This Is Queensborough - October 2018

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October 2018 . Volume 14 . Issue 10

CATS TALE RED APPLE GROUP CEO IS HALL OF FAME INDUCTEE AT CHAMBER’S BUSINESS PERSON OF THE YEAR EVENT

“I love Queens, we’d love to invest in Queens. I’m hoping I’m not too late.”

BUSINESS PERSON OF THE YEAR HONOREES

FITZGERALD

TZIAZAS

HORCH

RED APPLE CEO JOHN CATSIMATIDIS

“If a woman has had genetic testing and she is positive for a high risk gene such as BRCA, she is more likely to have what’s called a prophylactic mastectomy, meaning removing the breast without any disease, given her increased future risk rather than frequent follow-ups.

Even if the genetic test is negative, a woman may decide to have a prophylactic mastectomy if there are benign findings which require closer follow-up, for better reconstruction symmetry, or for personal choice,” said Dr. Lee. “It’s a very personal decision.”

On April 4, Dr. Lee performed a double mastectomy on Ms. Flores followed by reconstructive surgery by Dr. Tanna.

“Naomi was a challenging case,” said Dr. Tanna. “Whenever you do surgery on a patient and they’ve had radiation, the blood supply can be compromised. Smoking further compromises that blood supply.”

Dr. Susan Lee, chief of breast surgery at LIJ Forest Hills, breast cancer patient Ms. Naomi Flores and Dr. Neil Tanna, plastic surgeon at LIJ Forest Hills.

Surviving and thriving after breast cancer After more than 50 years of smoking up to three packs a day, Naomi Flores quit. Her reason? Her surgeon said it would interfere with healing from breast reconstruction surgery.

But the last two years she wasn’t as vigilant.

In late 2017, Ms. Flores felt a lump on her right breast. A mammogram and sonogram were done and she was referred to Dr. Susan Lee, chief of breast surgery at LIJ Forest Hills.

Ms. Flores had her last puff on February 19, 2018, after meeting with Dr. Neil Tanna, a plastic surgeon, who operated on her at LIJ Forest Hills in April in the hospital’s new comprehensive breast center.

Biopsies of both breasts found suspicious tissue in her left breast to be benign (noncancerous), but a tumor in her right breast was malignant (cancerous).

“I took a couple of drags and I threw the cigarette out the window,” said Ms. Flores.

“I gave my son the pack.”

For the 64-year-old Kew Gardens woman, this was her second battle with breast cancer.

Fifteen years ago, Ms. Flores was diagnosed with stage 0 non-invasive breast cancer. She underwent a lumpectomy to remove the tumor and some of the tissue surrounding it followed by seven weeks of radiation.

“My mom and grandmother had breast cancer, so given that I was such high risk I always made sure that I had my mammograms,” explained Ms. Flores.

Since Ms. Flores had already had a lumpectomy and radiation, she could not undergo breast-conserving surgery a second time because she couldn’t have radiation again.

Instead, Ms. Flores opted for a double mastectomy.

“I told Dr. Lee that this was the second time going through this and that this time around I didn’t want to take any chances,” said Ms. Flores.

Her decision to have both breasts removed, including the healthy one, is becoming more common in women.

Ms. Flores was lucky. Her surgery — DIEP microsurgical flap reconstruction, a highly specialized type of breast reconstruction that uses the skin and fat from the lower abdomen to reconstruct the breast after mastectomy — was a success.

“We are a very comprehensive breast center because we offer all forms of breast reconstruction including complex flap reconstruction,” said Dr. Tanna.

In the near future, the breast center will include a high risk clinic, incorporating genetic counseling and testing for those patients with an increased risk of developing breast cancer.

Ms. Flores has one more reconstructive surgery with Dr. Tanna that will include nipple and areola reconstruction, as well as some modifications to improve breast symmetry.

As for her smoke-free lifestyle, it’s definitely agreeing with her.

“I used to be gasping for air walking up the stairs to my 3rd floor apartment. Now, I can do it and breathe,” said Ms. Flores. “My son and granddaughter have been after me to quit for years.”

For more information about the new comprehensive breast center at LIJ Forest Hills, call (718) 925-6294.

Sponsored by Long Island Jewish Forest Hills

October 2018 • Volume 14 • Issue 10

A MESSAGE FROM THE CHAIR

CHAMBER GOLF OUTING & DINNER A HOLE-IN-ONE On September 24, the Queens money goes directly to education Chamber of Commerce hosted its scholarships to deserving students annual Golf Outing at Garden City across the borough.

Country Club. With over 130 people Further, we were beyond delighted in attendance, 23 foursomes, and 30 to have Congressman Joe Crowley sponsor organizations, the as our special honoree. event was a great success.

Having known ConIt was a pleasure seeing gressman Crowley for so many of our members, over 30 years, I can say friends, and colleagues with no reservation that on this annual occasion. this man personifies the Thank you so much to all hard work and dedicaour sponsors, specifically tion of the diverse conSt. John’s Episcopal Hosstituency of Queens. pital for taking the Masters A native of WoodSponsorship, as well as side and lifelong New TOM SANTUCCI Yorker, Joe has served DY Realty Services.

I would also like to CHAIRPERSON the people of Queens thank Flushing Bank for in Congress since 1998. donating their $2,000 prize Before being elected to money from the Hong Kong Dragon Congress, he received a bachelor’s Boat Festival to the Queens Cham- degree from Queens College, helped ber of Commerce Foundation. This operate a family-owned business, and

represented the 30th Assembly District in the New York State legislature.

Throughout his career in public service, Joe has been driven by a desire to protect New York’s middle class. As a close friend and ally The golfers just prior to the 12:30 p.m. start. of the Queens Chamber, we thank you for your service to the ing out to Chamber staff to ensure country and to Queens. you are kept apprised of upcoming Finally, as we move into fall I events, development strategies, and want to urge our members to take business information. advantage of all benefits and services Thanks again for being a member offered by the Queens Chamber. It is or supporter of the Queens Chamber imperative to be proactive in reach- of Commerce.

A MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT & CEO

TWO SIGNATURE EVENTS ON TAP FOR CHAMBER

We had a very busy September Annual Building Awards & Gala. at the Queens Chamber and the calendar continues to grow as we Business Person of the Year enter the fall. In sum, the Cham- Awards – Wednesday, October 10 ber hosted two Business Card The Queens Chamber of ComExchanges, eleven Small Business merce is thrilled to announce our Seminars, three 2018 Business Person workforce developof the Year Awards! ment events, plus This year, we have our Annual Queens four honorees who Chamber Foundaexemplify business tion Golf Outing. acumen, street smarts, It is important hard work, success for our members and doing well by to be kept apprised doing good. of our upcomThe Hall of Fame ing events, and, as Honoree is John such, I continually THOMAS J. GRECH Catsimatidis, owner urge members to and president, chairPRESIDENT & CEO check our website man and CEO of Red at queenschamber.

Apple Group, as well org and reach out to our capable as three very special and deserving staff. honorees who make Queens what it In addition to our regular pro- is today: Christopher Horch, assogramming for October, I want to ciate partner at JB&B; Sister Tesa make note of two upcoming, sig- Fitzgerald, founder and executive nature events: the Queens Cham- director at Hour Children; and Nick ber 2018 Business Person of the Tziazas, president at Lyons MortYear Awards Dinner and the 2018 gage Services, Inc.

These four leaders are among those that have made and will continue to make Queens the preeminent place to live, work and play.

Annual Building Awards and Gala – Thursday, December 6 For over 90 years, this marvelous tradition honors the architects, builders, engineers, lenders, interior designers and owners of buildings and building projects in Queens County. This year’s keynote speaker is Lorraine Grillo, commissioner of the Department of Design and Construction (DDC), and president of the School Construction Authority (SCA).

We are still accepting Building Award nominations. All submissions must be received at the Chamber office no later than Friday, October 12. If you would like to submit a nomination, please call us at (718) 898-8500.

Borough Initiatives The Queens Chamber of Commerce is honored to have a seat at

MAJOR CORPORATE SPONSORS

THEY SAID IT: “We are thrilled to be part of the Astoria community, and the support we’ve received from the Queens Chamber of Commerce has been overwhelming. We look forward to being a member of the Queens Chamber for many years to come!

- Brianna Pearce, Chief Compliance Officer, Prime Group Holdings (See Story on Page 18)

the table and represent our membership on the following projects: • LaGuardia Air Train Development. AirTrain LGA seeks to establish a reliable, convenient means of travel, with less-than 30-minute trips between the airport and New York Penn Station or Grand Central Terminal. It will also provide rail access from all of Long Island via the LIRR, as well as the MTA’s 7 subway line.

• Sunnyside Yard Steering Committee. Sunnyside Yard is one of the busiest rail yards in the country and a key train storage yard and maintenance hub for Amtrak’s Northeast Corridor. In the next 20 years, Queens is expected to add more than 80,000 new residents.

That growth will put additional strain on schools, parks, mass transit, and housing that current residents rely upon. Sunnyside Yard presents an opportunity to address these challenges head on in a way that integrates new development CONTINUED ON PAGE 5

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THIS IS QUEENSBOROUGH

queenschamber.org

QUEENS QUICKLY

City Council moves to restrict Flushing vendors

College Point Blvd. to Union St.; 41st Ave. from College Point Blvd. to Union St., Kissena Blvd. from 41st Ave. to Barclay Ave.; and Sanford Ave. from Frame Place to Main St. General vending will be prohibited in an area (in orange) bounded by Northern Boulevard, Union Street, Sanford Avenue and College Point Boulevard.

Licensed veterans and vending protected under freedom of speech provisions are exempt from these restrictions.

C4Q expands scope, rebrands itself as Pursuit The City Council passed legislation to prohibits sidewalk obstructions and street vending in certain areas of downtown Flushing.

Last year, the Flushing community celebrated the completion of up to nine feet of widened sidewalks on Main Street. The new space was intended to provide critical relief to the hundreds of thousands of commuters who use the transportation hub’s more than 20 bus lines, subway, LIRR, and others who visit Flushing for its restaurants and shopping.

“Unfortunately, the widened sidewalks gave rise to a massive increase in street vending of all kinds,” said Councilman Peter Koo. Food vending will be prohibited (in blue) from noon to midnight on Main Street from Northern Blvd. to Sanford Ave.; 38th Ave. from Prince St. to 138th St.; Prince St. from 38th Ave. to 39th Ave.; 39th Ave. from College Point Blvd. to Union St.; Lippman Plaza from 39th Ave. to Roosevelt Ave.; Roosevelt Ave. from

C4Q, the Google and Robin Hood Foundation-backed nonprofit helping lift New Yorkers out of poverty through coding, announced an expansion of the organization’s direction that includes a new name: Pursuit.

The organization plans to grow beyond the geographical limits of Queens and serve as a long-term transformation partner to people and communities with the highest need and highest potential.

Pursuit’s 10-month training program – which far exceeds the typical 10-week courses offered by most bootcamps – will be supplemented by a three-year career success program called Pursuit Advance.

The program is designed to help graduates advance in the tech industry, through coaching, additional tech learning, and other individualized support. Pursuit AIMS to produce senior programmers, and ensure that the developers who graduate are equipped with the skills that employers are looking for.

“When we launched C4Q in 2011, we recognized the immense impact technology was

going to have on our society,” said Jukay Hsu, Co-founder & CEO of Pursuit. “Pursuit will guide graduates as they navigate the tech sector, providing our students with not only the skills, but also the hands-on guidance to succeed and thrive.”

Pursuit’s expanded mission is being funded in part by $1.85 million in grants from Siegel Family Endowment (SFE), a private foundation based in New York City with a mission to shape the impact of technology on society, and from Salesforce.org.

In addition to support from philanthropic and business leaders, Pursuit has launched Pursuit Bond. The funding model enables impact investors to invest in students’ training and provides training to low-income students at no up front cost. Graduates pay back the investment with their future earnings.

York now offering master’s degree in social work York College will launch a Master of Social Work (MSW) program in the fall of 2018, and is currently enrolling students for this new addition to its Social Work offering. The York College MSW is the only one of its kind in Queens, and will prepare students for careers in this in-demand field.

The MSW is part of President Marcia V. Keizs’ goal of growing the college academically with a number of niche master’s degrees in the health, business and human services area.

“The introduction of York’s MSW program is creating opportunities for students interested in health and human services to meet the needs of the communities in improving service delivery,” said Dr. Panayiotis Meleties, provost and vice president for Academic Affairs. “It was identified as one of the priority graduate programs York had been aiming to launch.”

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

Queens Chamber Welcomes Prime Storage to Astoria .....................................18

“Opportunity Zones” in Queens Provide Incentive for Investment ...7

Partners & Affiliates News and Happenings ........................................................25

BUSINESS PERSON OF THE YEAR: Christopher Horch ..............10

Chamber Welcomes New Members .........................................................................31

BUSINESS PERSON OF THE YEAR: John Catsimatidis ................11 BUSINESS PERSON OF THE YEAR: Sister Tesa Fitzgerald .........12 BUSINESS PERSON OF THE YEAR: Nick Tziazas .........................14 Chamber Foundation Hosts Annual Golf Outing ...................................16

PUBLISHER Walter H. Sanchez

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

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MANAGING EDITOR Shane Miller

From This Is Queensborough, November 1917: “Urgent Need for Improved Service: Chamber Suggests Changes to Improve Rapid Transit Operating Service on Astoria and Corona Extensions.”

October 2018 • Volume 14 • Issue 10

QUEENS QUICKLY PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE CONTINUED FROM PAGE 3

into the established fabric of surrounding communities.

• Western Queens Tech Council. Borough President Melinda Katz has unveiled a long-term plan to help grow the technology industry along the East River waterfront, including in Long Island City and parts of Astoria. The “Western Queens Strategy Plan” features a series of steps aimed at bolstering the area’s local tech ecosystem through initiatives like job training, building tech hubs, and funneling investors to the area.

• Willets Point Redevelopment.

The Willets Point Development Plan is a historic redevelopment effort that will transform an area previous generations have sought to change and improve. The plan will clean up the environment and help improve the quality of nearby

waterways. It will link this district, in one of the most vibrant parts of Queens, to basic infrastructure and establish a major new mixedincome neighborhood and commercial destination that will create jobs and recapture billions in spending now lost to the suburbs.

• JFK Redevelopment Advisory Council. Based on the recommendations of the Governor’s Airport Advisory Panel, the vision plan lays out a comprehensive, airport-wide framework to create a unified, world-class airport. In order to accommodate the dramatic expected growth at the airport in the coming decades and keep New York’s economy moving forward, the plan addresses three key areas: transforming JFK into a unified, interconnected, world-class airport; improving road access to the airport; and expanding rail mass transit to meet projected passenger growth.

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THIS IS QUEENSBOROUGH

queenschamber.org Email your announcement or promotion to info@thisisqueensborough.com

PROMOTIONS, ANNOUNCEMENTS & APPOINTMENTS is responsible for enhancing State Society of Certified Public dy Airport. After a year he decided Hemans finishes field the presence and impact of the Lung Accountants has more than 26,000 that he needed to go to college, and Association in members residing and practicing in enrolled at LaGuardia. After graduinternship Queens native Christian Hemans recently completed a newly established internship program to develop the next generation of diverse business leaders.

The internship is the first phase of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and Howard U n i v e r s i t y ’s “Next-Gen HEMANS Business Partnership,” which formally launched last month.

During the program, interns were able to research policy issues, prepare briefing materials, participate in strategy meetings, and lead special projects.

“This internship has been nothing less than phenomenal,” Hemans said. “It brought together eight students from different walks of life and put them in an environment with all different types of people and backgrounds – we not only grew, but the environment changed as well.”

Hemans is a rising senior at Howard University studying Public Relations and Political Science.

He graduated from Benjamin N. Cardozo High School in Bayside, and this summer he worked as an intern in the Congressional and Public Affairs division of the Chamber. He has a strong interest in entrepreneurship.

Bartfield moves up at ALA Queens native Lewis Bartfield has been named the chief division officer for the Western Division of the American Lung Association.

Bartfield attended Jamaica High School and Queens College.

As chief division officer, Bart-

25 states. He will support regional and local teams as they plan, develop and direct the execution of all programs, policies and services as they BARTFIELD relate to the Lung Association’s education and advocacy initiatives.

“With more than 33 million of people across the country impacted by lung disease, we all need to come together to fight,” said Bartfield.

Bartfield joined the Lung Association in March of 2013. Prior to joining the American Lung Association, Bartfield spent more than 20 years with the American Diabetes Association, where he managed fundraising, program services, corporate and volunteer recruitment programs and staff.

Gallagher to head CPA chapter

Matthew Gallagher, financial business manager for facilities at St. John’s University, is the new president of the New York State Society of Certified Public Accountants Queens/Brooklyn Chapter.

His one-year GALLAGHER term began on June 1. Gallagher has been a member of the chapter since 2009.

Gallager earned his B.S. and MBA in accounting, taxation and business from St. John’s University.

Founded in 1897, the New York

New York State, encompassing all areas of public practice, including government, education and industry.

Healy joins team at LaGuardia After a nationwide search, LaGuardia Community College has named business leader Mark C. Healy as vice president of Continuing Education, which serves 30,000 New Yorkers.

Healy brings more than 35 years of experience in business and financial services, including serving as president and CEO of HEALY AST Financial Group.

He has held senior positions at National Financial Services/Fidelity Investments, and TD Securities.

Most recently, he was owner and president of BGBY Investments, LLC, a wealth management practice.

Healy graduated from LaGuardia in 1983 with an associate degree in accounting.

“I credit LaGuardia with much of my professional success,” he said.

“It’s where I learned how to merge my street smarts with my acquired accounting expertise, and where I met faculty who helped me establish a career on Wall Street, mentorship that was vital as I didn’t have professional role models in my personal life.”

Healy and his four siblings grew up with limited means in Jamaica.

Their mother struggled to make ends meet after Healy’s father died suddenly when he was 10 years old.

After high school, Healy took a job driving cargo trucks at Kenne-

MAJOR CORPORATE SPONSORS

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ating, he earned his bachelor’s in public accounting from LIU Post and started a successful career in finance.

LaGuardia’s Continuing Education Division serves adults who need to finish high school, immigrants wanting to improve their English language skills, professionals seeking new skills, and entrepreneurs working to grow their businesses.

“I want students to know that I understand what they’re going through, and encourage them to stay in college and graduate so they can have a better future,” Healy said. I’m thrilled to be in this new role supporting our adult-learners on their journeys to improving their lives and careers.”

Healy takes the reins from Jane E. Schulman, who stepped down last month as vice president of continuing education.

Queens Chamber of Commerce 75-20 Astoria Boulevard, Suite 140 Jackson Heights, N.Y. 11370-1131 Entire Contents Copyright 2018 by Queensborough. All letters sent to the QUEENSBOROUGH should be brief and are subject to condensation. Writers should include a full address and home and office telephone numbers, where available, as well as affiliation, indicating special interest.

Anonymous letters are not printed. Name withheld on request. No such ad or any part thereof may be reproduced without prior permission of the QUEENSBOROUGH. The publishers will not be responsible for any error in advertising beyond the cost of the space occupied by the error. Errors must be reported to the QUEENSBOROUGH within five days of publication. Ad position cannot be guaranteed unless paid prior to publication.

Schneps Communications assumes no liability for the content or reply to any ads.

The advertiser assumes all liability for the content of and all replies. The advertiser agrees to hold the QUEENSBOROUGH and its employees harmless from all cost, expenses, liabilities, and damages resulting from or caused by the publication or recording placed by the advertiser or any reply to any such advertisement.

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October 2018 • Volume 14 • Issue 10

GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS

OZ’S OFFER ZERO TAXES IN 63 QUEENS NABES

BY SEAN CROWLEY Despite a number of bright spots and a strengthening economy nationally, numerous neighborhoods across Queens are still struggling.

Many areas, hit hard by the Great Recession, have not been able to fully recover and have found themselves economically stagnant, or worse off, than they were even two decades ago. As the cost of living and doing business has continued to rise, a lot of new business development opportunities have shrunk.

As part of the “Tax and Job Acts of 2017,” Congress created the Opportunity Zone (OZ) program to encourage private investment in low-income communities. Here in Queens, 63 different census tracts throughout the borough, including large areas of Jamaica, St. Albans, Rockaways, parts of Sunnyside and southeast Long Island City, have been designated by Governor Andrew Cuomo as eligible.

The federal OZ program provides incentives for those willing to invest robustly in return for potentially no tax being levied on their long-term capital gains. In total, Governor Cuomo has suggested more than 300 census tracts in the city and 514 statewide to the U.S. Department of the Treasury as OZ’s.

It is expected the program fund-

John “Sean” Crowley is a partner in the Government Relations Group at the law firm of Davidoff Hutcher & Citron (dhclegal.com). He can be reached at sec@dhclegal.com.

ing model will enable a broad array of investors to pool their resources in designated OZ’s, increasing the scale of investments going to underserved areas and bringing much-needed capital to neighborhoods that have long needed it.

The Treasury describes an OZ as a low-income census tract with an individual poverty rate of at least 20 percent and median family income no greater than 80 percent of the area median.

There are three tax incentives for investing in these designated OZ communities, but it must be done through a qualified Opportunity Fund. All involve the tax treatment of capital gains and all are tied to the longevity of the investment, with the most upside going to those who hold their investment for ten years or longer.

This encourages investors and entrepreneurs to make long-term, sustainable commitments to communities and brings capital to underserved areas on a continuing basis to produce lasting value.

One tax upside is temporary off. deferral on including taxable In Queens, neighborhoods like income for capital gains that are Long Island City are ideal for reinvested. Alternatively, there’s a investors ready to move quickly, step-up in basis for capital gains as many areas of these neighthat are reinvested in an borhoods are already Opportunity Fund. The booming. The OZ basis is increased by program has the “ This encourages 10 percent if the capacity to open investors and entreinvestment is held doors to new preneurs to make by the taxpayer industries locatlong-term sustainfor at least five ing and growable commitments years and an addiing in neighborto communities and tional 5 percent if hoods that made brings capital to it’s held for at least the cut, creating underserved areas. seven years. economic ripple ” Finally, there is a effects that will lead permanent exclusion to more jobs and more from taxable income of capispending power by local tal gains earned from the sale or residents. exchange of an investment if it is U.S. households held some $3.8 held for at least 10 years. This only trillion in unrealized capital gains applies to gains accrued after an at the end of 2017, and corpoinvestment in an Opportunity Fund. rations held $2.3 trillion. That is The Treasury Department and the a staggering amount of potential Internal Revenue Service will be capital sitting on the sidelines that providing additional guidelines in could be used as a down payment the coming months, and with this on future prosperity for millions of you can expect this program to take Americans.

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Invites You to Celebrate Our

BUSINESS PERSON OF THE YEAR

HALL OF FAME HONOREE

JOHN CATSIMATIDIS

Owner, President, Chairman, and CEO of Red Apple Group

CHRISTOPHER HORCH Associate Partner at JB&B

NICK TZIAZAS

President Lyons Mortgage Services, Inc.

SISTER TESA FITZGERALD Founder & Executive Director Hour Children

AWARDS DINNER

Wednesday, October 10, 2018

TERRACE ON THE PARK 52-11 111TH Street Flushing, New York

6:00 PM Dinner 7:30 PM Awards Program Registration and Sponsorship - Joanne Persad, Chief of Operations jpersad@queenschmaber.org 718.898.8500 ext 123 www.queenschamber.org

October 2018 • Volume 14 • Issue 10

2018

BUSINESS PERSON OF THE YEAR On October 10, the Queens Chamber of Commerce will honor four remarkable individuals at its annual Business Person of the Year awards at Terrace on the Park.

This year’s Hall of Fame honoree is John Catsimatidis, president and CEO of Red Apple Group.

“I ran for mayor in 2013, and I don’t know if I’ll run for mayor again, but the one thing I found out when I was running was how many neighborhoods there were and how many great people there are in the outer boroughs,” Catsimatidis said of being honored. “Once in a while, I’ve got to get out of this ivory tower and go to the outer boroughs and hug a few people.”

The other honorees are Sister Tesa Fitzgerald, founder and executive director of Hour Children, Nick Tziazas, president of Lyons Mortgage Services, Inc., and Christopher Horch, associate partner at JB&B. Fitzgerald said she’s humbled by the recognition, but ultimately, “it’s not about me.”

“It’s for the mission,” she said. “I will stand there representing all of

the people here who make life go and work. Especially the women whose lives are serviced, I do it for them.”

Horch said he has a fast-growing relationship with the chamber and fits well with their culture.

“I grew up in the Midwest, so we’re not used to accolades and things of that nature,” Horch said.

“To be honest, it’s humbling. It’s very exciting, and I’m very appreciative of it.”

Tziazas credited the support of his family for helping him achieve everything he has for the community.

“It’s not easy,” he said. “My wife, Kalina, and two kids, Nicholas and Kristal, have been great supporters for me.

“It makes me feel good, but I don’t want to make this award all about me,” he said. “I’m a strong believer in teamwork. I owe a lot to my partners George Sophocleous, Edith O’Donnell and the entire staff, many who’ve been with Lyons for a long time.”

Profiles of the four honorees begin on the next page.

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average class size

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NOMINATE & SAVE THE DATE!

ANNUAL BUILDING AWARDS GALA

RECOGNIZING OUTSTANDING BUILDINGS THROUGHOUT QUEENS COUNTY The Queens Chamber of Commerce is accepting nominations for the 2018 Queens Building Awards Gala, our annual real estate industry event recognizing recently completed projects that have a positive impact on the borough economy.

Nominations are welcome are welcome for newly built and renovated projects and will be judged on specific criteria, which include design and innovation and how they enrich Queen’s neighborhoods and economy.

Applications are due by Friday October 12, 2018 and the awards gala dinner will take place December 6, 2018.

To makeHere a nomination, visit queenschamber.org Click to Access the 2018 or call (718) 898-8500.

Nomination From Registration and Sponsorship call 718.898.8500 ext 123 or email jpersad@queenschamber.org visit www.queenschamber.org

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interscholastic athletic teams.

clubs, including signature programs in Mock Trial and Model UN

languages spoken at home

82

%

25 100 +

faculty holding advanced degrees

nationalities represented on campus

60

+

Attend an

Celebrating years

of inspired education

Established in 1918, The Kew-Forest School is the oldest independent, co-ed, college preparatory school in Queens. Our school provides a safe, nurturing, and intellectually vigorous environment.

For more information, contact Brad Walters, Director of Admission at bwalters@kewforest.org

Open House PRE SCHOOL – GR ADE 12 Wednesday, October 17 at 8:15am Saturday, November 10 at 1:00pm Wednesday, December 5 at 8:15am RSVP at kewforest.org/OpenHouse

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queenschamber.org

BUSINESS PERSON OF THE YEAR HONOREE

AIMING FOR EXCELLENCE IN ENGINEERING

BY BENJAMIN FANG Growing up in Oklahoma City, Chris Horch always worked with his hands. His dad had a woodworking shop, which led Horch to build and tinker with items constantly.

When he went to college at Lehigh University in Pennsylvania, Horch studied mechanical engineering, which he felt was broad enough to enter different fields like aerospace, car design or HVAC. But the Midwestern native also liked being challenged and learning how to think as an engineer.

“It wasn’t that I wanted to build cars or rocket ships,” he said. “I wanted to be driven and challenged everyday. That’s what I saw there.”

During his senior year, Horch applied for dozens of jobs. He ultimately landed with Jaros Baum & Bolles (JB&B), a full-service design engineering firm. Starting as an engineer, Horch worked his way up over 16 years to become an associate partner.

JB&B works on all kinds of development projects, including office buildings, residential towers, hotels, health sciences labs and cultural facilities.

“If you think of the building as a body, we do all of the heart, the lungs, the nervous system, the brain, the digestive system, things of that nature,” Horch said. “We’re doing all the stuff that, if we do our job right, you never see.”

Horch said every building is a different challenge, with unique personalities from owners, contractors and everyone else in between.

One of the most notable projects Horch is overseeing is the transformation of the TWA terminal and hotel at John F. Kennedy International Airport. JB&B actually worked on the original terminal when it was first built 56 years ago.

“To be able to revamp it and make it new again for the 21st century is really an exciting project for us,” he said. “It’s a legacy project.

Now, we’re making something new and different with it.”

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The associate partner said JB&B was “forward-thinking” nearly six decades ago, using displacement air and other elements that engineers use today. All the firm has to do is upgrade the technology and add a cogeneration facility to generate 100 percent of the power on site.

The hotel, meanwhile, will be a LEED-certified building with energy-saving technology. Horch said he’s excited to reposition a landmark in New York City history.

“It’s one of those once-in-a-lifetime opportunity projects,” he said.

“You’re taking this 1960s, beautiful architectural landscape and creating something new and different.”

Horch predicts that in five to 10 years, the TWA terminal and hotel will be a hub. It’s going to host conferences, feature new restaurants and be a destination. In fact, the project could “change how airports are viewed,” he said.

“With airports, you’re in and out, trying to get home or get away as quickly as possible,” Horch said.

“Now, you’ve got this destination.

You can spend the night in the hotel. You can go to a beautiful restaurant, overlook the runways and see the airplanes coming in and out.

“I really think it’s one of those special beacons within Queens that’s really going to do well,” he added.

The historical project is even more meaningful for Horch, knowing that it was part of a team effort to redesign and remake something special.

“As much as people say engineers are about the technical and the math, there’s an artistry to it,” he said. “To be able to start with bones and shell, create something special, work with the architects, the owners and construction managers, and have this thing come to life.

“You can visualize the people who will be moving in and out, conversing and things happening there,” Horch added. “It’s a very

exciting, very fulfilling opportunity for us.”

JB&B has worked on many important buildings in New York City. Horch worked on One Vanderbilt, a 1.7 million-square-foot office building that was developed after the Midtown East rezoning.

It’s the third tallest office building in the city.

Another notable building is the New York Genome Center, a laboratory in downtown Manhattan. JB&B repurposed a 1990s-era office building into a 21st century scientific facility.

Due to the diversity of their projects, Horch said no day is the same at JB&B. When he comes into the office, he’s working on several different projects at the same time.

But he can get a call from a client, and adjust his schedule on the spot. On any given day, Horch will run calculations, create high-level layouts, or do shop drawings. He can be out in the field to look over construction with contractors, meet with the architects or deliver presentations to the executive boards of corporations.

“That’s part of the challenge, part of the fun,” he said. “You just don’t know what you’re going to get that

day, and you have to figure out how to navigate all of those situations to have a successful day.”

Overall, Horch said he approaches projects as a “team experience,” working with project owners, contractors and other partners “We feel that the only way to have a successful project is if we’re all on the same page and we’re all marching toward a common goal, which is to build this building and to have the owner happy with it,” he said, “and for the occupants to create something special within that environment.”

As he continues his career with JB&B, Horch said his goal is to continue working on challenging and thought-provoking projects.

He aims to strive for excellence in design, customer service and delivering projects that “exemplify the JB&B brand.”

Horch also seeks to be a leader in innovative design, and push the industry to embrace new technologies.

“We never walk away from a project until the owner and customer is satisfied,” he said. “To be able to continue to push that forward and foster that is really a big part of what I do, and what our company does.”

October 2018 • Volume 14 • Issue 10

BUSINESS PERSON OF THE YEAR HONOREE

CATSIMATIDIS TO ENTER CHAMBER HALL OF FAME

BY JEN KHEDAROO John Catsimatidis exemplifies the American dream. But instead of just a picket fence, he’s created business after business, each with its own identity.

Born on the Greek Island of Nisyros in 1948, Catsimatidis and his family moved to Harlem when he was just six months old. The son of a busboy and a stay-at-home mom, Catsimatidis attended Brooklyn Technical High School and later New York University, but wasn’t sure what he wanted to do with his life until he started working in a grocery store.

He dropped out of NYU to pursue the grocery business full-time, and soon after he became owner of his first store on Broadway and 99th Street. By his 25th birthday, Catsimatidis had opened 10 Red Apple supermarkets along Broadway on the Upper West Side. Today, he’s known for his dozens of Gristedes supermarkets throughout Manhattan.

His success didn’t stop at grocery stores; Catsimatidis built an empire. His diversified corporation, Red Apple Group, has holdings in the energy, aviation, retail and real estate sectors.

He dabbles in everything from building high rises to hosting a talk radio show, the Cats Roundtable, interviewing some of the most important and powerful people in the city and state.

Along with wife Margo and children Andrea and John Jr., the family steers the ship of one of the most successful businesses in the city. He recently spoke with This Is Queensborough about his success.

TIQ: You’ve been able to accomplish so much since your early 20s, from opening your first grocery store to heading a large and diverse corporation. Do you think someone can accomplish similar achievements in today’s business climate?

JC: I started when I was 21 and going to college at the same time, you just have to be very careful.

What I did was unusual because I was in the retail business. When I was buying real estate, if we didn’t have a tenant for the building we were buying, the worst case scenario was we would open a supermarket.

We take vast wastelands like in Coney Island and have the courage to say “we’re right by the ocean, it’s beautiful.” We’re building something that’s beautiful. My philosophy is that we’re building the “wow” effect in real estate. What is the wow effect? It’s when you look at it and go “wow, I want to live there.”

TIQ: Do you have any plans to invest in Queens?

JC: We’ve invested over a billion dollars in Brooklyn. I love Queens, we’d love to invest in Queens. I’m hoping I’m not too late. I have a lot of mentors, and one of them had a great expression, “well bought, half sold.” So if you bought it well, you could sell it anytime at a profit. I’m just hoping I’m not too late in the cycle in Queens.

When I ran for mayor, I used the expression “transit-oriented development.” If you have a subway system that you can never replace and you build around it, people will come. Why? Because they’re able to get to their destinations, they’re able to get to their jobs, and they’re able to go anywhere. When they redid MetroTech in Brooklyn, the whole area around it became alive. When you create something like that, it helps the whole area develop.

The only disadvantage of Queens versus Brooklyn or the Bronx is that there’s less transportation, and you can’t build subways right now.

When I ran for mayor, I suggested the city build monorails versus building more subways in Queens.

One advantage is that it’s cheaper to open a business in Queens, which gives you a start. Queens has a great borough president in Melinda Katz. She knows about real estate, she knows about zoning. You go up FDR Drive and Queens has a skyline all of a sudden. I think a lot of it is because of her. New York City needs smart people to run the boroughs.

TIQ: What advice do you have

for small businesses either looking to start or to grow?

JC: My advice is to take something that’s broken and fix it, and have the attitude that failure is not an option. That’s the attitude I went out with. I planned to work eight to ten hours a day, but if I have to work 20 hours a day, I’d do it.

TIQ: Who are some of the people who have inspired you?

JC: I have had about 20 mentors. One of them was Reuben Mattus, who invented Haagen Dazs Ice Cream. Isn’t that the best ice cream in the world? He had a vision and he created something that the whole world loves.

I had mentors in the food business and mentors in religion, in finance and in politics, like Jerry Finkelstein who owned the New York Law Journal and was known as the Joe Kennedy of New York. I’ve had mentors in every sector of life, I try to learn a little bit of everything. I was never an expert in anything, but I got involved with charities, politics and religious institutions. I believe in people.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 14

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BUSINESS PERSON OF THE YEAR HONOREE

HOUR CHILDREN’S MISSION TO REBUILD LIVES

BY BENJAMIN FANG Tucked away in the basement of a nondescript building across the street from the Ravenswood Houses is the modest but welcoming office for Hour Children.

The Long Island City-based nonprofit organization provides comprehensive services for incarcerated and formerly incarcerated women and their children, with the goal of achieving independence. Their programs range from mentoring and social work to housing and job training.

Hour Children’s reach goes well beyond the borders of Queens.

The organization, which started in 1986, was born out of a need to house children who were not able to visit their mothers at Bedford Hills Correctional Facility, a maximum security prison for women in Westchester County.

Sister Tesa Fitzgerald and four other sisters of St. Joseph worked with Sister Elaine Roulet, a trailblazing prison reform leader who created programs connecting incarcerated mothers and their children at Bedford Hills.

Fitzgerald, the founder and executive director of Hour Children, left the formal world of education, where she was a principal and a teacher, to make this work her life’s mission.

“I couldn’t imagine what happened to children when their mother’s taken suddenly out of their lives,” she said.

Fitzgerald took a vacant convent, cleaned it up and brought in several young children whose mothers were at Bedford Hills. Three of the children were just one year old, and their pictures still hang on her office’s walls today.

Eventually, the house took in more children, including teenagers. During the week, and sometimes on weekends, the sisters brought the kids up to Bedford Hills to visit their mothers.

It was during those visits that Fitzgerald decided to take the

12

next step, and incorporated Hour Children as a nonprofit in 1992.

“When I met the women, their mothers, face to face, and talked and heard their lives, I said I have to do more,” Fitzgerald said. “It’s one thing to feel empathy, but I really believed in doing something.”

The name Hour Children acknowledges the impact of certain hours on children’s lives: the hour their mother was arrested, the hour they visit, and the hour of their mother’s release and eventual reunification.

Over the course of 25 years, Hour Children has grown into a community-based organization that seeks to meet every need for this specific population. Today, the nonprofit runs six communal homes and three apartment houses in Queens, all of which provide a home and services for formerly incarcerated families.

According to Fitzgerald, 13 more apartments are “on the horizon,” and the state has awarded them money to build another 13 “down the road.” Hour Children is also closing on a new supportive house in Richmond Hill.

Though housing is critical, the organization also runs nearly a dozen programs that grew out of the needs of the mothers.

Hour Children runs two thrift shops, which first opened after receiving an excess of donated clothes, shoes and accessories.

Both shops, including a new location on Steinway Street, are staffed by the women, who gain employment experience and new skills for their resume.

The thrift shops also present an opportunity to share the nonprofit’s mission with the surrounding community, Fitzgerald said.

Hour Children runs a licensed daycare for 28 children. It has an after-school program and a summer camp, which just hosted 40 children last summer.

Fourteen years ago, Fitzgerald partnered with the New York

Community Trust to start a food pantry because the area was considered a food desert. They serve meals three days a week, and serviced more than 9,000 families last year.

On Wednesdays, Hour Children serves as a site for the local Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) program, which connects organic farmers with local neighborhoods that need fresh produce.

The organization started a teen program two years ago. It runs two mentoring programs: one for children and another for formerly incarcerated women. In both programs, they recruit volunteers to get involved.

To help the women reenter the workforce, Hour Children has a job-training program, where they teach computer training, resume writing, interviewing and other soft skills.

The nonprofit works with local employers to provide internships.

For example, they placed two participants with Boyce Technologies and six women with Con Edison.

“They really need a safe space to learn the skills they can get, especially if they’ve been there awhile,” Fitzgerald said. “We want to make sure the women have a livable wage and a career.”

For the women who want to pursue a degree, Hour Children partners with LaGuardia Community College and Queensborough Community College to help them enroll.

Each program is designed to address a different need, Fitzgerald said. They work with community institutions to provide these services and programs.

“We are a vital part of the fabric of this neighborhood,” she said.

“People really know us and come to us. The women are proud to be part of it.

“They know that yes, they had done something wrong,” Fitzgerald added. “They owned it, they did time for it and now they want the opportunity to get on with their lives.”

Sister Tesa, as she’s commonly known, said the women she works with don’t have the opportunities she had growing up. Many didn’t have the same education or a sense of family structure.

“They didn’t have it, but they want that for their kids. They know, especially after the separation, that was a value they wanted to embrace,” she said. “You can’t do that unless you have support.”

After 25 years, Fitzgerald has learned a lot about the people she helps. They’re resilient, hard

October 2018 • Volume 14 • Issue 10

SISTER TESA FITZGERALD working and filled with hope.

They believe in a better life for themselves, and work toward that goal constantly.

Inside their communal homes, after their children are in bed, the women often gather in their kitchens and talk about their days.

They learn from each other and create a sense of community that they can rely on.

The bond continues, even for those who have achieved independence. Fitzgerald said at their Christmas parties, some of the women come back to give updates on their lives and act as role models.

“The power of lived example is really important for the wonderful women I work with,” she said.

Though Hour Children has accomplished so much already, Fitzgerald said there’s always a need to improve and be more effective. As they add more supportive housing units, they will need to hire more social workers.

There’s never enough housing, despite the gains they’ve made on that front. Last year, Hour Children had to say no to more than 150 women who needed housing, simply because they didn’t have enough space.

They’re also beginning to serve many older women coming out of prison. Many served long sentences and have no family to come home to.

“We have some people here who came out to live with us and will probably die with us. That’s the way it is,” Fitzgerald said. “I would really love to develop that arm, to provide more housing for either senior citizens or ‘long-termers.’”

The nonprofit is contracted to provide family services, including a nursery and parenting program, for both the Bedford Hills and Taconic facilities for women. Fitzgerald said she wants to increases services for them as well.

Another area of improvement is transportation for the children.

“You can’t continue a bond with a mother if you don’t see her,” she said.

Though some of these plans seem far off, Fitzgerald is about

to fulfill one of her lifelong dreams: building a community education center. Hour Children recently purchased a building one block away, which used to be a factory for a Chinese bakery in Manhattan.

Fitzgerald befriended the owners of the business, who eventually sold their property to the nonprofit. In the next two or three years, Fitzgerald said she hopes to open the site.

The education center would incorporate the daycare, effectively doubling its size, as well as the after school, teen and working women’s programs. At night, it would be open for community needs.

Hour Children has already finished the drawings. They received $2.5 million from the borough president and the City Council to purchase the site.

Now, they have to work through the city bureaucracy, including acquiring special permits, to make it a reality.

“That’s my immediate dream, it’s going to happen,” Fitzgerald said. “I have lots of dreams and lots of way to do it.

“I never settle, I’m not a settler,” she added. “But you have to be careful, you want to make sure we’re true to the mission.”

As Hour Children continues to expand, Fitzgerald said more help is always needed. She encouraged the community to donate, whether it’s money for programs, clothes for the thrift shop or food for the pantry.

For businesses looking to pitch in, Fitzgerald emphasized the importance of providing job opportunities or internships for the women, who can contribute to the company while gaining meaningful skills.

Volunteers can act as mentors for either the children or the women. Even corporate groups can contribute by planning a project.

“There are so many things that can be done, you just have to be creative, deliberate and serious about wanting to do something,” she said. “If you are, step right up.”

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BUSINESS PERSON OF THE YEAR HONOREE

TZIAZAS COMMITTED TO IMPROVING COMMUNITY

BY BENJAMIN FANG Nick Tziazas, first and foremost, considers himself a community person.

After arriving in the United States from Cyprus at the age of 21, he attended St. Francis College in Brooklyn Heights, where he studied business and finance.

Upon graduation, Tziazas spent time as a soccer coach for Eleftheria Pancyprian, a local soccer club for which he now serves as president. For Tziazas, it wasn’t just about teaching the kids about the “beautiful sport.”

The streets of New York City in the 1980s, Tziazas said, were infested with drugs. He wanted to give kids in the community an alternative.

“The main idea and mission was to keep to the kids away from the streets,” he said. “Bring them in, teach them teamwork, discipline and sportsmanship. Create good citizens at the end of the day.”

He also began working in real estate financing, helping community families obtain real estate loans and mortgages for new homes.

In 1996, he help found Lyons Mortgage Services in Astoria, a company he runs today as its president. To date, the company has lent out more than $2 billion in real estate loans.

Understanding that the mortgage and loan process is complex, Tziazas said his role is to simplify, explain and make it easier for families to achieve their American dream.

“People really needed help,” he said. “So I devoted myself to make that process easier.”

Tziazas prizes transparency, especially for the client. That’s why everything is up front, he said, and the process is explained step by step.

In his eyes, obtaining loans became more difficult after the

2008 real estate bubble. But as a community lender, Tziazas said he tries to introduce the right programs and products that cater to clients’ needs.

“This is what we’ve been doing all along,” he said. “That’s how we’re helping people to get into their dream houses.”

After living in Astoria for “a long, long time,” and working there since 1979, he moved to Long Island after he had kids.

But he’s still involved in the community. He’s part of the Astoria Civic Association, Federation of Cypriots American Organizations and the Panpafian Association of America. He has grown Eleftheria Pancyprian to nearly a dozen youth teams for children ages four to 19.

The club competes in the Cosmopolitan Junior Soccer League, which boasts teams from throughout the five boroughs.

“The organization, it takes a lot of my time,” he said. “But it’s great because this is where we teach the kids teamwork. Today, it’s very important to have those characteristics in individuals.”

The civic and business leader has also seen Astoria change over decades. It’s no longer the overwhelmingly Greek and Italian neighborhood it used to be, but Tziazas loves its diversity.

“People get together, they understand each others’ needs,” he said.

“The schools, the churches, they work very hard to better this community.”

While he continues his dedication to the community, Tziazas is still focused on growing Lyons Mortgage Services. The company has invested a lot of money in technology, creating a new platform that makes the entire application process easier and less of a hassle.

“That will help us to approve loans really quick,” he said. “Obviously, that will help the whole company grow.”

Lyons is currently licensed in New York, New Jersey, Connecticut and Pennsylvania. The company is also in the process of getting its license in California. And while

it’s still growing, Lyons remains a customer service-oriented company, he said.

“The future is bright for Lyons,” Tziazas said.

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 11

successful people to give back to the community. I’ve done it on a citywide basis, I’ve done it on a nationwide basis, and I’ve done it on an international basis. I’ve been a supporter of the Police Athletic League.

It’s important to be a people person. The joke in the company is that nobody gets fired. My three assistants, one has been here 40 years, one has been here 30 years and one has been here 20 years. One started as a nanny for my kids and then worked her way to the office after the kids no longer needed a nanny.

I had a birthday party the other day, and we had people from my grammar school class, a couple of tables for my Brooklyn Technical High School class, and tables for people who I knew when I went to NYU. The joy in my life is being able to maintain old friends and see them whenever we can and hug.

JOHN CATSIMATIDIS My proudest achievement is my children. When my son and my daughter speak to me, I tell them that the only thing I want is for them to be better than their father. They both graduated from NYU Stern Business School and are now working in the company.

TIQ: Do you think it’s important for businesses to be involved in the local community?

JC: Being involved is very important. I was involved with the West Side Chamber of Commerce, and I created the Columbus Avenue Festival. The whole budget for the West Side Chamber of Commerce before I got there was $20,000 per year. After the Columbus Avenue Festival, it became $200,000. And then, five years later, I created the Amsterdam Avenue Festival.

I think it’s a responsibility of

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October 2018 • Volume 14 • Issue 10

QUEENS CHAMBER SEPTEMBER EVENTS

The U.S. Commercial Service, along with the New York District Export Council and Queens Chamber of Commerce, hosted the “Exporting to Asia” seminar for U.S.-based companies focused on developing and managing sales opportunities in China and South Korea.

Congresswoman Grace Meng was the keynote speaker, where companies had the opportunity to meet with qualified experts on all aspects of exporting to Asia. Thomas Grech, executive director and president of the Queens Chamber of Commerce opened the event at Sheraton LaGuardia East Hotel, a proud member of the Queens Chamber.

The Queens Chamber on the GO, Queens Chamber of Commerce, WeNYC, NYC Small Business Services (SBS), and EduKandonos sponsored an afternoon of networking, mentoring and business partnering on “WoMentoring Day.” A group of 100 Latina professionals received resources on how to improve productivity and take their business to the next level. There were also one-on-one meetings for personal assistance. In attendance were Paola Martinez of SBS, Queens Chamber strategic program coordinator Jacqueline Donado, Liliana Carrillo of EduKandonos, and Diana Franco, director of WeNYC.

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QUEENS CHAMBER SEPTEMBER EVENTS

CHAMBER HITS LINKS FOR ANNUAL FUNDRAISER The Queens Chamber of Commerce Foundation, the nonprofit arm of the Chamber of Commerce, hosted its annual golf outing at Garden City Country Club on September 24. Over 130 attendees and 23 foursomes helped raise thou-

EVENT SPONSORS MASTER St. Johns Episcopal Hospital BRUNCH Flushing Bank East Coast Energy Group DINNER Maspeth Federal Savings NBC Universal One Group CART/BALL/BIB Freedom Mortgage Crifasi Real Estate East Coast Energy Group PHOTO Thomson Strategies, Inc Cohn Reznick The Parkside Group Newtown Creek Group HOLE-IN-ONE/RAIN INSURANCE Koeppel Auto Group Skyline Risk Management

sands for the foundation’s charitable activities.

Representatives from Flushing Bank also presented the foundation with a check, donating the prize money the bank’s row team won at the Hong Kong Dragon Boat Festival in Flushing Meadows Corona Park in August.

This year’s honoree was Congressman Joseph Crowley. He spoke about the deep political divide in the country.

“I know we live in difficult times, and I think in some respects the results of the election this year for me were reflective of that,” he told the dinner crowd. “But as my chief of staff said to me after a couple of days, ‘Joe Crowley, you lost an election, you were not defeated,’ and I feel like that.

“I didn’t win the election and I won’t be returning to the House, but I have had a great career and a great opportunity to serve the people of Queens,” he added. “I don’t know what the next chapter will be, but I know it will be a positive one.”

(All Photos: Dominick Totino)

Pictured from left to right are Chamber CEO & President Thomas Grech, Congressman Joseph Crowley, Chamber Foundation chair Terri Thomson and Chamber chair Thomas Santucci.

Judy Ng and Henry Wan of Flushing Bank present a check to Terri Thomson and Thomas Santucci.

Congressman Joseph Crowley poses for a selfie with Ted Rodormer, head of Sales & Sustainability with East Coast Energy.

Pictured from left to right are Scott Kaplan, Congressman Joseph Crowley, Sean Crowley and Thomas Grech.

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DID YOU KNOW: Facebook is primarily blue in color because owner Mark Zuckerberg suffers from red-green color blindness. Blue is the color he sees best. “Blue is the richest color for me,” he once told the New Yorker.

October 2018 • Volume 14 • Issue 10

QUEENS CHAMBER SEPTEMBER EVENTS

MAJOR CORPORATE SPONSORS

BY THE NUMBERS: According to Comptroller Scott Stringer, the number of businesses in Glendale, Ridgewood & Middle Village rose from 3,388 to 4,033 from 2010 to 2016, a 19 percent increase.

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queenschamber.org

QUEENS CHAMBER MEMBER NEWS

CHAMBER WELCOMES PRIME STORAGE TO ASTORIA The Queens Chamber of Commerce and new member Prime Storage hosted a business card exchange and ribbon-cutting for the launch of its newest location at 31-07 20th Avenue in Astoria.

Prime Storage provided hors d’oeuvres, demonstrations, tours, exclusive offers, and other surprises for the 30-plus people who attended. Further, Prime Storage introduced their advanced Bluetooth keyless locking technology that is conveniently operated from the free Prime Storage App. Prime Storage Group is a family-owned and managed real estate company focused on the ownership, operation, acquisition and development of self-storage facilities across the United States.

Their self-storage facilities are

designed to offer affordable, easily accessible storage space for residential and commercial customers. As an owner and operator, they continually enhance their business by applying management expertise and best practices to each facility.

Prime Storage Group is also creating new standards in the self-storage industry by changing the association of self-storage as a temporary holding place for rarely used things to a desirable, safe, and customeroriented facility perfectly suited for maintaining and accessing valued personal and business belongings.

They feature affordable, convenient and secure facilities operated by professional managers who care about your belongings as much as you do.

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October 2018 • Volume 14 • Issue 10

QUEENSBOROUGH CALENDAR OF EVENTS OCTOBER 10/3, 3 PM

FINANCIAL AND ASSET PROTECTION FOR BUSINESS OWNERS DURING A DIVORCE

for your idea.

FREE Register at queenschamber.org Queens Chamber of Commerce 75-20 Astoria Blvd., Ste. 140 Jackson Heights, NY 11372

Explore the process of protecting and dividing assets in a divorce when a party owner or owners are involved with Jacqueline Harounian, a partner at Wisselman & Associates.

FREE Register at queenschamber.org Queens Chamber of Commerce 75-20 Astoria Blvd., Ste. 140 Jackson Heights, NY 11372

10/17, 6 PM

10/4, 9 AM

NEGOTIATION SKILLS FOR THE BUSINESSPERSON

GET BETWEEN $500 & $5.5 MILLION TO START AND GROW YOUR BUSINESS

Veronica Ferrero, senior account executive At Emigrant Mortgage Company you will be able to learn about financing opportunities, tips on keeping your business safe from scams and identity theft and Small Business Administration’s loan programs.

FREE Queens Chamber of Commerce 75-20 Astoria Blvd., Ste. 140 Jackson Heights, NY 11372

BUSINESS CARD EXCHANGE

increasing business world of diversity.

FREE Register at queenschamber.org Queens Chamber of Commerce 75-20 Astoria Blvd., Ste. 140 Jackson Heights, NY 11372 10/23, 3 AM

Join the Queens Chamber after work in Flushing to sip on some delicious beers off of a huge draft list.

Mikkeller NYC 123-01 Roosevelt Ave. Flushing, NY 11368 10/19, 8 AM

Joshua Bienstock, director of the NYIT School of Management, will provide the necessary cultural awareness skills to not only survive but to thrive in an ever-

HOME BUYING MADE SIMPLE

This workshop is intended for business owners and the public in general who are seeking financing to either buy a home, commercial property and start or grow their business.

FREE Register at queenschamber.org Queens Chamber of Commerce 75-20 Astoria Blvd., Ste. 140 Jackson Heights, NY 11372 10/24, 4 PM

BONDING FUNDAMENTALS - AN INSIDE LOOK AT THE

SURETY UNDERWRITING PROCESS

Get an overview on how bonding underwriters evaluate risk, and what they look for from a financial and organizational perspective with speaker Yannis Legakis and Michael Blount, vice president of Hudson Insurance Group.

WeWork Queens Plaza 27-01 Queens Plaza North Long Island City, NY 11101

NOVEMBER 11/1, 5:30 PM

BUSINESS CARD EXCHANGE AND 50TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION

Join the Chamber for a Business Card Exchange and celebration of 50 years of Schwartz family ownership of Eneslow.

Eneslow Shoes & Orthotics 249-38 Horace Harding Expressway Little Neck, NY 11362

10/10, 6 PM

BUSINESS PERSON OF THE YEAR AWARDS DINNER

The Chamber recognizes four honorees who exemplify business acumen, street smarts, hard work, success and doing well by doing good.

Terrace On The Park 52-11 111th St. Flushing, NY 11368 10/16, 3 PM

CONDUCTING A MARKET ANALYSIS

Whether you are starting a new business or launching a new product, conducting a marketing analysis is the first step in determining if there is a need or audience

On October 10, the Queens Chamber of Commerce will hosts its annual Business Persons of the Year Awards Dinner. Pictured at last years event are Queens Chamber CEO and President Thomas Grech (far left) and past Chamber chair Mayra DiRico with honorees (from left) Evan Jerome, Sheila Lewandowski, Joseph Mattone, Sr. and Peter Tu.

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

TWEET, TWEET: “A Democratic District Leader from Queens asked if I was stepping down from @NYCCouncil this week to take a job in the private sector...let me be clear, rumors of my demise are greatly exaggerated...I’m still here suckas!

- Councilman Eric Ulrich (@eric_ulrich) on 9/28

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QUEENS CHAMBER MEMBER NEWS

SHIFTPIXY: THE GIG ECONOMY DISRUPTER

How You Can Leverage a Gig Workforce Compliantly and Effectively In a recent survey, 60 percent of Human Resource professionals said that gig economy workers make up a larger percentage of their workforce than it did three years ago, and 42 percent said they plan to hire more “gig” workers in the near future.

This on-demand workforce presents significant opportunity for businesses by allowing companies to have ready access to a pool of talent while cutting costs from the traditional full-time employment structure.

However, as more companies leverage the gig economy, various challenges have come to light, most commonly related to worker misclassification disputes and a loss of brand control when “outsourcing” work to nonemployees.

This is exactly where ShiftPixy comes in, letting companies leverage the many benefits of a gig workforce but without compliance concerns or potential brand damage.

As seen with recent lawsuits against traditional gig economy companies such as Uber and Grubhub, most gig platforms classify their workers as independent contractors rather than employees.

This relieves them of the expenses around providing benefits, healthcare and other protections, but workers have responded by filing suits as they strive for W-2 status in order to receive the benefits needed to survive in today’s economy.

The gig economy is now at a crossroads. How can companies still benefit from an on-demand workforce while ensuring those workers still have gig economylike flexibility and are treated fairly and protected appropriately?

20

Enter Irvine, California-based ShiftPixy, which has offices across the country and a growing footprint in New York. Leveraging its staffing agency roots to match employers searching for parttime employees, ShiftPixy harnesses the gig economy concept but without the concerns of misclassification.

ShiftPixy takes over employment status to a company’s workforce, who are then considered employees – not contractors – and eligible for health coverage, unemployment and other benefits.

ShiftPixy creates a best of both worlds scenario by letting companies enjoy the benefits of an on-demand workforce and reduced employment costs, while also allowing the workers (or “shifters”) to have their own giglike flexibility with the option to fill shifts at other establishments within the ShiftPixy ecosystem.

ShiftPixy takes care of over 50 essential and regulated aspects of the job provider’s human capital management demands, such as paid time off laws, insurance and workers’ compensation, minimum wage increases, and the Affordable Care Act. In addition to the misclassification concerns, loss of brand control is another main challenge for the gig economy, especially when it comes to food delivery. For example, when restaurants partner with third-party aggregators, they surrender their brand and customer relationship to an independent contractor.

In just one case of a third-party delivery experience gone wrong, a couple ordered pizza from a nearby shop using UberEats, but received two moldy sandwiches and a wilted salad instead. These kinds of experiences run rampant

and can have a detrimental impact on the restaurant itself.

ShiftPixy is unique in that it allows restaurants to avoid tapping third-party aggregators and use their own team members to self-deliver the brand-intended experience to avoid risking food presentation, continuity, reliability, accuracy and delivery timing.

In addition to relieving businesses from administrative and regulatory demands, ShiftPixy’s scheduling and recruiting platform automatically identifies gaps in workers’ schedules, enables the company to access a contingent workforce in real-time, broadcasts open shifts to a qualified pool of workers, caps and decreases escalating workers compensation costs, and ultimately, maximizes growth strategy and liberates their

ShiftPixy co-founder Steve Holmes has nearly 30 years of experience in human resources services, and an established a track record for helping small and midmarket businesses through Fortune 500 companies drive efficiency in human capital management initiatives and has successfully founded and sold five human resources services businesses.

business.

These capabilities are all possible with ShiftPixy’s disruptive technologies, which includes a “micro-metering” approach to incremental payment transactions and related insurance coverages based on real-time use and exposures, a private, centralized blockchain ledger to record and track critical human capital validation, and IBM’s Watson artificial intelligence engine to achieve a uniquely personal experience for workers and employers alike.

As more and more businesses tap the gig economy for its flexibility, cost savings and accessibility to a qualified workforce, ShiftPixy creates a solution that is both advantageous to companies and ensures workers are compensated, protected and treated fairly.

ShiftPixy co-founder and chief executive officer Scott Absher brings 30 years of experience in organizational development, capital development and employment industry expertise to the company. He has built and trained many national sales organizations and independent agent forces to deliver predictable growth in the business service industry.

October 2018 • Volume 14 • Issue 10

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July 2018 . Volume 14 . Issue 7

MASPETH FEDERAL

BANKING IN ...AND ON...

COMMUNITIES

MARKETING THE EXPERIENCE AT QUEENS CENTER MALL “We’re really a community company that happens to do some banking.”

PRESIDENT & CEO THOMAS RUDZEWICK

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PAGES OF COVERAGE OF THE QUEENS CHAMBER BUSINESS EXPO

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August 2018 . Volume 14 . Issue 8

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METTLE

THE WOMAN BREAKING GENDER STEREOTYPES AT CITY SCRAP METAL IN LONG ISLAND CITY CHAMBER TAKES TO THE SEAS FOR ANNUAL NETWORKING EVENT

OWNER AND PRESIDENT MICHELE ROTHMAN

Profiling Queens’ Most Dynamic People.

They read it.... so should you!

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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 21

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QUEENS CHAMBER MEMBER NEWS

SERVICE CONSULTATIONS THAT ARE ‘SOLID AS GOLD’ Solid As Gold (SAG) Consulting offers free consultation on the reduction and elimination of costs related to essential services, such as phone, wireless, gas and electricity, as well as merchant processing services, high speed internet, home and business security and automation, payment processing, television, marketing and advertising and more.

If you qualify, you will enjoy reduced rates or free services. If you don’t, you will receive a $100 gift card for your time. SAG provides customers with an array of quality services from top brands in telecommunications and other essential services. They are able to get competitive rates due to blockbuying agreements with top service providers.

SAG operates nationwide and has service provider agreements in 27 countries. They screen dozens

of providers and negotiate the best price for you at no cost. Recent deregulation policies have opened up choices for consumers.

As a business owner, you have many daily challenges to face. Customers are your utmost concern.

Keeping them happy and satisfied with your product or service takes all of your time.

While keeping costs down is essential, the last thing you want to focus on is shopping for new a new provider. You could spend weeks, even months analyzing your bills and comparing rates. In the end, you still won’t be sure you’ve found the best rate.

Or, you could let SAG Consulting seamlessly handle the process by evaluating your current business costs, shop for the best pricing, and lock in your new lower rates while you focus on what’s important:

your business.

SERVICES • Merchant Processing: simple, affordable, payment processing designed to reduce or eliminate processing fees, save you money and increase profits.

• Marketing/Advertising: Nationwide, regional, local, digital, print, radio, TV promotion, video production, commercials, jingles and

events for your company.

• Business: phone, wireless , gas, electricity, renewable energy, security & automation, satellite television and cash advance.

• Residential: phone, high-speed internet, wireless, energy/solar/gas, and television.

Learn more about SAG at solidasgoldconsulting.com.

DISABILITY EMPLOYMENT AWARENESS MONTH “Hiring Good People is Good Business,” that’s our mantra at ACCES-VR. ACCES-VR is an acronym for Adult Career & Continuing Education Services. An agency housed in the New York State Education Department, our goal is to prepare and support individuals with disabilities in finding gainful employment.

What people may not know is that servicing the Queens business community is also our focus. Every year we help approximately 13,000 people find jobs throughout the State of New York. Our mission is to actively connect with employers to support their hiring needs and expand their pool of viable talent.

Every October, ACCES-VR celebrates National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM).

Dating back to 1945, this annual event highlights employers who understand that having a diverse workforce is a success to any business’ bottom line. NDEAM events bring attention to opportunities made available to qualified workers, who just happen to have disabilities.

Employers are nominated to receive recognition awards for their dedication to making interviews more accessible, providing reasonable accommodations, increasing hiring, providing supportive onboarding practices, and fostering career advancement.

Last year local Queens employers

such as Kepco Inc., Fresh Direct, and the Queens Botanical Garden were recognized for their exemplary dedication to hiring workers with disabilities. This year’s NDEAM event is taking place on October 5 at the Heritage Club.

ACCES-VR aims to be a resource to local businesses. We want more employers to learn about our services and become partners in our NDEAM celebrations. Our Business Services Team can provide an array of services free of charge.

We assist with recruitment needs, worker retention services, consultation regarding reasonable accommodations, applying for tax credits and provide training on the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and employment.

We also have two wage reimbursement programs: Work Try Out and On the Job Training.

These work incentives can save employers money with hiring and onboarding costs. We are committed to supporting local business to help facilitate more hiring of our skilled talent pool.

For more information about ACCES-VR and NDEAM events, visit acces.nysed.gov/vr/ndeam.

Taniqua L. Hunter is a Local Workforce Development and Business Relations Representative in the Queens District Office. Reach her at Taniqua.Hunter@nysed.gov.

October 2018 • Volume 14 • Issue 10

CONCERNS OVER IMPENDING METER RATE INCREASE

BY SHANE MILLER Community leaders in northeast Queens are calling on the city to drop a plan to raise parking meter rates.

“We already have high property taxes, water and sewer rates keep going up, and now we have the latest thing,” said State Senator Tony Avella. “How much more can we take?”

The city has already raised parking meter rates in Downtown Brooklyn from $1 to $2 per hour.

On November 1, it will do the same in the commercial areas of Flushing and Jamaica. Rates at all other meters in the two boroughs will increase from $1 per hour to $1.25.

“Why does the city feel it needs to raise this revenue on the backs of people who need to park,” Avella added. “This will hurt consumers and small businesses.”

Kevin Forrestal, president of the Queens Civic Congress, said he often drives to Flushing not because he wants to, but because

it is the only convenient way to get there.

“If I could get from Jamaica to Flushing on public transportation without spending two or three times as long as it would take in a car, then it might make sense,” he said.

“Nobody in this area is driving because they want to, it’s because they have to,” added Avella.

Avella said the restaurants on Bell Boulevard fought to have twohour meters so that diners wouldn’t have to leave during their meal to feed the meter.

“But soon if you park on Bell Boulevard, you are going to pay $2.50 for parking before you even set foot in the restaurant,” he said.

“Who is going to eat here? Who is going to shop here? People are just going to go to Nassau County.”

John Choe, executive director of the Greater Flushing Chamber of Commerce, said his group is concerned about the increases.

“Anytime costs go up for Flushing businesses, the chamber is

always going to be concerned,” he said. “We are definitely going to be keeping an eye on this.”

Choe said the timing was particularly bad, with commercial rents in the area rising and the minimum wage set to increase.

But he hopes one benefit of raising the rates will be that shoppers will park for shorter periods of time and free up parking spaces, which is exactly what the Department of Transportation (DOT) contends. In a statement announcing the increases, DOT argued the increases will actually benefit businesses.

“Parking meters play a critical role in providing an efficient street network, allowing for the efficient delivery of goods and services as well as providing curb turnover as a resource for customers to access storefront businesses,” it read.

The agency also states the increases will bring New York City more in line with what it costs to park in municipalities of a similar size. But with the recent loss of two large municipal lots in Flushing,

Choe said the days of cheap and available parking in the neighborhood are over.

“And there is nothing that the chamber or anyone else can do to bring that back, so businesses are going to have to adapt,” he said.

Choe said the chamber is reaching out to its members to help them with marketing and other strategies to help with the bottom line.

“Anything that we can do to help them expand their customer base,” he said.

Continue a Chocolate Tradition, or Start a New One

103-02 Metropolitan Ave. Forest Hills, NY Aignerchocolates.com Open 7 Days a Week 23

THIS IS QUEENSBOROUGH

queenschamber.org

PROFESSIONAL DANCE HIGHLIGHTS OCTOBER IN QUEENS The hits just keep coming in Queens this October. After a September that included the world’s best music (Paul Simon), best tennis (U.S. Open), and best inventions (Maker Faire), the borough branches out into top-notch dance, theater, dumplings, and sex therapy. Yes, sex therapy. Dr. Ruth Westheimer will be in town.

Oct. 5-21, Leaving Brooklyn. The New York premiere of a play by former Queens resident Jeff Mandels. As the Dodgers and the Yankees battle it out on the baseball field, a blue-collar Brooklyn family battles for survival. The father, a former minor league player, wants his sons to go to college. One son has been invited to a Dodgers training camp, while the other will never be able to play ball. A doting aunt has amorous desires, as the mother tries to hold the family together. Queens Theatre, 14 United Nations Ave. S., Flushing Meadows Corona Park, queenstheatre.org.

Oct. 7, Momo Crawl, 1 pm. More than 20 restaurants serve a Himalayan dumpling that is often filled with meat, vegetables or cheese. At the end of this seventh annual event, participants vote for the winning restaurant, which will be presented with the Momo Championship Belt made with real yak hide. Vicinity of Diversity Plaza, 74th Street and 37th Road, Jackson

Heights, sfthq.cc/Momo2018.

Oct. 7, Opening for Queens International 2018: Volumes. This eighth biennial exhibition highlights contemporary Queens artists. Their pieces respond to sites throughout the museum and select Queens Library branches. They question and expand systems of knowledge production using analog and digital strategies. They rethink histories and policies through embodied experience, redemptive archives, subjective abstractions, and intangible architectures. The show runs until February 24. Queens Museum, NYC Building, Flushing Meadows Corona Park, queensmuseum.org.

Oct. 13-14, Queensboro Dance Festival with Special Guest Rioult.

After touring 26 local dance troupes across the borough for the past six months, the Queensboro Dance Festival’s fifth anniversary season culminates in a final weekend of performances by dance companies from all over the borough. Queens Theatre, 14 United Nations Ave. S., Flushing Meadows Corona Park, queensborodancefestival.com.

Oct. 15, Celebrity Sex Therapist Ruth Westheimer, 1:30 pm. Doctor Ruth, who is known for her blunt, funny, and down-toRIOULT

earth counsel, discusses sex, love, and her two recent books about her experiences and insights.

Central Queens Y, 67-09 108th St., Forest Hills, cqy.org.

Oct. 19-20, Women on the Rise Forum & Expo. Two days of panel discussions, classes, chats, shopping, and networking with female authors, consultants, coaches, entrepreneurs, executives, and other professionals. LaGuardia Plaza Hotel, 104-04 Ditmars Blvd., East Elmhurst, bit.ly/2Q0dfPR. Oct. 19-28, Caniba. This is the exclusive New York engagement of a shocking new documentary about Issei Sagawa. The Sorbonne student was arrested after being caught discarding two bloody suitcases containing the remains of his Dutch classmate, whom he had murdered and begun to consume, in Paris on June 13, 1981.

Declared legally insane, he returned to Japan a free man. Since then, Sagawa has made a living off his crime by writing novels, drawing manga, and appearing in salacious documentaries and sexploitation films. Museum of the Moving Image, 36-01 35th Ave., Astoria’s Kaufman Arts District, movingimage.us.

Oct. 19, South American Mashup: Inkhay & Rio Mira, 8 pm. Inkhay celebrates the indigenous music of Ecuador, Bolivia, and Peru with the woodwind instruments of the Andes Mountains. Río Mira’s music is rooted in the Pacific Coast of Ecuador and Colombia, with the marimba playing a unifying role in the ensemble’s sound. Each band plays a set, then they jam together. Dance lesson at 7 pm. Flushing Town Hall, 137-35 Northern Boulevard, flushingtownhall.org.

Oct. 27, Gilberto Santa Rosa, 8 pm. Six-time Grammy-winning singer Gilberto Santa Rosa performs salsa. Affectionately known as “El Caballero de la Salsa,” the Puerto Rico native has recorded nearly 20 albums, earning multiple Gold, Platinum, and Multi-Platinum awards.

Colden Auditorium, Queens College, Kissena Boulevard, Flushing, kupferbergcenter.org.

Oct. 28, Tlen Huicani, 3 pm. In honor of the Day of the Dead, the highly esteemed Mexican folk ensemble Tlen-Huicani performs Veracruz’s traditional harpa jarocha (folk harp) music. Tlen-Huicani, which means “the singers” in the Aztec Nahuatl language, was recently recognized by the Union of Music and Theater Critics and named “Best Folk Group in Mexico.”

LeFrak Concert Hall, Queens College, Kissena Boulevard, kupferbergcenter.org.

The “It’s In Queens” column is produced by the Queens Tourism Council. More info at itsinqueens.com.

MAJOR CORPORATE SPONSORS

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October 2018 • Volume 14 • Issue 10

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.

• New Skills-New Jobs: Employee Training Grants are available every day until Saturday, October 13, beginning at 9 a.m. (by appointment only). Training grants managed and funded by the Department of Small Business Services (SBS) aim to provide eligible employers access to funding to help offset a portion of wages for eligible new hires. To learn more, contact Shin Otake at Sotake@nycbusiness-solutions.com or call (718) 570-8533.

There are free immigration services every

Monday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at 71-29 Roosevelt Avenue. All services are free, confidential and open to any member of the community. Some of the services include DACA, TPS and document replacement and renewal. Call (212) 652-2071 with any questions.

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.

On Sunday, October 28, from noon to 4 p.m. the BID will host a Halloween Family Event. Come enjoy arts and crafts, local vendors, and an eight-

foot spirograph, among other family activities. It will take place on 41st Avenue at Bell Boulevard.

There will also be a Holiday Parade on December 2. Any community group that wishes to march should contact the BID office at info@ baysidevillagebid.com or contact Councilman Paul Vallone’s Office.

BUSINESS CENTER FOR NEW AMERICANS (BCNA)

78-27 37 Avenue, Jackson Heights, NY 11372 Business Development: Tshering Gurung 347.730.6468 tgurung@nycbcna.org QUICK GLANCE: Since 1997, BCNA has been serving New York City entrepreneurs.

BCNA is an approved Small Business Administration Intermediary Lender and a certified Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI). BCNA’s Microloan program is the cornerstone of its services. They provide

VIVA LA COMIDA SHOWCASES DIVERSE FOOD SCENE

BY BENJAMIN FANG Thousands of residents and visitors walked through Jackson Heights, taking in the sights, smells and tastes of the neighborhood last month, as the 82nd Street Partnership hosted the seventh annual Viva La Comida, a food and musical festival that celebrates the neighborhood’s diversity.

Local restaurants and vendors from Latin American, Asian and Afro-Caribbean roots showcased their food, while performers entertained a large crowd of attendees throughout the event.

“It was a lot of fun. In my opinion, it was the best Viva La Comida we had to date,” said Leslie Ramos, executive director of the 82nd Street Partnership. “That was the feedback I received from people who attended, as well as our vendors and residents in the neighborhood.”

Though Ramos doesn’t have an official count, she estimated that anywhere between 3,000 to 4,000 people attended the festival. By the time she went around to vendors near the end of the event, many of them sold out all of their products.

“We had a nice-sized crowd straight from the beginning,” she said.

Seeing so many people eagerly awaiting Viva La Comida symbolizes how important it is to residents, Ramos said. A participant told her that the festival is a rare chance for community members to express and enjoy their cultures.

“Viva La Comida is an opportunity for them to dance all day, feel proud of where they come from and feel the energy of the community,” Ramos said. “I think it’s beautiful what we’ve created.”

Local businesses feel the effect as well.

Ramos said some restaurants report that Viva

La Comida is the “best day they have all year.”

New restaurants are also introduced to new clientele. In the four years that Ramos has run the event, she noted that the number of businesses on 82nd Street that participate has increased.

“Now, almost everyone is participating,” she said. “When they don’t, they regret it.”

MAJOR CORPORATE SPONSORS

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THIS IS QUEENSBOROUGH

queenschamber.org

QUEENS CHAMBER PARTNERS & AFFILIATES small business loans and microloans to business owners who are not able to obtain loans from traditional lenders.

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.

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, the BID features six supermarkets. They are providing free benches for store owners along Jamaica Avenue. They also provide 2.5 and 5 percent home improvement loans. The BID is planning for its annual street fair on Jamaica Avenue, which this year takes place on September 30.

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 representing over 200 businesses.

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

On Wednesdays from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., the Chamberorganized Greenmarket returns to Maple Playground at 136-50 Maple Avenue.

Upcoming events include: • State of Queens Real Estate - Thursday, October 4, at 6 p.m. - Royal Queen, 136-20 Roosevelt Avenue, Flushing • Flushing Chamber Golf Tournament - Saturday, October 6, at Noon – Harbor Links Golf Course, 1 West Fairway Drive, Port Washington • October Happy Hour Networking Event Thursday, October 11,at 6 p.m. – Leaf Bar & Lounge, 133-42 39th Avenue, Flushing • Gala Celebration: Banking on Flushing - Thursday, October 25, at 6 p.m. – Sheraton LaGuardia East Hotel, 135-20 39th Avenue, Flushing

GREATER JAMAICA DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION

90-04 161st Street, Jamaica, NY 11432 President: Hope Knight 718.291.0282 www.gjdc.org QUICK GLANCE: Founded in 1967, the group has 75 members.

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

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JAMAICA CENTER BID

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

Founded in 1979, the Jamaica Center BID serves over 500 businesses on Jamaica Avenue between Sutphin Boulevard and 169th Street. 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.

The BID’s sanitation team is out on Jamaica Avenue 360 days a year. The BID offers marketing and promotion for the district, including a value card program, banner and rubbish bin sponsorship opportunities, and supports business owners in opening or expanding their operations.

On Thursday, October 4, from 3 to 4 p.m. there will be Round Table Discussion for small businesses in the district to discuss the proposal for commercial waste zoning being proposed by the Department of Sanitation. For location information and to RSVP, call (718) 526-2422

JFK INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

616 Duke Street, Westbury, NY 11590 Executive Director: Mercedes Altman 516.492.0513 jfkairportchamberofcommerce.org QUICK GLANCE: Founded in 1978, the group has over 200 members.

JFK Airport is the only airport in the country to have its own chamber of commerce wholly dedicated to the airport business community, which employs 35,000 people. The airport handles more than 50 million passengers a year, using almost a half-million square feet of warehouse space to handle more than a million tons of air freight cargo a year.

Upcoming events include: • Tuesday, October 2, from 6 to 8 p.m. - JFK Rotary Club Dinner. $35.00 per person plus cash bar. Crowne Plaza JFK, 138-10 135th Avenue, Jamaica.

• Thursday, October 4 at Noon - 22nd Annual Italian Heritage Day Luncheon. Honorees will be Joseph V. Clabby, President JFK Chamber of Commerce, Debbie Carriero, Branch Chief Office of Trade Washington DC, and Patrick Orender, Assistant Port Director Tactical/ Trade Dulles International Airport. Russo’s on the Bay, 162-45 Cross Bay Boulevard, Howard Beach • Wednesday, October 10, from 8:30 to 10:30 a.m. - JFK Chamber of Commerce Directors General Monthly Meeting, JFK International Airport, Building 14 Conference Room A. Guests are welcome but must RSVP. Light breakfast will be served.

• Wednesday, October 10, from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. - JFK Chamber of Commerce Luncheon.

Speaker will be the prestigious Joanna Geraghty, President & COO of JetBlue. Russo’s on the Bay, 162-45 Cross Bay Boulevard, Howard Beach • Thursday, October 25 at 11:30 a.m. - Our Lady of the Skies Annual Man & Woman of the Year Luncheon. Cradle of Aviation Museum, Charles Lindbergh Boulevard, Garden City.

LONG ISLAND CITY PARTNERSHIP

President: Elizabeth Lusskin 718.786.5300 longislandcityqueens.com Founded in 1979, the Long Island City Partnership advocates for economic development that benefits LIC’s industrial, commercial, cultural and residential sectors. The goal is to attract new businesses to the neighborhood, retain those already here, welcome new residents and visitors, and promote a vibrant and authentic mixeduse community. The LIC Partnership operates the LIC Business Improvement District and the LIC Industrial Business Zone.

• Wednesday, October 10, from 5 to 7 p.m. - LIC BID Annual Meeting & Reception. Join the partnership as they report on accomplishments, discuss plans for the future, review financials, elect directors of the board, and present awards. Stay after the Annual Meeting for light drinks and bites with your neighbors and community leaders. WeWork Queens Plaza, 27-01 Queens Plaza North, Long Island City.

October 2018 • Volume 14 • Issue 10

QUEENS CHAMBER PARTNERS & AFFILIATES • Thursday, October 18, from 8 to 10 a.m. LICP Business Breakfast on Financing and New Federal Tax Law Updates. An informative panel discussion to learn how these new limitations proposed by The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) can affect your existing and new debt, as well as strategies on maximizing benefits on your own tax return. Long Island City Conference Center, Conference Room D, 27-01 Queens Plaza North, Long Island City.

MASPETH CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

P.O. Box 780265, Maspeth, NY 11378 President: David Daraio 718.335.1300 maspethchamberofcommerce.org QUICK GLANCE: Founded in 1953, they have 120 members and a budget of $115,000.

Upcoming Events include: • Sunday, October 7 - Maspeth Street Festival on Grand Avenue • Tuesday, October 9 at Noon - Maspeth Chamber of Commerce monthly meeting at Connolly’s Corner at 71-15 Grand Avenue.

• Wednesday, October 31 at 7 p.m. - Maspeth Lions Halloween Ragamuffin Parade

MASPETH INDUSTRIAL BUSINESS ASSOCIATION (MIBA)

BOC: 96-11 40th Road, Corona, NY 11368 Coordinator: Quincy Ely-Cate 718.205.3773 qelycate@bocnet.org mibanyc.org QUICK GLANCE: Roughly 600 businesses with 30 active members.

The Maspeth Industrial Business Association, a project of the Business Outreach Center Network, provides a collective voice in advocating the needs and interests of industrial and manufacturing businesses in Maspeth. They help companies in the Maspeth Industrial District in developing workforce, accessing tax credits, obtaining financing, navigating government regulations and, in some cases, finding real estate.

On Tuesday, October 9, from 10 to 11:30 a.m., MIBA will be hosting a Financing Your Business Workshop in English, and then again from 2 to 3:30 p.m. in Spanish at 96-11 40th Road.

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. Annual membership fee is $150, and they are looking to gain momentum through attracting new members. The mission is to improve the area and assist local businesses if they have any concerns or needs.

The Middle Village Property Owners Association will hold its monthly meeting on October 15, at 7:30 p.m. at St. Margaret’s Parish Hall, 66-10 80th Street.

MYRTLE AVENUE BID

62-14 Myrtle Avenue, Ridgewood, NY 11385 Executive Director: Ted Renz 718.366.3806 QUICK GLANCE: Budget of $500,000 with over 300 retail and service businesses under its purview.

Board meetings are held four times a year with the annual meeting in June. The district includes Myrtle Avenue in Ridgewood between Fresh Pond Road and Wyckoff Avenue. Program support is provided by the Ridgewood LDC.

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THIS IS QUEENSBOROUGH

queenschamber.org

QUEENS CHAMBER PARTNERS & AFFILIATES One of the longest running BIDs is also one of the more innovative in its approach to helping maintain an active business corridor by helping landlords rent vacant properties. The website ridgewood-ny.com shows properties that are currently for rent in the district.

Upcoming events include:.

• Saturday, October 13, from Noon to 5 p.m. Ridgewood Seneca Catalpa Avenue stroll as part of the Department of Transportation’s weekend walk program.

• Friday, October 5, to Monday, October 8 Columbus Day sidewalk sale days on Myrtle Ave.

QUEENS ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION

12-55 Queens Boulevard, Room 309 Kew Gardens, NY 11424 Executive Director: Seth Bornstein 718.263.0546 queensny.org QUICK GLANCE: Budget of $1.5 million and a resource for over 2,000 businesses in the borough of Queens.

Funded by Department of Small Business Services, they strive to create and retain jobs via programs that grow neighborhoods and assist small businesses. QEDC assists by providing one-on-one consultations, hosting workshops, operating training courses and networking events.

On Thursday, October 25, from 8:30 to 11:30 a.m., QEDC’s award-winning Women’s Business Center will host the next Women’s Power Networking Breakfast at The Local NYC, a top-notch hostel in Long Island City. Katie Fiore, Head of Conversion Optimization at SYZYGY, a global digital agency based in Germany, will present a lecture entitled “Business in a Nutshell: Tools to Help You Launch Your Business.”

ROCKAWAY BUSINESS ALLIANCE

info@rockawaybusinessalliance.org QUICK GLANCE: Budget of $40,000 and a resource for over 200 businesses.

The Rockaway Business Alliance was founded in 2012 after Hurricane Sandy. RBA’s vision is to create business corridors that are clean, safe, and welcoming, with shopping, dining, attractions, and engagement for the local community and the visitors drawn to Rockaway’s beaches and open spaces. RBA seeks to create and curate an inviting atmosphere for all to enjoy year round.

ROCKAWAY DEVELOPMENT & REVITALIZATION CORPORATION 1920 Mott Avenue, Far Rockaway, NY 11691 President: Kevin Alexander 718.327.5300 www.rdrc.org QUICK GLANCE: Founded in 1978, the group has 30 members.

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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 longstanding partnerships with city and state agencies.

RDRC is governed by a twelve-member board of directors and a five-member merchant advisory board.

RDRC’s current city and state collaborations include the Downtown Far Rockaway Storefront Improvement Program, The Downtown Far Rockaway Public Wi-Fi Project, The Rockaway East Workforce Development Program and most recently, the planned $288,000,000 Downtown Far Rockaway Redevelopment Project.

With over 250 businesses and 61,000 or 53 percent of the Rockaway’s entire population living within 2 miles of downtown Far Rockaway, one of RDRC’s goals is to reduce the over $91 million in market leakage to neighboring downtown shopping districts.

To address this challenge, in 2014 RDRC rejuvenated the Rockaway East Merchants Association (REMA). Today with RDRC as its administrator, REMA membership now includes 40-plus local businesses with an active calendar of events that includes an annual merchant’s fair, talent show, fashion event, holiday tree lighting and live concerts.

REMA membership meetings are held on the fourth Monday of the month at 1 p.m. at RDRC, located at 1920 Mott Avenue in Far Rockaway.

On Friday, October 12, from 6 to 9 p.m., RDRC will host a Business Card Exchange at DredSurfer Grill on the boardwalk at Beach 17th Street.

STEINWAY STREET BID

25-69 38th Street, Suite 1C, Astoria 11103 Executive Director: Marie Torniali 718.728.7820 info@steinwaystreet.nyc steinwaystreet.org QUICK GLANCE: Founded in 1991, the BID has over 300 members.

Board meetings are held seven times a year.

The BID’s vision is to make Steinway Street user friendly, while highlighting the local businesses on the street and bringing together the Astoria community in a positive way.

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

On Sunday, October 21, from 12:30 to 2:30 p.m., the BID will host the 3rd Annual “Batty Over Halloween” celebration. The celebration includes a photo scavenger hunt, pumpkin painting and decorating, balloon twisting, face painting, and more. It will take place at The Great Lawn at Astoria Park.

SUNNYSIDE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

PO Box 4399, Sunnyside, NY 11104 President: Patricia Dorfman 718.729.4688 www.sunnyside-chamber.org QUICK GLANCE: Annual budget of $55,000.

The chamber is an organization built around assisting and helping local business and professionals by providing resources to increase business, safety and historical preservation.

SUNNYSIDE SHINES

45-56 43rd Street, Sunnyside, NY 11104 Executive Director: Jaime-Faye Beam 718.606.1800 director@sunnysideshines.org sunnysideshines.org QUICK GLANCE: Budget of $480,000 with more than 250 businesses under its umbrella.

The BID is still looking for sponsors for Sunnyside Street Banners along Queens Boulevard and Greenpoint Avenue. There are still a number of locations still available, call the office for more info. Companies that are not located in Sunnyside are invited to participate as well. Sponsorships start at $350 and last for one year.

NEW MEMBERS CONTINUED FROM PAGE 31

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Zara Realty

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October 2018 • Volume 14 • Issue 10

QUEENS CHAMBER PARTNERS & AFFILIATES

THOUSANDS ENJOY SMILE ON MASPETH EVENT

BY BENJAMIN FANG In 2008, as the Great Recession hit the national and global economy, residents at home were starting to feel the impact.

The housing bubble burst; kids graduating from college couldn’t find jobs.

Kenneth Rudzewick, former president of Maspeth Federal Savings, wanted to do something to make Maspeth more palatable...and to add more smiles. He decided to throw a carnival, filled with castles, games, contests and entertainment.

Eleven years later, the annual event has grown into a beloved community event. Rudzewick said the last time they counted, more than 7,000 people walked through the gates into Maspeth Federal’s parking lot.

“It’s been a labor of love,” he said. “All the employees participate, so everybody’s part of the team. It worked out very well.”

On a sweltering September Sunday afternoon, thousands of children and parents filled the parking lot.

Some kids had their faces painted, others got to ride a horse, jump inside bouncy castles or win prizes at the carnival games.

Outside the parking lot, volunteer groups served up hot dogs, all free for participants.

Rudzewick said Smile on Maspeth is their most popular event of the year, and it proves that Maspeth Federal is a true community bank.

“People ask me, ‘What date is that? I want to mark my calendar,’” he said. “It shows that it’s well appreciated.”

With so many young children sporting smiles on their faces, Rudzewick said it’s evident that the community enjoys the annual carnival.

“That’s our motto, we treat you like family,” he said. “We try to live up to that motto everyday.”

Kenneth Rudzewick with a stilt walker at Smile on Maspeth Day.

Assemblyman Brian Barnwell attended the event and chatted with community members during the festivities.

“The event is a great way to bring the whole community together to celebrate Maspeth and catch up with your neighbors,” he said.

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THIS IS QUEENSBOROUGH

queenschamber.org

EXECUTIVE COMMMITEE

CHAIRPERSON’S ADVISORY COUNCIL

EXECUTIVE STAFF

Thomas Santucci

Richard Dzwlewicz

Thomas J. Grech

Brendan Leavy

Howard Graf

Fran Biderman-Gross

Joanne M. Persad

Jacqueline Donado

Chairperson

Associate Treasurer

Vice Chairperson

Associate Secretary

Treasurer

Immediate Past Chair

Patrick Yu Nash Roe

Mayra DiRico

President & CEO

Chief of Operations

Alejandra Espejo Financial Controller

Secretary

Business Development Manager Strategic Program Coordinator

Brett Swanson

Membership Outreach Coordinator & Member Engagement

William Blake Dominick Ciampa Joseph Farber Louis D. Laurino

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

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 Fran Biderman-Gross Joshua E. Bienstock Michael Billia Susan Browning Kenneth J. Buettner Charles E. Callahan KY Chow Adam Cohen

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

Raymond Irrera Peter Klein Kenneth Koenig Henry Kuykendall Neil Levin Jeffery E. Levine Carl Mattone Patricia Mezeul

Michael Moran Michael Onghai Jeffrey Owens Nayan Parikh Albert F. Pennisi Vincent L. Petraro Esq Adam Reece-Cohen Nash Roe

Jeffrey Rosenstock Juan Santiago Thomas Santucci Mark Scheinberg Caryn Schwab Sher Sparano Michelle Stoddart Terri Thomson

Henry Wan Swain Weiner Patrick Yu Daniel Zausner

CORPORATE MEMBERS AARP ABS Partner Real Estate Age Well New York AKI Development Alma Realty Corp.

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

AmTrust Title Anchin, Block & Anchin Ashnu International, Inc. ATCO Properties & Management Baker Tilly Virchow Krause LLP Bank of America Bank United Berkeley College Berkman, Henoch, Peterson, Peddy & Fenchel, PC Bethpage Federal Credit Union Better Home Health Care Borchert & LaSpina, PC Boro Hotel Boyce Technologies Inc. Broadway Stages Capital One Bank Cathay Bank Care Connect Insurance Co. Inc. Carmel Car & Limo Service CDS Mestel Construction Center for Automotive Education & Training Cerini & Associates Certilman Balin Champion Elevators Chaney Construction & Development Charles Schwab Ciampa Organization

City MD City Scrap Metal Cleaning Systems Co. Clickable CoAdvantage Constant Contact Construction Safety Network Inc. Cord Meyer Development LLC Cornell NYC Tech Corporate Development Systems, Inc. Costco Wholesale Court 16, Inc. Courtyard New York CPEX Real Estate Crown Container Cumming Corporation Curaleaf Cushman & Wakefield FedCap D&B Engineers & Architects, PC Daniels Norelli Cecere & Tavel PC DY Reality Services, LLC Dignity Memorial Funeral Provides of Queens E. Gluck Corporations East Coast Energy Group Edible Arrangements Elite Palace Elmhurst Hospital Center Emigrant Mortgage Co. Empire Merchants EMU Health Services, LLC. Enterprise Holdings EXIT Realty New York Metro Fabini Cohen & Hall, LLP Fantasy Forest Amusement Park Farrell Fritz, PC Fedcap Fidelis Care New York Financial Resources Brup Investment Services LLC Firecom, Inc.

First American International Bank First Central Savings Bank Flushing Bank Forest Hills Financial Gerard T Dolan Agency Farmers Grand Rehabilitation & Nursing at Queens Greater New York Auto Dealers Association Inc. Greiner-Maltz of NY GUM Studios HF Management Services Haks Hanover Community Bank Healthplex, Inc. Health Republic Insurance Healthy Corner Pharmacy, Inc. Hilton Garden Inn/ LIC Manhattan View Holiday Inn LaGuardia Airport Home2Suite LIC Hyatt Place Flushing Ibis Styles New York LaGuardia Airport Hotel INDA Association of Nonwoven Fabric Industry International Asbestos Removal Inc. J.F.A. Insurance Brokerage JRT Realty Group, Inc. James F. Capalino & Associates Jaros Baum & Bolles JetBlue Jetro Resataurant Depot JustWorks KMK Restorations, LLC Kasirer Consulting Inc Kaufman Astoria Studios Inc. Kimco Realty Corporation Klein Wealth Management HighTower LaGuardia Plaza Hotel La Technology Group

COMMITTEE LEADERSHIP COMMUNICATIONS Joshua Bienstock NYIT bienlaw@aol.com

ENERGY

Marshall Haimson E-Capital Development marshall@e-capitaldevelopment.com James Sheuchenko PM Advisors js@pmadvisors.co

HEALTHCARE & WELLNESS

Susan Browning Long Island Jewish Forest Hills sbrowning1@northwell.edu Evangeline Rosado-Tripp Queens County Medical Society ertripp@queensmedicalsociety.org

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HOSPITALITY

REAL ESTATE

Jim Quent Statewide Public Affairs jquent@statewidepublicaffairs.com Michael Zayas Real Hospitality Group michael.zayas@rhgcorp.com

Martin Cottingham Avison Young martin.cottingham@avisonyoung.com Michael Wang G8 Real Estate / Flushing Chamber mwang121@gmail.com

MANUFACTURING

TECHNOLOGY

Geoffrey Smith NY Grant Company Geoffrey@nygrants.com Thomas Powell Boyce Technologies tpowell@boycetechnologies.com

Bobby Giurintano TGI Office Automation bgiurintano@tgioa.com Eugene Erichsen Connect Me Voice Eugene@connectmevoice.com

NONPROFIT

TRANSPORTATION

Larry Grubler Transitional Services of NY lgrubler@tsiny.org Maria Odysseus Investors Bank modysseus@myinvestorsbank.com

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

Lee & Associates Levine Builders Lessing’s Inc. Luna Park in Coney Island Lyft Lyons Mortgage Services, Inc. M&T Bank M&V Provisions Co, Inc. MCR Development LLC MTA-Long Island Rail Road Madeline Chocolate Novelties Marriott NYC Airport Hotels Mazars USA LLP Merritt Engineering Consulting PC Metroplus Health Plan Metropolitan Taxi Cab Board of Trade Melrose Credit Union Metro Franchising Commissary Molloy College Mortgage Depot Moses & Singer LLP Motiva Networks Mount Sinai Hospital of Queens Mr. T Carting Corporation Muss Development Company National Supermarket Association Newtown Creek Trusted PRI USD New York Building Congress New York Life New York Oil Heaing Association Inc. New York Racing Association Northfield Bank Northwell Health Northwestern Mutual NY Building Congress OnForce Solar Parker Jewish Institute for Health Care & Rehab Patrick B. Jenkins & Associates People’s United Bank Petro Energy Solutions Portnoy, Messinger, Pearl & Associations, Inc. Prager Metis CPAs, LLC Premier Payroll Solutions Prime Storage Progressive Waste Solutions Qside Federal Credit Union Quadlogic Controls Corp.

Queens Center Queens Ledger Queensborough Community College Quontic Bank Radisson Hotel JFK Airport Register Abstract Co. Inc.Related Retail LP

Rent A Throne Royal Waste Services Inc. Russo’s On The Bay SL Green Realty Corp.

Sahn Ward Coshchignano PLLC Sandrine Capital LLC Seagis Property Group Sears Maid Service Sholom & Zuckerbrot Realty LLC Signature Bank Silvercup Studios Simon Baron Development Sleep Numbers Solomon Agency St. John’s University Staples #1722 Sterling Risk Structural Engineering Technologies PC Suffolk County National Bank Suation Solar Systems Super-Tek, Products, Inc. Sutton Alliance Terrace on the Park Thales USA, Inc. The Durst Organization The New York Times The Parc Hotel Trinity Solar TSC Training Academy LLC Tully Construction Co. Inc. United Airlines United Health Care United Nations Federal Credit Union United Public, Adjusters & Appraisers, Inc. USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center Valley National Bank Van Guard Insurance Agency Verizon VHB Engineering Surveying & Landscape Architecture Vic Kesser Signs, LTD Victory Pharmacy Villa Russo Venture House Vornado Realty Trust Waste Management of NY LLC Watchguard 24/7 Wells Fargo Home Mortgage Welllife Network WeWork York College Zwanger Pesiri Radiology LLP

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.

October 2018 • Volume 14 • Issue 10

NEW MEMBERS MAJOR CORPORATE

Macy’s CORPORATE

Conference Associates, Inc. Douglas Elliman Real Estate Family Residences and Essential Enterprises, Inc. Staples #0171 Staples #1602 Ultrasound Solutions Corp.

Zara Realty INTRODUCTORY

Carr Business Systems Eneslow Shoes & Orthotics Express Furniture Warehouse Fairway Independent Mortgage Corporation Forest Hills Biergarten General Work Force Java Melts, Inc. Lynch Shipping Sensible Benefits, LLC Sprite Media, Inc. The New York Group Advertising and Marketing Macy’s

90-01 Queens Boulevard Elmhurst, NY 11373 (718) 271-7200 macys.com Located in Queens Center Mall houses Macy’s, one of the nation’s largest department stores offering an extraordinary assortment of brand name apparel, jewelry, beauty products, furniture, mattresses and housewares.

Conference Group Associates, Inc.

180 East Main St., Suite 205 Patchogue, NY 11772 (631) 654-0600 ConferenceNY.com Conference Associates, Inc. (CAI), one of New York’s first and largest group insurance administrators, has been providing business owners and individuals with insurance solutions since 1961. CAI offers coverage for health, life, dental, long-term care, and more. In addition to its product offerings, CAI provides billing, administrative, customer care, educational and insurance-professional support services.

Its focus remains on building and maintaining long-term relationships with those we serve and support: consumers, professional insurance agents, and major insurance carriers.

Douglas Elliman Real Estate

575 Madison Ave, 5th Floor New York, NY 10022 (212) 418-2000 thefaithconsoloteam.elliman.com Douglas Elliman’s Retail Group is the Market leader in retail leasing, investment sales and consulting services. The scope of work is comprehensive and extends to virtually every facet of retail real estate and every kind of retail location – from urban and suburban streets to malls, shopping centers, lifestyles centers and power centers.

Retail clients come from every segment of the market – from luxury fashion to mass merchandising. They also work on behalf of private and public investors, entrepreneurial owners and real estate developers with significant portfolios or single assets.

Its divisions include Retail Brokerage Services, Retail Property Advisors, Strategic Retailer Services, Investment Sales and Advisory Services, Retail Consulting Services, Tenant Representation, Owner Representation, Investment Sales and Acquisitions, Strategic Planning and Site Selection, and Consulting Services.

Family Residences and Essential Enterprises (FREE)

191 Bethpage-Sweet Hollow Road Old Bethpage, NY 11804 (516) 870-7000 familyres.org Family Residences and Essential Enterprises, Inc. (FREE), founded in 1977, benefits and proudly supports more than 4,000 individuals with intellectual/developmental disabilities, mental illness and traumatic brain injury. It is the mission of FREE to assist individuals of all abilities realize their full potential. FREE provides a diverse array of supports and services

including: housing; recovery services; transition to work; employment; day, community and family services; respite; crisis services; education and after school support; specialty health services; and advocacy.

Staples #0171

51-10 Broadway Woodside, NY 11377 (718) 932-9673 staples.com Visit the Woodside Staples for office supplies & furniture, school supplies, printers, ink & toner, copy paper, computers, technology, and more. Whether you’re buying a replacement system or you need repair or preventive service on your machine, you’re guaranteed to spend less than you would by dealing with an original equipment manufacturer.

Staples #1602

24-41 31st Street Astoria, NY 11102 (718) 932-0315 staples.com Visit the Astoria Staples for office supplies & furniture, school supplies, printers, ink & toner, copy paper, computers, technology, and more.

Ultrasound Solutions Corp.

3180 Express Drive South, Suite G Islandia, NY 11749 (800) 773-4582 uscultrasound.com With more than 20 years of experience in this profession, USC knows ultrasound system technology inside and out, which means they CONTINUED ON PAGE 28 Statement required by the Act of August 12, 1970, section 3685. Title 39, United States Code, showing the ownership, management and circulation of QueensBorough magazine, published 12 times per year, and owned by the Chamber of Commerce of the Borough of Queens, 75-20 Astoria Boulevard, Suite 140, Jackson Heights, New York 11370. Statement filed September 1, 2017. Publisher: Chamber of Commerce of the Borough of Queens Editor: Thomas Grech Known bondholders, mortgagees, and other security holders owning or holding one percent or more of total amount of bonds, mortgages or other securities, none. Extent & nature of circulation: Avg. each issue, Actual single issue, Preceding 13 mos., (Nearest to filing date). Total number of copies 3,712 (3,500). Paid and/or requested circulation: Dealer, carrier sales 1,785 (532), Mail subscriptions, 611 (1,937), Total 2,396 (2,469). Free Distribution By mail 187 (400), By other means 0 (0), Total 187 (400). Total distribution 2,583 (2,869), Office Use, leftover, spoiled 1,129 ( 6 3 1 ) , Return from news agents 0 (0), Total 3,712 (3,500), Percent paid 92.76 (86.05).

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

31

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