Weprin, Murray Join Queens Chamber Board of Directors

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.

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.” Weprin is bringing an insider’s As a former elected official perspective as the newest addition who represented a section of the to the Queens Chamber’s Board of borough, Weprin said he recogDirectors. nizes how much

Weprin served “There’s so much untapped opportunity there in the state potential in Queens, so is in Queens. Assembly from many people moving in and He believes 1994 to 2009, jobs being created.” 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 peo- sure to foster that moving forward

During his tenure in the coun- Queens will be very exciting. ple moving in and jobs being cre- to have Queens as an economic cil, Weprin was both the chair “There’s so much untapped ated,” he said. “We want to make engine for the city.” of the Subcommittee on Zoning “I’m trying to emphasize to them and Franchises, as well as the chair of the Queens Delegation. In MURRAY-NYACK BRINGS HEALTH EXPERTISE June 2015, Weprin was appointed BY BENJAMIN FANG the Dominic A. Murray 21 Memoas Deputy Secretary of Legisla- rial 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 vari- Murray-Nyack has been a mem- college sports. He suffered from a ous levels of government. ber of the cham- congenital heart

Weprin said he understands how ber for the past “It’s a tremendous oppor- defect that went government programs can be used year, taking an tunity to jump in, roll up undetected. to promote Queens businesses. active role in the my sleeves and take it to “No child

“There’s a lot of perspective I Health and Well- the next level to provide should die playcan offer to the chamber,” he said. “I have a unique insight on how ness Committee. She said the comservices and opportunities throughout Queens.” ing the sport they love,” she said. government works, and what needs mittee opened her After losing MELINDA MURRAY 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 of knowledge and information to

As a longtime Democrat, the She said she’s proud and honored public in CPR and the use of auto- businesses across the borough. She former legislator said he believes to have been asked to join the board, mated external defibrillators (AED). believes that the chamber’s Health government can help lift people which she believes is a “prestigious It is also advocating to change laws and Wellness Committee is also up and be a “saving grace” in group of trendsetters, business own- related to AED and the screening of in alignment with the goals of the people’s lives. He has continually ers and like-minded people.” student-athletes. foundation. emphasized, especially to the more “It’s a tremendous opportunity to Murray-Nyack said the founda- “We want to equip and build up progressive wing of the party, that jump in, roll up my sleeves and take tion also provides free and afford- these businesses to make sure they in order to pay for government it to the next level to provide ser- able heart screenings. are safe,” she said. “I think I can programs, the city and state need vices and opportunities throughout By joining the Queens Cham- bring something to the table that can to build the tax base. Queens,” Murray-Nyack said. ber board, Murray-Nyack said the continue the growth of the Queens

“We need jobs, tourism and In 2010, Murray-Nyack founded organization can help bring that type Chamber.”