This is Queensborough - May 2022

this is...

May 2022 . Volume 18 . Issue 5

New Age for Tech

Executive Director of Tech:NYC on creating a vibrant tech ecosystem in Queens

“We’re trying to figure out a way this could really be a seminal moment so that... we’re talking about things that can really have a positive impact in our community.”

ALSO

· Queens Chamber elects new executive board · Kidmoto Technologies creates car seat app · A Slice of Queens: Dani’s House of Pizza

THIS IS QUEENSBOROUGH

SJU Conference Services

Event Spaces Special Pricing for QCC Members!

Carnesecca Arena

Fixed Area Seating: 5,453 Perfect for: Graduation, Performance, Expo

“Modern Spaces, Easy Parking, Attentive, Caring Hosts”

Marillac Auditorium

Fixed Area Seating: 604 Perfect for: Lecture, Conference, Performance, Workshop

Call Cheryl at 718.990.2027 for a quote today!

www.stjohns.edu/conference-services

Marillac Terrace

Capacity: 492 Perfect for: Networking Event, Cocktail Party, Business Expo

2

queenschamber.org

May 2022 • Volume 18 • Issue 5

MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT & CEO This month buses will be loaded with individuals poised to make their mark on elected officials at our state Capitol in Albany.

Folks from every walk of life with one common goal in mind, letting their voices be heard amongst Queens Assembly and Senate delegation.

Each year Queens Chambers extends the opportunity for it’s members, mostly small business owners, to spend the day with unprecedented access to our majestic Capitol building in Albany.

Unfortunately, we haven’t been unable to make the pilgrimage since April 2019 due in large part to the on-going pandemic.

This one-day excursion enables those who represent the fabric of our business community to spend a full day emersed in conversations with those who represent their interests and make decisions that impact our diverse borough of Queens.

While Queens Day in Albany will by all means be the highlight

Voices in Albany

event of the month providing face Entrepreneurship & Innovation to face access with elected, there committee at WeWork Gotham are a number of other opportuni- on the 25th is designed with you ties which will benefit your orga- in mind.

We’re thrilled to nization and profescreate this platsional career growth. form to further Selling to the your business Gover nment and aspirations.

Global Market on the There are numer17th. With the fedous other events eral government as on our calendar the largest goods and this month you’ll services purchaser find valuable to you definitely need some aspect of to be in the know as your business it relates to becoming a vendor not only THOMAS J. GRECH and professional career goals. at the federal level PRESIDENT & CEO For all the details but state and local as visit www.queenwell.

Join us for the virtual presenta- schamber.org.

One of the greatest rights you tion to learn more.

Are you an entrepreneur with have as not only a business owner a product or service in need of but a resident of this beautiful funding or might you be an inves- borough is Queens is the right tor with capital to pour into a new to let your voice be heard as it relates to what impacts your business?

If you’re on either side of community.

Don’t miss out when these the spectrum Entrepreneur & Investors Unite presented by our moments present themselves.

On behalf of Queens Chamber and the entire staff, thank you for your continued support.

We work tirelessly for you to ensure this county remains the best place to live, work, play and most of do business.

Remember Queens STRONG!

Join the Queens Chamber of Commerce today.

To sign up visit queenschamber.org

MESSAGE FROM THE CHAIR

Longevity, Trust, and Value

May 1st marks the beginning of a new chapter for me. My term as Chair of Queens Chamber Board of Directors commences.

Saying those words resonates with me on a number of levels. It speaks to the longevity of my journey with the historical organization.

In 1989 my partner, Steve Lewent, and I founded an architectural firm which has matured over our three decades due in large part to the dedication we’ve made to establishing long lasting relationships.

One of those important relationships happens to be with the Queens Chamber.

We joined in 1990 as frankly a brand-new business like many of

you and for many of the same rea- of the solution, which is making sons you came to the Chamber.

Queens the ultimate place to do Grow our orgabusiness. nization, develop I’m not a marnew connections, keting, an accounand to solidify your tant, nor an IT place in the business person, howevcommunity. er, I take great The same trust and pleasure in learnvalue I place in the ing and listening clients we serve is to others to find equally evident in my out how to apply service to this orgavarious approachnization, which each es to business that and every one of you HOWARD GRAF works best.

CHAIRPERSON lend your support.

As small busiFrom member to nesses immediate Board of Directors to needs are always my new role as Chair one thing paramount and finding the roadremains constant. map to get you to the end game is My commitment to being part essential.

There are so many things the Chamber does to help businesses.

We listen to your needs and act accordingly to make sure you’re getting all you can to be as successful as possible.

It’s all about learning, listening, and being involved. At the end of the day, it all comes down to meeting needs.

This is truly an honor to serve as Chair. And from this day forward I’m committed to listening and learning from you to explore ways to sustain this beautifully diverse county of Queens we call home.

Thank you for your support of Queens Chamber.

There is something to be said about longevity, trust and value.

THIS IS QUEENSBOROUGH

queenschamber.org

QUEENS QUICKLY

BIDs may merge in Downtown Jamaica

BY EVAN TRIANTAFILIDIS evant@queensledger.com The bustling business district of downtown Jamaica could soon be overseen by a single business improvement district, or “BID,” as consolidation efforts are underway.

Support has been shown for the merger of the Sutphin Boulevard BID, the 165th Street Mall Special Assessment District and the Jamaica Center Special Assessment District, with many elected officials giving their blessing to the concept at a Committee of Finance meeting last week.

The bill itself, Int. No. 103, would alter how the district is assessed by expanding the boundaries of the existing Sutphin Boulevard BID. Council Speaker Adrienne Adams, also the former co-chair of the Jamaica Now Leadership Council, offered her full support of the legislation to create a unified business improvement district. It was during her time as co-chair of the Jamaica Now Leadership Council when the merger was first proposed.

“Our downtown area will have a singular brand and voice, which will facilitate more opportunities for investments and large-scale transformative projects,” Adams said.

“It will reduce any overlap in responsibilities among the current BIDS, and will more strategically position Jamaica to meet the ever growing needs and challenges of our small businesses, residents and visitors.”

Adams, a Southeast Queens native, says that a unified effort will mean consistent

programming and services, as well as greater input for the concerns of businesses in downtown Jamaica.

“I’m excited about the future of this area that I’ve called home for so long, and the potential for positive change this proposal will bring,” Adams said.

As it currently stands, the Sutphin Boulevard BID encompasses Sutphin Boulevard and properties south of Archer Avenue.

The Jamaica Center BID, which is technically a special assessment district, includes businesses along Jamaica Avenue starting at Sutphin Boulevard and ending at 169th Street.

The 165th Street Mall Special Assessment District includes businesses extending along 16th Street from Jamaica Avenue to 89th Avenue, with over 160 stores in its current footprint.

Councilmember Nantasha Williams, representing the 28th district, said that the merger will be beneficial to all parties involved, and that the move could reduce some administrative costs, such as rent and insurance.

Although the conversations about merging predate her time in City Council, she said she is proud to carry the efforts of former Councilman I. Daneek Miller.

“The pandemic has decimated our commercial districts and if the unification means our businesses will be paying less and receiving more services, then this is a no-brainer,” Williams said. “I am in full support and I look forward to working with the BID on future projects.”

Alix Duroseau Jr., the board chairman of the Sutphin Boulevard BID, told the Ledger

that he is “cautiously optimistic” about the merger, and he is looking forward to what the endeavor could bring to downtown Jamaica.

Jennifer Furioli, the executive director of the Jamaica Center BID, spoke on behalf of President Michael Hirschhorn during the Finance Committee meeting.

“We want to nurture a thriving downtown, and by partnering with our peers on 165th Street, I believe we can,” Furioli said.

Speaking for Hirschhorn, Furioli added that the Jamaica Center BID has been extremely limited in what it can accomplish due to rising administrative expenses. This year, over a quarter of the organization’s operating budget is allocated to liability insurance expenses, In the 2022 fiscal year, the Jamaica Center BID says they expect to pay $222,905 for their insurance policy, not including nearly $40,000 for deductables and possibly more depending on legal outcomes.

The Downtown Alliance, the largest BID in the city with a $20 million budget, only paid about $113,000 for their yearly insurance.

“By unifying under Sutphin’s legal structure, as is proposed, the liability would be eliminated and the new BID would not have any legal exposure that the Jamaica Center now contends with,” Furioli said.

Property owners within the new expanded district will be mailed a survey, with at least 51 percent of property owners needed to be in approval of the merger.

A City Council vote could come in May or June, which would make the merger official as of January 1, 2023.

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

It’s in Queens: It’s going to be May..............................................................24

Queens Chamber elects new chair, board members............................7

Get to Know the Chamber’s Newest Members ................................................... 28

Slice of Queens: Dani’s House of Pizza in Kew Gardens ............... 8 Tech Spotlight: Nelson Nigel of Kidmoto Technologies................... 9 COVER STORY: Tech:NYC Executive Director Jason Clark........11, 17 Expert Advice............................................................................14, 15, 16, 18, 19

4

PUBLISHER Walter H. Sanchez

MANAGING EDITOR Daniel Offner

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

May 2022 • Volume 18 • Issue 5

Maspeth Federal Savings turns 75

BY JESSICA MEDITZ

jmeditz@queensledger.com

Maspeth Federal Savings was joined by the community in celebration of its 75th anniversary.

Around 100 residents, students, and local elected officials gathered at the Maspeth location—the site of the original storefront that first opened in 1947 with a staff of only seven employees.

President and CEO Thomas Rudzewick said that Maspeth Federal Savings has grown to become an institution with seven different locations, nearly 200 employees, and $2.2 billion in assets over the last 75 years.

“We stayed to our mission. We wanted to make sure that this institution was a safe place to put your deposits and to get your home loan,” he said.

“Our mission is to create and maintain a professional environment that fosters the confi-

dence of our board of directors, invites the ideas of our employees and exceeds the expectations of our customers,” he continued. “We are here to treat you like family, and we hope all of you feel the same way from myself and the board of directors that are here today.”

Queens Borough President Donovan Richards, NYS Assemblyman Brian Barnwell, and Councilman Robert Holden congratulated Maspeth Federal Savings on their achievements and presented them with citations.

“Maspeth Federal Savings has become a trusted financial institution admired for its fiscal management and deep commitment to the community,” Richards said. “Thank you for contributing to financial literacy for community based organizations. Think about the impact that this has had on families and businesses, and how it has kept Queens such a vibrant borough.”

In the spirit of family, the St. Stan’s Players gave musical a performance, which included Sister Sledge’s 1979 hit, “We Are Family.”

Upon pointing out that the bank’s former President and CEO Kenneth Rudzewick, has a story quite similar to George Bailey from “It’s a Wonderful Life,” Holden said: “It’s rare that a bank is the center of the community for all celebrations, but Maspeth Federal has always been that. That’s because of men like Kenny and Tom Rudzewick.”

“With your help over the last 75 years, you did make living in Maspeth and the surrounding communities a wonderful life,” Holden said.

The little things add up to big rewards.

Like what you get with Perks Checking.

• No minimum balance1 and no monthly service fees • Local discounts and nationwide retailer deals • Cell phone and identity theft protection • Roadside assistance... and so much more!

Download the MFS Perks Mobile app from the App Store or Google Play to get started.

maspethfederal.com 1 A $1.00 deposit is required to open account, plus check printing charges if any.

5

THIS IS QUEENSBOROUGH

queenschamber.org

PROMOTIONS, ANNOUNCEMENTS & APPOINTMENTS Timothy Hogues nominated Commissioner and President of NYS Civil Service Commission NYS Gov. Kathy Hochul recently announced Timothy Hogues will be nominated to serve as the commissioner and president of the State Civil Service Commission.

“New York’s exemplary civil servants deserve leadership that is equally qualified and committed to the work of the State,” Hochul said in statement. “With his wealth of experience and passion for public service, Timothy Hogues will be an extraordinary leader for the Commission, and I look forward to working with him as we continue to solve the State’s most pressing challenges and deliver for New Yorkers.”

Timothy Hogues most recently served as a Personnel Commissioner for Erie County where he was responsible for overseeing services provided to over 130 appointing authorities, and approximately 24,000 employees county-wide, through the implementation and maintenance of services that support and facilitate the recruiting, selection, hiring, development and retention of local government and school district employees in accordance with Civil Service Laws and Regulations. Hogues began this role after being appointed by Erie County Executive Mark Poloncarz in 2019.

Previously, Hogues served as Commissioner for the Erie County Department of Senior Services where under his leadership the department was able to improve the congregate dining experience and expand non-traditional dining options for thousands of older adults across Erie County that rely on the dining program to meet their nutritional needs.

In addition to his dedicated government service, Hogues worked as an Operations Manager at private firms in the Buffalo area helping them to improve their bottom line by utilizing his problem-solving skills he learned early on in his leadership career as well as his ability to effectively communicate with people at all levels of an organization.

On top of his managerial experience, he served in the Erie County Legislature (201213). Hogues serves on several community Boards throughout the Buffalo area and he is a proud graduate of the University of Buffalo where he graduated with a B.A. in Business Administration and Management.

The New York State Civil Service Commission adopts and modifies rules governing a wide range of State civil service matters.

These rules are subject to the approval of the Governor and have the force and effect of law.

The Commission also hears and determines appeals on such matters as examination qualifications, examination ratings, position classifications, pay grade determinations, disciplinary actions, the use of preferred lists, and requests to continue the employment of individuals who are retired.

In addition, the Commission regularly inspects and oversees the operations of municipal Civil Service Commissions and city and county personnel officers.

The Commission is composed of three members: the President of the Commission, who

6

is also the head of the Department of Civil Service, and two Commissioners. By law, not more than two of the three can be members of the same political party.

AALDEF Announces Bethany Li as New Legal Director At the start of Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month, the Asian American Legal Defense and Education Fund (AALDEF) announced that Bethany Li will join the staff as its new legal director. She will litigate cases that have broad impact on Asian American communities, build AALDEF’s community lawyering model, work with pro bono attorneys, and provide leadership on advocacy and community outreach programs.

“Bethany’s approach to community lawyering and her experience as a litigator will strengthen AALDEF’s work in protecting the civil rights of Asian Americans,” said AALDEF executive director Margaret Fung.

Before joining the AALDEF staff, Li was the Asian Outreach Unit Director for Greater Boston Legal Services, where she supervised the Chinatown and Dorchester Anti-Displacement Project, the Southeast Asian Anti-Deportation Project, the Low Wage Worker Nail Salon Project, and other programs on behalf of tenants, immigrants, students, and voters.

Li also served as the Robert M. Cover Fellow in Yale Law School’s Veterans Legal Services Clinic and an adjunct professor at CUNY-Hunter College. Li received her J.D. from Georgetown University Law Center and graduated magna cum laude from Amherst College with a B.A. in History.

Li’s career with AALDEF began over a decade ago, when she was an Equal Justice Works Fellow and then a staff attorney.

“Bethany has consistently used her legal skills in service of civil rights and the Asian American community, and I am delighted that she is returning to AALDEF at this critical moment in the racial justice movement,” Fung said.

“I am excited to join the AALDEF staff at a time when the organization’s legal services, community education, and advocacy are urgently needed. With the rise in anti-Asian violence and harassment, it is especially important to protect the rights of immigrants and persons with limited English proficiency by addressing the root causes of structural racism. It is equally important to collaborate with other communities of color on common issues of concern. I look forward to being part of this next chapter in AALDEF’s storied history,” Bethany Li, incoming Legal Director of AALDEF, said.

As Li leaves her current role at Greater Boston Legal Services, AALDEF will also create a partnership with the Asian Outreach Unit. The community lawyering approach that the programs share will deepen civil rights work and advocacy locally and nationally.

Jacquelynne Bowman, the executive director of Greater Boston Legal Services, said, “This partnership will strengthen the voice of Asian American communities and further our commitment to eradicate poverty.”

Li begins her new role as the AALDEF legal director on May 2, 2022.

Lauren Haynes appointed Director of Curatorial Affairs and Programs

The Queens Museum is excited to announce that Lauren Haynes will join the team in midJuly as Director of Curatorial Affairs and Programs. In this new role, Haynes will lead the team to curate timely and ambitious exhibitions and programs at the Queens Museum.

“The Queens Museum is an institution I have long admired,” Haynes said. “Its connection to both global and local communities and embrace of diverse artistic practices provides unique opportunities for experimentation and radical inclusivity. After many years away, I am excited to make my return to New York, where I spent much of my early career, and to contribute towards the incredible and important work the Museum is doing.”

Haynes joins the Queens Museum from the Nasher Museum of Art at Duke University, where she serves as Patsy R. and Raymond D. Nasher Senior Curator of Contemporary Art. She is the curator of the upcoming exhibition “Beyond the Surface: Collage, Mixed Media and Textile Works from the Collection” and co-curator of “Reckoning and Resilience: North Carolina Art Now at the Nasher.”

Queens Chamber of Commerce 75-20 Astoria Boulevard, Suite 140 Jackson Heights, N.Y. 11370-1131 Entire Contents Copyright 2021 by Queensborough. All letters sent to the QUEENSBOROUGH should be brief and are subject to condensation. Writers should include a full address and home and office telephone numbers, where available, as well as affiliation, indicating special interest. Anonymous letters are not printed. Name withheld on request. No such ad or any part thereof may be reproduced without prior permission of the QUEENSBOROUGH. The publishers will not be responsible for any error in advertising beyond the cost of the space occupied by the error. Errors must be reported to the QUEENSBOROUGH within five days of publication.

Ad position cannot be guaranteed unless paid prior to publication. BQE Media assumes no liability for the content or reply to any ads. The advertiser assumes all liability for the content of and all replies. The advertiser agrees to hold the QUEENSBOROUGH and its employees harmless from all cost, expenses, liabilities, and damages resulting from or caused by the publication or recording placed by the advertiser or any reply to any such advertisement.

Produced by BQE Media 45-23 47th Street, 2nd Floor Woodside 11377• 718.426.7200 Send articles & photos to:

queensboroughmagazine@queensledger.com

May 2022 • Volume 18 • Issue 5 Email your announcement or promotion to info@thisisqueensborough.com

QUEENS CHAMBER NEWS & EVENTS

Chamber elects new Chair, Officers

BY DANIEL OFFNER doffner@queensledger.com

The Queens Chamber of Commerce recently announced the results of its annual organizational meeting and board election on April 12.

Chairman Howard Graf

Dzwlewicz has served as regional vice president for TD Bank in Queens since 2009, and the Bronx, since 2016, with direct responsibility for commercial and small business lending.

Prior to being named vice chair, Dzwlewicz served as the executive committee’s associate secretary.

Associate Secretary Michelle Stoddart

Howard Graf is a registered architect and partner of the firm, Graf & Lewent Architects, LLP. Graf has been a member of the Queens Chamber since his firm began in 1989. For the last 32 years, they have specialized in the design and renovation of existing buildings for the airline industry, corporate clients, and institutions for higher education learning.

He said that as a small business owner with approximately 14 employees, he may not necessarily find himself in need of a marketing expert, but is always willing to listen and learn from different professionals in their industry.

“I pay attention because when they say something, even though they’re in an entirely different business, I find lots of helpful little hints” Graf explained. “Listening and asking questions of other experts is one of the best benefits you get.”

Graf said that the Chamber of Commerce does a terrific job of helping the community and is honored the board elected him as the new chairman. “I hope to live up to the same high standards as previous board presidents.”

Stoddart is the vice president of community development for Resorts World Casino. Under her leadership, Resorts World has supported over 200 nonprofit organizations in the metropolitan area.

“I am honored to be named Assistant Secretary on the Executive Board of the Queens Chamber of Commerce. Resorts World NYC has been a member of The Chamber for 10 years and we have made great strides in building economic opportunities for the great borough of Queens,” Stoddart said. “The hard work that the Queens Chamber of Commerce does for our community is more important than ever as the borough enters a new era of growth and development to build a stronger Queens for generations to come.

Congratulations to the new executive team and I look forward to serving.”

In addition to the changes to the executive committee, the Chamber also welcomed three new members to its Board of Directors.

Vice Chair Richard Dzwlewicz

Meredith Marshall

New Board Members:

Meredith Marshall is the CEO of BRP Companies. He is responsible for executing BRP’s investment strategy including deal origination, acquisition, finance, and development. He has also led the firm’s strategic partnership initiatives including acting as the liaison to all New York City Housing and Real Property-related agencies.

Prior to co-founding BRP, Marshall was a managing director at Musa Capital Advisors, an emerging markets private equity and financial advisory firm based in New York City. At Musa Capital, Marshall was instrumental in executing cross-border transactions including the $37 million development of a mixed-use office complex and mall in Harare, Zimbabwe. Marshall also led successful investments in the telecommunications and financial services sectors.

Lorraine Chambers Lewis

Queens native Lorraine Chambers Lewis has served as the executive director at LIJ Forest Hills since 2021.

Lorraine told us at TIQ that the great strength of the Queens Chamber is how proactive they actually are in helping small businesses. They just don’t talk about it, they really do help financially and more.

“The Queens Chamber does a great job of bringing businesses together. I am excited to be part of this leadership team that’s not only dynamic, but talented. I know we can continue to be an integral feature of the Queens business community. Healthcare is a big part of the business environment in Queens and Northwell LIJ – Forest Hills is in the perfect position to lead the discussion on health care.”

Chambers Lewis brings with her decades of experience in a variety of roles, several of which saw her serving on the front lines of the healthcare industry, and has worked in emergency medicine, critical car, internal medicine and occupational health.

David Daraio

Daraio began his career with Maspeth Federal Savings in 1994 and has worked in every position from bank teller all the way up to the chief operating officer.

“Being a member has been so rewarding for us as a business,” Daraio said. “We have one of the strongest chambers I’ve encountered. They’ve helped us in so many ways, from helping us set up events to providing insight and experience.”

An active member of the community, Daraio has served as the president of the Maspeth Chamber of Commerce for more than eight years and currently sits on the Board of Directors for the Boy Scouts of America, Queens Council. He has also received the alumnus of the year award in 2010, the Class Act Community Service Award in 2014, and the Achiever’s Award from Martin Luther High School in 2017.

“We are thrilled to welcome our new Chair, Howard Graf, Vice Chair, Richard Dzlwewicz, and Michelle Stoddard to our executive committee and Meredith Marshall, Lorraine Chambers Lewis and David Daraio to our Board of Directors. Each brings decades of experience and an impressive array of talents to the table, and importantly, they represent the rich diversity of Queens’ business community. I look forward to working together with them to help our borough’s businesses thrive,” Tom Grech, president and CEO of the Queens Chamber of Commerce, said in a statement. “I want to thank Thomas J. Santucci for his incredible service as our Board Chair. He has helped take our organization to new heights, and I know he will continue to be an asset as he transitions into a new role on the Executive Committee.”

Grech added that he also wants to acknowledge departing board members Susan Browning, Ali Chaudhury and Neil Levin.

“We thank them for their service to Queens and the Queens Chamber of Commerce,” Grech said.

7

THIS IS QUEENSBOROUGH

queenschamber.org

A ‘SLICE’ OF QUEENS

A Brief History of Dani’s House of Pizza

BY ROBERT INTELISANO

When you think about Kew Gardens, many things come to mind, as it has a long and rich history as a pivotal part of Central Queens.

Kew Gardens’ commercial center is on Lefferts Boulevard between Austin Street and Metropolitan Avenue. Historical attractions include the iconic sports bar Austin’s Ale House, the Village Diner, and Kew Gardens Cinemas. The eclectic 1930’s art deco movie theatre has been converted into a six-screen multiplex which shows a mix of commercial, independent, and foreign films.

Rodney Dangerfield and Kitty Genovese (famous 1964 murder case) both lived in the apartments (not together) above Austin’s Ale House. Other well-known people from Kew Gardens include Burt Bacharach, Charlie Chaplin, Jerry Springer, George Gershwin, Paul Simon, and Paul Stanley from Kiss.

Due to its proximity to both JFK and LaGuardia airports, the densely populated neighborhood is also home to many airlines and airport personnel. Kew Gardens is accessible by car from interstate 678 (Van Wyck Expressway), Grand Central Parkway, Jackie Robinson Parkway (formerly the Interboro Parkway), Queens Boulevard, and Union Turnpike. The neighborhood is served by the E and F trains at the Kew Gardens-Union Turnpike station.

In 1875, the Maple Grove Cemetery opened in Kew Gardens, and the Long Island Railroad built a station to serve mourners a few months later. In the late 1800s, the section around the LIRR station was developed into a golf course and a hotel called Hopedale Hall, which was briefly the name of the area.

In 1909, the golf course was demolished to make way for a planned community, one of only seven in Queens at the time. The community was built in the beautiful neo-Tudor architectural style. This new Kew

8

Gardens neighborhood was named after the luxurious botanical gardens in southwest London. The Kew Gardens station on the LIRR has been in operation since 1910 with the same station house on the Manhattan-bound platform.

Other than great food, what I like most about Queens is its ethnic diversity. Kew Gardens is an excellent example of this. There is a large community of Jewish refugees from Germany who migrated to the area after World War II, which is still reflected today by a large number of active synagogues.

About 2500 Iranian Jews arrived after the Iranian Revolution of 1979.

Immigrants from China, Russia (the USSR at the time) Pakistan, Israel, India, Bangladesh, and Korea settled in Kew Gardens during the 1980s and 1990s.

Dani’s House of Pizza was founded in 1959 by Ramiz Dani. He came to the U.S. in 1957 to escape the Albania-Soviet Union split and the only job he could find was in Little Italy, making pizza. After learning the art of pizza making, he set up a “temporary” shop in Queens as he never intended to stay long term. He hired, mentored, and trained other Albanian refugees before they set up their own pizza shops across Queens and Brooklyn. Ramiz unselfishly helped build dozens of pizzerias that employed immigrant workers and taught them skills, even though he knew they would eventually become competitors. Ramiz died in 2000 and passed the shop to his son Sabri, who still owns it today.

Located at 81-28 Lefferts Boulevard since 1959, Dani’s House of Pizza is nestled on the corner, a stone’s throw from the eastbound Kew Gardens LIRR station. You would drive right by it if you didn’t know it was there at the bottom of the hill. Dani’s House of Pizza was the third pizzeria to open in Queens following Alfredo’s in Woodside and New Park in Howard Beach!

Dani’s House of Pizza serves a delicious thin-crust monster-sized regular slice with their signature “sweet sauce.” If you like a sweet

Intelisano and Raj Goel, right, enjoying a slice at Dani’s sauce, Dani’s is for you! Their regular slice has a unique aftertaste.

The sugar cuts the acidity and there are “unconfirmed” rumors that they mix strawberries in with their secret sweet sauce formula.

To get a unique second opinion, I invited a fellow foodie, Dani’s regular and local business owner, Raj Goel, to meet me at Dani’s on an April Friday afternoon. Raj is the President and Founder of Brainlink International, a specialist firm in IT and cybersecurity.

When I mentioned to Raj that Dani’s was also well known for their pesto slice, a big smile erupted across his face. He acknowledged the regular and pesto slices are tasty and said, “nothing compares to their garlic and eggplant slice!”

I asked him how Dani’s compared to other better-known spots in Queens, and he said, “Dani’s pizza is the best in Queens, and it’s not even close!”

We traded pizza stories for hours.

I told him how I was driving back from the 2018 Atlantic City Boxing Hall of Fame weekend in a crazy monsoon at 3:45 a.m. (starving and running out of gas) and Dani’s was closing at 3:30 a.m. and they let me in for the last two slices to go.

Admittedly, Raj’s best Dani’s story topped mine. Yearning to share his favorite garlic and eggplant slice with his family, he packed slices in Chinese food plastic containers and took them on the plane to visit his family in Mumbai, India. That is

“Pizza Passion” in its finest form!

Dani’s serves a Sicilian, regular, vegan, pesto, vegetarian, and other combinations like Raj’s garlic and eggplant. If you ask for it by name, they will make it for you on the spot. Many regulars ask for the sweet sauce on top of their legendary pesto slice.

Before Covid-19, Dani’s was a sitdown restaurant with seating for 26.

As mentioned, they were known for being open late at night, usually to 3:30 a.m. or whenever they ran out of pizza. I used to tell people Dani’s did more business with lines out the door after midnight than most places did all day.

The beauty of pizza is a personal preference. Thin crust vs thick crust, Sicilian vs grandmas, New York-style vs Chicago deep dish, sweet sauce vs savory sauce.

Due to Covid-19, their new business hours are 2 p.m. - 11 p.m. seven days a week. There are currently no sit-down options (not even on their old-school round counter seats) only take-out.

Take a close look at their refrigerator behind the counter as they have an extensive craft bottled beer selection, as well as wine. They are a classic old-school slices place, and it is usually a long wait for a pie.

Email me at Rob@InsuranceDoctor.us to share your favorite Queens pizzeria and slice.

May 2022 • Volume 18 • Issue 5

TECH SPOTLIGHT Nelson Nigel of Kidmoto Technologies This month’s featured tech entrepreneur is Nelson Nigel, the CEO and founder of Kidmoto Technologies, a mobile app company, based in Queens, that connects those who need a child car seat to drivers.

These drivers have preinstalled car seats in their vehicles.

Could you tell us a little bit about your company?

Kidmoto is a mobile app that connects passengers seeking to install child car seats to drivers that provide car seats for airport transportation.

We say, ditch car seats when you’re flying with a baby, because traveling with a child is a hassle.

Before Kidmoto, no company provided car seats in multiple U.S. cities. So we solve a big problem and a headache with child safety, and we make travel safe and hasslefree.

We have about 500-plus drivers nationwide, we operate in 31 cities, and we’re expanding.

What connection do you and your team have to Queens?

Since day one I’ve worked with Bayside High School. We mentor their students.

They’d come into our office, and we showed and connected them with different types of technology.

We also work with Commonpoint Queens. They help get us high school interns, and we

show them how to utilize technology.

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

Queens has a lot to offer. When you have different cultures, you have to appreciate what they bring.

You can’t make a building with ten brick layers; you need a brick layer, an electrician, concrete person, roofer, and more.

This is diversity in the workforce. So when you have different people and students from different backgrounds and different cultures, they think differently and bring different insights.

To learn more, visit kidmoto.taxi.

Award-winning producer of print and promotional products Corporate • Hospitals • Schools • Industry

THE RIGHT PRODUCT, FOR THE RIGHT PRICE, AT THE RIGHT TIME. United Print Group

Apparel, tote bags, blankets, drink-ware, golf products, awards, gift sets, tech accessories, fitness and health, displays and signs, and much more.

Build your brand > visit unitedpg.com

45-23 47th Street, Woodside, NY 11377

718.392.4242

Fax: 718.392.4650

unitedpg.com

customerservice@unitedpg.com

9

THIS IS QUEENSBOROUGH

queenschamber.org

QUEENS CHAMBER NEWS & EVENTS

Last-minute push for clean energy projects

BY EVAN TRIANTAFILIDIS

evant@queensledger.com

New York City Councilman Jim Gennaro was joined by local union representatives and climate activists to make a lastminute push for the approval of two statewide clean energy investments.

The New York State Public Service Commission is slated to decide the fate of both the Champlain Hudson Power Express and Clean Path New York later this week.

With the state of New York on its way to achieving the mandated goal of zero-emission electricity by 2040, including a 70 percent renewable energy generation by 2030, the combined projects of Clean Path NY and CHPE would reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 77 million metric tons over the next 15 years.

“I urge the New York State Public Service Commission to approve both of these projects,” Gennaro said, addressing members of Local 3 IBEW. “By investing in clean energy, creating new green jobs in our communities, and reducing our reliance on fossil fuels, these projects represent a crucial step towards meeting New York’s energy goals.”

Combined, the two projects in the pipeline also have the potential to bring 2,500 megawatts of clean power into the community, which could lead to the closure of peaker plants in Astoria.

The hydropower CHPE project would see a buried transmission line run 339-miles from the U.S.-Canadian border, south through Lake Champlain, along and underneath the Hudson River, before ending at a converter station in Astoria.

Adrienne Esposito, the executive director of The Citizens

10

Councilmember Jim Gennaro joined local unions and climate activists to call on PSC to approve two separate Tier 4 projects.

Campaign for the Environment, spoke in favor of the project and the renewable energy it would bring to New York.

She responded to questions concerning environmental concerns with the project, saying that the benefits outweigh the negatives.

“It will have minimal impact for the maximum benefit,” Esposito said.

“All large-scale energy infrastructure has some impact on the environment. But we have a moral and ethical obligation to choose energy infrastructure with the least impact to our environment.”

Both projects are part of the newly-created Tier 4 program, which aims to reduce reliance on fossil fuel energy.

Local 3 IBEW Business Manager Chris Erikson Jr. said

that marginalized communities across New York have been bearing the brunt of pollution.

He added that he is committed to giving union workers opportunities for “green jobs,” which could see workers go through the union’s apprenticeship program and become fulltime electricians.

“I think the worst thing that can happen to me is that my granddaughter is going to look back and say, if things are still messed up, why didn’t grandpa fix it up and he had a chance?

So, I am a climate warrior, along with many that stand here with us today,” Erikson Jr. said.

“Certainly, a transition out of fossil fuels has to happen,” he continued. “The tier four projects are key to making that happen. It wasn’t easy to agree

to plug your extension cord into Canada. I’ve come to grips with it, and we really need to get it done.”

Queens Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Tom Grech said that there is no better time than now to approve the two tier four projects for the state.

The Chamber’s “Queens is Green” initiative, he says, aims to make Queens County the greenest of the 62 in the state.

“At the end of the day, this product seems to be a no-brainer,” Grech said. “We hope to have a very good outcome from this project.”

If approved, the projects are expected to start delivering power to New York City in 2025 for the CHPE project, and 2027 for the CPNY project.

May2022 2022• •Volume Volume18 18• •Issue Issue55 May

COVER STORY

Creating a vibrant tech ecosystem

BY DANIEL OFFNER

doffner@queensledger.com

Jason Clark is the Executive Director of Tech:NYC, a nonprofit organization aimed at building a vibrant and dynamic tech ecosystem across the five boroughs.

“One of the things that I love about this job is that I feel like we’re in a real moment when it comes to technology here in New York City,” Clark tells This is Queensborough magazine. “I also feel that this relationship that the public has with technology has fundamentally changed coming out of this pandemic.”

Tech:NYC started in 2016 with only five member companies. In the six years since, it has grown exponentially to include more than 800 different techbased businesses that are either locally-based or have a strong presence in New York.

“I think a lot about the fact that, especially during this pandemic, most sectors were having a lot of trouble. In fact, all sectors found themselves going in the wrong direction,” Clark said, “but the one sector that actually had growth during that time was technology.”

Clark explained that over the last ten years, there have been approximately 106,000 techbased jobs created in New York City.

“Thinking about today and the things that can be done to make sure that there are strong medium, and high wage jobs available to New Yorkers throughout the city. I think for us at Tech:NYC we’re trying to figure out a way this could really be a seminal moment so that when we’re talking about education when we’re talking about workforce development, we’re talking

Tech:NYC Executive Director Jason Clark reads through a recent issue of This Is Queensborough Magazine about things that can really have a positive impact in our community,” Clark said.

Tech:NYC members range from major corporate sponsors, like Spotify and Google, to a variety of smaller startup companies, which Clark says, account for about 75 percent of the overall membership.

Clark explained that the variety of different member organizations also creates a variety of different needs to be met. For some, it’s about working with city and state lawmakers to get policies in place to build a strong cryptocurrency industry, or about taking the next step when it comes to life sciences, healthcare, gaming, etc.

But for the startups—which he characterizes as any business with less than 20 employees— Tech:NYC is a way to make

sure that these companies have access to the type of funding that’s going to allow them to thrive, and make sure that they have access to different types of programming and benefits that can allow them to be able to incubate.

“This year we partnered with Cornell Tech and Google on something called ‘New York City Recovery Challenge,’ and what they did is try to go through different startup organizations that are trying to solve issues that impact all New Yorkers. Some of them, for example, are doing things for job readiness for folks who are differently-abled, others are doing things that have to do with making sure there are transportation options available, others are doing things to make sure there are more opportunities for underbanked communities

out there,” Clark said. “For me, I think that kind of encapsulates what I really think that technology can be here.”

Clark stressed that during the pandemic, we saw people using telehealth who hadn’t before, students adapting to remote learning, business meetings conducted via Zoom, all of which were new ways that we were made to think innovatively about communicating with each other without actually leaving the house. He said that even the contact tracing that took place during the height of the pandemic was because of technology that was able to identify it.

During the second year of the pandemic in 2021, New York City happened to see a record Continued on Page 17

11

THIS IS QUEENSBOROUGH

queenschamber.org

love WHERE YOU

You see the opportunity. We see the potential.

Turn to Ridgewood’s commercial real estate team for the competitive options and local expertise you need to support a smooth, fast process and long-term success.

Multi-family, mixed-use, office and retail properties

live

Up to 75% financing available

Acquisition and refinancing

Connect with a local real estate pro at www.ridgewoodbank.com/team.

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

Luxury Apartments in Jamaica, Queens Credit approval required. © 2022 Ridgewood Savings Bank.

All rights reserved.

12

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

May 2022 • Volume 18 • Issue 5

PERSONAL

SECURED

L AN

 Only $300 to open  No late charges  Borrow against your existing NYCB account and pay yourself back

A Credit Builder - that’s the perfect tool for those first time borrowers looking to establish a credit history, as well as those looking to re-establish their credit history.

 Earn interest while paying down your loan  Much lower rates than credit cards or unsecured loans  Financial flexibility

myNYCB.com • (877) 786-6560

©2021 New York Community Bank – Member FDIC

Equal Opportunity Lender

13

THIS IS QUEENSBOROUGH

queenschamber.org

EXPERT ADVICE

Why the IRS cares about how you spend your money

BY WAYNE SCULLY When you owe back taxes to the IRS, they suddenly become interested in your personal financial affairs.

They’re going to start poking their nose into things that you’ve never seen the IRS be interested in, such as your: •

Housing costs

•

Car payment, gas, and insurance

• bills •

Gas, water, electric, and other utility Groceries and dining out

Why on Earth would the IRS ever care how much you spend on your cell phone plan, water bill, or Netflix each month?

It all comes down to the Allowable Living Expenses.

As soon as you become a tax debtor, the IRS automatically has a lien against everything you own, including your future income.

This is a feature of federal law and is the basis for all other collection actions that the government can take against you, such as seizing money and property.

Due to that lien, the IRS legally has a say in how you spend your money. Nobody likes this, but it’s how the US tax code is written.

There is a long and complicated list of rules and factors that determine what place the IRS holds in line behind or ahead of your other creditors.

The bottom line is that the IRS wants to get paid, and they have the power to make your life a nightmare by enforcing the control they have over your money and assets.

There are specific protections that prevent the IRS from taking everything - they are not allowed to put your family out on the street or force your children to starve.

This is where those Allowable Living Expenses (ALE) come in. The IRS analyzes what middle-class families spend on the following: • Food, clothing, personal care products, etc.

•

Vehicle operating costs

•

Rent or mortgage

•

Utilities, and more

For vehicle operating costs, housing, and utilities, they also consider regional variations in these costs.

14

The rest are all based on national numbers. All numbers are adjustments based on family size.

These numbers “dictate” what the IRS will allow you to spend every month to live.

Compared to these allowable standards, your income determines which IRS tax debt resolution programs you are eligible for.

If your income is less than the monthly ALE for your area and family size, you might be eligible for a program that allows you to pay the IRS nothing. Yes, nothing. Zero.

Nada. Zilch.

If your income is also less than the monthly ALE they calculate for you, but you have assets – such as lots of equity in your home, stocks, bonds, classic cars, crypto, or the world’s most valuable Beanie Baby collection – then they’re going to consider the value of those assets.

But, in such a situation, you may settle your tax debt for less than what you owe, and walk away from the rest.

If your income is more than the ALE calculation, the IRS will consider that “excess” income for a reduced settlement.

If you’re not eligible for a reduced settlement – which most people are not – then this “excess” income becomes the monthly payment the IRS wants to see from you every month.

One of the things that we do with clients when they hire us to help them with a tax debt problem is to conduct the exact same detailed financial analysis that the IRS will do. We do this for many reasons, such as: 1. Determining which IRS programs you’re eligible for.

2. Seeking opportunities to legally increase the ALE numbers for you.

3. Looking for unique circumstances that could open doors to outside-the-box resolution options.

This financial analysis is crucial to get the best possible deal for you.

Since most tax debtors will end up on a monthly payment plan to the IRS, our job is to help you get the smallest possible monthly payment and minimize the short-term financial impact on your budget.

If you’re in a situation where the IRS is hounding you for personal financial information of this nature, then we should chat.

You don’t want to wind up in a situation where the IRS simply pigeon-holes you into the situation that is most convenient for them, leaving you unable to pay other bills.

Wayne Scully, CPA, PC, is a Certified Public Accountant and Consultant located at 108-14 72nd Ave., 2nd Floor, in Jamaica.

He can be reached at 855-2541892 or via email at info@wscullycpa.com

May 2022 • Volume 18 • Issue 5

EXPERT ADVICE

How Queens Coop/Condo Owners Can Prepare for Spring Weather BYPHILIP MALTAGHATI This year, the saying that March roars in like a lion and exits like a lamb is highly inaccurate. Few can remember a more blustery early Spring, with occasional sudden wind gusts exceeding 50 mph.

This past Winter, nighttime temperatures occasionally dipped not only into the single digits but continued well into below zero recordings, possibly causing damage to structures, walkways, public spaces, landscaping, and more.

That’s why condo and coop owners in Queens should take steps now to avoid submitting a significant condo/coop insurance claim.

The most important reason to take action on your own is that time is of the essence. Mitigating the source of any damage will prevent further damage to the community property. It is impossible to make needed repairs until the insurer has both inspected the issue and responded to your coop/condo insurance claim.

Another reason for making your own assessment is negligence. Should your Association not make repairs quickly, the issue will evolve from a property damage to a liability claim.

How should you proceed? Take the time to examine your community and your unit. Yes, your community’s master policy should cover repairs for most issues.

That is, once they have been discovered and reported. Be your Condo or Coop Association’s eyes and ears by observing and promptly reporting issues. Be sure to take photos and/ or videos of any issues. This will be essential when submitting an accurate coop/condo insurance claim.

What should you look for? Anything that appears to have changed or degraded since last Fall. For example, if your building has a flat roof with public spaces, check for any damages to the roof decking, any semi-permanent structures (such as a pool, a pergola, seating, etc.). Children’s playgrounds are another crucial area. Note if any seating, slides, swings, etc. are in sound condition. Report the slightest change, including bubbled paint, rusty chain, missing slide ladder treads, etc.

If your community has a parking garage, this is an excellent location to scan for poten-

tial damage. That is because residence walls may obscure crumbling concrete and rusty rebar, which are exposed in areas with open levels. When submitting your findings to your Association, be sure to document any photos in writing. This will assist in preparing a thorough and accurate condo/coop insurance claim.

It is obvious that, for safety reasons, one should promptly report chipped steps and sidewalk cracks. But do not overlook damaged landscaping. Not only can this pose a hazard to residents, but can lower property values, too.

It is known that a well-maintained property will command optimal real estate prices, so be sure to inform your Association of their responsibility to promptly trim and/or replace any deadwood. Be sure to routinely inspect your own unit. If your residence is on one of the higher floors, examine your ceilings for signs of potential water damage. This is especially important if your unit is beneath a pool which may have sustained cracks over the Winter. Interior damage may not be limited to the upper floors of a high rise, either.

Consider if the unit directly above yours has been vacant during the colder months. Unheated units could have sustained plumbing leaks, which could go unnoticed.

Condo and coops offer carefree living by placing maintenance responsibilities on your community’s Association. However, they cannot make repairs until they are made aware of any issues. That’s why it is wise to protect your residence, personal property, and family by being proactive.

Contact United Public Adjusters for assistance should you need to submit a claim for coop/condo water damage or any other insurance issue not covered by your Association.

We’ll be glad to assess your damage, assist you to document, and submit your claim.

Additionally, we’ll negotiate to ensure you’ll receive the highest settlement your policy allows.You moved to a coop/condo for fewer home maintenance responsibilities.

Allow our team to increase your peace of mind by assessing your current policy and prepare now for potential personal property losses year ‘round.

Schedule your confidential consultation at 800-718-5677 today!

Philip Maltaghati is the president of United Public Adjusters & Appraisers, Inc. United Public Adjusters & Appraisers can be reached at 1-800-718-5677 or via email at help@unitedpublicadjusters.com

15

THIS IS QUEENSBOROUGH

queenschamber.org

Understanding Will Contests

BY RONALD FATOULLAH, ESQ. If a person dies (the “decedent”) with any assets in his/her name alone, the heirs must go through Surrogate’s Court in order to gain access to these assets. If the person dies with a valid will and the assets in his/her name exceed $50,000, probate of the will is required.

The executor appointed in the will must engage in a formal process in order to ensure that everything was done properly and that the decedent’s wishes are fulfilled.

In a probate proceeding, all the distributees must be given notice of the individuals’ death.

A distributee is any person who would have received a share if the decedent died without a will.

New York—and every state—has laws of intestacy which provide for how an estate is distributed when someone dies without a will.

For example, if a widow with three sons dies without a will, the three children are the distributees and they are each entitled to a onethird share of their mother’s estate.

When all distributees are named as equal beneficiaries in a will, there is no problem and everything can go smoothly. However, if a distributee is excluded from a will, this can pose significant problems.

If the widow mentioned above had a valid will leaving her estate to two of her three children, the excluded child would need to receive official notice from the Court.

Further, the notice gives the excluded child a road map through which he can contest the authenticity or validity of the will.

This does not mean that the child will ultimately prevail. Very few wills are overturned.

However, he is given the tools to cause significant delays to the administration of the will and a protracted probate proceeding can also cost the estate a significant sum of money.

One way to avoid this is for the person making the will (the “testator”) to actually provide a lesser amount for the heir in question and also include a “no-contest clause” in the will.

A no-contest clause provides that if an heir challenges the will, he or she will get nothing.

A no-contest clause is also referred to as an in terrorem clause and only works if one is willing to leave something of value to the potentially disgruntled heir.

16

Many people erroneously leave $1.00 to an heir they wish to inherit.

Other than acknowledging that this person wasn’t inadvertently omitted, there is no incentive in losing a $1 inheritance, and the disgruntled heir will have no incentive not to contest the will.

The testator must leave the individual enough so that a challenge is not worth the risk of losing the inheritance.

While a no-contest clause is helpful it is by no means a cure all.

In New York, there a certain things proceeding a disinherited distributee can do which will not be considered “contesting” the will.

The person can question the witnesses and the draftsperson and can still cause certain delays.

If one includes a no-contest clause in a will, he/she needs to ensure that there are no mistakes and no room for ambiguity.

There are other more secure ways of avoiding will contests. Consulting with an experienced estate planning attorney is the best way to learn about all other options and possibilities.

This summary is not legal advice and does not create any attorney-client relationship. This summary does not provide a definitive legal opinion for any factual situation.

Before the firm can provide legal advice or opinion to any person or entity, the specific facts at issue must be reviewed by the firm.

Before an attorney-client relationship is formed, the firm must have a signed engagement letter with a client setting forth the Firm’s scope and terms of representation.

Ronald A. Fatoullah, Esq. is the founder of Ronald Fatoullah & Associates, a law firm that concentrates in elder law, estate planning, Medicaid planning, guardianships, estate administration, trusts, wills, and real estate.

The law firm can be reached at 718-261-1700, 516-466-4422, or toll free at 1-877-ELDER-LAW or 1-877-ESTATES. Mr. Fatoullah is also a partner with Brightside Advisors, a wealth management firm with offices in New York and Los Angeles.

May 2022 • Volume 18 • Issue 5 CONTINUED FROM PAGE 11

year when it came to venture capital funding in the tech sector.

According to figures provided by the New York City Economic Development Center, in the first quarter of 2021, NYC-based companies pulled in $7.6 billion in seed money through venture funding.

Clark said that the silver lining that came out of the pandemic was that it led many people to see that tech could be an economic driver for New York.

“I want to make sure, especially for someone like myself, coming from Southeast Queens, to figure out ways folks in my community can have access to jobs that can sustain a family,” Clark said. “A lot of the jobs that were historically and traditionally done in the past are not always as prevalent as they were before. I feel in my bones that tech can really be that thing for it, but we have to do a better job of teaching students and re-

skilling adults for some of these opportunities that are available now in cybersecurity and data analytics.”

One program that Clark said he is really excited about is the launch of Tech:NYC’s summer youth employment program, “Tech Year NYC,” which aims to provide more tech-based internship opportunities both during the summer and throughout the school year.

“Our goal is to make sure at least a hundred of our member companies commit to having internship opportunities,” Clark said. “So that again, you play a more proactive role in building that pipeline of next tech leaders that come homegrown from places like Queens.”

Tech:NYC is also working on an assessment of the tech ecosystem here in New York and what opportunities are available within the vastly growing field.

Clark suggested that some sec-

Clark hopes to create a vibrant tech ecosystem here in Queens. tors prime for development and growth in NYC include, FinTech —short for “financial technology”—cryptocurrency, gaming, and wellness.

“There’s a lot of excitement about what can be done in those spaces,” Clark said, “If we can be able to make sure that we are incubating them so that they can be able to grow,

it helps not only with the business side of things, being able to create a stronger more secure workforce in New York, but it also means that we’re gonna have more technology out there that’s going to improve our lives.”

To find out more about the tech ecosystem in New York City or to find out ways how to

St. John’s University to Add Nursing Program State Education Department approves Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree to begin this Fall

St. John’s University has received approval from the New York State Education Department to offer a Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing (BSN) program.

Applications for admission are now being accepted and preparations are underway for the first cohort of students to begin classes in August.

“After much planning—and with great excitement—we launch the new nursing program at St. John’s,” President Rev. Brian J. Shanley, O.P., said in a statement.

“Service is a core value of our University, and the nursing program aims to provide a stellar education within the context of our Catholic and Vincentian mission.

The foremost goal of our program is to train skilled professionals and compassionate nurse

leaders ready to serve others in societies in need of healing.”

Establishing a nursing program is one step in a major and long-term investment in the health sciences at St. John’s.

Next month, on International Nurses Day, St. John’s will break ground at the Queens Campus for a new 70,000-square-foot building-scheduled to open in Fall, 2024 that will be the permanent home of the nursing program.

The new medical and educational Health Sciences Center at the Queens, NY, campus will support and house existing and forthcoming health sciences programs in one facility.

The new building will provide state-of-the-art technology, simulation labs, and f lexible room layouts to allow for a multitude of teaching and learning styles.

The innovative and f lexi-

ble learning environment will ensure that future health-care workers can keep pace with the dramatic advancements in the health-care industry.

St. John’s will provide students with hands-on clinical rotations within a network of partner health-care systems, which include New York City Health + Hospitals, NewYorkPresbyterian Queens, and Catholic Health.

With an innovative curriculum, support for brand-new facilities, and established community partnerships the new nursing program at St. John’s aims to strengthen the local academic health system.

Nursing education is not new to St. John’s.

In 1937, a Department of Nursing formed at the University and the department became a separate School of Nursing

Education in 1942, helping to train nurses during World War II before being discontinued.

According to a Febr uary 2022 survey on LinkedIn, registered nursing is the fourth most in-demand profession in the American workforce today.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the employment of registered nurses is projected to grow nine percent from 2020 to 2030.

Approximately 194,500 openings for registered nurses are projected each year, on average, over the decade.

T he A mer ican Nu rses Association reports that the increased need for nurses spans beyond the current pandemic.

In late 2021, they urged the federal government to declare the current and unsustainable nurse staffing shortage to be a national crisis.

17

THIS IS QUEENSBOROUGH

queenschamber.org

EXPERT ADVICE

Mayor Adams signs sprinkler law to help keep NYC buildings safer

BY GUS SEBO

Gus.Sebo@wmfps.us

NYC Executive Order 12 Calls for Sensible Retrofit Sprinkler Legislation In response to the January 9th fire that left 17 people dead in the Bronx, New York City Mayor Eric Adams has signed Executive Order 12 that aims to strengthen enforcement and outreach of fire safety measures.

This Order states that city agencies and the City Council are working on additional “fire safety” legislation including sensible sprinkler retrofit legislation.

Preventing Fatal Apartment Fires The Twin Parks North West fire was the deadliest fire that New York City has seen since 1990 when 87 people died in an intentionally set fire in a Bronx nightclub.

The fire was started by a space heater in a third-floor unit and caused deadly smoke to spread throughout the building when the apartment door failed to close as occupants evacuated.

Local Law 111 of 2018 requires all multifamily residential buildings to be equipped with self-closing doors which would prevent the spread of smoke and fire throughout the building.

Executive Order 12 is calling for stronger enforcement of this law as well as enforcement of 3 RCNY $401-06 which requires landlords to post fire safety information including “close the door” signs and fire safety guides and checklists.

Fire Sprinkler Retrofits While fire safety measures such as postings, bulletins and self-closing doors are very important, one of the most effec-

18

Fire Sprinkler systems (Photo: WM Fire Protection)

tive ways to prevent fire related injuries and deaths in apartment buildings is through fire sprinkler systems.

Executive Order 12 is calling for sensible fire sprinkler retrofit legislation in NYC. The Bronx apartment building in the January 9th fire had fire sprinklers in the compactor and the laundry room, per current code requirements.

The building had no fire escapes which were not required when it was built in the early 1970s, but it was considered non-combustible with concrete-poured floors and ceilings, and it had 90-minute rated fire doors as well as working fire alarms.

While those fire protection measures are important, having a fully sprinklered building is the most effective way to control or extinguish a fire and save lives.

Fire sprinkler systems work quickly and automatically, springing into action much faster than it takes the fire department to arrive at the scene of the fire.

New fire sprinkler retrofit legislation could help to save lives of countless New Yorkers who live in older high-rise buildings that were built before fire sprinklers were required.

Fire Protection Inspections

Gus Sebol is the Inspections Account Manager for W&M Fire Protection Services

One proactive measure that building owners can take today to help ensure that their building is fire safe and code compliant is to get their building inspected.

Inspections for fire safety can include:

For more information about W&M fire protection’s services visit wmfireprotection.com or call 888-437-1487

•

Inspections and testing of self-closing doors

•

Inspections for proper fire safety postings

•

Inspections and testing of fire sprinkler systems

•

Inspections and testing of fire alarm systems

When it comes to fire safety, don’t wait until it’s too late.

Failing to inspect, maintain and repair your fire protection systems can have deadly consequences.

Testing your fire systems can help you to identify any problems such as a self-closing door failing to close or a fire alarm not activating, so that it can be repaired in a timely manner before an emergency occurs.

W&M Installs and Services Fire Sprinkler Systems W&M Fire Protection is a New York fire protection company offering design, installation, inspection, and service for fire sprinkler systems.

We understand the importance of having working fire sprinkler systems in high rise buildings and we can work with you to keep your building compliant with local fire code.

W&M has a team of NICET certified technicians who can inspect your fire protection systems and address any repair needs quickly and efficiently with minimal disruption to your business.

To learn more about our services, contact us today.

May 2022 • Volume 18 • Issue 5

EXPERT ADVICE

Steps to help weather the market’s many ups and downs

BY JOHN RENDA, AAMS FINANCIAL ADVISOR, EDWARD JONES John.Renda@EdwardJones.com Much like Midwestern weather in March, which in a span of hours can go from bitter cold to a pleasant and sunny spring warmth, financial markets can change between pleasant or painful rather quickly.

While we can’t predict when changes happen, we do expect more ups and downs than we’ve had in recent years. This can be uncomfortable.

It’s important to remember what we do control is how we prepare and respond.

Below are a few suggestions for helping to ensure you’re prepared no matter what happens in the market.

Preparing for the road ahead A key part of preparing is to ensure you have an adequate amount of cash to meet any nearterm spending needs as well as an emergency fund for unexpected dips in income or expenses.

You’ll have a lot more comfort knowing that invested assets have time to recover when your nearterm needs are already covered.

Right-size your risk When it comes to your investment portfolio, it’s best to get your portfolio properly positioned before rough times.

Almost everyone has heard the adage of “no risk, no reward,” but taking the right amount of risk is key to weathering any market storms. And this is a balancing act.

That’s why your financial advisor helps you balance your risk tolerance (the amount of risk you’re comfortable taking) with your risk capacity (how much risk you can afford to take) and your required risk (the amount of risk you need to take to achieve your goals).

Diversify Once you’ve determined that risk level, you’ll want to make sure

you’re properly diversified, which is akin to having a variety of layers of clothes so you can be comfortable even as the weather changes around you.

Because your mix of assets may shift as their performance varies, don’t forget to revisit your allocation from time to time to make sure it still reflects your desired risk level and mix of assets (known as rebalancing).

Handling an unpleasant market Just as bad weather is inevitable, so are tough markets. If history is any guide, all markets eventually experience a downturn.

In fact, according to Ned Davis Research, on average, the U.S. stock market experiences a 10 percent correction about once a year.

Because most downturns have been temporary, it’s not always the market that hurts our portfolios so much as how we respond to them.

Many people, potentially because they’ve taken more risk than they actually should, end up selling out at an unfortunate time.

So even if we’ve financially prepared, how do we keep our behavior and emotions from becoming our own worst enemy?

Find an accountability partner We may be biased, but we believe your financial advisor can be a great accountability partner to help make sure you stay on track.

They can help revisit why you’re invested in the first place and determine if anything has changed, like your financial goals or risk tolerance, that may warrant a change in your portfolio.

They can also help you work through any underlying concerns and what (if anything) to do about them, including running scenarios to highlight the effects of any changes you may be wanting to make.

Money can be emotional, especially when it’s your own.

Having a partner who is objective, knowledgeable about finances and understands you and what you’re trying to accomplish can be incredibly valuable.

Take a break Especially in markets with lots of ups and downs, it can be tempting to check your portfolio daily or even hourly.

However, if you aren’t needing the funds anytime soon, this can cause unnecessary stress and make it more likely you want to buy or sell something at an inopportune time.

You may benefit from taking a break, and you may even want to turn off the news for a while (headlines are meant to elicit strong emotions, not to help you stay disciplined about your investments).

Give yourself time Set up rules ahead of time that create friction between a strong emotion and a financial decision.

For example, promise yourself you won’t execute on a large financial decision unless you’ve had some time to properly consider (and reconsider) it.

For instance, you could choose at least a night to sleep on it, or three days, or a weekend.

Take action if needed Sometimes when things seem out of our control, we simply feel the need to do something.

If this is the case, make the “something” as productive as possible.

Consider if you can reduce spending and potentially increase your savings rate (market downturns are usually good times to buy).

Talk to your tax professional about if strategically realizing gains and/or losses would be beneficial.

And if you have taken more risk than you can stomach, rather than de-risk all at once, consider putting a plan in place to de-risk over time.

This essentially adds a sort of time diversification to repositioning your portfolio.

John Renda is a financial advisor with Edward Jones He can be reached at (718) 969-2606 or via email at John.Renda@EdwardJones. com.

His office is located at 18122 Union Turnpike in Fresh Meadows A fellow Midwesterner, Mark Twain famously said, “If you don’t like the weather in New England, just wait a few minutes.”

While down markets can last longer than that and feel very scary or frustrating at the time, they’ve also historically always been followed by a recovery.

If you can just hold on, odds are that better days are around the corner.

And if you’ve prepared in advance, it’s much easier to weather the storm.

If you don’t like the weather…

19

THIS IS QUEENSBOROUGH

queenschamber.org

NONPROFIT NEWS

Breaking the stigma of suicide

Danielle Gallagher is the director of operations at Solace House

Participants from last year’s Solace House Sunrise 5K Walk/Run for suicide prevention

BY DANIELLE GALLAGHER Solace House, a 501(c)3 nonprofit, is located in Long Island City and Yonkers, NY, was originally founded by Senator Joan Freeman of Ireland and brought to the U.S in 2014.

Formerly known as Pieta House, a name change to Solace House in 2017 granted the organization the opportunity for growth in New York City and access to much needed services.

Solace House provides free one-on-one counseling for people who are in suicidal distress, have made a suicide attempt, engage in self-harm or have been bereaved by suicide.

On average they serve 70-75 clients per week through individual counseling. Also offered is family support for clients’ loved ones, group bereavement counseling and community awareness workshops.

Depression, anxiety and suicidal ideation does not discriminate, but it is preventable; therefore, Solace House staff strive to make their services barrier-free.

Everything they provide is completely free of charge and confidential; insurance is not needed nor a doctor’s referral is required.

They seek to break down the stigma of mental health and suicide by creating an environment where people are comfortable getting help for themselves, talking about their thoughts and feelings, supporting and finding counsel for suicidal loved ones.

Suicidal ideation can be the result of a traumatic life event, or something a person has been struggling with for most of their

20

lives.

The Solace House approach allows the client to begin therapy wherever they are in their life and their therapeutic model is clientcentered and strengths-based.

Clinicians are experienced in working with depression, anxiety, bereavement, and trauma.

Each therapist is trained in psychodynamic, cognitive behavioral, and dialectical behavioral interventions.

Their services are offered in a warm, welcoming, safe environment and treatment is tailored to each individual’s strengths, challenges, and preferences.

All services are provided by Licensed Clinical Social Workers (LCSW) or supervised Master Social Workers (MSW) clinicians, free of charge, and completely confidential.

On June 11, 2022 Solace House will host their yearly Solace Sunrise Walk happening at 1040 Jackson Ave, New York Irish Center building, Long Island City, NY. This is a ​​5K Walk/Run to help support Solace House and create awareness for suicide prevention.

The Solace Sunrise Walk invites people from across the country to embark on a journey symbolic of the path many of their client’s experience while attending their counseling services - making one’s way from a place of darkness and loneliness to a place of hope and healing.

Starting at 4:00 a.m., in the dark & early hours of the morning, participants will walk together as the dawn breaks and sunlight emerges.

She can be reached at (718) 482-0001 or via email at danielle.gallagher@soalcehouseusa.org Solace House is located at 1040 Jackson Ave. in Long Island City

This extraordinary event continues to bring our community together each year, as we walk in solidarity, remembering those we have lost to suicide and joining together to show support for those feeling alone.

Join this summer, as they continue to break down the stigma and create awareness around suicide and mental health.

Tickets can be purchased on their website.

Visit solacehouseusa.org/solace-sunrise-walk for more information.

Solace House relies heavily on donations from individuals, event proceeds and grants and appreciates any contribution towards their life saving service.

May 2022 • Volume 18 • Issue 5

REAL ESTATE NEWS

Home in the historical section of Douglaston Manor sells for $2.9M

BY DOROTHY GINTER, ASSISTANT TO PERRY PAPPAS

Douglaston Manor is one of Queen’s most hidden treasures for Real Estate, featuring 20th century colonials, tutors, and Mediterranean style homes overlooking Little Neck Bay. This garden suburb has yet again taken the spotlight.

Back in March, Perry Pappas, real estate agent at Coldwell Banker closed on 1120 Shore Rd. for an astonishing $2.9 million. This property is absolutely gorgeous, and we want to share the story with you.

While the real estate market is ever changing, one thing is for certain, the beauty of Douglas Manor continues to flourish.

Perry worked exclusively with the homeowner on 1120 Shore Rd. to execute the deal. As Perry continues to climb the ladder in the Real Estate industry, being at the top one-percent of Coldwell Banker, and earning multiple awards for his accomplishments.

Pappas is the youngest agent in history to achieve Centurion status and the youngest agent in history to receive the President’s Elite Producer award.

Thanks to this stunning home on the shore, and Perry’s dedication to his work, he continues to gain momentum within the Queens real estate community.

For more information about this property, please call Dorothy at (516)993-8874 or email to dorothycbamhomes@gmail.com

Project Queens: Closed Deal Summary Flushing, Queens

Project Queens was hired as the listing agent for this space because of our mix of corporate professionalism and understanding of the local Flushing market.

The activity from national tenants in the area has been slow compared to prepandemic levels, so finding a strong local tenant was part of the marketing strategy.

“Something I would like to highlight is that we do not hold back on marketing and work with all brokers,” CEO Michael Wang said in an email about the sale.

“In this deal, a local broker brought a great client and we were happy to cobroke with them and walk them through the deal when needed. Overall, they did a great job. A real win-win-win for everyone involved.”

Project Queens is a real estate brokerage specializing in commercial transactions in Queens.

Located at 136-18 39th Avenue, Suite 704, in Flushing, the company was founded with the mission to make Queens knwon for quality commercial leasing.

CEO Michael Wang is the co-chair of the Queens Chamber of Commerce Real Estate Comittee. He is also a member of the Asian Real Estate Aossicaion of America NY East’s Board of Directors, and a member of the Real Estate Board of New York’s Commercial Brokerage Queens Committee.

For more information visit projectqueens.com or call (347) 506-0084.

21

QUEENS BUSINESS EXPO 2022 Exhibitor Opportunities Exhibitor - Standard (Member Rate)........ $695 Exhibitor - Standard (Non Member Rate) $795 Exhibitor - Jumbo (Member Rate)........... $795 Exhibitor - Jumbo (Non Member Rate)... $895 Non Profit Organization............................. $300 Additional charge of $75 for electricity at table

Sponsorship Opportunities Platinum Sponsor...............................

$10,000

Includes remarks, prime exhibit table, promotions, pictures & stories in our monthly "TIQ" Magazine.

Email blast with your logo via Queens Chamber marketing online distribution Full Page Display Ad in Expo Guide, 8 tickets to Luncheon

Gold Sponsor ........................................

$5,000

Prime exhibit table, promotions, pictures & stories in our monthly "TIQ" Magazine.

Email blast with your logo via Queens Chamber marketing online distribution Half Page Display Ad in Expo Guide, 4 tickets to Luncheon

Silver Sponsor ........................................

$2,500

Prime exhibit table, promotions, pictures & stories in our monthly "TIQ" Magazine.

Email blast with your logo via Queens Chamber marketing online distribution Quarter Page Display Ad in Expo Guide, 2 tickets to Luncheon

Bronze Sponsor ........................................ $1,250 Prime exhibit table, promotions, pictures & stories in our monthly "TIQ" Magazine.

Email blast with your logo via Queens Chamber marketing online distribution Quarter Page Display Ad in Expo Guide, 1 ticket to Luncheon

Daily News Luncheon Ticket Member Price - $125 Non Member Price - $150

2000 + Attendees Complimentary Parking on-site 135 Or take 7 trainExhibitors straight to the Citi Field Stop

Don't Miss Out On:

Over 140 Exhibitors Multiple Educational Seminars Keynote Speakers

Wednesday June 8th 2022 Lunch & Keynote Speaker Doors Open at 11:00 am Business Expo 11:00 am to 4:00 pm Citi Field 41 Seaver Way Flushing, NY 11368 Expo Guide Ad Specs 1/4 Page Color Ad

4.313" x 5.6875"

1/2 Page Color Ad

8.75" x 5.6875"

Full Page Color Ad

8.75" x 11.5"

Ad Commitment Deadline : Ad Submission Deadline :

May 18, 2022 May 24, 2022

Ads must be submitted in pdf or jpg to expo@queenschamber.org All exhibitors will be listed in the Daily News Expo Guide.

For more information visit: queenschamber.org Call 718-898-8500 or email expo@queenschamber.org

May 2022 • Volume 18 • Issue 5

QUEENSBOROUGH CALENDAR OF EVENTS MAY

BEING READY BANKING

QUEENS DAY IN ALBANY

May 10, 2022 from 6 a.m. - 10 p.m.

The Queens Chamber of Commerce invite you to participate in this annual event, which includes a meet-and-greet with the Queens Assembly and Senate delegation, tours of the majestic Capitol Building and Legislative Chambers, and a cocktail reception/food sampling of the finest Queens’ food and drink purveyors.

Buses leave from the Bulova Corporate Center, 75-20 Astoria Blvd. in Jackson Heights at 6:30 a.m. sharp.

Empire State Plaza State St. and Washington Ave., Albany

COOP, CONDO, HOA, APARTMENT EXPO

AND

May 11, 2022 from 12 p.m. - 4 p.m.

Meet face-to-face with board members, property managers and building owners. Maintain your presence in the industry. Buyers come on your turf. Network with your peers.

Obtain leads for new business. Pre-shows leads for your category.

Hilton Midtown Hotel 1335 6th Ave., New York, NY

NYC AND NYS CERTIFICATION

M/WBE

May 11, 2022 @ 2 p.m.

Join BOC Network to learn more about how to become certified as a Minority and/ or Women-Owned Enterprise in New York State and New York City. Discover the resources and benefits available to M/WBE Certified businesses.

VIRTUAL Register at queenschamber.org

IN PERSON & REMOTE INTERVIEWING SKILLS May 13, 2022 @ 1 p.m.

How do you “sell yourself” at the interview?

Professor Joshua Bienstock of NYIT will go over all the ins and outs of preparing for and shining at the job interview.

VIRTUAL Register at queenschamber.org

COMMERCIAL LEASE ASSISTANCE LEGAL CLINIC May 13, 2022 @ 1 p.m.

Meet with the attorneys for free 1-on-1 consultation to discuss any issues related to your commercial lease. If you are in the process of signing a new lease, attorneys can review your lease and advise you.

VIRTUAL Register at queenschamber.org

May 13, 2022 @ 6 p.m.

The second of the four webinars in this series will teach you how to familiarize yourself with the banking industry and get the most out of banking relationships.

VIRTUAL Register at queenschamber.org

RACIAL DISPARITIES HEALTHCARE

IN

May 17, 2022 @ 2 p.m.

Join the Queens Chamber of Commerce for a discussion about the COVID-19 pandemic and the disparities in healthcare that disproportionately affect low-income communities and communities of color, featuring a panel of experts from NYC Health + Hospitals/Elmhurst, who will discuss the challenges facing these populations, and how we can work together to close gaps in access to care.

Elmhurst Hospital Center 79-01 Broadway, Elmhurst

SELLING TO THE GOVERNMENT AND GLOBAL MARKET May 17, 2022 @ 2 p.m.

This webinar will help businesses understand all the steps necessary to become responsible and responsive vendors to the Federal, New York State, and New York City governments.

VIRTUAL Register at queenschamber.org

IMPOVE YOUR CASH FLOW: THE LIFEBLOOD OF EVERY BUSINESS

May 18, 2022 from 12 p.m. - 1 p.m.

This webinar will help you gain strategies and resources to get cash flowing into your business, learn how to reduce cash leaking out of your business, discover a framework for managing cash, and provide and opportunity for training and guidance.

VIRTUAL Register at queenschamber.org

BEING READY BUSINESS

May 18, 2022 from 6 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.

The third of four webinars in the series will feature a panel discussion on topics essential for every small business.

VIRTUAL Register at queenschamber.org

STARTING A SMALL BUSINESS

May 18, 2022 from 2 p.m. - 3 p.m.

Join Accompany Capital on this webinar to learn about basic resources and information needed to start your business.

VIRTUAL Register at queenschamber.org

COMMUNITY JOB FAIR AT QCH

May 18, 2022 from 4 p.m. - 8 p.m.

Looking to land a new job or switch careers?

This event will provide jobseekers the opportunity to meet in-person with employers from the airport industry, hospitality, health care providers and more. Remember to bring your resume and dress professionally.

QCH - Pomonok Community Center 67-09 Kissena Blvd., Flushing

NEW MEMBER ORIENTATION

May 25, 2022 @ 10 a.m.

If you’re a new member of Queens Chamber, here’s your opportunity to explore all the benefits your membership affords.

Bulova Corporate Center, Suite 140 75-20 Astoria Blvd., Jackson Heights

ENTREPRENEUR & INVESTORS UNITE May 25, 2022 from 5:30 p.m. - 8 p.m.

This Q&A panel is your chance to get the answers to the burning questions that you have but were afraid to ask. Learn from active VCs and entrepreneurs about the funding process and steps that you can take to stand out from your peers.

WeWork Gotham Center 134 N 4th St., Long Island City

DIY - BUILDING A BLOG FOR YOU AND YOUR BUSINESS

May 26, 2022 from 2 p.m. - 3 p.m.

The Queens Chamber of Commerce and the U.S. Small Business Administration invite you to join this webinar and learn the steps of building a blog for you and your business.

VIRTUAL Register at queenschamber.org JUNE

QUEENS BUSINESS EXPO 2022

June 8, 2022 from 11 a.m. - 4 p.m.

Don’t miss out on this business opportunity to meet over 130 Exhibitors, multiple panel discussions, and a wide range of speakers considered to be a who’s-who in their respective field. Complimentary registration is open online.

Citi Field 41 Seaver Way, Flushing

DAILY NEWS LUNCHEON

June 8, 2022 from 11 a.m. - 1 p.m.

Join the Queens Chamber of Commerce as we explore the world of tech as it relates to Queens and the future, featuring special keynote speakers and lunch at Citi Field.

Caesars Sportsbook at the Metro Grille 41 Seaver Way, Flushing

23

THIS IS QUEENSBOROUGH

queenschamber.org

IT’S IN QUEENS

By Rob MacKay, Director Public Relations, Marketing & Tourism, Queens Economic Development Corporation Probably named after Maia, the Greek goddess of growth and fertility, May is when spring flexes its muscles.

The weather gets warmer.

The flowers bloom. And college seniors start contemplating the future. It’s a great month to be in Queens this year, as the borough welcomes back an internationally famous night market.

That’s not everything, of course. Stay local to enjoy Klezmer music, sheep-shearing, musicals, a walk down memory lane, and abundant nature.

David Krakauer and Acoustic Klezmer Quartet May 1 @ 6 p.m.

his

One of the most important and influential musicians in Jewish music today, Krakauer presents acoustic versions of his original compositions mixed with classic tunes from the traditional repertoire.

The Church-in-the-Gardens, 50 Ascan Ave., Forest Hills.

Ladies Sing the Blues May 6 @ 8 p.m.

With a seven-piece band, vocalists Catherine Russell,

Brianna Thomas, and Charenee Wade channel 1920s divas Bessie “Empress of the Blues” Smith, Mamie “Queen of the Blues” Smith, Ma “Mother of the Blues” Rainey, Billie Holiday, and others.

LeFrak Concert Hall, 153-49 Reeves Ave., Flushing.

Jane’s Walk Queens May 6 - May 8 Jane’s Walk is and international weekend during which volunteers lead free tours of urban areas.

In Queens, historians, architects, activists, writers, and others offer 11 distinct tours of neighborhoods stretching from Jackson Heights to Rockaway.

Social Security May 6 - May 22 @ 2 p.m., 8 p.m.

Douglaston Community Theatre returns with this comedy about a married couple who are art dealers.

Their domestic tranquility is shattered upon the arrival of the wife’s goody-goody nerd of a sister, her uptight CPA husband, and her archetypal Jewish mother.

Shows are May 6, May 7, May 13, May 14, May 20, May 21 at 8 pm and May 14 and May 22 at 2 pm.

Zion Church Parish Hall, 24301 Northern Blvd.

Queens Night Market May 7 @ 5 p.m.

Back for a seventh year, this outdoor market features dozens of vendors that sell everything from entrées to desserts to drinks to crafts on a rolling basis on Saturdays through October. Plus,

Dog Man: The Musical hits the stage at the Queens Theatre on May 29. live performers join the fun in a special entertainment area.

Behind the New York Hall of Science in the vicinity of 47th Avenue and 111th Street in Flushing Meadows Corona Park.

Sheep Shearing May 14 @ 11 a.m.

New York City’s only sheepshearing festival includes wool processing, live music, tours, crafts, a scavenger hunt, hayrides, and food.

Queens County Farm Museum, 73-50 Little Neck Pkwy., Glen Oaks.

Downtown Jamaica Jazz Festival May 14 & 15 @ 12 p.m.

- 6 p.m.

This weekend-long marathon celebrates the borough’s rich Jazz heritage with a mix of prominent musicians and emerging ones from noon to 6 pm each day.

The lineup includes the Johnathan Blake Quartet, Roy Hargrove Legacy Big Band, and Jaleel Shaw Quartet. Jamaica Performing Arts Center, 153-10 Jamaica Ave. Queens Symphony Orchestra May 15 @ 4 p.m.

The borough’s oldest cultural group performs Brahms, Mozart, and several other great composers.

St. Kevin Church, 45-21 194th St., Flushing.

Enjoy New York City’s only sheep-shearing festival at Queens County Farm on May 14.

24

Victor Provost: Steel Pannist May 21 @ 7 p.m.

Born and raised on the Virgin Islands, Victor Provost is one of the world’s leading voices on the steelpan. He leads a musical cohort that weaves seamlessly between Caribbean Roots music, straight-ahead Jazz, and World Rhythms.

Flushing Town Hall, 137-35 Northern Blvd.

Natural Incense Workshop May 22 @ 11 a.m.

Crafting

Certified aromatherapists Anna Mascia and Maegan Ratliff teach how to mix, blend shape, and form incense using herbs, wood, spices, gums, and essential oils.

Alley Pond Environmental Center, 224-65 76th Ave., Oakland Gardens.

Dog Man: The Musical May 29 @ 1 p.m., 3 p.m.

TheaterWorksUSA presents this adaptation of Dav Pilkey’s best-selling series. Hilarious and heartwarming, this new production follows the protagonist who has the head of a dog and the body of a policeman. He loves to fight crime and chew on the furniture, but can he save the city from Flippy the Cyborg Fish and his army of Beasty Buildings?

Queens Theatre, 14 United Nations Ave. S., Flushing Meadows Corona Park.

For more information, surf to www.itsinqueens.com.

this is...

May 2022 • Volume 18 • Issue 5 The Business News of Queens & The Official Magazine of The Queens Chamber of Commerce

THE LATEST ON THE MOST INFLUENTIAL PEOPLE IN QUEENS Your inside scoop straight from the business community’s top leaders

Profiling Queens’ Most Dynamic People.

They read it.... so should you!

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

25

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.

ASIAN AMERICAN FEDERATION

120 Wall Street, 9th Fl., New York, NY 10005 aafederation.org QUICK GLANCE: The Asian American Federation’s mission is to raise the influence and well-being of the pan-Asian American community through research, policy advocacy, public awareness and organizational development.

Established in 1989, the Federation is a panAsian non-profit organization representing a network of community service agencies in the Northeast. These agencies work in the fields of health & human services, education, economic development, civic participation, and social justice.

BAYSIDE VILLAGE BID

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

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

BAYSIDE BUSINESS ASSOCIATION 41-16 Bell Boulevard, Bayside, NY 11361 President: Ed Probst Vice President: Judith Limpert 718.229.2277 info@baysideba.com baysideba.com QUICK GLANCE: Founded in 1997, the

Bayside Business Association services all of Bayside business to address issues and concerns those businesses have with regards to running their businesses.

ACCOMPANY CAPITAL (FORMERLY BCNA)

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

award-winning Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) and Small Business

26

Administration (SBA) micro lender that provides small and micro business owners in New York City with low-cost loans, access to business training & technical assistance, and oneon-one counseling.

Accompany Capital has disbursed over $34 million in loans and assisted over 10,000 immigrant and refugee entrepreneurs in New York City since its founding as Business Center for New Americans (BCNA) in 1997, as well as provided workshops and one-on-one advice on business management and marketing to over 10,000 businesses.

BUSINESS OUTREACH CENTER NETWORK (BOC, INC.)

85 S. Oxford Street #2 Brooklyn, NY 11217 718.624.9115 bocnet.org QUICK GLANCE: Business Outreach Center Network’s mission is to improve the economic prospects of traditionally underserved groups, with a focus on low- and moderate-income entrepreneurs and their communities, and thereby create genuinely brighter futures.

At the heart of our mission is the belief that whatever their differences, people and communities share a common goal: to achieve economic stability and growth. Working in partnership with culturally diverse individuals and organizations in support of this shared goal is the hallmark of BOC.

CHHAYA CDC

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

CHINATOWN DISTRICT MANAGEMENT ASSOCIATION (CHINATOWN PARTNERSHIP)

217 Park Row, 2nd Floor, Suite 9 New York, NY 10038 chinatownpartnership.org QUICK GLANCE: Chinatown Partnership, led

by Wellington Chen, was formed in 2006 as new start-up from grounds up to bring residents, business owners and community groups together to rebuild Chinatown following 9/11, and to preserve the neighborhood’s unique culture while ensuring its vitality in the future through

strategic positioning.

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

FOREST HILLS CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

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

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

GATEWAY JFK

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

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

GREATER FLUSHING CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

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

senting over 200 businesses.

GREATER JAMAICA DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION

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

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

May 2022 • Volume 18 • Issue 5

QUEENS CHAMBER PARTNERS & AFFILIATES GREATER WOODHAVEN DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION WOODHAVEN BID

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

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

JAMAICA CENTER BID

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

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

JFK INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

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

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

LONG ISLAND CITY PARTNERSHIP

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

Island City Partnership advocates for economic development that benefits LIC’s industrial, commercial, cultural and residential sectors.

The goal is to attract new businesses to the neighborhood, retain those already here, welcome new residents and visitors, and promote a vibrant and authentic mixed-use community.

The LIC Partnership operates the LIC Business Improvement District and the LIC Industrial Business Zone.

MASPETH CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

Association (MECA) extends from Fifth Avenue eastward to the East River and from 42nd Street down to 26th Street (encompassing the 10016 postal code).

MYRTLE AVENUE BID

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

120 members and a budget of $115,000.

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.

MASPETH INDUSTRIAL BUSINESS ASSOCIATION (MIBA)

QUEENS ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION

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

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

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

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

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 80th streets. The mission is to improve the area and assist local businesses if they have any concerns or needs.

MURRAY HILL MERCHANTS ASSOCIATION OF NY

P.O. Box 1897 New York, NY 10156 212.886.5867 murrayhillnyc.org QUICK GLANCE: Murray Hill is a unique residential neighborhood in midtown Manhattan.

While there is no formal boundary for the neighborhood, the area served by The Murray Hill Neighborhood Association and its sister organization the Manhattan East Community

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

ROCKAWAY BUSINESS ALLIANCE

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

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

ROCKAWAY DEVELOPMENT & REVITALIZATION CORPORATION

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

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

ROCKAWAY EAST MERCHANTS ASSOCIATION (REMA4US)

1032 Beach 20th Street Far Rockaway, NY 11691 rema4us.org QUICK GLANCE: REMA 4 US, Inc. seeks to engage in economic development and revitalization in the Rockaway Peninsula. To strengthen

27

THIS IS QUEENSBOROUGH

queenschamber.org

NEW MEMBERS MAJOR CORPORATE Global Facilities Managers, LTD 45 Rockefeller Plaza, 20th floor New York, NY 10111 Hudson Group 1 Meadowlands Plaza East Rutherford, NY 07073 hudsongroup.com Delivering what travelers need and want with a sophisticated merchandising approach. Every location has a stock of national necessities and a bounty regional must-haves.

CORPORATE A+ Technology & Security 1490 North Clinton Ave. Bay Shore, NY, 11706 A+ Technology and Security provides security solutions from design to installation and support.

LeNoble Lumber Co. 38-20 Review Ave. Long Island City, NY, 11101 lenoblelumber.com LeNoble provides the widest selection of products and highest quality of materials, delivered promptly.

MediSys Health Network 4500 Parsons Blvd.

Jamaica, NY 11418 jamaicahospital.org For over a century, Jamaica Hospital has met the needs of New York residents, providing a wide range of quality healthcare services.

Praxis Public Relations 69 Chichester Road, Huntington, NY 11743 prazisinc.us Consulting and management services for a growing number of private sector, municipal and nonprofit organizations.

Silvercup Studios 42-22 22nd Street Long Island City, NY 11101 silvercupstudios.com

Mobile Notary 183-15 Fonda Ave. St. Albans, NY, 11412

The largest independent full-service film and television production facility in the Northeast.

NYC Employment and Training Coalition 110 Wall St. New York, NY, 10005

SourceBlue 375 Hudson, 6th Floor New York, NY 10014 Waymo 100 Mayfield Ave. Mountain View, CA, 94043 waymo.com

SMALL BUSINESS PARTNERS ADM Landscape Corp.

289 Meserose Street, #204 Brooklyn, NY 11206 CH CO Inc. 14-37 30th Rd. Astoria, NY, 11102 Diki Daycare Center Inc. 3081 Steinway St. Astoria, NY, 11103 dikidaycaregroup.com Intelisano & Associates 111-14 76th Ave., Suite 207 Forest Hills, NY, 11375 insurancedoctor.us Metronet Realty 160-44 Cross Bay Blvd.

Howard Beach, NY, 11414 metronetrealty.com

PH Consulting 1100 Franklin Ave., Suite 101 Garden City, NY, 11530 phconsultingmedia.com Push Fitness Club 188-10 Union Turnpike Fresh Meadows, NY 11366 pushfitnessclub.com Reverse Mortgage Funding 41 Pinelawn Road, Suite 200 Melville, NY 11747 reversefunding.com Solucore Elevator Consultants 100 Park Avenue, 16th Floor New York, NY 10017 solucore.com The Bier and Cheese Collective 35-11 Ditmars Blvd.

Astoria, NY, 11105 bierandcheese.com Triboro Printing Corp.

34-11 Steinway St. Long Island City, NY, 11101 triboroprinting.com Yezcoin 139-15 34th Ave. Flushing, NY, 11354 yezcoin.com

QUEENS CHAMBER PARTNERS & AFFILIATES our community revitalization programs and community development efforts in the Rockaway Peninsula REMA works alongside businesses, civic groups, government agencies, and nonprofit organizations. REMA works to inform the public about opportunities that exist to strengthen the community, and to create a welcoming and safe environment to help expand economic opportunity in the Rockaway Peninsula.

STEINWAY ASTORIA PARTNERSHIP BID

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

28

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

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

SUNNYSIDE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE PO Box 4399, Sunnyside, NY 11104 President: Vanessa Ceballos

718.729.4688 sunnyside-chamber.org QUICK GLANCE: With an annual budget of

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

SUNNYSIDE SHINES

45-56 43rd Street, Sunnyside, NY 11104 Executive Director: Jaime-Faye Beam 718.606.1800 director@sunnysideshines.org sunnysideshines.org

May 2022 • Volume 18 • Issue 5 EXECUTIVE COMMMITEE Howard Graf

Patrick Yu

Thomas J. Grech

Brendan Leavy

Richard Dzwlewicz

Michelle Stoddart

Joanne M. Persad

Jacqueline Donado

Chairperson

Associate Treasurer

Vice Chair

Associate Secretary

Treasurer

Immediate Past Chair

Patricia Mezeul Nash Roe

President & CEO

Thomas J. Santucci

Secretary

SENIOR ADVISORY COUNCIL

EXECUTIVE STAFF Business Development Manager

Chief of Operations

Strategic Program Coordinator

Alejandra Espejo

Jef Gross

Financial Controller

Neil Wagner

Business Service Program Manager

Manager of Committee Development

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

QUEENSBOROUGH (ISSN0033-6068 is published 12 times a year for $12.50 annually by the Queens Chamber of Commerce of the borough of Queens. 75-20 Astoria Blvd, Suite 140, East Elmhurst NY 11370-1131.

Periodicals postage paid at Flushing NY and additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Queens Chamber of Commerce 75-20 Astoria Blvd., Suite 140, East Elmhurst NY 11370-1131.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS Kenneth J. Buettner Stephanie Baldwin Chad E. Callahan Sal Crifasi David Diraio Steven DeClara

Richard Dzwlewicz Charles Everett, Jr. Joseph R. Ficalora Tamara Gavrielof Howard Graf Raymond Irrera

Kenneth Koenig Lorraine Chambers Lewis Bert Lurch Meredith Marshall Carl Mattone Patricia Mezeul

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

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

Mark Weprin Patrick Yu Daniel Zausner

CORPORATE MEMBERS 365 Data Centers A&L Cesspool Services Corp AARP Above All Pressure Cleaning Abrams Fensterman Ads Engineers, DPC Aeroterm Amna Construction Corp Antun’s of Queens Village Aora Development Approved General Contracting Inc., ARK Development LLC Aurora Contractors, Inc. Balkan Sewer and Water Main Service Bank of America BedRock Real Estate Partners, LLC Berkshire HathawayHomeservices

Laffey International Realty BJ’s Wholesale Club Blumenfeld Development Group, Ltd. Capital One Bank Carben Construction Inc. Carter Milchman and Frank CBRE CDS-Mestel Construction Center for Automotive Education and Training Cerini and Associates, LLP. Champion Elevator Corp.

Ciampa Organization Cine Magic LIC Studios, LLC Cipico Construction, Inc. CitizensRx CLEAR Secure, Inc. Combs & Company Complete Supply

Cord Meyer Development LLC Cornell Tech Cort CPower Energy Management Crann Integrated Solutions Crescent Properties, Inc Cross County Savings Bank Crown Castle Crystal Window & Door Systems, Ltd Dedline AV Direct Clean Service Solutions East Coast Energy Group Eastern American Technologies EDGE AUTO INC Emigrant Mortgage Company Enterprise Fleet Management EOS Electrical Corp EW Howell Construction Group First Central Savings Bank

COMMITTEE LEADERSHIP ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

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

BANKING & LAW

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

COMMUNICATIONS Jake Oliver Anat Gerstein jake@anatgerstein.com Henry Ramos Dedline AV henry@dedlineav.com

HEALTHCARE & WELLNESS

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

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

Jay Solly Sol Strategies jaypsolly@gmail.com

Azra Khalfan-Kermali Plaques by Azra azra@azra.com

ENTREPRENEURSHIP & INNOVATION

NOT FOR PROFIT

Bill Staniford Rentigo bill@staniford.com Deepti Sharma Food To Eat deepti@foodtoeat.com

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

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

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

Larry Grubler Transitional Services of NY lgrubler@tsiny.org Wendy Phaff Gennaro Queens Center for Progress wphaff@queenscp.com

REAL ESTATE

Martin Cottingham Avison Young martin.cottingham@avisonyoung.com Kevin Louie RIPCO klouie@ripcony.com Michael Wang Project Queens michael@projectqueens.com

TECHNOLOGY

Sean C. O’Rourke Combs & Company sorourke@combsandco.com Fred Canone fc1281@gmail.com

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

FLUID MECHANIC’S CORP Forest Hills Financial Group, Inc. Gatsons Electric, Inc. Gil-Bar Industries, Inc. GOLDEN AGE HOME CARE INC goPuff Graf & Lewent Architects Greater NY Automobiles Dealers Association HANAC, Inc. HE2PD, Inc. Healthy Corner Pharmacy Heatherwood Communities Himmel + Meringoff Properties HNY Ferry, LLC Hydro Quebec IKEA Queens INDA, Association of Nonwoven Fabric Industry INF Associates, LLC Innovo Property Group Instacart J Strategies, Inc J.W. Hampton Jr. & Co., Inc. James E Fitzgerald Jason Office Products JGM Construction Development Kasirer Consulting Kaufman Astoria Studios, Inc. Knights Collision Experts Inc. Krispy Kreme Laffey Real Estate Levine Builders Littler Mendelson, P.C. Lyons Mortgage Services, Inc. M & T Bank Madison International Realty Madison Realty Capital McBride Consulting & Business Mega Contracting Group LLC Mesirow Financial Metropolitan Taxicab Board of Trade Molloy College Mondial Automotive Mount Sinai Hospital of Queens Mr. T Carting Corp.

My Benefit Advisor, LLC NBCUniversal New York + Atlantic Railway New York Crystal Cleaning New York Islanders Hockey Club New York Life Insurance Company New York State Energy Coalition, Inc. Nonprofit Sector Strategies, PBC Northwell Health Nuvo Solutions Onegroup Owareco, LLC Patrick B. Jenkins & Associates

PGA Mechanical Contractors, Inc. Popular Bank Priority 1 Security LLC ProCleanings Co QSIDE Federal Credit Union Queens College R.A.M.S. Mechanical Inc. Red Eye Group LLC REDI Group, LLC Reef Technology REIL Capital Related Retail Corporation Ripco Investment Sales RXR Realty Safety Facility Services Samaritan Daytop Village Securitech Group, Inc. Signature Bank SL Green Realty Corp.

Solo Energy & Electrical, Inc. Solve Together LLC Spectrum Reach Squad Security Inc. St. Francis Preparatory School St. John’s University Standard Group Starbucks Corporation Sterling Risk Structural Engineering Technologies, P.C. Sullivan Engineering LLC SUNation Solar Systems Target TGI Office Automation The Center for Musculoskeletal Disorders The First National Bank of Long Island TLC Virtual Resiliency Total Fire Protection Transmission Developers, Inc. TSC Traning Academy, LLC Ultrasound Solutions Corp.

United Airlines United Construction & Development Group Corp United Public Adjusters & Appraisers, Inc. USTA National Tennis Center, Inc. Valley National Bank Vassilaros & Sons Coffee Vista LIC Hotel, Best Western Premier Collection W & M Fire Protection Services W. SCULLY, CPA, P.C. Waste Management of New York LLC Watch Guard 24/7 White Coffee Corp Wisselman, Harounian & Associates, P.C. York College - CUNY

29

THIS IS QUEENSBOROUGH

queenschamber.org

Santucci celebrates his retirement

Outgoing Chair Tom Santucci enjoys his retirement from his new rocking chair.

MAJOR CORPORATE MEMBERS

30

May 2022 • Volume 18 • Issue 5 MAJOR CORPORATE MEMBERS

We hope you are enjoying the newly designed, expanded Queensborough, the monthly publication of the Queens Chamber of Commerce. We, the Chamber, direct and approve all content deciding what stories are covered in each issue, editing all copy and forwarding information that is contained in the publication. BQE Media produces it for the Chamber. We look forward to continuing to highlight the outstanding business persons, services and activities that make our borough unique. We welcome all your letters, manuscripts, etc. Please send all materials to the Queens Chamber of Commerce at 75-20 Astoria Boulevard, Suite 140, Jackson Heights, NY 11370 or call 718.898.8500 for more information. We reserve the right to edit for space limitations. Your support of the magazine is critical to its success. We encourage you to include Queensborough in your advertising plans. To place your ad, please call BQE Media at 718.426.7200.

31

As a valued neighbor of the Holiday Inn Express Maspeth, we would like to offer you a 15% Local Loyalty discount.

Pick up a Local Loyalty card at a participating Maspeth business, and present it at our front desk to receive your special 15% OFF rate! Scan the barcode to see the list of participating businesses.