Queens Chamber elects new chair, board members

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

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.”

Vice Chair Richard Dzwlewicz

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

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.

New Board Members: Meredith Marshall

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.