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QUEENS CHAMBER NEWS & EVENTS
CHAMBER WELCOMES TWO NEW BOARD MEMBERS WEPRIN BRINGS INSIDER’S MARK WEPRIN KNOWLEDGE TO CHAMBER BY BENJAMIN FANG
work in Queens,” Weprin said. “I’m trying to emphasize to them With nearly 25 years in city and that jobs are our friends, and jobs state government, former Coun- will support the city as we move cilman and Assemblyman Mark forward.” As a former elected official Weprin is bringing an insider’s perspective as the newest addition who represented a section of the to the Queens Chamber’s Board of borough, Weprin said he recognizes how much Directors. Weprin served “There’s so much untapped opportunity there potential in Queens, so in the state is in Queens. many people moving in and Assembly from He believes jobs being created.” 1994 to 2009, the Queens chairing the Chamber in parSmall Business Committee and the ticular has been a credible and Jewish Legislative Caucus. From strong voice on behalf of the bor2010 to 2015, he served in the City ough in terms of job development, Council representing a district in training and promoting industries. eastern Queens. He believes the next ten years in potential in Queens, so many peoDuring his tenure in the coun- Queens will be very exciting. ple moving in and jobs being crecil, Weprin was both the chair “There’s so much untapped ated,” he said. “We want to make of the Subcommittee on Zoning and Franchises, as well as the chair of the Queens Delegation. In June 2015, Weprin was appointed BY BENJAMIN FANG the Dominic A. Murray 21 Memoas Deputy Secretary of Legislarial Foundation following the tragic tive Affairs for Governor Andrew When Melinda Murray-Nyack death of her son Dominic, a seemCuomo, a role he held until Janu- was invited to join the Queens ingly healthy 17-year-old basketball ary 2017. Chamber’s Board of Directors, she player. Since then, he has worked as a only took 20 minutes to think about Dominic collapsed and died on shareholder with the international it before accepting the offer. the basketball court at Farminglaw firm Greenberg Traurig, where “I wasn’t going to let that oppor- dale State College, despite having he represents clients in legislative tunity go by,” she said. received medical clearance to play and regulatory matters with variMurray-Nyack has been a mem- college sports. He suffered from a ous levels of government. ber of the chamcongenital heart Weprin said he understands how ber for the past “It’s a tremendous oppor- defect that went tunity to jump in, roll up government programs can be used year, taking an undetected. my sleeves and take it to to promote Queens businesses. active role in the “No child the next level to provide “There’s a lot of perspective I Health and Wellshould die playcan offer to the chamber,” he said. ness Committee. services and opportunities ing the sport they throughout Queens.” “I have a unique insight on how She said the comlove,” she said. government works, and what needs mittee opened her After losing to be done in order to accomplish eyes to the various health needs of her only child, Murray-Nyack cregoals in Queens.” Queens. ated the foundation, which trains the As a longtime Democrat, the She said she’s proud and honored public in CPR and the use of autoformer legislator said he believes to have been asked to join the board, mated external defibrillators (AED). government can help lift people which she believes is a “prestigious It is also advocating to change laws up and be a “saving grace” in group of trendsetters, business own- related to AED and the screening of people’s lives. He has continually ers and like-minded people.” student-athletes. emphasized, especially to the more “It’s a tremendous opportunity to Murray-Nyack said the foundaprogressive wing of the party, that jump in, roll up my sleeves and take tion also provides free and affordin order to pay for government it to the next level to provide ser- able heart screenings. programs, the city and state need vices and opportunities throughout By joining the Queens Chamto build the tax base. Queens,” Murray-Nyack said. ber board, Murray-Nyack said the “We need jobs, tourism and In 2010, Murray-Nyack founded organization can help bring that type
sure to foster that moving forward to have Queens as an economic engine for the city.”
MURRAY-NYACK BRINGS HEALTH EXPERTISE
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MELINDA MURRAY
of knowledge and information to businesses across the borough. She believes that the chamber’s Health and Wellness Committee is also in alignment with the goals of the foundation. “We want to equip and build up these businesses to make sure they are safe,” she said. “I think I can bring something to the table that can continue the growth of the Queens Chamber.”
