts and services and redistributes them to keep fleets running. Their shelves are stocked with remanufactured parts including turbochargers, diesel fuel pumps, and filtration products.

“It’s usually very challenging to get involved with,” Kaldawy said.

“Those are the things we gravitate towards.”

Through six decades, the Kaldawy family has stuck with their home borough. Their first site was on 41st Avenue in Flushing. Today, their 30,000-squarefoot facility is located on 14th Road in College Point.

Kaldawy said Queens has “tremendous talent” as well as diversity in equipment, machinery, and most importantly, people. He could have moved the company to the Bronx or other places, but he wanted to stay.

“You’ve got everything in the world you’d ever want,” he said.

“We have the population that other areas aspire towards. We’ve got a great work pool.”

Over 60 years, Mondial has built a strong relationship with its staff, some of whom have been with the company for decades, and the larger Queens and New York City community. Kaldawy said as a good-standing organization, their

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Showky Kaldawy runs the successful automotive business his father started over six decades ago. company has always participated in the community when they can.

“I almost feel like we’re part of the integral fabric that keeps the city running,” he said. “When you look at a snowstorm, when you look at keeping transit buses up and running, we are part of that support crew that keeps these vehicles running. We take tremendous pride in that.”

That’s not to say being in Queens doesn’t present challenges. While Kaldawy loves Queens and everything about it, his company faces hardships with parking, getting vehicles around and other logistics. Their tax rates are also higher, and when facing stiff competition, that can be burdensome.

Another hurdle confronting the company is that the business is outgrowing the facility, which brings uncertainty in the near future. Kaldawy said Mondial has been creative with their inventory and shelving, but eventually, they may have to find a bigger space.

Their next facility would have to be at least 50,000 square feet,

he said. And while he would love to stay in Queens, Kaldawy said there are legitimate hardships to consider.

“I love it here, I’d love to see us stay here,” he said. “My dad always used to say, you create a vacuum, and it fills itself. It was as true then as it is today. I believe that if we have the good blessing to outgrow the facility, and at the end of the day it creates an opportunity, we’ll find something,” he added. “You can’t sweat the small stuff. These things find a way to work themselves out.”

Despite the obstacles, Kaldawy has found a way to transform challenges into opportunities, and ultimately, solutions.

An important way to stay competitive is by investing in their staff, whether it’s through trainings, apprenticeship programs or other workplace development initiatives. That’s where city agencies, or organizations like the Queens Chamber, can lend a helping hand to manufacturing companies like Mondial.

“We need to be as efficient as possible. To do that, we have to be as competitive as possible,” he said. “The training we can give our staff is monstrous. Anything they can do to help us continue to support reinvestment in machinery, it’s important.”

Mondial has also been able to flourish by continuing to reinvent itself and finding niche opportunities and markets.

Kaldawy said they’ve had to walk away from a lot of commodity items because there was no margin for them.

“You can source them far cheaper than you can make them,” he said.

By finding that niche market, Mondial has been able to find solutions that make the company profitable.

“We don’t want to run with everybody,” he said. “Let’s try to be unique and find the challenge that somebody else has either not thought of yet or is intimidated by, and let’s go after that one. That has been what we do.”

March 2018 • Volume 14 • Issue 3

MARCH FOCUS: MANUFACTURING

USE ‘COMBINED FORMS’ TO CUT PREMIUMS TWO INDUSTRY PROS DISCUSS INSURANCE OPTIONS FOR MANUFACTURERS & DISTRIBUTORS Many Queens Chamber of Commerce (QCC) members, as well as manufacturers, distributors and their insurance brokers, are unaware that there is a relatively new “combined form” policy specifically tailored to the needs of this class of business, which saves premium costs and provides enhanced coverage.

The following conversation is between Howard Tollin, president of Sterling Environmental and Professional Services and executive vice president of SterlingRisk, Frank Piccininni, senior attorney and account executive of Sterling Environmental and Professional Services, and Brett Swanson, manager of Committee Development and Member Engagement for QCC SWANSON: What is a “combined form” policy?

TOLLIN: One policy form that combines the most comprehensive general liability, products liability, products pollution liability, site pollution liability and contractor’s pollution liability.

SWANSON: Why is the premium lower?

PICCININNI: With favorable loss runs, the rate charged for general liability exposures is lower than the typical rates used for commercial, retail and construction risks where claims tend to be more frequent. Moreover, the premium is not auditable, which means a growing company only pays the premium based on the prior year’s revenue with no audits.

SWANSON: Where else is there savings?

TOLLIN: The lower general liability rate and premium leads to a lower umbrella premium. In addition, the insurers who write the combined form also offer the most aggressive property, automobile, and workers compensation premiums as a coordinated program underwrite, which can really result in significant insurance

costs savings.

SWANSON: What is excluded under present insurance?

PICCININNI: All general liability, property and directors and officers policies have an absolute pollution exclusion, asbestos exclusion, lead exclusion, silica exclusion, and either offer limited or no coverage for mold and environmental releases subsequent to a fire loss.

SWANSON: What is the effect of having that absolute pollution exclusion in the general liability policy?

TOLLIN: There is no defense costs, litigation costs, settlement or judgment costs, or business interruption recovery if the environmental claim is excluded. New York courts have consistently upheld denials of coverage from carriers since the 1986 Absolute Pollution Exclusion became part of the standard coverage.

Indeed, all irritants and contaminants which would be excluded from typical general liability policies are intended to be covered under an environmental cover only, including: acid, adhesive, ammonia, arsenic, asbestos, benzene, brine, carbon monoxide, caulk fumes, carpet glue, chlorine, chromium, cooking oil, contaminated drinking water, DT, diesel fumes, dioxins, dust, E. coli, fertilizer, foundry sand, fuel and gasoline, general fumes, heating oil, hydrogen sulfide gas, lead, manganese, manure, mercury, methane gas, methyl parathion, methyl chloride, microbial allergens, mold, MRSA, nitrogen dioxide, PCE, PCBs, pesticides, phenol gas, PVC dust, radioactive material, saltwater, sealant fumes, sediments, sewage, silica dust, smoke, water contamination and welding fumes.

SWANSON: What are specific examples of products pollution claims intended to be covered by the combined form which are not presently being covered?

Howard Tollin litigated environmental claims as a partner for Rivkin Radler for 12 years, and then began his risk management solutions career in 2001. Tollin will be vicechair of the Environmental & Energy Section of the New York State Bar Association in 2018, and its chair in 2019. He has also been editor-in-chief of the international Environmental Claims Journal since 2012, which has thousands of subscribers.

PICCININNI: In the past couple of months, Lumber Liquidators paid $36 million to settle claims because laminate flooring products sold between 2009 to 2015 have unsafe levels of formaldehyde. A class action was just filed in Scotch Plains, New Jersey, where more than 300 new houses were built with toxic chemicals being emitted from bad joists.

There are many recent claims where manufacturers used Perflouroalkyl substances (PFAS) as a coating on cookware (e.g., Teflon), furniture and clothing. In addition, fire departments used PFAS in foam based fire retardants. Any such new emerging hazardous product would be included in the enhanced coverage from.

SWANSON: Are there non-product liability claims that are specifically part of the combined form?

TOLLIN: Yes, there are many examples.

Non-employees have often brought claims alleging exposure to an irritant or contaminant at insureds onsite premises and offsite; hazardous materials such as arsenic and asbestos have been dumped on premises called “midnight dumping” claims; manufacturers have routinely received potentially responsible party notices from the EPA if the corporate name and address appeared on any waste manifest making the company jointly and severally liable for cleaning up the waste disposal facility.

Also, medical monitoring claims alleging fear of illness and emotional distress without any physical injury; personal injury claims from neighbors alleging odors or hazardous vapor intrusion from solvents, metals and fuel releases; migration of pollutants from a neighboring property onto the insured property, particularly during a hurricane or natural disaster; the intentional release of CDC bioterrorism agents such as anthrax, botulism, Ebola virus, CONTINUED ON PAGE 11

Frank Piccininni holds both a master’s degree in Environmental Science and a Juris Doctor, specializing in environmental law. He has published numerous peer-reviewed articles on environmental law, environmental science, and risk management, has served as an expert witness for environmental claims, is on the executive committee of the New York State Bar Association Environmental & Energy Section, serves as a director for numerous non-profit organizations, is co-chair of QCC’s Energy and Environmental Committee, and regularly works on combined forms for QCC members.

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MARCH FOCUS: MANUFACTURING COMMITTEE HOPES TO TAP INTO MANUFACTURING NETWORK

BY BENJAMIN FANG As the manufacturing sector continues to evolve throughout the country, Queens business leaders are looking to build up their network of manufacturers to discuss current challenges and solutions.

The Queens Chamber of Commerce’s Manufacturing Committee has taken this responsibility head on. Geoffrey Smith, vice president of marketing at New York Grant Company and co-chair of the committee with Thomas Powell of Boyce Technologies, said he hopes to build a roster of the different types of sectors and businesses represented in the industry within the borough.

The goal is to bridge these companies, whether it’s a mom-andpop tool-and-die shop or a major manufacturing company in the aerospace business.

“A great focus and strength would be for us to develop some type of network so that manufacturers among manufacturers can

connect with each other,” Smith said. “To make a business development piece behind it to have larger companies understand that there’s this ecosystem that’s here.”

So far, Smith has already brought labor representatives from the state to talk about the minimum wage, and training specialists to discuss workforce development. But as new technology is introduced, the way products are manufactured and the possibilities are expanding, the industry veteran said.

Innovative companies are now looking at tools like 3D printing, prototyping and additive manufacturing.

“It’s becoming more specialized,” he said. “In that level of specialization comes far more education and depth.”

Smith said he sees the specialization of manufacturing as both a challenge and an opportunity for companies to figure out how to be the best in their niche.

He pointed to a company like Long Island City-based Boyce

Technologies, an electronics and communications manufacturer, as a model of what manufacturing companies could look like in the coming years.

“The biggest challenge, like every other business looking to grow, is things like training and skills development,” he said.

“Finding people that are compat-

STERLING RISK INTERVIEW CONTINUED FROM PAGE 9

plague, ricin; and the business interruption loss with results from any environmental incident.

SWANSON: Isn’t business interruption already covered by property and general liability policies?

PICCININNI: Not if there is an exclusion for the underlying loss such as a pollutant, which causes the business interruption loss.

SWANSON: Does the combined

form have other benefits?

TOLLIN: Qualifying manufacturers and distributors can take advantage of state-of-the-art loss prevention and emergency response services offered by experienced environmental insurance brokers and their combined form carrier partners.

For example, services provided include industrial hygienists, environmental engineers, environmental consultants, environmental attorneys, public

Howard Tollin, Frank Piccininni and their team consult with manufacturing and distribution clients on unique risk management solutions to provide the most economical and comprehensive coverage on a Combined Form for General Liability, Products Pollution Liability, Site Pollution Liability and Contractors Pollution Liability; and coordinates the placement on all other necessary insurance lines. SterlingRisk was founded in 1932 and is one of the top 35 largest privately owned and managed brokerages in the United States, employing about 250 skilled professionals in eight offices, with its principal location in Woodbury, New York. For questions, please contact Frank Piccininni at (516) 773-8632 or fpiccininni@sterlingrisk.com .

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relations firms, emergency response contacts, environmental claims analysts, and dedicated environmental experts employed by the insurance broker who facilitates the claim.

SWANSON: Who are the carriers?

PICCININNI: SterlingRisk uses many competing A.M. Best “A” rated insurance carriers which have invested in robust services offered to policyholders.

SterlingRisk has helped draft many of the combined forms in existence today. SterlingRisk further offers dedicated expertise with workers compensation audit preparations, Mod assistance and challenges to class codes savings clients millions every year, as well as having a specialist for trade credit coverage, which indemnifies the value of goods delivered to the customer but remains unpaid due to the customer’s default or bankruptcy.

ible to the machines that they are buying.”

The Queens Chamber can play a role in addressing that challenge. By connecting students from schools like Queens College, LaGuardia Community College and Queensborough Community College to industry leaders, the future of manufacturing is already being trained.

Engaged students have already mastered the traditional tool-anddie systems, and are being exposed to more sophisticated machinery, Smith said.

Even older manufacturing companies are starting to change. Businesses and people who grew up on the traditional ways of manufacturing are starting to understand there’s no future “if I stay this way.”

“It was just dads starting up the business, making rotors for brakes or something like that,” he said.

“Now, there’s a machine that does this.”

Smith hopes that by building this network of manufacturers across the borough, businesses will have fruitful discussions about the work they do. The committee is already planning a roundtable discussion on how to best engage the community.

“Then manufacturers will start to open up and discuss, and so forth,” he said. “Let’s build this network so we have that foundation.”

March 2018 • Volume 14 • Issue 3

STUDY FINDS QNS RAIL FEASIBLE, WITH CHALLENGES

BY BENJAMIN FANG The Department of Transportation (DOT) has released its yearlong study on the feasibility of bringing passenger rail service back to the Lower Montauk Branch from Jamaica to Long Island City.

Conducted by engineering firm AECOM, the study concludes that mixing light rail for commuters with current freight operations is feasible. If implemented, the QNS Rail could serve 5.8 million riders annually, with an estimated weekday ridership of 21,000 people.

The capital cost of the project for passenger rail alone exceeds $1 billion, with the majority of funds going to new transit infrastructure. Other expenditures include purchasing the fleet, maintenance equipment and other facilities.

Another $1 billion in upgrades would be needed to maintain freight service, including investment in an additional track, signals and a storage and maintenance yard.

Former councilwoman Elizabeth Crowley, who championed the light rail and funded the $500,000 study when she was in office, said compared to the MTA’s Second Avenue expansion, which was just three miles long, this project is worth the cost.

“Too many of our Queens communities are transportation deserts,” Crowley said. “Our hardworking residents lack decent, local access to public transit, and then wind up spending too much time commuting on unreliable service.”

All five community boards affected by the QNS Rail have approved the concept. Borough President Melinda Katz has also come out in favor of the project, and mentioned it in her latest State of the Borough address.

The study proposes 10 stops running along the nine-mile track, anchored by stations in Long Island City and Jamaica. Along the way, the rail would stop in Maspeth, Middle Village, Glendale, Ridgewood and Richmond Hill.

Stations in Richmond Hill, the Metro Mall and 80th Street are pro-

jected to have the highest ridership of the 10 stations.

AECOM also considered possible operating hours of service. The firm proposed running the commuter rail from 5 a.m. to 10 p.m., but no overnight service.

During peak hours, which are 6 to 10 a.m. and 4 to 8 p.m., service would run every six minutes. During off-peak hours and the weekend, the rail would arrive every 15 minutes.

To run passenger service, the QNS Rail would have to meet Federal Railway Administration (FRA) regulations because freight would operate on the same or adjacent tracks. If the equipment used for the rail does not comply with regulations, the QNS Rail would not be allowed to run at the same time as freight service.

The study concluded that the best option would be to use FRAcompliant rail cars. It also recommended using diesel-powered equipment, which would produce noise and diesel emissions, but would not require electric infrastructure like a third rail.

The Lower Montauk branch ran commuter service in the 19th century, but ridership plummeted after World War II. Service ceased in 1998 and was discontinued by 2012.

Since then, the line has been leased to New York and Atlantic Railway, which provides freight service for industrial businesses into Long Island.

Despite the feasibility of bringing passenger rail, the study cites a number of challenges, most notably the price tag. One way to help pay for the high cost is using a method called value capture, which directs a portion of increased property values to pay for initial capital costs.

The rise in property values would be attributed to adding transit service, which attracts more people to an area. This financial model has been used in projects such as Hudson Yards, and has been pitched to fund the Brooklyn-Queens Connector (BQX) streetcar.

An initial analysis found that the rise in real estate value near five stations could produce $309 mil-

Lefferts Boulevard in Richmond Hill as it looks now, and a rendering of its potential with a new QNS Rail stop

lion in bonds, roughly 14 percent of the total projected cost. Of course, other zoning changes and higher density would be needed to support the economic growth.

Another way to help fund the project is by selling the “air rights,” or unused buildable floor area of a development. The study notes that this approach has been used to raise revenue for the MTA. The project faces other technical challenges, such as right-of-way restrictions, overhead bridges and adjacent yard tracks. The conditions vary across the nine-mile track.

Ultimately, the study concluded that further evaluation on the engineering aspects, financing and

other operational studies need to be conducted. Transportation officials previously estimated that it may take until 2025 or later to make the QNS Rail a reality.

“The QNS Rail would run through the fastest growing residential, industrial and transit hubs in all of Queens,” co-wrote Queens Chamber of Commerce CEO and President Tom Grech with Crowley in an op-ed for Crain’s. “It would give more options for New Yorkers in need of more transit.

It would enhance existing businesses and expand opportunities to others. It is in the best interest of our communities, our borough and our city to put this proposal on the fast track.”

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MODERNIZE AND MAXIMIZE PERFORMANCE, MINIMIZE RISK

BY MICHAEL GOLUB For organizations whose employees operate motor vehicles as part of their job, the need to keep employees safe on the job is an absolute priority. Many organizations attempt to address the challenge of driver safety by checking drivers’ motor vehicle reports (MVRs) periodically, but there is more that can be done to promote driver wellbeing and accountability.

New and emerging vehicle technologies help organizations define, measure and improve upon their fleet management goals effectively and with reduced risk of human error. That’s why many organizations are adopting a comprehensive, forward-looking strategy of harnessing improved technology in their vehicle fleets.

The good news: while it takes planning and coordination, the shift is well within reach with the help of a professional fleet management company like Enterprise Fleet Management.

Vehicle Selection

Swapping older vehicles with newer models automatically improves crash-worthiness.

Improvement in standard technology features has been significant in the past decade. In fact, simOwned by the Taylor family of St. Louis, Enterprise Fleet Management operates a network of more than 50 fully-staffed offices, which manages a fleet of more than 470,000 vehicles in the U.S. and Canada. The business provides full-service management for companies, government agencies and organizations operating medium-sized fleets of 20 or more

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ply replacing a 10-year-old vehicle ing location, performance, drivwith a 2018 standard model adds ing behavior, seatbelt usage and additional airbags, electronic sta- accident detection. Using this colbility control and many lective data, organizaother essential safety tions can make highly features. informed decisions Organizations can about their vehicles check a vehicle’s and their drivers.

National Highway Through its partTransportation Safenership with a global ty Administration leader in telematics, (NHTSA) safety rating Enterprise helps orgaby visiting safercar. nizations keep tabs on gov.

Michael Golub is an their fleets and track Partnering with a account executive for long-term patterns, so company like Enter- Enterprise Fleet Man- they can plan ahead prise Fleet Manage- agement in New York and streamline operaand Connecticut. ment can help an orgations. nization replace its aging fleet with vehiDriver Training cles that offer the latest in safety While driver training traditionaland crash-avoidance technologies ly takes place “behind the wheel,” while freeing up capital for other advancing technologies are making expenses. web-based simulations an excellent alternative with a host of additional Telematics benefits.

By using a small plug-and-play Enterprise, through its partnerfleet telematics tracking device, ship with a global leader in driver operators can keep an eye on their risk management solutions, comfleets from almost anywhere in real bines assessment-based learning time. Installation of the device is and monitoring into a centrally simple; typically, it fits in a vehi- managed tool. The service offers a cle’s onboard diagnostic (OBD-II) variety of web-based trainings. Its port. personalized curriculum assesses Once installed, the device tracks each driver’s driving personality a wealth of logistical data from and assigns trainings accordingly, the fleet telematics system, includ- targeting high-risk driving behavvehicles, as well as those seeking an alternative to employee reimbursement programs.

Enterprise Fleet Management supplies most makes and models of cars, light- and medium-duty trucks and service vehicles across North America. Enterprise Fleet Management has been recognized with the Automotive Service Excellence “Blue Seal of Excellence”

award for 21 consecutive years, an industry record.

The Taylor family also owns and operates, through independent regional subsidiaries, the extensive Enterprise Rent-ACar network of more than 5,800 neighborhood and airport branch offices, all located within 15 miles of 90 percent of the U.S. population.

iors in fleets.

Additionally, periodic 30-minute follow-up sessions ensure that training is an ongoing process.

Organizations can monitor drivers’ training status, saving time and resources.

Driver Monitoring

While many organizations check their drivers’ motor vehicle reports periodically, driver monitoring technologies are considered more effective than sporadically running MVRs. Driver monitoring automates the management of driverrelated information and is the most consistent method of keeping tabs on drivers’ records. In addition, it provides both cost savings and convenience to organizations.

Enterprise has partnered with an undisputed industry leader in driver monitoring. Its system manages all driver data and automatically checks for new violations, DUI/ DWI convictions, invalid licenses, and approaching license or medical certification expirations.

This data is then compiled into a comprehensive review of individual driver performance, alerting management to critical driver behavior issues and potential risks.

Comprehensive Approach

Organizations of all sizes are realizing that emerging technologies are critical to identify and mitigate risk in real time, while requiring fewer resources to manage their fleets. A fleet management partner like Enterprise Fleet Management can create a comprehensive plan to modernize fleets, maximize performance, reduce risk, save time and cut costs.

Fleet management companies also deploy technology-based solutions to ensure all vehicles are properly and regularly maintained.

In addition, they can handle the licensing, registration and auto insurance, as well as provide fuel and maintenance cards to cover vehicle expenses.

Ultimately, choosing to outsource fleet management to a company like Enterprise Fleet Management frees up an organization’s most valuable resource – its people – to focus on the core operating activities of the organization.

March 2018 • Volume 14 • Issue 3

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NEIGHBORHOOD POLICING IN THE COMMISSIONER’S WORDS

BY SHANE MILLER When James O’Neill began his career in law enforcement in 1983 with the Transit Police, he couldn’t have envisioned that he would one day transform the concept of policing in New York City. Instead, he focused on keeping trains and platforms of the subway system safe, a task that taught him how to effectively communicate with a variety of people.

When the Transit Police merged with the NYPD in 1995, the Brooklyn native quickly rose up the ranks. While serving as commanding officer of the 44th Precinct in the western Bronx, one of the busiest precincts in the city, he began to seriously think about reforming the patrol model the NYPD had been using for decades.

“The 44 had 18 sectors with the lines arbitrarily drawn,” O’Neill explained. “If I was a cop assigned to the Four-Four, I would either be assigned to a sector or be doing some other type of work, either anti-crime, low-level drug work,

quality of life, traffic, so there was a split. Half the people answered 911 jobs, the other half were in specialized units.”

The issue, he said, was that the cops doing the on-the-street police work and the officers assigned to interact with the community barely intersected, causing a disconnect between the public and people tasked with keeping them safe. It was at the 44th Precinct that O’Neill began to formulate his “Neighborhood Policing Plan.”

In March of 2014, O’Neill was appointed commanding officer of then-commissioner William Bratton’s office, where he began the process of re-engineering the entire department. In 2015, Mayor Bill de Blasio and Commissioner Bratton unveiled O’Neill’s Neighborhood Policing Plan. In a report detailing the new method, Bratton called O’Neill’s plan “the first truly realistic and comprehensive approach to achieving the community policing goal in a large organization.”

A key component of the plan is assigning two cops to a specific

sectors, as opposed to the old method when any cop on patrol could get called to any sector in the precinct. The concept, know as “sector integrity,” allows cops to become intimately familiar with the people and issues in their sector.

Today, 56 of the 77 precincts in the city employ neighborhood policing, with most of the others to follow suit in the coming year.

O’Neill recently sat down with This Is Queensborough to discuss his revolutionary approach to keeping New York City safe.

TIQ: In your own words, how does the Neighborhood Policing Plan differ from the city’s old approach to public safety?

O’NEILL: In the old model of policing, officers didn’t have an opportunity to make a connection to anyone. On a regular day, a police car could handle 20 to 25 radio runs in seven-and-a-half hours with an hour for meal, but sometime they didn’t even get a meal. You’re answering 911 jobs all day long, and the other time is spent doing some sort of summary

Commissioner James O’Neill speaks at a street renaming ceremony outside the 103rd Precinct in Jamaica on February 26 honoring Officer Edward Byrne. Byrne was killed in South Jamaica on the same day in 1988, an assassination ordered from prison by a drug dealer. Byrne was guarding an informant when he was killed. He was just 22. “That was a wake-up call for this whole city that it was time,” O’Neill said. “It was time to no longer accept the violence that was so prevalent in New York City.”

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police work, so they’re really not making the connections they need to make. The only people doing community work are the precinct commander and the two, possibly three, Community Affairs officers.

If you want to have that connection to the people in the community, it has to be everybody. So with neighborhood policing, we re-sectored all of the neighborhood policing commands. So now the 44th Precinct has five sectors, and we tried our best to make sure each sector represented natural neighborhood boundaries. Plus we created a position called the Neighborhood Coordination Officer (NCO), with two NCO’s for each sector.

TIQ: What is the primary responsibility of the NCO? O’NEILL: The NCO’s job is to be the conduit between the community and the steady sector cops.

The biggest part of neighborhood policing is that we’ve worked it out so that we have enough police officer that the steady sector cops have up to one-third of their day when they’re not answering radio runs. They actually have the time to go out and meet people, and while there’s other issues that need to be addressed – quality of life, traffic issues – now instead of just the precinct commander and the Community Affairs cops going to the community meetings or tenant association meetings or the business meetings, the NCOs and sector cops go too.

TIQ: What qualities does a good NCO have?

O’NEILL: Communication skills. I went back to the 44th a couple of months ago and sat down with the NCO sergeant, and you could see it in their faces and hear it in their voices. They actually have the time to make connections now and use discretion. Every sector is holding “Build a Block” meetings.

The NCOs and steady sectors go to these meetings – no sergeants, no lieutenants, no captains – and they run the meetings and they hear directly from the people who live there what the issues are and possible solutions.

TIQ: What has been the response from rank-and-file members?

March 2018 • Volume 14 • Issue 3

Commissioner James O’Neill in front of the first shield carried by the head of the New York City Police Department.

O’NEILL: We’re getting really positive feedback from the police officers. We went from a specialist police force back to a being a more generalist police force. The cops feel that there is accountability and like that we maintain sector integrity. Anything that happens in the sector, if they don’t take care of it today, guess what? When you come back tomorrow, you still have to take care of it because you’re not assigned to another sector. It’s a good way to build leadership, too.

TIQ: How does the NCO differ from the old Community Police Officer on Patrol (C-POP)?

O’NEILL: I was a precinct commander from 1998 to almost 2005, and I had C-POP cops in the 25th Precinct and Central Park, and the biggest problem we had back then was they lost the connection to fighting crime. They became more about community outreach and making relationships. We get paid to keep people safe. From the beginning, [Chief of Department] Terry Monahan, [Chief of Patrol] Rodney Harrison, myself, when we talk about it, this is a crime-fighting strategy. There’s always been that dichotomy between community relations and fighting crime, but that’s a false dichotomy.

TIQ: So was there animosity between the cops doing the crimefighting and the officer assigned to community relations?

O’NEILL: I wouldn’t say animosity or that they’re not “real”

cops, but maybe “they don’t do as much as I do.” I think that the way we have the program structured now, I’m not hearing that. And we

want to make sure that the NCOs don’t become a separate part of the Police Department. We’re not looking for them to become specialists again, we’re looking for them to maintain that generalist feeling, to work with the steady sector cops, work with the Detective Bureau, work with Narcotics and work with whatever resources they need, to resolve whatever issues come up in the course of their everyday duties.

It’s all about building trust. I know back in 2014 with [Eric] Garner and Ferguson [Missouri], throughout the city we lost a lot of that trust. I really thought about this when I was a commander back in the Bronx. I saw that there was almost two separate police departments, there were sector cops and the people doing the summary police work. You have to make sure that the NCOs and steady sectors get to know the people on the block.

TIQ: What’s the biggest obstacle to implementing Neighborhood Policing in a precinct?

O’NEILL: Making sure you have the right number of cops. We added cops in a couple of different ways, and we’re continuing to do it. We looked at every unit in the Police Department, especially administrative units, and put 700 people back on patrol at the precinct level. The City Council and mayor a couple of years ago allowed us to increase the headcount by 1,300 cops. So we actually increased our patrol strength by almost 2,000 officers.

TIQ: How does Neighborhood Policing work on commercial strips? How can business owners help police keep retail areas safe?

O’NEILL: Everybody has a smart phone now, everybody has an email address, If there’s an issue, if there’s a problem, there’s a way to connect directly with the cops now.

I think that’s the biggest difference.

OLD POLICING STRATEGY

NEIGHBORHOOD POLICING

“You have the Burglary Team,” O’Neill explained.

“You have the House of Worship car, and their job was to go around to check all the houses of worship, especially on holidays, and the Conditions Team, which was effective initially, but if we’re going to take summary police action, if we’re going to lock someone up or write somebody a summons, if should be because there’s a connection to crime conditions or there should be some sort of connection to complaints, whether through 311, 911 or community meetings.”

“We took most of the Conditions Team, if not all of them, and put them back into steady police work,” O’Neill continued. “We kept Anti-Crime, those are the plainclothes people, but the Burglary Team, the Conditions Team, the Housing Team, we put them back into sectors. They’re either Neighborhood Coordination Officers or sector cops. To fill in the gap to make sure they have that 33 percent of the day where they can make connections, we have people in Response Units that can go to any sector to respond to calls.”

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THIS IS QUEENSBOROUGH

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Pictured (clockwise from top left) are Nico Tziazas of Lyons Mortgage Services & Maria Odysseos of Investors Bank; Shanta Speller from Bunch of Balloons, Chunyee Wong Miot of Chunyee Global CPA & Marieta Austin of Uniting Disabled Individuals; Jeffrey Rosenstock of Queens College & Public Advocate Letitia James; Reinhard Mabry of Alphapointe & Joel Mele and Ben Leonardi of Mele & Associates; Cambria Heights Alpha Phi Alpha Senior Citizens Center Advisory Board members; Chamber Chair Mayra DiRico addressing the crowd; Queens Parks Commissioner Dorothy Lewandowski & the Chamber’s Terry Thompson; Saji Sheerazi of Queensborough Community College & the Chamber’s Nash Row; Borough President staff Elizabeth Bian, Jeong Ah Choi, Jennifer Walden-Weprin & Lisa Atkins; BP Melinda Katz & Burger King franchise owner Debbie Sena; and Janice Melnick of the Alliance for Flushing Meadows Corona Park & CB 14 district manager Jonathan Gaska.

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March 2018 • Volume 14 • Issue 3

KATZ TALKS JAMAICA AT CHAMBER BREAKFAST

BY JEN KHEDAROO During a joint meeting of the Queens Chamber of Commerce and the Queens Borough Cabinet at Antun’s in Queens Village, Borough President Melinda Katz spoke to a crowd of more than 300 people about a number of development plans aimed at revitalizing Queens neighborhoods.

The Jamaica Now Action Plan is focused on bringing an economic boost to downtown Jamaica. And with a $153 million investment by the city and $10 million investment from the state, is in full gear.

“Jamaica is a neighborhood who folks around the city of New York for generations kept saying ‘we know what’s best for this neighborhood, we’ll figure it out,’ and I came into office and Mayor Bill de Blasio came into office, and we held 30 meetings and three public hearings,” Katz said at the February 7th event.

“We worked with the administration, the stakeholders, the businesses, the homeowners, the community board and civic groups to figure out what downtown Jamaica truly needed in order to thrive,” she added.

Since starting the initiative, there’s been numerous affordable housing projects planned for the neighborhood. Additionally, 20 LinkNYC kiosks that offer services like free Wi-Fi were installed, and there have been upgrades to the broadband in the area.

“With all of the great things coming, Jamaica is an amazing place and we’re letting people know that everyday,” she added.

In addition to revitalizing King Manor Park, the streets in Jamaica will see $2.5 million in upgrades.

Community leaders have also advocated for storefront improvement programs on Sutphin Boulevard, which Katz said is happening.

Her plans also include getting

Borough President Melinda Katz address local business leaders.

the various cultural organizations “on the map,” so tourists can learn more about the diverse cultures represented in the borough.

“If you’re in Paris and you come

to New York, you’d know that if you didn’t see downtown Jamaica and you didn’t see the borough of Queens, you didn’t really come to the city of New York,” she said.

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NONPROFIT SECTOR

SPRING PROGRAMS FOR FAMILY-RUN BUSINESSES On April 27, the NYC Family Enterprise Center (NYCFEC) begins its educational programs for 2018 for area family businesses to help them with some their most challenging issues.

NYCFEC programs and sessions will be held throughout the rest of 2018, and they are only for NYC-area family businesses. The sessions are confidential, there is no commercial influence or solicitation allowed, and there is plenty of time to ask questions.

They are led by experts from around the country and by family members of inspiring, highly successful family businesses. A full list of programs can be found at nycfec.org.

All of the programs and sessions are all affordable and a great value. Furthermore, Queens Chamber of Commerce members get a 15 percent discount by using code “QCC051” when registering.

You are not alone, as every family owning a business faces a complex set of challenges and dynamics that go beyond typical business issues. Only a small percentage of family businesses survive past a few generations, but this is changing as more families and their businesses are becoming increasingly educated, disciplined and professionalized in their approach and planning.

Mitzi Perdue from the Perdue Chicken and Sheraton Hotel families will lead off NYCFEC’s 2018 April program “Building Strong Family Business Foundations – Part I” by sharing key insights.

Other sessions include: • How to deal with the voice and interest of the family.

• How do you define and differentiate between the needs of family and the needs of the family business?

• How do you harness and use the interest of the family for the benefit

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of the company and vice versa?

• Defining family values, mission and a vision for the future.

• Examining best practices in effective decision-making in family-owned companies.

• Staying connected and building lasting relationships.

• Structures of family meetings and family assemblies: When and why to have them.

• What it means to be an owner: the roles and responsibilities.

• Communication and structural techniques to better align the family owners, board and management.

Other 2018 programs for this spring and summer include: May 11, 9 to 11 a.m. Part I: Understanding Family Conflict This session introduces common themes in family business conflicts and provides an opportunity to consider participants’ specific areas of interest.

June 19, 9 to 11 a.m. Part II:

Applying Basic Strategies to Address Family Conflict Building on the knowledge of concepts covered in Part I, this session will focus on practical methods and techniques to prevent and resolve family conflicts.

July 19, 9 to 11 a.m. Part III: Refining Your Conflict Management Skills This session will help participants evaluate and enhance their efforts to apply what they learned in Part II to their family’s particular circumstances.

June 13, 9 to Noon Discussing Difficult Family Topics This session will help define the elephant in their room better, understand what it is, and why it challenges the family business system, and what approaches and techniques can be used to help families discuss their most difficult and important issues. Through examples, frameworks and interactive discussion, attendees will learn strategies for deciding if, how, and when to address. This will include the potential impact(s) of address-

ing vs. not addressing the situation.

Examples difficult topics might include: • Inheritance, • Retirement or changing roles of family members, • Fairness or favoritism, • Pre and post nuptial arrangements, • In-law involvement, • Succession and transitions, • Money and other assets and age of disclosure, and • Addiction, behavioral, and health issues.

These sessions are small and private, so you can feel safe about raising or discussing any of your challenges or questions. You do not have to disclose your full name or identify your family business.

Space is very limited, so sign up now to save your spot.

If you would like to join our community or a NextGen, SeniorGen or other group of individuals from family businesses, please fill out the form on our website or contact us at info@nycfec.org or (212) 889-8332.

QBG ANNOUNCES NEW BOARD MEMBERS: On Thursday, March 1, the Queens Botanical Garden Board of Trustees welcomed its newest members Willa Brody, Director of External Affairs, NewYorkPresbyterian Queens; Toni Ceaser, Teacher of Special Education and Orton-Gillingham Approach tutoring at The Sterling School; David Cinelli,Vice President and Managing Director at Sterling National Bank; Jack Eichenbaum, Ph.D., Queens Borough Historian; and Edward Potter, Senior Property Manager, Stillman Management, Inc. The board also introduced new Advisory Council Member Frank Buddingh and announced the new “Reimagination within Gardens on Parade.”

March 2018 • Volume 14 • Issue 3

NEW BOARD MEMBERS CONTINUED FROM PAGE 7

observing the work and energy of the chamber, Parikh wanted to get more involved.

“It’s a great organization to give my time and efforts to help grow Queens businesses,” he said.

Parikh is no stranger to giving back to the community. In addition to running an award-winning business, the India native is an active member of Mayor Bill de Blasio’s Construction Mentorship Advisory Panel and an executive member of Governor Andrew Cuomo’s Advisory Board for MWBEs. His long list of affiliations include the New York State Association of Minority Contractors, the Society of Indo-American Engineers and Architects, and board memberships with the Department of Design and Construction (DDC) and the School Construction Authority (SCA).

“When you’re working with a team, you can give your input, rather than just going to events,” Parikh said. “You can use your voice and assist the chamber to grow in the right direction.”

For more than 15 years, Ashnu International has also built a strong reputation among government agencies. His Woodside-based company has been selected for projects such as Hurricane Sandy repair work in Coney Island and Rockaway Beach, MTA signal modifications, school renovation work, and other projects for city facilities.

Parikh is stepping into his new role with another important goal: to involve more diverse communities and expand the membership.

“If I’m on the board, I can spread the word to my community,” Parikh said. “It’s an honor and I’m excited to be on the board. I’m looking forward to working with an energetic team.”

(Benjamin Fang)

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QUEENS CHAMBER HAPPENINGS POL DISCUSSES CRYPTOCURRENCY WITH CHAMBER COMMITTEE

BY BENJAMIN FANG With the rise and fall of Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies constantly occupying national headlines, members in the state Assembly want to further study the issue.

Assemblyman Clyde Vanel, chairman of the Assembly’s Subcommittee on Internet and New Technology, is leading that charge.

The southeast Queens lawmaker, a pilot and attorney by trade who also studied engineering in college, called for a task force to determine the effects of regulation and other state policies on the digital payment system.

“Things are changing fast and we have to understand it,” he said. “In New York, we can hopefully steer where the policy can go.”

In a visit to the Queens Chamber of Commerce’s Technology Committee on February 15, Vanel delved into a brief history of cryptocurrency, the blockchain technology it runs on, and how these new developments can impact New York.

The idea first circulated in 2008, when an anonymous person or people named Satoshi Nakamoto wrote a document that proposed a new peer-to-peer cashless money system. According to Vanel, Nakamoto, whose identity is still unknown, solved a trust issue that had hindered previous attempts at creating a digital currency.

That was a problem at that time because the markets had just crashed, and the recession had created distrust in central authorities and government, Vanel said. Unlike the traditional money system that relies on banks, Bitcoin used a new concept called blockchain technology that helped verify peer-to-peer transactions.

Vanel described the technology as creating a “distributive ledger” that relies on computers solving an algorithm to ensure online transactions are legitimate and allowed.

Blockchain technology can be used for many purposes, including keeping records and protecting data. Vanel cited the 2016 presiden-

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Assemblyman Clyde Vanel discusses cryptocurrencies with the Chamber Technology Committee. Vanel with Chamber CEO and President Thomas Grech (inset).

tial primary in New York, when the voting records of 127,000 Brooklynites were purged from the system.

He also gave the example of the recent information breach with Equifax, in which the information for 145 million people was stolen and misappropriated by cyber criminals.

In those cases, blockchain technology could have been used to better protect and store information.

With new technology forming and changing daily, governments are tasked with studying, understanding and ultimately regulating it. Vanel said in 2015, the state’s Department of Financial Services implemented a new regulation called BitLicense. In order to operate a cryptocurrency business in New York, owners have to apply for the license.

Though the license contains only a $5,000 fee, the assemblyman acknowledged that companies pay upwards of $100,000 on average due to the complicated regulatory process. As a result, only three or

four companies have obtained the license.

“We make it difficult for people to get involved in cryptocurrency in New York,” Vanel said.

Vanel said different states and even the federal government have different relationships with cryptocurrency, and there’s little to no middle ground. Some states don’t trust the new technology and want to shut it down. Others welcome it with “open skies.”

“What I believe is, it’s important for New York to get it right,” he said. “We’re at a crossroads and at a time where things are dynamic, things are changing. It’s uncomfortable when things are changing.”

Rather than fear blockchain technology and cryptocurrencies, Vanel said New York should study and understand it. He has proposed a series of bills on the issue, the most important of which is to create a task force comprised of technologists, community members and business leaders.

The task force would study not only the effect of cryptocurrency

on the state, but how regulations like the BitLicense affect businesses.

“Since we’ve entered our BitLicense, there’s been a number of companies that have left our state,” Vanel said. “There’s been a number of transactions that we don’t have here.

“Let’s not say whether it’s good or bad, let’s get the stakeholders together,” he added. “That’s the approach we should take as we see what’s going on and as the industry matures.”

Another bill he has proposed would employ blockchain technology for state records. It can be used to store data, but also for tasks like pulling transcript records at a SUNY school.

Vanel acknowledged the trepidation among many of his state colleagues. People are not comfortable with new technology on uncharted ground, he said.

“Things are still happening and solidifying,” Vanel said. “What’s important is to see where the ball is going and see where New York State is going.”

March 2018 • Volume 14 • Issue 3

21

THIS IS QUEENSBOROUGH

queenschamber.org

BIG SCREEN TAKES CENTER STAGE IN QUEENS

Shall we go to a movie? Um, how about 200 movies? With the Queens World Film Festival, the Reelabilities Film Festival and the See It Big! Series, the borough offers plenty of highquality screen time during March. Queens also boasts tremendous dance, classical and salsa music, literary discussions, and a visit from the circus this month.

See It Big!, until March 11. This year’s program presents classic films that won Academy Awards for cinematography in the years when separate honors were given for black-and-white and color. The schedule includes Great Expectations (March 4, 4 pm), Black Narcissus (March 2, 7 pm and March 4, 6:30 pm), The Thief of Bagdad (March 3, 4:30 pm), Rebecca (March 3, 7 pm), A Place in the Sun (March 10, 7 pm), An American in Paris (March 9, 7 pm and March 10, 4 pm), The Bad and the Beautiful (March 11, 7 pm), and The Quiet Man (March 11, 4 pm).

Museum of the Moving Image, 36-01 35th Ave., Astoria’s Kaufman Arts District, movingimage. us.

March 2, El Gran Combo de Puerto Rico, 9 pm. The legendary salsa orchestra, which has been performing since in 1962, always gets the party started right. Colden Auditorium at Queens College, vicinity of Kissena Boulevard and Reeves Avenue, Flushing, kupferbergcenter. org.

March 3, Rioult Dance NY, March 4. This eclectic program includes Te Deum, one of Pascal Rioult’s earliest works; Wien, an image of a decaying society, and Dream Suite, inspired by the surreal world of Marc Chagall. Shows on March 3 at 2 pm and 8 pm and March 4 at 3 pm. Plus, this internationally renowned troupe is currently moving its headquarters to LIC. Queens Theatre, 14 United Nations Ave. S., Flushing Meadows Corona Park, queenstheatre. org.

March 6, Queens College Evening Reading Series, 7 pm. Mexican author Valeria Luiselli, a finalist for the National Book Critics’ Circle

QUEENS SYMPHONY

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Award in Criticism, reads from her book Tell Me How It Ends RIOULT DANCE NY with commentary about how she came to write it and how it relates to current immigration issues. The event is part of an ongoing series that includes a panel discussion on women in American theatre with playwrights Lisa Kron (Tony Award for Fun Home), Kia Corthron (Windham-Campbell Literature Prize for Drama), Patricia Ione Lloyd (New Professional Theatre’s Emerging Playwright Award), and Monet Hurst-Mendoza (2017 Emerging Writers Group at The Public Theater) on March 13. sions and opportunities to meet filmmakers, Former Newsday theater critic Linda Winer is too. In its eighth year, QWFF will present the the moderator. There are also events in April. movies in 53 thematic blocks – including FamKupferberg Center for the Arts, 65-30 Kissena ily Friends, Nothing But Web, Culture Clash, Blvd., Flushing, kupferbergCrimes Against Women, Emocenter.org. tional Punch, and EnvironmenMarch 11, Reelabilities tally Speaking. Two locations in Film Festival, March 12.

Astoria’s Kaufman Arts District: This tenth annual extravaganMuseum of the Moving Image, za screens movies about people with disabilities 36-01 35th Ave., and Zukor Screening Room, and their families, and some of the directors par- 34-12 36th St., queensworldfilmfestival.com. ticipate in Q&A sessions. Perfectly Normal for March 16, Random Access Music, 8 pm.

Me, a documentary about a Queens school that An evening of color and imagery in music has a dance program for children with physical composed for cello, piano, and bass voice. Sage and developmental challenges, shows on March Music, 44-02 23rd St. #414, LIC, ram-nyc.org.

11 at 10 am. Shorts on mental illness and other March 18, Bachata from the Dominican issues show on March 11 at 1 pm. Scaffolding, Republic, 4 pm. Essential to Dominican culan Israeli feature about a young man with learn- ture, Bachata draws upon influences from Afriing disabilities and his troubled relationship ca, Europe, Latin America, and the Caribbean. with his father, shows on March 12 at noon. Juan Soriano blends the sacred traditions of Central Queens Y, 67-09 108th St., Forest Hills, palo and gaga with Bachata, imparting his music cqy.org. with a down-to-earth spirit and danceability.

March 15, Queens World Film Festival, Dance lesson at 3 pm. Flushing Town Hall, 137March 25. Watch about 200 works from 36 35 Northern Blvd., flushingtownhall.org. distinct countries and all five boroughs that March 23, The New Shanghai Circus, 8 pm. were selected from a pool of more than 600 With acts that trace their origins to the harvest submissions. Plenty of post-screening discus- festivals of 2,000 years ago, these fearless performers defy gravity and execute breathtaking feats with boundless energy. Queensborough Performing Arts Center, 222-05 56th Ave., Bayside, visitqpac.org.

March 23, Destination Italy with the Queens Symphony Orchestra, 7:30 pm. Take a musical journey through Italy’s cultural landscape. Repertoire includes Schubert’s “Overture in the Italian Style D. 590,” Stravinsky’s “Pulcinella” (whose story is based on a Commedia Dell’Arte character), and Vivaldi’s “Four Seasons.” Maestro Majkut, QSO’s music director and conductor, leads and takes the harpsichord.

Flushing Town Hall, 137-35 Northern Blvd., flushingtownhall.org.

Find more info at itsinqueens.com.

March 2018 • Volume 14 • Issue 3

QUEENSBOROUGH CALENDAR OF EVENTS MARCH 3/6, 8:30 AM

ENERGY COMMITTEE MEETING: SMART BUILDINGS ARE SMART INVESTMENTS

Learn what big buildings have known for some time.

Free & open to the public Complimentary parking Queens Chamber of Commerce 75-20 Astoria Boulevard Jackson Heights, NY 11370 3/8, 4 PM

CENTENNIAL TALK: BOROUGH OF DIVERSITY

The Queens Chamber of Commerce joins with its colleagues in the 5 Chamber Alliance for the M/WBE Awards.

Restoration Plaza Billie Holiday Theatre 1368 Fulton St. Brooklyn 3/8, 6 PM

M/WBE CONSTRUCTION TRADES EVENT

Learn how your minority or woman-owned business can be apart of a $100 million project at Resorts World New York.

Free & open to the public Complimentary parking RWNY 110-00 Rockaway Blvd., 6th Fl. Jamaica NY 11420

3/15, 1:30 AM

ST. PATRICK’S DAY LUNCHEON

A day of networking with a keynote speech by NYPD Commissioner James O’Neill.

More info at queenschamber.org Terrace on the Park 52-11 111th St. Corona, NY 11368 3/20, ALL DAY

QUEENS CHAMBER OF COMMERCE ANNUAL ADVOCACY DAY

Join the Chamber as it heads to the state capitol to promote the interests of the borough’s business community.

More info at queenschamber.org The Egg Albany 3/22, 4 to 6 PM

ESSENTIAL TOOLS & STRATEGIES: USING INSTAGRAM AND FACEBOOK FOR BUSINESS

This presentation will teach you the basics of creating and targeting boosted posts and ads using Facebook, and using Instagram to promote your brand and convert followers into customers.

Register at queenschamber.org

APRIL Free BNB 35-02 Broadway Astoria, NY 11105 4/4, 6 PM

CULTURAL CONSIDERATIONS

You’ll gain a better understanding of the dynamics of conflict and negotiation, the impact of cultural differences and, how to manage yourself and your employees during tense moments.

Free & open to the public Complimentary parking Queens Chamber of Commerce 75-20 Astoria Boulevard Jackson Heights, NY 11370 4/20, 8:30 AM

SEMINAR: BASICS OF BUSINESS The Queens Chamber of DISSOLUTION AND Commerce hosts its April Business PARTNERSHIP Card Exchange.

BREAKUP NETWORKING IN COLLEGE POINT

P.C. Richard & Son 136-03 20th Avenue College Point 4/6, 8:30 AM

WORKSHOP #4: CONFLICT RESOLUTION SKILLS FOR THE WORKPLACE:

FarrellFritz presents at this event geared toward small,medium and large businesses and in-house counsel.

Free & open to the public Complimentary parking Queens Chamber of Commerce 75-20 Astoria Boulevard Jackson Heights, NY 11370

3/9, 8:30 AM

WORKSHOP #3: EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATION SKILLS IN THE WORKPLACE

This program covers how HR professionals and managers develop effective communications skills for greater performance. The workshop will provide participants with hands on techniques to maximize communication skills, which can reduce conflict.

Register at queenschamber.org Free & open to the public Complimentary parking Queens Chamber of Commerce 75-20 Astoria Boulevard Jackson Heights, NY 11370

On January 30, the Queens Chamber of Commerce hosted a Nonprofit Workshop, which was an opportunity for representatives from Queens-based nonprofits to interact with experts on topics like board development, fundraising, cost-effective recruiting, and grant writing.

For any registration or more information on these events or any other events please call us at 718.898.8500 or visit us on the web queenschamber.org

23

THIS IS QUEENSBOROUGH

queenschamber.org

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.

The 82nd Street Partnership has a robust schedule of events throughout the year, including Viva La Comida, Halloween parade, holiday tree lighting, back-to-school activities, the “A Walk With A Doctor” event. The latter takes place in October through a partnership with Elmhurst Hospital.

Doctors demonstrate life-saving tips in cases of disasters and everyday accidents.

But currently Leslie Ramos is concerned with what she says is the city’s lack of understanding of the needs and concerns of small business owners. In mid-March, the city will eliminate parking on Roosevelt Avenue between Broadway and 90th Street between 7 and 10 a.m. and 4 to 7 p.m. for a six-month pilot program aimed at mitigating traffic and congestion.

“Having ‘No Standing’ at that time interferes with all the businesses on Roosevelt in that they

will not be able to get deliveries and that people who are going home from work will not be able to park and shop,” she said. “There is so much business being done at that time, it would kill many of our shops.”

There were no public hearings and the issue was never brought to the attention of the community board. “Although the city says it is only a sixmonth pilot, we can not have this happen along Roosevelt,” Ramos added.

BAYSIDE VILLAGE BID

213-33 39th Avenue, Bayside, NY 11361 Interim Executive Director: James Ellis 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 first-ever St. Patrick’s Day Parade in Bayside will take place on Saturday, March 24.

The parade starts at 10 a.m. at 36th and Bell Boulevard and ends at 41st Avenue. Home to a number of Irish bars and restaurants, merchants along Bell Boulevard will be offering special.

You are cordially invited to our You are cordially invited to our

Open House Open House at our newest state-of-the-art facility at our newest state-of-the-art facility You are cordially invited to our

Open House

231-35 Merrick BlvdMerrick • Laurelton, 11413 NY 11413 231-35 Blvd •NY Laurelton, at our newest state-of-the-art facility

hursday, March 15th,March 2018 15th, • 5:302018 P.M. to 7:30P.M. P.M.to 7:30 P.M. Thursday, • 5:30 231-35 Merrick Blvd • Laurelton, NY 11413 Thursday, March 15th, 2018 • 5:30 P.M. to 7:30 P.M.

Hors d’oeuvres cocktails & willcocktails be served Hors&d’oeuvres will be served Hors d’oeuvres & cocktails willus be for served Please feel Please free to feel join us fortoajoin ribbon cutting free a ribbon cutting Please free to P.M. join us for a ribbon at 5:15 P.M.feel the open house atbefore 5:15 before thecutting open house at 5:15 P.M. before the open house

P by March 9th, 2018 to 9th, James (631) 870-8710 • jspera@zprad.com (631) 870-8710 • jspera@zprad.com RSVP March 9th,Spera 2018 toSpera James March 2018 to James (631)Spera 870-8710 • jspera@zprad.com RSVP byby 24

BUSINESS CENTER FOR NEW AMERICANS (BCNA)

78-27 37 Avenue, Jackson Heights, NY 11372 Manager of Business Development: Tshering D. 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.

Loans range from $500 to $50,000 with terms up to three years. Loan officers help clients with creating business plan and financial statements, and offer credit counseling to help clients understand, improve and repair credit. They offer workshops on small business management, social media, credit building and home ownership.

BCNA has a diverse staff that speaks 15-plus languages and dialects, including English, Spanish, Hindi, Tibetan, Nepali, Bangla, Kannada, Russian, French, Creole and several West African dialects.

March 2018 • Volume 14 • Issue 3

QUEENS CHAMBER PARTNERS & AFFILIATES 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.

The chamber is currently planning a new event, the “Forest Hills American Music Festival,” an all-day event highlighting American music from jazz to country.

GREATER FLUSHING CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

135-32 38th Ave., Suite 25, Flushing NY 11354 Executive Director: John Choe john@flushingchamber.nyc 646.783.8985 flushingchamber.nyc QUICK GLANCE: Founded in 2014 and representing over 200 businesses.

Litter in the area is rampant, and the chamber

is making it a priority. The chamber is partnering with the city for locations for up to 50 new garbage cans in Downtown Flushing.

The Chamber’s annual Membership Meeting will take place on Thursday, March 15, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at St. George’s Church, 135-32 28th Avenue, Flushing.

General Information Meeting & Film Screening of “Farmers for America” will be hosted by the Flushing Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) on Sunday, March 18, from 2 to 6 p.m. at the Quaker Meetinghouse, 137-16 Northern Boulevard, in Flushing.

• MWBE Construction Trades Event on March 8 from 6 to 9 p.m. at 110-00 Rockaway Boulevard, Central Park Room, 6th Floor. The event is hosted

by GJDC in conjunction with Resorts World Casino.

Come learn about the $400 million project.

• Women’s Power Networking Breakfast on Tuesday, March 27, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at 90-04 160th Street, Jamaica. A workshop for women to learn about the latest technology and accounting software for their businesses. Guest Speaker Aaron Kurlander, director of Business Services, will discuss financing assistance for small businesses.

GREATER JAMAICA DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION

GREATER WOODHAVEN DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION WOODHAVEN BID

90-04 161st Street, Jamaica, NY 11432 President: Hope Knight 718.291.0282 www.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.

Upcoming events include:

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, the BID features six supermarkets. They are providing free benches for store owners along Jamaica Avenue. They also provide 2.5 and 5 percent home improvement loans.

THIS IS QUEENSBOROUGH

queenschamber.org

QUEENS CHAMBER PARTNERS & AFFILIATES JAMAICA CENTER BID

161-10 Jamaica Avenue, Suite 419 Jamaica, NY 11432 718.526.2422 jamaica.nyc @JamaicaAvenue QUICK GLANCE: Budget of over $1 million.

Founded in 1979, the district includes 300 stores on Jamaica Avenue between Sutphin Boulevard and 160th Street in Jamaica. They offer a value card and support business owners in their expansions and openings.

Valerie Stevens is director of Business Services and Operations, supporting member businesses in their marketing efforts. Stevens has been focusing on social media to assist with branding and expansion. The BID is currently looking for a sponsor for their banners and trash can program along Jamaica Avenue.

Jimmy Jazz held a grand opening celebration for a new location at 163-23 Jamaica Avenue earlier this month. Jimmy Jazz is a legacy sneaker story in Jamaica that is known throughout New York.

JFK INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

616 Duke Street, Westbury, NY 11590 Executive Director: Mercedes Altman 516.492.0513 www.jfkairportchamberofcommerce.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, using almost a half-million square feet of warehouse space to handle more than a million tons of air freight cargo a year. Upcoming events include: • The Sixth Annual Aviation Hall of Fame & Student Awards Ceremony is on Thursday, March 8, from 6 to 9 p.m. at the Aviation Flight Center.

Come honor recipient Mr. Joseph Clabby, professor of Aviation at Farmingdale State College for the last 14 years.

• The JFKCoC Directors General Monthly Meeting is on Wednesday, March 14, from 8:30 to 10:30 a.m. at JFK International Airport, Building 14, Conference Room A. • LIIEA (Long Island Import/Export Association) Conference on Thursday, March 15, from 5:30 to 9 p.m. at Fox Hollow, Woodbury.

Presenters and Sponsors include Mazars USA, NYC Economic Development Corp, and Department of Commerce.

• Mix and Mingle for Airport Community on Wednesday, March 21, from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Aloft Hotel LaGuardia, East Elmhurst.

• JFK AirCargo Expo 2018: Insight, Foresight,

26

Spotlight on Thursday March 22, from 8 to 5 p.m. at Russo’s on the Bay 162-45 Cross Bay Blvd, Howard Beach. Keynote Speaker is Warren Jones, director of The International Air Cargo Association.

• Wings Club Annual Meeting on Wednesday, March 28, from 6 to 9 p.m. at The Yale Club.

Induction of the New Wings Club Foundation president and more. Cocktail reception after the meeting.

• JFKCoC Luncheon on Thursday, March 29, from 11:30 a.m. to 2: p.m. at JFK Airport Hilton, South Ozone Park. Speaker is Henry KuyKendall, Senior VP Airport Operations, Northeast, Delta Airlines.

LONG ISLAND CITY PARTNERSHIP

President: Elizabeth Lusskin 718.786.5300 www.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 mixeduse community. The LIC Partnership operates the LIC Business Improvement District and the LIC Industrial Business Zone.

The LICP Breakfast on Empowering Women Business Owners: Taking Calculated Risk is on Tuesday March 13, from 8 to 10 a.m. at the Long Island City Conference Center-Queensboro Auditorium, 41-21 27th Street. Discussion will focus on challenges and opportunities unique to women owned businesses, whether multi-generational enterprises or entrepreneurial efforts.

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 next chamber meeting is on Tuesday, March 13, at noon at Peggy Dempsey’s Bar, 64-14 Flushing Avenue. The majority of their budget is spent on holiday lights, banners, beautification and festivals, including replacing the street banners on Grand Avenue. There has recently been a push to form a BID on 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.

Its boundaries are Onderdonk Avenue and Maspeth Creek to Borden Avenue, and Flushing Avenue to Greenpoint Avenue. Their meetings are typically held at Petro Heating at 55-60 58th Street.

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. There are currently ten stores looking for tenants.

“We have properties that have been empty for three or four years,” said Ted Renz. “In some instances the landlords want so much money, but showing properties on our website is a service that I am sure has helped rent these places. It’s also a

March 2018 • Volume 14 • Issue 3

QUEENS CHAMBER PARTNERS & AFFILIATES tool for brokers.”

Upcoming events include the Myrtle Avenue Street Fair on April 15 and Sidewalk Sales Days from April 19 to 22.

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 networking events.

Scaling up Small Businesses in Queens is on Wednesday, March 7 from 8 to 10 a.m. at LaGuardia Community College, The Little Theater, 31-10 Thomson Ave, Long Island City. The forum will explore the opportunity to turn more Queens small businesses into medium-sized and large businesses.

Attendance is free, but space is very limited. RSVP is required via e-mail to rsvp@nycfuture.org. Coffee and a light breakfast will be served.

The Entrepreneur Space 7th Birthday Party is on Friday, March 23 from 6 to 8:30 p.m. at The Entrepreneur Space, 36-46 37th Street, Long Island City. The E-Space has helped almost 600 small businesses, generated $6.5 million in revenue, and created more than 100 jobs over the past seven productive years. QEDC will announce the StartUP! Business Plan Competition finalists.

The Queens Women’s Business Center-Women’s Power Networking Breakfast: Growing your Business with Technology and Accounting Software is on Tuesday, March 27, from 8:30 to 10:30 a.m. at Greater Jamaica Development Corporation, Harvest Room, 90-40 160th Street ,Jamaica. Recommendations on cost-effective software for your current business operations and how to integrate new technology to maximize your point of sales systems, engage customers and enhance employee productivity

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. RBA seeks to create and curate an inviting atmosphere for all to enjoy year round.

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 twelvemember board of directors and a five-member 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 RDRC, located at 1920 Mott Avenue in Far Rockaway.

In addition to merchant organizing and business attraction initiatives, RDRC is also engaged in place-making activities utilizing the Beach 20th Street Pedestrian Plaza to draw several thousand of local residents, day travelers and area workers to outdoor concerts, community outreach events, health fairs and summertime concert series annually.

RDRC 32nd Annual Tribute and Gala Dinner is on Wednesday, May 16, at Russo’s on the Bay, 162-45 Cross Bay Boulevard, Howard Beach.

Cocktails at 6 p.m. Deadline for submitting journal ads and payment is April 24. RSVP form is online at rdrc.com or contact Valerie West at (718)-327-5300.

STEINWAY STREET 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.

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.

The BID works to improve sanitation, marketing, security, holiday lighting, beautification and Internet access along this famous street in Queens.

SUNNYSIDE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

PO Box 4399, Sunnyside, NY 11104 President: Patricia Dorfman 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.

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.

Jaime-Faye Beam is excited about the Taste of Sunnyside this year, which will have a bit of a different flavor. This year it will take place in the parking lot of PC Richards at 50-02 Queens Boulevard. The larger space – it usually takes place under the 7 train - will allow for more restaurants and the ability to have food prepared at the event.

The BID is hosting a Happy Hour event at Sidetracks on March 13 from 5 to 7 p.m. for members and friends.

RSVP at cho@sunnysideshines.org or (718) 606-1800.

The annual meeting is March 26 at 7 p.m. at Sunnyside Community Services at 43-31 39 Street.

“Our Annual Meeting is an important opportunity to learn more about Sunnyside Shines’ activities over the past year and to honor some of the individuals, businesses, and organizations who have made an impact in the neighborhood,” said Bean.

There will be an opportunity to vote for board members if you are registered as a BID member by March 16. Refreshments will be served.

27

THIS IS QUEENSBOROUGH

queenschamber.org

NEW MEMBERS CORPORATE

Klein Wealth Management HighTower EMU Health Services, LLC Sutton Alliance INTRODUCTORY

Martin DePorres Group Homes Merritt Insurance Services, Inc. MYAP Inc. New York Life Northwestern Mutual ABS Partners Real Estate, LLC D&J Management DH2 Chauffeured Transportation Ellen Helps Hour Children Sir Speedy of America Tourette Association of America The Travers Group (Merril Lynch) EMU Health Services LLC

83-40 Woodhaven Blvd.

Glendale, NY 11385 emuhealth.com 914.420.0926 An established participant in the Queens medical community Mr. Lowy, Founder and CEO of EMU Health intends to bring EMU’s vision of providing all residents of the various communities in Queens with the highest quality medical and surgical services in one convenient state of the art professional and caring environment that will not only treat patients but educate them for better healthcare.

Sutton Alliance

515 Rockaway Ave. Valley Stream, NY 11581 suttonalliance.com 516.837.6117 At Sutton Alliance, their talent stands behind some of real estate’s biggest transactions –and behind every client, every day. Sutton Alliance

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ranks among the nation’s leading providers of commercial and residential real estate transaction services, but their commitment to their clients is simply second-to-none. From residential and commercial title insurance to Section 1031 tax-deferred exchanges and settlement services, some of the most respected names in real estate, trust Sutton Alliance to facilitate their transactions and safeguard their interests.

Klein Wealth Management HighTower

445 Broadhollow Road Suite 332 Melville, NY 11747 hightoweradvisors.com 631.760.7650 HighTower is an elite community of independent-minded financial advisors you can trust.

All HighTower advisors are fiduciaries, meaning they have a legal obligation to act in the client’s best interests. Their advisors provide financial advice with a soul, getting to know the families they serve to help build better lifestyles, achieve specific goals and create long-term stewards of wealth.

Martin DePorres Group Homes

218-24 136th Avenue Springfield Garden, NY 11413 mdpgh.org 718.527.0606 The goal of MDPGH is to assist youths in adjusting to their families and society so that the risk of committing a juvenile or criminal offense, having to either go into residential or foster care, or any higher level of care is significantly minimized.

Merritt Insurance Services, Inc.

218 E. Park Avenue Long Beach, NY 11561 MerrittInsServices.com 516.946.7388 Historically, there have been few choices for NY doctors when choosing an insurance carrier but now there are options. Let Merritt Insurance’s colleagues help you look at them. Merritt Insurance Services welcomes the opportunity to discuss your current malpractice insurance to determine what options may (or may not) meet your insurance needs best.

MYAP Inc.

82-46 234th Street Bellerose Manor, NY 11427 myapinc.org 917.414.3753 MYAP is an Afterschool Multi-Cultural Youth Arts enrichment designed to stipulate cultural recreational and social activities for children ages pre-K through 6th grade. MYAP’s intension is to create and promote self-confidence, determination, and introduce the multicultural

diversity that exists among our community in an exciting and productive environment.

New York Life

100 Jericho Quadrangle Suite 325 Jericho, NY 11753 newyorklife.com 516.934.9391 From life insurance to financial services and preparing for retirement, New York Life is here for you. They provide insurance, investment, and retirement solutions along with expert guidance to help you achieve lifelong financial well-being.

Northwestern Mutual

875 3rd Avenue New York, NY 10022 paulhellman.nm.com 212.867.8989 Backed by the strength of Northwestern Mutual, Paul Hellman and his team provide you with a balanced approach to achieve your goal of financial security, assuring that your intentions have been understood and your needs are being addressed.

ABS Partners Real Estate, LLC

200 Park Avenue South New York, NY 10003 absre.com 212.400.9515 ABS Partners Real Estate is a leading New York City-based real estate firm dedicated to building lasting real estate and professional partnerships. Their team maintains a focus in two areas: providing services which add value in leasing, investment sales, property management, construction management and advisory; and organizing opportunities for their clients to participate in the ownership of real estate.

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, 2017. 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 3,712 (3,500). Paid and/or requested circulation: Dealer, carrier sales 1,785 (532), Mail subscriptions, 611 (1,937), Total 2,396 (2,469). Free Distribution By mail 187 (400), By other means 0 (0), Total 187 (400). Total distribution 2,583 (2,869), Office Use, leftover, spoiled 1,129 ( 6 3 1 ) , Return from news agents 0 (0), Total 3,712 (3,500), Percent paid 92.76 (86.05).

I certify that the statements made by me above are correct and complete. Thomas J. Grech, Editor

March 2018 • Volume 14 • Issue 3

NEW MEMBERS

D&J Management

34-14 64th Street Woodside, NY 11377 718.458.6609

DH2 Chauffeured Transportation

P.O. Box 564134 College Point, NY 11356 dh2limo.com 718.928.9966 DH2 Chauffeured Transportation is a Luxury Chauffeured Ground Transportation company that provides airport service, roadshows, point to point transfers and provides first class service. They provide Sedan service and SUV service around the globe. Their devotion to world class service combined with safety, dependability, and reliability record ranks them among the largest and most professional transportation service nationwide.

EllenHelps

39-19 47th Street Sunnyside, NY 11104 917.797.4447 Ellen Young of EllenHelps Consulting brings more than two decades of strategic planning and fund development to a broad array of clients. Ellen has helped clients in strategic planning, fund development, board development, community outreach

and grantsmanship. Her client list includes an array of education, arts and economic/community development groups.

Build loyalty. Launch promotions. Increase market share.

Hour Children

42-40 Bell Boulevard Bayside, NY 11361 tourette.org 718.224.2999 The Tourette Association educates professionals to better serve the needs of children, adults and families challenged by Tourette and Tic Disorders.

They advocate for public policies and services that promote positive school, work and social environments. The Tourette Association empowers our community to deal with the complexities of this spectrum of disorders.

36-11 12th Street Long Island City, NY 11106 hourchildren.org 718.443.4724 Hour Children strives to end the cycle of intergenerational incarceration. Their mission is to help incarcerated and formerly incarcerated women and their children successfully rejoin the community, reunify with their families, and build healthy, independent, and secure lives. Hour Children provides compassionate services and encourages all to live and interact with dignity and respect.

Sir Speedy of Plainview

101 Dupont Street Plainview, NY 11803 sirspeedyplainview.com 516.938.4567 Got a challenge, go to Sir Speedy. Their people have a “whatever it takes” attitude. Add that to their vast array of printing and marketing services and they can accomplish just about anything you require: Create a brand. Design a website. Develop integrated marketing campaigns. Find customers.

Tourette Association of America

The Travers Group (Merrill Lynch)

100 Jericho Quadrangle Suite 242 Jericho, NY 11753 fa.ml.com/thomas.j.travers 516.827.3292 The Travers Group is a father-son team of two qualified Portfolio Advisors who, in addition to providing traditional advice and guidance, can help clients pursue their investment objectives by recommending individual, or any combination of, Merrill Lynch or approved third-party investment managers’ strategies, funds or portfolios.

Immigration Attorney New York Employment & Labor Law Attorneys Queens’ top legal firm for solving labor problems for businesses.

(718) 275-6700 45-18 Ct Square W Suite 403, Long Island City, NY 11101

www.hansassociates.com

WATCH GUARD 24/7 is a leader in providing security and private investigation services

800.247.0622 WATCH GUARD 24/7 was formed in 2009 by John Rafferty, a retired lieutenant from the NYPD.

Aigner Chocolates offers a special pricing structure for large and corporate orders. Special pricing is only applicable towards gift boxes and baskets.

(718) 544-1850

103-02 Metropolitan Ave, Forest Hills, NY 11375

U.S. Immigration & Nationality Law Consultations by Appointment

ELITE CONTRACTOR COMMITED TO SUPERIOR QUALITY & RESULTS

646.821.7313 Banad Law Offices, PC Dev Banad Viswanath 718.361.5999 banadlaw.com

GET AN ESTIMATE ONLINE OR CALL 20% DISCOUNT FOR NEW CUSTOMERS

info@allegiant-contracting.com www.allegiant-contracting.com

Queens Business Marketplace Directory - your business to business guide for Queens!

WERE YOU OR A LOVED ONE A VICTIM OF MEDICAL MALPRACTICE?

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With its diverse selection of both kids frames and adult frames and superior 5-star customer service, MK Vision Center strives to create the most satisfying experience for customers and build a long-term relationship with local residents and communities.

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107-29 71st Avenue Forest Hills, NY 11375

We offer low rates & next day funding!

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ARE YOU LOOKING FOR ANSWERS? Robert A. Miklos Silberstein, Awad & Miklos, P.C. Medical Malpractice Attorney

1.800.380.8220 reliabledatausa.com

516.417.0744

Call For a Free Consultation

29

THIS IS QUEENSBOROUGH

queenschamber.org

EXECUTIVE COMMMITEE Mayra DiRico

Fran Biderman-Gross

Howard Graf

Richard Dzwlewicz

Chairperson

Associate Treasurer

Vice Chairperson

Associate Secretary

Treasurer

Immediate Past President

Henry Wan Nash Roe

Albert F. Pennisi

Thomas J. Grech

Brendan Leavy

President & CEO

Business Development Manager

Sophia Ganosis

Cathy Berger

Development Director

Chief of Operations

Jacqueline Donado

Dorothy Owermohle Bookkeeper

Strategic Program Coordinator

Financial Controller

Membership Outreach Coordinator & Member Engagement

William Blake Dominick Ciampa Joseph Farber Louis D. Laurino

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.

Joseph M. Mattone, Sr John E. Roe, Sr. George Rozansky Gerard Thornton

Brett Swanson

Alejandra Espejo

Secretary

CHAIRPERSON’S ADVISORY COUNCIL

EXECUTIVE STAFF

Fatena Williams

Business Development Associate

BOARD OF DIRECTORS Andrew Barnes Fran Biderman-Gross Joshua E. Bienstock Michael Billia Willa Brody Susan Browning Kenneth J. Buettner Charles E. Callahan

KY Chow Carol Conslato Sal Crifasi Mayra DiRico Richard Dzwlewicz Thomas Eagar Joseph R. Ficalora Tamara Gavrielof

Howard Graf Raymond Irrera Peter Klein Kenneth Koenig Kelly Koukou Henry Kuykendall Neil Levin Jeffery E. Levine

Carl Mattone Patricia Mezeul Michael Moran Michael Onghai Jeffrey Owens Nayan Parikh Albert F. Pennisi Vincent L. Petraro Esq

Adam Reece-Cohen Nash Roe Jeffrey Rosenstock Thomas Santucci Mark Scheinberg Caryn Schwab Sher Sparano Michelle Stoddart

Terri Thomson Henry Wan Swain Weiner Patrick Yu Daniel Zausner

CORPORATE MEMBERS AARP Age Well New York AKI Development Alma Realty Corp.

Aloft Long Island City Manhattan View Hotel Aloft Hotel New York LaGuardia Airport Alphapointe Altria Client Services Inc. Amna Construction Corp.

Anchin, Block & Anchin ATCO Properties & Management Baker Tilly Virchow Krause LLP Bank of America Bank United Berkeley College Berkman, Henoch, Peterson, Peddy & Fenchel, PC Bethpage Federal Credit Union Better Home Health Care Borchert & LaSpina, PC Boro Hotel Boyce Technologies Inc. Broadway Stages Capital One Bank Cathay Bank Care Connect Insurance Co. Inc. Carmel Car & Limo Service CDS Mestel Construction Center for Automotive

Education & Training Cerini & Associates Certilman Balin Champion Elevators Chaney Construction & Development Charles Schwab Ciampa Organization City MD City Scrap Metal Cleaning Systems Co. Clickable CoAdvantage Constant Contact Construction Safety Network Inc. Cord Meyer Development LLC Cornell NYC Tech Corporate Development Systems, Inc. Costco Wholesale Court 16, Inc. CPEX Real Estate Crown Container Cumming Corporation Cushman & Wakefield FedCap D&B Engineers & Architects, PC Daniels Norelli Cecere & Tavel PC DY Reality Services, LLC Dignity Memorial Funeral Provides of Queens E. Gluck Corporations

East Coast Energy Group Edible Arrangements Elite Palace Elmhurst Hospital Center Emigrant Mortgage Co. Empire Merchants Enterprise Holdings Exit Realty Lewis & Murphy Fantasy Forest Amusement Park Farrell Fritz, PC Fedcap Fidelis Care New York Financial Resources Brup Investment Services LLC Firecom, Inc. First American International Bank First Central Savings Bank Flushing Bank Forest Hills Financial Gerard T Dolan Agency Farmers Grand Rehabilitation & Nursing at Queens Greater New York Auto Dealers Association Inc. Greiner-Maltz of NY HF Management Services Haks Hanover Community Bank Healthplex, Inc. Health Republic Insurance Healthy Corner Pharmacy, Inc. Hilton Garden Inn/ LIC

Manhattan View Holiday Inn LaGuardia Airport Home2Suite LIC Hyatt Place Flushing Ibis Styles New York LaGuardia Airport Hotel INDA Association of Nonwoven Fabric Industry International Asbestos Removal Inc. J.F.A. Insurance Brokerage JRT Realty Group, Inc. James F. Capalino & Associates Jaros Baum & Bolles Jetro Resataurant Depot JustWorks Kasirer Consulting Inc Kaufman Astoria Studios Inc. LaGuardia Plaza Hotel La Technology Group Lee & Associates Levine Builders Lessing’s Inc. Luna Park in Coney Island Lyft Lyons Mortgage Services, Inc. M&T Bank M&V Provisions Co, Inc. MCR Development LLC MTA-Long Island Rail Road Madeline Chocolate Novelties Marriott NYC Airport Hotels Mazars USA LLP Merritt Engineering Consult-

ing PC Metroplus Health Plan Metropolitan Taxi Cab Board of Trade Melrose Credit Union Metro Franchising Commissary Molloy College Mortgage Depot Moses & Singer LLP Motiva Networks Mount Sinai Hospital of Queens Mr. T Carting Corporation Muss Development Company National Supermarket Association Newtown Creek Trusted PRI USD New York Building Congress New York Life New York Oil Heaing Association Inc. New York Racing Association Northfield Bank Northwell Health NRG Energy Inc. NY Building Congress NY Families for Autistic Children, Inc. OnForce Solar Parker Jewish Institute for Health Care & Rehab Patrick B. Jenkins & As-

sociates People’s United Bank Petro Energy Solutions Portnoy, Messinger, Pearl & Associations, Inc. Prager Metis CPAs, LLC Progressive Waste Solutions Qside Federal Credit Union Quadlogic Controls Corp.

Queens Center Queens Ledger Queensborough Community College Quontic Bank Radisson Hotel JFK Airport Register Abstract Co. Inc. Related Retail LP Rent A Throne Royal Waste Services Inc. Russo’s On The Bay SL Green Realty Corp.

Sahn Ward Coshchignano PLLC Sandrine Capital LLC Sears Maid Service Sholom & Zuckerbrot Realty LLC Signature Bank Silvercup Studios Simon Baron Development Sleep Numbers Solomon Agency St. John’s University Sterling Risk Structural Engineering Tech-

nologies PC Suffolk County National Bank Suation Solar Systems Super-Tek, Products, Inc. Terrace on the Park The New York Times The Parc Hotel Trinity Solar TSC Training Academy LLC Tully Construction Co. Inc. United Airlines United Health Care United Nations Federal Credit Union United Public, Adjusters & Appraisers, Inc. USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center Valley National Bank Van Guard Insurance Agency Verizon VHB Engineering Surveying & Landscape Architecture Vic Kesser Signs, LTD Victory Pharmacy Villa Russo Venture House Vornado Realty Trust Waste Management of NY LLC Wells Fargo Home Mortgage Welllife Network WeWork York College Zwanger Pesiri Radiology LLP

COMMITTEE LEADERSHIP COMMUNICATIONS Joshua Bienstock NYIT bienlaw@aol.com ENERGY Marshall Haimson E-Capital Development marshall@e-capitaldevelopment.com James Sheuchenko PM Advisors js@pmadvisors.com HEALTHCARE & WELLNESS Susan Browning Long Island Jewish Forest Hills sbrowning1@northwell.edu Evangeline Rosado-Tripp Queens County Medical Society ertripp@queensmedicalsociety.org

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HOSPITALITY Jim Quent Statewide Public Affairs jquent@statewidepublicaffairs.com Michael Zayas Real Hospitality Group michael.zayas@rhgcorp.com MANUFACTURING 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 REAL ESTATE Martin Cottingham Avison Young martin.cottingham@avisonyoung.com Michael Wang G8 Real Estate / Flushing Chamber mwang121@gmail.com TECHNOLOGY Bobby Giurintano TGI Office Automation bgiurintano@tgioa.com Eugene Erichsen Connect Me Voice Eugene@connectmevoice.com

TRANSPORTATION Kris Amato TD Bank Kristin.amato@td.com Tammy Petsios VHB tpetsios@vhb.com 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.

March 2018 • Volume 14 • Issue 3 MAJOR CORPORATE MEMBERS

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