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40 Under 40 Awards
January 29, 2015
6p.m. to 10p.m.
Crest Hollow Country Club, Woodbury
|Since 1998, Long Island Business News has taken nominations for outstanding members of the business community on Long Island who are under the age of 40. These future leaders of Long Island have already begun to distinguish themselves in business, government, education and the not-for-profit sector. They have a proven track record of career success, are involved in mentoring and promoting their profession and find time to give back to their communities.
|Long Island Business News, along with Gold Sponsor MassMutual Financial Group Greater Long Island, Silver Sponsors Astoria Bank and People's United Bank, and Bronze Sponsor The Entrepreneur Center, proudly present the 40 Under 40 Class of 2015:
Richard Amsterdam
New York Business Development Corp
New York Business Development Corp. Vice President and Commercial Loan Officer Richard Amsterdam envisioned himself as an analyst on Wall Street as he attended college. He went so far as to go through the interview process with a handful of Wall Street firms prior to graduation. He was then approached by a commercial bank that asked him to join its management-training program. Amsterdam accepted the bank's offer, which led him into the field of retail branch banking. He later transitioned into business banking – a niche he quickly learned suited his personal passion. "I had an opportunity to move over to business banking and have enjoyed that decision ever since," he said. Amsterdam has more than 15 years of experience in banking and finance. Prior to joining NYBDC in 2006, he worked for M&T Bank as a managing officer of the Garden City Business and Professional Banking Center. Prior to that, he worked in Fleet Bank's small business services group and at Citibank in its management associate program and retail branch banking. At NYBDC, Amsterdam is responsible for providing small business loans in Nassau, Suffolk, Brooklyn, Queens and Manhattan. As part of the NYBDC team, he works in partnership with banks to provide term loans. He pursues NYBDC's goal to be more creative in the underwriting process – in many cases including multiple participations, Small Business Administration loan guarantees, flexible amortization and long-term payouts.
During Amsterdam's tenure at NYBDC, the organization has recognized him as a top lender. "Achieving a lending status that only one other person in our company's history was previously able to achieve is my proudest achievement," he noted. Amsterdam earned a master's degree in banking from Mercy College and a bachelor's degree in banking and finance from Hofstra University. He is community-conscious and has served in various organizations. Currently, he is president of the Suffolk County Small Business Advisory Council and a member of the Risk Management Association. He holds an advanced soccer coaching certification from the National Soccer Coaches Association of America and coaches his son's soccer teams. "My primary goal is to continue to support NYBDC's mission and our bank partners, while continuing to support my local community through personal and professional volunteer affiliations," Amsterdam said.
Cynthia Augello
Cullen and Dykman LLP
Determined and confident, Cullen and Dykman Partner Cynthia Augello will tell anyone that when she decides to do something, she sticks with it. "I decided I wanted to be an attorney at age 7," she said. "I am not even sure I knew what it meant, but I never wavered. It is a good thing I got into law school because I had no backup plan." Augello began her law work in 2007 as a summer associate at Cullen and Dykman in Garden City. That same year, she became a full-time law clerk and, upon graduating law school in 2008, she was named an associate. She was recently named a partner in the firm's commercial litigation department. Augello has represented clients in matters involving breach of contract, breach of fiduciary duty, whistleblowers, noncompete covenants, civil rights issues, sexual harassment and discrimination.
She is a founding member of the firm's e-discovery group, where she has developed cost-effective strategies for handling a variety of e-discovery issues for clients. Augello has gracefully taken on the challenge of balancing her personal life and career – two areas that have brought her great pride. "I believe my most proud moment was graduating from law school," she said. "I attended part-time at night while working full-time and raising my son, Cole, as a single mother. I was able to do it with the help and support of my family and my firm. Cullen and Dykman gave me the time and flexibility necessary to be able to accomplish everything." She is the firm's team leader in the American Cancer Society breast cancer walks and has served as a mentor to the firm's summer associates. She is a well-respected member of the Federal Bar Association and was deemed by federal judges as "the newest and hardest working member" of the Federal Bar Council. Augello has a goal that she admits is quite challenging. "I hope to become a federal judge one day," she said. "I have a tremendous respect for the system and the incredible federal judges I have had the opportunity to practice before and interact with. I know it is a long road and a tough journey, but I am dedicated and determined to fulfill my goal." Augello earned a Juris Doctor from the Maurice A. Deane School of Law at Hofstra University and a bachelor's degree in business administration, management and operations from the State University of New York at New Paltz.
Brian Bloom
Moritt Hock & Hamroff LLP
Interested in becoming a physician, Brian Bloom soon learned he did not wish to pursue that avenue after the death of his great-grandmother, Pearl, with whom he was very close. "Death in the family was difficult to deal with – imagine dealing with death daily in a medical practice," he noted. "Therefore, I decided to help people through the legal profession. As I've learned, lawyers are sometimes psychologists and psychiatrists to our clients." Bloom is a partner at Moritt Hock & Hamroff in Garden City, practicing in its intellectual property and litigation departments. The scope of his practice is diversified and includes counseling emerging brands and Fortune 500 companies, telecommunication companies, pharmaceutical companies, successful recording artists, famous photographers, artists and authors with respect to a diverse range of IP matters. Bloom also represents merchandising companies in entertainment-related litigation and complex corporate transactions involving IP issues. His practice includes civil litigation involving claims of copyright and trademark infringement, counterfeiting, trade dress, false advertising, unfair competition, right of publicity, privacy and defamation. In addition, Bloom counsels clients in regard to risk assessment issues of trademark and copyright use and licensing, online business operation, branding, marketing partnerships and sponsorship agreements.
A recognized leader in his field, Bloom lectures and writes on IP and new media issues and has been a regularly featured speaker at the annual South by Southwest Music Conference in Texas. "The invitation to speak on a panel of experts and record label legends at South by Southwest Music Conferences is a recurring achievement that never fails to excite me year after year," Bloom said. He shares his expertise with the community. He mentors law students at Hofstra University who are focused in the area of IP law. He serves on the executive board of directors of the Music and Entertainment Committee of the City of Hope, a research and treatment center for cancer, diabetes and other life-threatening diseases. He is also a supporter of the Special Needs Autism Program, dedicated to improving the lives of children with autism. Bloom's future plans include becoming more active in the Crohn's & Colitis Foundation of America. "Nearly 1.6 million Americans are suffering from Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis today," he said. "Through advocacy and education, we can hopefully find a cure for these challenges." Bloom earned a Juris Doctor, magna cum laude, from the Maurice A. Deane School of Law at Hofstra University and a bachelor's degree, with distinction, from Cornell University.
Justin Calabrese
Rivkin Radler LLP
En route to become a history teacher, Justin Calabrese did not imagine being an attorney until his junior year in college.
"I wanted to do something different – be the first person in my immediate family to earn a post-graduate degree and be the first attorney in the family," Calabrese noted, admitting that primetime TV shows had a bit of influence in his decision. A partner in Rivkin Radler's litigation and appeals practice group in Uniondale, Calabrese represents insurers in combating fraud. In 1Q 2014 alone, Calabrese helped his clients save more than $4 million in fraudulent insurance claims. Calabrese instructs healthcare, automobile and property insurers on proper claims handling practices and investigation techniques. He helps develop fraud prevention, detection and recovery plans. He prosecutes actions to recover claim payments made by insurers to physicians, medical clinics, attorneys and others as a result of complex fraud and kickback schemes. He also defends insurers in actions challenging claim payments and alleging improper claims handling practices.
Calabrese's proudest career achievement was being named to partnership at Rivkin Radler. "I initially accepted a position at Rivkin because I knew that I would have the opportunity to work among some of the best attorneys in New York," he said. "Learning that I had earned their respect and was nominated for partnership at Rivkin was an honor and one of the finer moments of my career." Setting future goals, Calabrese aims to spread his wings and get more involved in the public sector. Prior to joining the firm, Calabrese was a policy analyst for the New York City Mayor's Office under the Rudolph Giuliani and Michael Bloomberg administrations. A humanitarian, Calabrese is on the board of directors of the Islands Medical Assistance Society, a nonprofit foundation providing healthcare services to the people of the islands of Croatia. In conjunction with the Croatian American Bar Association, he co-sponsored and coordinated a fundraising event that raised more than $25,000 for those in need of medical assistance. He has ambitions of forming an organization that concentrates on a social issue. "I would like to start a nonprofit organization to address the growing epidemic of gun violence in schools and among local youths," he said. Calabrese earned a Juris Doctor from Touro College Jacob D. Fuchsberg Law Center and a bachelor's degree from West Virginia University. He is admitted to practice in New York State and before the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York.
Andrew Cameron
Astoria Bank
After graduating from college in 2003, Astoria Bank Vice President/Relationship Manager Andrew Cameron worked in real estate development and consulting. To better define the direction of his career, he enrolled in the Executive MBA Program at Hofstra University. He went on to meet Steve Sipola, Astoria Bank's managing director of business banking, who played an influential role in Cameron's decision to shift his career to the banking industry. "During the course of the past three-plus years, Steve's guidance has helped me learn the business and advance in the company," he said. Cameron joined Astoria Bank, in 2010, as a senior business banking administrator – an entry-level position. Demonstrating a keen understanding of Long Island's business landscape, he was promoted just 10 months later to account manager. In 2012, he was once again promoted to his current position of vice president/relationship manager.
At Astoria Bank, Cameron manages a portfolio of clients ranging from micro-sized to middle-market businesses. He brings extensive knowledge of the local market to each client and provides each with tailored solutions. He also pursues new business for the bank and has been instrumental in fostering relationships with some of the largest companies on Long Island. "Commercial banking requires a balance of strong sales skills and extensive financial acumen, which makes every day interesting," he said. Cameron's work ethic, along with his valuable insight, helps businesses grow and prosper. "It's rewarding to be able to help my clients achieve success and support them as they pursue their passions," he said. "I feel proud to be a part of my clients' success by providing solutions that help them reach their goals." He shares his expertise with the community and organizations. He is a member of the Village of Rockville Centre Zoning Board of Appeals and the Hofstra Business School Alumni Association. He was recently named to the Long Island Association Young Professionals committee, a division of the Long Island Association that serves as a platform for the next generation of businessmen/women on Long Island to discuss opportunities, challenges and perceptions of the local business environment. He earned a bachelor's degree in political science from Villanova University before earning his Executive MBA from Hofstra University. Cameron's goal is to continue to grow and develop professionally, as well as build and strengthen connections with businesses on Long Island. "I want to make a difference in the financial lives of my clients, and in turn, be a part of business successes in our community that strengthen our local economy," he said.
Jerry Chang, MD
Long Island Plastic Surgical Group, Inc.
Luck, serendipity and fate are what Dr. Jerry Chang believes led him to become a board-certified plastic surgeon. Intending to practice family medicine, he was in his third year of medical school when he happened upon a course that changed his direction. "During my surgery rotation, I needed to pick a surgery subspecialty to rotate through," Chang said. "Plastic surgery, which took one student per rotation, was the only one still open. I picked it, not knowing anything about the field. I fell in love with it immediately. Plastic surgery is a perfect marriage of artistry, creativity, meticulousness and deftness of mind and knife." Chang has been with Long Island Plastic Surgical Group in Garden City since 2010. He performs cosmetic and reconstructive procedures, specializing in rhinoplasty, facial rejuvenation, lipo abdominoplasty and breast augmentation and reconstruction, among other procedures. He graduated, with honors, from Duke University and earned his medical degree from Washington University School of Medicine, graduating with honors in plastic surgery, general surgery, urology and obstetrics/gynecology. He completed a combined residency in general surgery and plastic and reconstructive surgery at Yale University, where he also served as chief administrative resident. During this time there, Chang received advanced training in microvascular and reconstructive surgery, obtaining the Yale Microvascular Certificate.
He pursued further training in aesthetic plastic surgery at Harvard Medical School/Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, serving as fellow and junior staff attending, focusing on functional rhinoplasty and facial rejuvenation surgeries, as well as breast and body aesthetic surgery. His proudest achievement came in his first year of practice, when he and a senior partner saved a nurse from a flesh-eating bacteria. "She was a mother of three and was critically ill in the ICU for weeks," Chang said. "We tirelessly took her to the operating room for multiple rounds of surgery, first to cut away diseased tissue and then to reconstruct her. She lived and made it to her son's bar mitzvah in fine form." Chang has traveled abroad to Thailand as a medical volunteer with the nonprofit organization Changing Children's Lives Inc., where he has treated children with facial and feet deformities. He has presented research findings on a national level and authored multiple publications. Among his many recognitions, he was awarded the 2009 Yale Plastic Surgery Scholastic Award. Among his goals is to always be in attendance at momentous occasions during the lives of his two daughters, Cleo and Gemma.
Nicole Jean Christian
NJC Consulting
Small Business Development Center at Stony Brook University
As a second-generation Caribbean-American, NJC Consulting Owner Nicole Christian had the benefit of learning entrepreneurship and the importance of paying it forward from her family. "My family has been involved in religious life, serving in the Baptist and Pentecostal church, and in the political world, serving as community organizers and advocates," Christian said. "Economic development is the engine that drives communities and I had an up-close and personal perspective to learn the importance of entrepreneurship in everyday American life." Today, Christian has nearly 15 years of experience assisting businesses and individuals in all areas of business development, grant writing and economic/community development. She has held posts in Washington, D.C. and New York for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the U.S. Department of the Interior, the U.S. Small Business Administration, the Town of Brookhaven and Suffolk County. In 2010, Christian created NJC Consulting in Gordon Heights, which offers prospecting and grant writing services. Since its inception, Christian has raised upward of $1 million for local municipalities, educational institutions and nonprofits.
Being accepted into the U.S. Small Business Administration's Class of 2001 Presidential Management Fellowship Program – which is awarded to only 5 percent of applicants – is among Christian's proudest achievements. During the program, she developed new outreach programs directed toward faith-based women and minority-owned business populations throughout the United States and in New York State in particular. Christian offers a tremendous value to the business community. She is a corporate trainer with the Dowling Institute, and an adjunct lecturer at Dowling College, SUNY Empire State College and Long Island University, where she teaches entrepreneurship, leadership, grant writing and fundraising. In 2014, she was designated the technology grant proposal writer for innovative technology businesses seeking assistance at the Small Business Development Center at Stony Brook University. She currently serves as a technology business adviser. She also aided in the creation of the Greater Gordon Heights Chamber of Commerce and, today, serves as its first president. She is focused on accomplishing two goals: "Completing my Ph.D. and successfully managing the City of Glen Cove's downtown revitalization program as its new grant administrator." Christian earned a bachelor's degree in business law from Marymount University and a Master of Public Administration and advanced graduate certificate in nonprofit management from George Mason University. Currently, she is working toward her doctorate at Walden University, where she is studying leadership, organizational change and learning management.
Kathryn Cole
Farrell Fritz, P.C.
The youngest of nine children, Kathryn (Katy) Cole planned to follow the accomplished path of family members she so admired and enter medical school. It wasn't until Cole interned for a law firm during college that she began blazing her own trail. She joined Uniondale-based Farrell Fritz, PC in 2009, after leaving one of Manhattan's premier law firms. As counsel to Farrell Fritz's commercial litigation practice group, she has demonstrated exceptional legal acumen, leadership qualities and a strong belief in giving back to the community. Cole's proudest career moment was in connection with a pro bono asylum matter. "My client was a Guinean refugee who had been the subject of female genital mutilation," she said. "She sought asylum in the United States primarily to insulate her two young daughters from the same fate. Working with this young woman taught me so much about human strength, a mother's love and the atrocities that are still handed down to women in other parts of the world. It was a wonderful day when she – and her daughters – were granted asylum." As a genuine mark in her career, Cole keeps the woman's thank-you note pinned to the corkboard in her office. Together with a colleague, Cole developed a strategic plan for an e-discovery practice group at Farrell Fritz. She co‐leads this new group and co‐presents seminars on the topic of e-discovery to attorneys throughout Long Island.
An accomplished litigator, she is the first female president of the Federal Bar Association's Eastern District of New York Chapter. She is vice president on the board of St. John's University School of Law Alumni Association and participates in the university's Alumni Mentor Program. Cole is a member of Colgate University's President's Club and serves as the Long Island chairperson of Colgate's Alumni Admissions Program. She earned a Juris Doctor, magna cum laude, from St. John's University School of Law and a bachelor's degree from Colgate University. The challenge of the day is what allows Cole to formulate a goal. For example, it wasn't until spring 2014 that she decided to run the New York City Marathon – her first marathon – that November. "I did not enter 2014 thinking I would – or aspiring to – run a marathon," she said. "Rather, I embraced the challenge in support of my dearest girlfriend who is battling multiform glioblastoma." She continued, "So, as I sit here, today, there is no specific goal on my horizon. I like to think I will rise to whatever occasion is put before me while managing the roles of mother, wife, litigator, daughter, sister, friend, class mom, athlete…"
Gregory Colonna
Halesite Fire Department
As a college student, Halesite Fire Department First Assistant Chief Gregory Colonna was intrigued by the stories his brother, Michael, told about volunteering at the firehouse. His brother took him for a tour of the firehouse, where the captain asked Colonna a few questions about joining. He was instantly hooked. Within two months, he was riding on the back step of a fire truck with his firefighting gear heading to battle the 1995 Long Island Wildfires on the East End. He is one of only a few Long Island volunteer firefighters to hold the chief officer certification from the Suffolk County Fire Academy. This certification required him to accrue more than 500 hours of officer and command training. As a chief officer, he is one of the first emergency personnel to respond to emergencies, including those that risk his life. He was on standby for assistance during 9/11 and ready to give support 24/7 during the storms and heat waves Long Island has encountered over the years. His proudest achievements at the Halesite Fire Department have been the unsolicited taps on the shoulder senior members and ex-chiefs have given him for doing a good job. "These happen rarely, but getting the pat on the back, or even a bear hug, by these salty individuals gives me the motivation I once felt on the lacrosse field," said Colonna, who played lacrosse in college. "Early on in my membership with Halesite FD, I was given the nickname of one of our legendary ex-chiefs – who passed away before I joined – by his eldest son. The feeling of knowing the pride others have in me continues to motivate me to achieve more."
Colonna earned a bachelor's degree in psychobiology from Drew University. He has played lacrosse through most of his life and has coached a Police Athletic League team of sixth-graders. Colonna is also senior benefits consultant at Chernoff Diamond in Uniondale, where he has demonstrated great leadership. He has risen through the ranks in the employee benefits consulting market since 2003. "My future goal is to be a trusted leader and adviser at Chernoff Diamond," Colonna said. "There's no doubt that the fire service will be a part of my future, but my number one goal, after my wife, Darlene, and my son, Alex, is to rise to the top of my career by learning from the best in the employee benefits industry. I have an awesome team of leaders to emulate."
Craig Connors
Green Key Resources LLC
Craig Connors was a few years into his accounting career when he was approached, in 2007, with the opportunity to join Green Key Resources, a regional recruiting firm specializing in accounting/finance placement that had a thriving New York City business and a Melville office in its infancy. Connors decided to take a chance to help build the new office and aid in the development and growth of Green Key Resources on Long Island. Nearly eight years later, the Long Island office has a self-sustaining, thriving business with multiple direct-hire divisions and a full-service temporary staffing business. The office has 20 employees and, after focusing originally on the successful placement of accounting and finance professionals, it currently has the resources to serve the entire region for all kinds of hiring needs. Now executive director of Green Key Resources, Connors counts developing the Long Island office among the proudest achievements of his career. "It is nice to see what we have built," he said. "When I started it was purely a startup operation with just me and one other person. It shows how much we have grown over the past eight years and what our hard work was able to provide."
Connors is admired by colleagues for his ability to reach others and better their careers. While recruitment is a very competitive business, Connors' desire to always do the right thing by his clients/candidates is apparent as he remains dedicated to precise placement for each individual. Community-minded, Connors makes time to give back to the community. He has been involved in multiple charity 5K and 10K runs and has volunteered his time to the Boys & Girls Club of America. Connors has also donated to several nonprofit organizations, including Toys for Tots. Connors is a licenced certified public accountant who earned a bachelor's degree in accounting from Fordham University. A supportive spouse and active parent shuttling his young children to many extracurricular programs, he has both family and career aspirations. "My goal is to become a partner at Green Key and continue the aggressive growth and success of our Long Island office," he said. "I would also like to continue to be a good husband to my wife, Jaime, and good father to my daughter, Kyleigh, and son, Matt."
Ira Cooperman
WeiserMazars LLP
While taking a wide range of college courses – from Greek mythology to calculus – WeiserMazars Senior Manager Ira Cooperman still could not declare his major. Though he enjoyed the classes, they didn't provide that spark Cooperman was seeking. It was when he entered an introductory accounting course that everything started to make sense. "I quickly took as many business courses as I could in order to catch up to the accounting students who had already decided on their majors," he said. Joining WeiserMazars through a merger with Biscotti Toback & Co. in 2011, Cooperman has 16 years of experience in accounting for manufacturing and distribution companies primarily in the consumer products sector. He specializes in apparel, food and beverage, pharmaceutical, chemical and technology companies, as well as those owned by private equity groups. Cooperman also has a significant background in employee benefit plans. He works closely with the firm's quality control department and performs reviews of engagements throughout the year. He is a member of an internal team that is working on the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants' Discussion Paper on Enhancing Quality Responses. He is also a member of the firm's audit watch task force.
Among his proudest accomplishments was when the firm selected him to join a WeiserMazars leadership gathering. "This past year, the firm asked me to attend a leadership course in Barcelona, which was an incredible opportunity for me," he said. "I was in Barcelona for a week with other future leaders of this international firm. I learned so much about the shared leadership vision of my firm, while also being able to visit a beautiful city. I left Barcelona with great ideas and many of my questions answered about the future of the firm." Cooperman, a certified public accountant, earned his bachelor's degree in accounting from the State University of New York at Albany. He and is big supporter of cancer research and for many years has participated in events to benefit Relay for Life. Cooperman's aspiration is to join the firm's partnership. "I want to be a partner at WeiserMazars LLP in the future," he said. "The firm has a vision and culture that makes it a great place to work. It all starts by mentoring young staff and showing them that they will have a clear future at the firm."
John Dano
The Entrepreneur Center
John Dano founded The Entrepreneur Center in 2013 after being part of SalesPartnersTM, a global franchise group of business trainers where he presented before packed auditoriums on stages around the world. "I got an early start in my mid-20s to be a leader in that organization, which helped me craft my skill sets in terms of public speaking, and more importantly learn about creating successful businesses and making a difference in communities," he said. A desire to make a difference in Long Island's communities is what led Dano to leave SalesPartnersTM and launch The Entrepreneur Center, a training center for entrepreneurs, in Melville. As its lead educator, he brings extensive training and an entrepreneurial background that provides ongoing support for Long Island business owners. Dano is known for his innovative and interactive teaching style that gives business owners, professionals and aspiring business owners the skills necessary to make their companies successful. Having continuously traveled as part of the global franchise team, Dano missed out on the opportunity to witness the positive effects his training had on communities. "I truly believe from a local perspective is where you can make a true difference," Dano said. "Opening The Entrepreneur Center was about making sure I can see them, I can touch them, I can make a difference. The actual physical space of The Entrepreneur Center has been one of my proudest moments."
Dano earned a master's degree in communications from New York Institute of Technology and a bachelor's degree in speech communication from Missouri Western State University. His community involvement spans the business, educational and religious sectors. He serves as a consultant to the East Coast Conference, a nonprofit Division 2 conference of athletic programs, volunteers at the Northport High School Academy of Finance and serves as a core team leader in the Edge Youth Ministry Program at St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church in Massapequa. Dano also offers free business presentations and seminars to groups and organizations across Long Island. Building his family and developing financial independence for those he closely works with are among Dano's top priorities. "There is a dying breed of young, growing families here on Long Island," he said. "I have a minivan and I will fill that up." With two daughters, Malie, 5, and Lani, 3, a son, Koa, 1, and another child on the way, Dano and his wife, Christine, are well on their way to do just that. "From a business prospective, for the people I work intimately with – I want to help them find financial peace," he said.
Robert Del Giorno
Garfunkel Wild, P.C.
Garfunkel Wild Partner Robert Del Giorno was raised to never be afraid to speak up, particularly when confronted with some form of unfairness or injustice. "The advocacy skills I developed at an early age translated well to a career as an attorney, as I now use those skills to help people facing many different kinds of problems," he said. Del Giorno joined the Great Neck law firm in 2008, and is a member of its compliance and white-collar defense group as well as the healthcare and litigation groups. He represents individuals and organizations in federal and state civil and criminal investigations, prosecutions and litigations. He has handled a variety of high-profile matters, including defending New York hospitals, laboratories, home care agencies and individuals in complex, multi-million-dollar False Claims Act cases, criminal prosecutions, audits and related litigation. Del Giorno's practice includes advising clients in the area of fraud and abuse. He also specializes in conducting internal investigations for clients and is regularly called upon to handle client emergencies.
Prior to joining Garfunkel Wild as an associate, Del Giorno worked at Fulbright & Jaworski in New York City, where he focused on commercial litigation and criminal defense matters. He also served as an assistant district attorney in the Nassau County District Attorney's Office, where he tried numerous cases to verdict. "The time I spent helping victims and family members while serving as a prosecutor in Nassau County's Special Victims Bureau will always be the work I am most proud of," he said. "One particular case stands out because of the severity of the crime and the impact it had on the victim and her family for years," he said. In that case, Del Giorno obtained a conviction of a husband who threatened his wife's life, kidnapped their son for a few days and then fled to Canada. Five years later, the husband was finally returned to Nassau County. Del Giorno spent a lot of time with the victims in this case. "Their pain, relief and gratitude is something I will never forget," he said. He concentrates on two specific goals. "My wife, Lauren – who is also an attorney – and I joke that our three most demanding clients are our 5-year-old son and 2-year-old twins," he said. "Helping our children develop into good human beings is our primary goal and brings us the most joy." From a professional standpoint, he said, "My goal is to develop new lines of business and clients at my firm." He earned a Juris Doctor, cum laude, from St. John's University School of Law and a bachelor's degree in economics from Fairfield University.
Ryan Donnelly
The Donnelly Group
While studying marketing in Sydney, Australia, Ryan Patrick Donnelly began interning at advertising firms, public relations firms and magazines, but it was his internship at McGrath Estate Agents, Australia's largest real estate company, where he immediately found his true passion. After a four-month internship, Donnelly was given the opportunity to be the youngest sales manager for one of the top teams at the firm. "All of my skill sets were put to the test and it was the industry I felt like I could accomplish the most in," Donnelly said. He remained at McGrath's for two years, gaining great insight into the art of selling property, marketing and negotiation. After spending more than 11 years in the industry spanning multiple continents and earning honorable awards, Donnelly saw an opportunity to deliver an innovative way to sell real estate. In 2011, he launched The Donnelly Group, a boutique real estate marketing firm in Garden City. As the company's president and managing partner, Donnelly leads in preparing customized campaigns, upgrading service standards, focusing on team development and refining the company's systems. Only two months into the company's launch, Donnelly opened a second location in Floral Park.
In 2012, Donnelly led the firm to beat out the biggest corporate brands in New York to be named as the exclusive selling agent for Dutchgate, a 350-unit-condo complex in Valley Stream. Shortly after, The Donnelly Group expanded into its fourth office location, "Garden City Too," and, in 2014, the company celebrated its fifth office in Garden City South and sixth location in Fort Salonga – breaking its way into the Suffolk County market. Donnelly offers his clients the same unique marketing and advertising experience whether their home is valued at $4 million or $150,000. He considers The Donnelly Group team a family and said his proudest moment occurred during the firm's first annual awards ceremony, which was held last November. "The sight of all of my agents and the relationships I have built – with each of the almost 100 agents from our six offices – was the proudest accomplishment of my life," he said. He sees future growth for The Donnelly Group. "I am dedicated to growing my company for the year to come, not with adding new agents but with capturing top market share in our markets as well as our outlying market areas," he said. "On a personal level, my goal is finding a better work/life balance, taking weekends off and starting back on doing charity 5K races, as well as running my first half-marathon," Donnelly said.
Zach Erdem
75 Main, Southampton
Zach Erdem, owner of the Southampton restaurant 75 Main, grew up in a small village in Turkey where there was a local farm. His mother, Seriban, would prepare all her dishes fresh from the farm. A captivated onlooker, Erdem learned how to mix and cook everything by observing his mom. It was during these early boyhood years that he first aspired to one day own a restaurant. After immigrating to the United States in 2002, he struggled to make a living and was planning to move back home after just six months. With only $60 in his pocket, he took a quick trip to the Hamptons two days before his scheduled flight back to Turkey. Entering the Town of Southampton, he stopped for lunch at the first restaurant he saw – 75 Main. When the general manager offered him a bartending position, Erdem enthusiastically took it. In 2010, after gaining additional experience in the hospitality field, he had the opportunity to return to Southampton and purchase 75 Main. Since then, he has turned 75 Main into a year-round hot spot among locals. The restaurant offers an Italian menu, coupled with a state-of-the-art lounge/nightclub. Its A-list guests have included socialites, celebrities and Vice President Joe Biden. Due to 75 Main's attraction, Erdem has also brought more business to the mom-and-pop shops in the village. In 2012, he opened a second restaurant location in Delray, Fla., after many requests from his clients who travel there in the winter.
Erdem is pleased his success has enabled him to give back to his parents, Seriban and Gazi Erdem, who gave him so much. "In the small village where I was born, there were no houses," said Erdem, noting he grew up in a mountain home within the rocks and caves of Turkey. "Last year, I built a nice house for my parents in Turkey. They were so happy. My father even cried from happiness – his tears made it all worth it." Erdem gives back to the community whenever possible, from donating his time to fundraisers to supporting local causes. He also donates food to the New York City Police Department and New York City Fire Department. He plans to continue expanding his business with additional restaurant projects. "I would like to own more restaurants and nightclubs around the world," he said.
John Farrell
Sahn Ward Coschignano & Baker, PLLC
Coming from a law enforcement family, Sahn Ward Coschignano & Baker Partner John Farrell has always been interested in the law. "I would say that I knew from a very early age that being an attorney was something that I wanted to do," he said. Farrell began his career in public service as an assistant town attorney for the Town of Babylon, where he served as counsel to the town's zoning board of appeals and planning board. He also acted as lead prosecutor for zoning violations in the town. After leaving the town, Farrell was associated with several prominent Long Island law firms before joining Uniondale-based Sahn Ward Coschignano & Baker in 2010. He was promoted to partner four years later. Farrell concentrates his practice in the areas of zoning and land use planning, environmental law, litigation and appeals, municipal law and legislative practice. He represents developers, property owners and franchisees in land use approval cases, municipal litigation and real estate transactions throughout Nassau and Suffolk counties. He also represents many villages and special districts on Long Island.
Farrell was appointed to the advisory board of Touro College Jacob D. Fuchsberg Law Center's Land Use and Sustainable Development Law Institute. The institute is dedicated to issues that are very important to Farrell, as it addresses some of Long Island's most pressing social concerns, including climate change and natural disaster resiliency; the creation of thriving urban centers and downtowns; affordable housing; and the management of water resources. "One of my proudest achievements was being named to the advisory board of Touro Law School's Land Use and Sustainable Development Law Institute," Farrell said. "The issues we deal with at the institute are critical to the future of Long Island as a place to live and work." He also serves as a member of the Town of Babylon zoning board of appeals. He has also been a member of the Sons of the American Legion in Lindenhurst for more than 25 years. As Farrell looks toward the future, he said, "I would like to become more active in my local community and do more charitable work." Farrell has received many accolades for his work. Most recently, Touro College presented him with the 2013 Public Interest Attorney of the Year Award. He earned a bachelor's degree from Hofstra University and a Juris Doctor from Touro College Jacob D. Fuchsberg Law Center. He is admitted to practice in New York State and is a member of the New York State, Suffolk and Nassau bar associations.
Leah Fisher
Arbor Realty Trust, Inc.
Leah Fisher admits she ended up in the commercial mortgage industry somewhat by default. "I was actually a fine arts major in college and didn't see myself in a field outside of a creative one," said Fisher, who is vice president of legal administration for Arbor Realty Trust Inc. in Uniondale. "Little did I realize the creative, out-of-the-box thinking that actually occurs in the business world." It was during graduate school, when Fisher was seeking a job to complement her school schedule, that she ended up at a residential mortgage firm in an administrative role. From there, she soon found herself at Arbor, a real estate investment trust that provides structured finance products to commercial real estate developers and owners. "I can tell you I'm incredibly grateful I ended up in my industry and at Arbor – even if it was a fluke," Fisher said. "I find my work challenging and exciting."
At Arbor, she is responsible for supporting the firm's general counsel in managing various aspects of the company's legal requirements. She assists the general counsel with all corporate endeavors, including but not limited to assistance with public filings, board of director approvals and due diligence related to capital transactions. In addition, she supports all corporate endeavors and transactions for the company's external manager, Arbor Commercial Mortgage, and its subsidiaries, inclusive of licensing, legal research and management of litigations. Starting at Arbor as a coordinator, Fisher has been extremely proactive in her roles and was named a vice president nearly two years ago. "To move from a coordinator to a vice president through my hard work and determination, and with the recognition of my company, has been extremely gratifying," she said. "I would like to keep growing within my role at the company, continuing to add value where I can and learn from the accomplished individuals who surround me." Fisher is heavily involved in national and local nonprofit organizations, including CARE, an international organization that focuses on empowering girls and women in poverty-stricken nations to position themselves to become financially independent; Southern Poverty Law Center, a group dedicated to fighting hate and bigotry; and Wounded Warrior Project. "One day, I would like to find myself on a board of a nonprofit or charity organization," Fisher noted. Fisher attended George Washington University, where she earned a bachelor's degree in fine arts/art; a bachelor's degree in history/psychology; and a master's degree in project management.
Christine Gagnon
EisnerAmper LLP
EisnerAmper Senior Audit Manager Christine Gagnon's parents, Steven and Teresa Barnett, were a significant influence in her life as she grew up, and when it came time for her to choose a career, it was no different. "My parents always joked about how detail-oriented I was and how I was good with numbers," Gagnon said. "Accounting seemed like a logical career path." At EisnerAmper, Gagnon provides services to public and private clients in a variety of industries including retail, manufacturing, entertainment, software, publications and financial services. She is responsible for all phases of an audit, including planning, organization, supervision and review of the fieldwork. Working out of the firm's Syosset location, she specializes in audit and assurance and financial services and working with hedge funds and retailers. Gagnon also assists in the training and mentoring of staff and is involved in the recruitment of new employees.
Her career has had many peaks, but Gagnon describes passing her certified public accountant exam as her proudest achievement. She has a great appreciation for the work done by Splashes of Hope, a nonprofit organization dedicated to creating art to transform spaces such as children's hospitals and facilitate healing. As Splashes of Hope's board secretary she is active with the organization, participating in fundraisers and planning sessions, including working on its annual gala, and personally donating art supplies and promoting Splashes of Hope throughout the business community. Gagnon is in charge of coordinating EisnerAmper's annual EisnerAmper Cares volunteer week for the Long Island office and recently organized an EisnerAmper team of 12 employees to help Splashes of Hope clean up its studios and prime mural boards for final art applications. This support has helped Splashes of Hope more efficiently fulfill its mission. Gagnon earned a bachelor's degree in accounting from Marist College. She is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and New York State Society of Certified Public Accountants. Gagnon and her husband, Sean, have two children, Brielle and Tyler. While she is interested in helping EisnerAmper's Long Island office expand, Gagnon remains focused on her family. "I would like to help grow the Long Island practice at EisnerAmper while continuing to be a role model to my children," she said.
James Graham
St. Joseph's College
The enjoyment James Graham, director of college advancement at St. Joseph's College in Patchogue, receives from helping people has been the driving force behind all of his career decisions. A seasoned philanthropy professional, Graham has held development positions with many large institutions including the North Shore-LIJ Health System and the Lustgarten Foundation. He joined St. Joseph's College in 2012 and has led numerous fundraising initiatives that have included capital campaigns, annual funds, major donor giving and a national walk program. Graham has built a strong fundraising program at the college that reaches out to more than 21,000 alumni. As a result, the college has seen the alumni giving rate grow by more than 180 percent, as well as an increase in employee giving by more than 55 percent.
Participating as a member of two state work groups, Graham was heavily involved in the creation of the new Hospitality and Tourism Management program at St. Joseph's College and assisted in securing almost $1 million in state funding. He also worked on the creation of the Institute for Hospitality and Tourism Management, as well as the HTM Business Incubator currently being planned at the college. He is also working to obtain additional funding to support the expansion of the college's nursing program. Graham's proudest career achievement occurred at St. Joseph's College. "After Hurricane Sandy, many students were impacted by the devastation the storm brought," he said. "Our team raised more than $250,000 in two weeks to make sure every student impacted – more than 60 students – would be able to remain in school and complete their St. Joseph's College education. Knowing we were able to help those students in a time of great need was an outstanding feeling." Graham was recently elected to be the inaugural chairman of the board of directors of Miracle League of Long Island, a baseball program for people with disabilities; and a board member for Share the Voice, which enhances the lives of disabled children. His primary goal is to continue working with great people to accomplish big tasks. "I plan to help the nonprofits I work with most, Miracle League of Long Island and Share the Voice, expand their operations to help more children and young adults," he said. "St. Joseph's College has great organizational goals that I am looking forward to helping them accomplish, as well." Graham earned a bachelor's degree in parks, recreation and leisure studies from York College of Pennsylvania. He is looking forward to a future filled with potential with his wife, Lynda – who is due in April with their third child – and his sons, John and Tyler.
Brian Halweil
Edible Holdings (Edible Brooklyn, Edible East End, Edible Long Island and Edible Manhattan)
After hearing ecologist Paul Ehrlich say farming was the single biggest way in which humans touched the planet, Edible Holdings Editor-in-Chief Brian Halweil shifted his focus from studying anatomy and immunology to studying soil science and plant pathology. "I was hooked – not just on the farming way of life, but on how what we grow and the food we eat touches every aspect of our society, from our health and economy, to our culture and social life." Graduating from Stanford University in 1997, with a double major in earth systems and biology, Halweil moved to Washington, D.C. to take a research job at the environmental think tank Worldwatch Institute, where he helped elevate the national debate on food issues, at a time when farmers' markets were still relatively rare. Halweil has been at the forefront of the local food movement in America and a leader in raising food literacy on Long Island. He founded and guided a myriad of community food organizations and, in 2005, he and his business partner, Stephen Munshin, launched Edible East End, a publication elevating the debate about food and farming on the East End.
Edible East End was an immediate success and a year later, friends in Brooklyn urged Halweil to launch Edible Brooklyn. Edible Manhattan came a couple of years later and Edible Long Island, which covers western Suffolk and Nassau counties, emerged in 2012 – all making up Edible Holdings. "I am proud to walk down Bedford Avenue in Brooklyn or Main Street in Sag Harbor and be stopped by startup brewers, picklemakers, chefs and hogfarmers who say, 'Thank you. If it wasn't for an article in Edible, our business wouldn't be thriving today.'" Halweil and his wife, Sarah, also founded the Sag Harbor Farmers Market. "It was the first farmers market on the East End, and some members on the village board didn't think it would last," he said. "It thrived and still does today. It also inspired other farmers' markets to open on both forks. That support for farmers, fishers and food and drink makers – that makes me proud." Halweil also devotes his time and the magazine resources to community initiatives. He desires Edible to be a "future-friendly" media company. "That means understanding that food is constantly evolving, and how we chronicle and celebrate our local food community will have to evolve," he said. "Personally, I want to write a book about food tech, the ways in which technology – from robot farmers to wine-drinking apps to smart kitchens – will change how we eat more profoundly than anything since the agricultural revolution."
Jamessina Hille
The Garden City Hotel
Marketing has been Jamessina Hille's ambition since she competed in the DECA marketing leadership program in high school. This passion continued throughout college and solidified upon graduation when she began her marketing career with the National Football League as a liaison between the franchises and league office to develop grassroots youth football programs across the country. "That was Branding 101 from day one – and the power of the brand and inspiring action on behalf of it has stayed with me throughout my career," said Hille, who is director of marketing and public relations at The Garden City Hotel. Hille joined The Garden City Hotel in 2013 and within three months was invited to join the hotel's executive committee. Her focus includes brand identity, internal brand awareness and a strategic 360-degree marketing campaign for all facets of the hotel's businesses, which has resulted in the careful repositioning of the 140-year-old iconic address.
Hille's public relations efforts have resulted in the hotel landing key articles in major publications, and spots on radio and television news stations surrounding the recent $30 million revitalization of the hotel's guest rooms, suites and event space. Her direction of a new website, retargeting campaign and strategic email marketing have resulted in a 24 percent increase in revenue generated online in a year-over-year comparison. "To see the hotel emerge again as the place for celebrating, traveling and doing business makes me very proud," Hille said. She earned a bachelor's degree in marketing and supply chain management from Northeastern University's School of Business. Giving back to the community, Hille is a member of the Women's Leadership Award Committee for the Woman's Fund of Long Island and a supporter/volunteer of Friends of Karen and the Make-a-Wish Foundation. Hille recently joined the board of directors of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Long Island, an organization near and dear to her heart. "To be among the distinguished and influential individuals that make up this board and working with them to make a difference in the lives of Long Island's youth is extremely rewarding to me." Hille is thankful her parents raised her with an entrepreneurial spirit, which has guided her to be a productive corporate woman. She wishes to pass this spirit on to her children, Richie and Summer.
"With two beautiful, radiant children of my own, it is my goal they will learn by my example that commitment, performance, leadership with a smile and a charitable heart are what will make them successful and happy."
Suzanne Johnson
Westfield South Shore Mall
Holding managerial positions within sports organizations like the New York Islanders and National Collegiate Athletic Association – where she worked in large facilities, directed large staffs and dealt with the public – prepared Suzanne Johnson well for joining the retail property management industry. "When I first began with Westfield in 2012, I compared my job as the assistant general manager of the largest mall in Connecticut to my past in sports – instead of preparing for three to four games a week, you are constantly in 'game mode,' being open to the public seven days a week," said Johnson, who was named general manger at the Westfield South Shore Mall in Bay Shore in 2013. Johnson quickly earned respect at the 1.1 million-square-foot mall, overseeing its $82 million renovation project and generating a 25 percent increase in sales per square foot. She also helped transform the shopping center into a family-oriented destination with a greatly expanded roster of fine retailers and restaurants. Among them are Michael Kors, Olive Garden, Soma, Sephora, Windsor and a renovated 200,000-square-foot Macy's. The proudest moment of Johnson's career with Westfield was revitalizing South Shore Mall in conjunction with the grand reopening of Macy's. "Even with the numerous delays that typically plague any type of construction project, Macy's was able to open its doors 10 days ahead of schedule," she said. "This meant 10 less days the Westfield team would have to get the newly renovated center into tip-top shape for the VIP celebration. With much cooperation, long hours and hard work from our contractors, vendors and construction and development departments, and most importantly our in-house team, we pulled together and received rave reviews from executives at Westfield and Macy's."
Her day-to-day responsibilities include orchestrating every facet of operations including safety/security, housekeeping/maintenance, visual ambiance and tenant and community relations. She also hires, trains, schedules, motivates and supervises staff, and is on-call 24/7 should an emergency arise. Previously, she was assistant general manager at two Westfield malls in Connecticut: the Connecticut Post Mall in Milford and the Trumbull Mall in Trumbull. Johnson finds time to volunteer at the New York Bully Crew, an organization rescuing pit bulls and other animals. She also helps raise funds for Love 146, an international human rights organization, as well as Send Musicians to Prison, an organization that believes music can heal and restore. Johnson earned a Bachelor of Business Administration from Sacred Heart University.
David Kasner
Douglas Elliman Real Estate
Douglas Elliman Real Estate Agent David Kasner found himself in the real estate field by pure accident. In the midst of attending college and his parents' divorce, he began encouraging his mom, Sandi Kasner, to pursue a real estate license. "I thought real estate was the perfect fit for her, knowing she loved working with people," he said. His mother was hesitant to follow this path, so he made a pact to join her on that journey and obtain a license as well. With their licenses in hand, his mom headed to work and Kasner went on to finish college, earning a bachelor's degree in physiology from Hofstra University. "I had no intention of using my license at all," Kasner noted. However, when renowned Douglas Elliman Broker Tom Tripodi approached Kasner to be part of his team in Long Beach – which his mom was already a part of – Kasner thought he would take the job until he figured out what he wanted to do.
Now a true force of The Tripodi Group, Kasner has never looked back. For the past five years, Tripodi has named Kasner the top producer on his team, and he has consistently ranked in the top five producers in the entire office, selling more than $15 million in real estate this past year. "My proudest achievement is that I have come up on a team of seven to be the No. 1 agent on the team, second only to Tom Tripodi himself," he said. Kasner is a recognized industry leader earning many awards, including being named by the Long Island Board of Realtors to the inaugural Class of 2012 as one of the Top 20 Agents under Age 40 on Long Island. He remains on top of the latest technology and new industry information. He also makes time to mentor new agents in the company. "I want to continue to grow myself and help to grow the team into the biggest and best we can possibly be," he said. His ability to simply listen has helped many buyers and sellers out of situations they thought were impossible. "Some people think the situation is not affordable for them or think they're going to be foreclosed," he said. "I look to enhance their lives." Known for thinking outside the box, Kasner said, "While others say this is a square peg in a round hole, I am thinking of ways to shave that peg down." Giving back to the communities he serves, Kasner is a founding member of The CHAIN, a business networking group that organizes monthly fundraisers for local nonprofits.
Fenella Kim
Reliance Star Payment Services, Inc.
Reliance Star Payment Services Founder and CEO Fenella Kim always had a knack for systems and devices. Early in her career, she accepted a merchant account sales position and within two months was the top performing sales representative in the company. Fenella was frequently called upon to repair her clients' equipment – a request that leveraged her electrical power engineering education. She also helped sales reps close sales and shared in commission payments. Over time, it became clear that she excelled in every aspect of electronic payment processing, and, in 2004, she launched Reliance Star Payment Services in Great Neck, providing full-service electronic payment solutions to small and medium-size businesses nationwide. Kim has spent the last 10 years introducing innovative products, services and technology to the electronic payment processing industry. Reliance Star Payment Services offers credit and debit card processing; EBT; check conversion and guarantee; point-of-sale systems; ATM; a mobile payment application; web design services and gift and loyalty card solutions.
Fluent in five languages, Kim led the company to successfully penetrate the Chinese-, Korean-, Vietnamese- and Spanish-speaking markets by providing multilingual sales and service support to clients. Under Kim's leadership, and with her strong desire to grow the company quickly, Reliance Star Payment Services has expanded from a two-person company to a team of 20 people. Revenues have grown 3,614 percent since the company's inception. "My future goal is to grow the company 10-fold within the next 5 years," she said, "and to build up the company and put the company on the map as a nationally well-known payment processing expert." Kim and her company have received an abundance of accolades, which she holds among her proudest moments. They include the 2014 Enterprising Women of the Year award; the 2013 Queens Courier Rising Stars award; and a 2014 Stevie Award: Woman of Year-Bronze. Additionally, in 2013 and 2014, Inc. magazine listed Reliance Star Payment Services on its 500/5000 list as one of America's Fastest Growing Privately Owned Companies. With an interest for philanthropy and service, Kim is a member of Women Presidents' Organization and actively involved with the Women's Network in Electronic Transactions. She is also a supporter of Ronald McDonald House of Long Island, a nonprofit that supports families with sick children; March of Dimes, a nonprofit that funds life-saving research and programs aimed at ending premature births; and St. Jude's Children's Hospital, a nonprofit that focuses on finding cures for children with life-threatening diseases.
Jared Kutzin
Winthrop-University Hospital
When a fellow student athlete was injured during Jared Kutzin's high school soccer game, he had no idea what to do. That incident made Kutzin eager to learn how to be prepared for an emergency, so he approached his high school science teacher, Tim O'Boyle, who was an EMT and conducted a CPR/First Aid class. Kutzin joined the class and was intrigued by what he learned. He signed up for the next-level class, setting his career path in motion. Kutzin continued learning lifesaving techniques as a lifeguard at summer camp. He enrolled in an EMT course and began volunteering at his local ambulance corps and later as a firefighter. It was a college faculty member who directed Kutzin toward a nursing career. Realizing he'd rather focus on the health of the population instead of a single patient, Kutzin found his calling after a graduate school professor gave him a tour of the Harvard Center for Medical Simulation. "From there, I understood the value of simulation in improving healthcare," said Kutzin, who is director of the Simulation Center at Winthrop-University Hospital in Mineola. "I was fortunate through a confluence of events in my life and I was guided by exceptional teachers/faculty into my current career."
Among his responsibilities at Winthrop, Kutzin runs a variety of training programs that focus on teamwork, skills and communication. "When a staff member/learner reports back they were able to successfully treat a patient in the clinical setting because of something we taught them, that means all of the challenges we faced in planning and implementing a training course were worth it," Kutzin said. "The best days are when we hear the work we're doing has impacted not only a learner but also a patient." Prior to joining Winthrop in 2013, Kutzin was director of the Simulation Center at St. Barnabas Medical Center in New Jersey; and director of nursing and clinical simulation at the Institute for Medical Simulation and Advanced Learning in New York City. Kutzin earned a bachelor's degree in nursing from Columbia University; a bachelor's degree in community health education from Hofstra University; a master's degree in health policy and management from Boston University; a master's degree in medical education leadership from University of New England College of Medicine; and a Doctor of Nursing Practice in public health nurse leadership from University of Massachusetts. Kutzin has written about many health-related issues, including simulation. A sought-after speaker, he has lectured at many national/regional conferences and workshops. "My goal is to continue to use simulation to improve the quality and safety of healthcare."
Peter Liang
Wolters Kluwer
Peter Liang's professional experience has spanned several industries, and his passion for innovation has helped scores of firms clear the clutter, focus on what's important, find meaning and accomplish amazing things. "Many industries such as finance, education, media and publishing are being challenged by the digital revolution, with incumbent companies most at risk of being left behind," Liang said, adding he enjoys being part of the transformation that moves these companies forward. As senior manager of planning and analytics at Babylon-based Wolters Kluwer, a $4.8 billion global leader in information, software and services that delivers critical data, insights and subject-matter expertise to legal, tax, finance and healthcare professionals, Liang puts his pioneering ideas to work. He is responsible for the vision and strategic development of platform technology, including strategic planning, financial budgeting/ management and initiatives to drive growth through innovation. His duties also include managing a team of professionals in the United States and Europe. Over the years, Liang has launched several businesses, as well as innovative and successful products in the financial services and media industries. "Of course, I've had my share of failures along the way," he said. "At the end of the day, it is a set of life experiences. What makes me exceptionally proud is how I've dealt with people along the way, which can be summed up as respect and self-respect."
Liang's ability to lead and drive innovation has earned him numerous honors. He is recognized as a top talent by Wolters Kluwer's talent management program and most recently was named a finalist in its 2014 Global Innovation Awards. He has presented at many industry conferences, universities and local events hosted by associations, including Long Island Forum for Technology and LaunchPad Long Island. Liang serves on the board of Columbia Alumni Association, Long Island, overseeing programming and communication committees covering the university's 9,500-plus alumni living in Nassau and Suffolk. He also serves as president of Long Island Chinese American Executive Network, a mentoring and professional networking organization for Chinese-American business leaders who live or work on Long Island. Liang earned a Master of Business Administration from Columbia University and a bachelor's degree in computer science from Stony Brook University. He's also a graduate of London Business School's Global Executive Program. He plans to devote more time to community service and advocacy, with a focus on children's education. "Innovation is rewriting the rules of learning and education," he said. "I'd like to leverage my experiences to bring more innovative ideas and technology into local schools and libraries and invest in our children's education."
Samantha Maracic
Todd Shapiro Associates
Samantha Maracic began writing press releases to make a little extra money as she attended graduate school. Having earned a bachelor's degree in political science and human relations, she was also interning at a lobbying firm and considering going to law school. That all changed when her passion for public relations was ignited. "I didn't even know what PR was until I was in it," Maracic said. "I was really lucky how it took off and I started working with some amazing clients and learning the ropes as I went along." Maracic decided to switch her educational path, ultimately earning a master's degree in English, language and literature. Maracic gained more PR experience with stints at Gotham Government Relations and Communications in Garden City and Topix Media Lab in New York City. "I learned that there is so much more to PR than writing a press release," she said.
In 2013, Maracic joined Todd Shapiro Associates, where today she is a senior account executive maintaining a leadership role in the daily function of the firm. A natural at promoting an organization's mission, she secures media placements that range from local newspapers to major media outlets. Maracic also works closely with clients' marketing departments to produce engaging content specific to their brand. In addition to promoting the efforts of two unions, three municipalities, multiple school districts and a hospital, Maracic is also responsible for coordinating educational community events, including the annual Breast Cancer Summit. "The Breast Cancer Summit has been such an amazing experience and a wonderful thing to be a part of," Maracic said. "It's just incredible to be directly relating to thousands of people who are involved with the breast cancer conversation including survivors, medical professionals, local organizations and hospitals." The more Maracic works with organizations that are involved in giving back to the community the more she aims to head in that direction. "I don't know if that means focusing my work on the nonprofit sector or something I get involved with on the side, but I definitely enjoy being part of things that are giving back to the community," she said. Maracic, whose master's degree is from St. John's University, received her undergraduate degree from St. Joseph's College.
Kunjan Mehta
Grant Thornton LLP
In 2004, Grant Thornton Senior Manager Kunjan Mehta moved from India to the United States, looking for international exposure and opportunities to grow. "Growing up in a business-oriented family, I always had business on my mind," he said. "My thought was to somehow be an entrepreneur – do something on my own or where I make decisions." He took that thought process of becoming an entrepreneur and applied it to his budding career. Having a strong finance education, he began his career in Grant Thornton's financial services group in 2006. Today, he splits his time working in Grant Thornton's Melville and New York City offices, as a part of the accounting firm's initiative to grow its financial services presence on Long Island. Mehta focuses on servicing investment partnerships, fund of funds, investment advisers, registered investment companies and private-equity funds. He works on some of Grant Thornton's largest and most prestigious accounts, as well as leading technical update training programs for the firm.
Coming to America at the age of 26, Mehta has naturally transitioned into American life. "Being a person from a different culture, my biggest achievement is having been able to assimilate and become part of the American culture," said Mehta, who arrived with no family other than his wife. Today, the couple has two young children. As he learned about American society, Mehta appreciates the tremendous amount of support and guidance he received from the firm's partners. "I am so grateful for that, because without them I could not be where I am," he said. Paying it forward, Mehta mentors professionals at junior levels and is involved with various colleges and universities for Grant Thornton's recruiting program. Outside of the firm, Mehta serves as chairman of the sponsorship committee and a member of the management committee of the New York Hedge Fund Roundtable, which promotes industry best practices. He also chairs the membership committee of ASCEND, a national nonprofit organization promoting and developing leadership, communication and personnel skills within the pan-Asian community. Mehta earned a bachelor's degree in accounting and finance from Gujarat University in India. He attended The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India, becoming a chartered accountant, gaining exceptional thinking skills to grasp today's unique market. As for his career goals, Mehta said, "I am excited about my future with Grant Thornton and am hoping to become a partner one day."
Matthew Nartowicz
American Community Bank
After college, American Community Bank Vice President/Regional Manager Matthew Nartowicz explored several career options. With guidance from his sister-in-law, Maria, who was a manager at a Long Island-based bank, Nartowicz decided to apply for a position at her bank and was hired. "From my first day with the bank I felt energized and engaged," Nartowicz said. "I knew early on that decision would be the start of a long-term career path for me." At American Community Bank, he is responsible for growing and managing all branches of the Long Island-based community bank. Known for his motivation and business development, he was charged with instilling a sales culture in the bank's retail branches. With a focus on product knowledge, sales and technique training in addition to incentive programs, Nartowicz was able to provide the team with the tools for success. As a result, over the past two years the bank has increased deposits in demand deposit accounts by 47 percent and is experiencing the most profitable period in company history. Being promoted to vice president at American Community Bank has been among Nartowicz's proudest professional achievements. "The elevated title allowed me to lead teams across all branches toward the same company objectives, resulting in the best financial year in the company's history," he said. "It also allowed me to network with fellow leaders in the communities in which we serve to impact positive change."
Prior to joining American Community Bank, Nartowicz worked at several banks, including Astoria Bank, Commerce Bank and most recently Citizen's Bank. As branch manager of Citizen's Bank's Dix Hills location, Nartowicz led Dix Hills to be among the Top 10 most successful branches in his surrounding market (of 98 branches in total). During that time, the branch was also distinguished as No. 1 – out of the company's total 1,450 branches – in percentage of goal in loan closings at an impressive 269 percent. Nartowicz has set a goal for himself to continue the momentum he's experienced thus far, with further advancement to an executive position, while balancing the commitments of family life with his wife, Danielle, and their two children, Averie and Nathan. Nartowicz attended Western Connecticut State University. With his volunteer spirit, he gives his time to organize companywide food drives to support local food kitchens and Long Island Cares Inc. He also participates in fundraising events for the Wounded Warrior Project and local American Legion Chapters. Nartowicz also sits on the board of directors for the East Northport Chamber of Commerce.
Scott Norris
KPMG Partner Scott Norris' interest in accounting was piqued when he took an accounting class in high school and reinforced when his dad, Gary Norris, told him he would always have a job with an accounting degree. "While in college, I interned over the summers in New York City at a firm that audited the circulation of magazines for advertising companies," Norris said. "It was there where I found auditing interesting, and I ultimately obtained an internship at KPMG in audit. I've been in audit ever since." His client portfolio at KPMG's Melville office is diverse and ranges from commercial manufacturing and distribution to broadcast media and network television to telecommunications. In addition to his vast experience with publically held clients and Securities and Exchange Commission reporting, he also serves privately held clients on Long Island and in the New York metropolitan area, as well as startup entities held by private equity firms. "I've always enjoyed seeing how different organizations across various industries operate their businesses and the specific operating and accounting matters each organization deals with on a daily basis." He also has extensive international experience with professionals throughout Europe, China, Japan, Singapore and Malaysia.
Norris has been partner-in-charge of recruiting for KPMG's Long Island office since 2013. He has taken on other roles within the firm, having served as an audit methodology specialist and a financial instruments and derivatives specialist, as well as a quality control reviewer in KPMG's internal audit quality control process. He has also participated on various panels regarding audit quality. Norris experienced his highest career honor four years ago. "Being admitted to the partnership at KPMG in 2011 is my most significant achievement in my career," he said. He earned a bachelor's degree in accounting from University of Rhode Island. A firm believer in providing opportunities for young professionals, Norris has served as a mentor to young KPMG professionals who have become leaders themselves. He has also served as an audit committee member for the Long Island Chapter of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society from 2012 to 2014 and is an annual supporter of ALS charities, March of Dimes, Tomorrow's Hope Foundation and the Walk to End Alzheimer's. Personally, Norris has always wanted to run a marathon and learn how to play guitar. "I'm happy to say I've completed two marathons, so I guess I need to start taking guitar lessons," he said. "My dad played guitar in a band and it is just something I've wanted to learn how to do given my love of music."
Victoria Ortiz-Kleinschmidt
Morgan Stanley
Upon graduating with a bachelor's degree in psychology and social sciences from Stony Brook University in 1999, Victoria Ortiz-Kleinschmidt could not find employment in the field so she became a summer intern at Morgan Stanley in Great Neck. She was quickly hired as a full-time analyst on the bond-trading desk. "I didn't know I was going to love working in finance," said Ortiz-Kleinschmidt, adding it has been a 16-year love story with Morgan Stanley, where she is now a financial advisor in the wealth management division. During her initial years at Morgan Stanley, Ortiz-Kleinschmidt continually questioned the firm's seasoned traders and economists about markets and economic indicators. "The more exposure I had to the industry, the more curious I became," she said. Over the years, Ortiz-Kleinschmidt gained experience from holding various positions, including bond trader, equity market maker and syndicate officer, before being named financial advisor. She also went on to earn a Master of Business Administration in international business from Fordham University in 2006. Ortiz-Kleinschmidt provides brokerage services and highly customized plans to individual investors. She has worked on multinational transactions ranging in size from $100 million to $4 billion. She has also traveled the country to give seminars on economics and finance to municipalities, 501(c)3 corporations, financial advisors and the public.
A trusted leader, she shares her experience and knowledge with the firm's younger professionals. "I believe in that old adage of 'to whom much is given, much is required,'" she said. "Throughout my career many people mentored me, gave me opportunities and invested in my career success emotionally. In turn, I try to pay it forward as much as possible. Both formally and informally I've mentored many junior co-workers to position them for positions with increasing responsibility and promotions. I'm most proud of the nine mentees I've had in my career – six who are currently Morgan Stanley vice presidents and three who are executive directors." Involved in many community nonprofits, Ortiz-Kleinschmidt is planning to start giving basic financial literacy classes in conjunction with the SIFMA foundation. "So many people don't understand their own financial situation and it's really not their fault," she explained. "Basic personal finance isn't taught in most high schools and it's such a critical topic for everyone to understand." Her other goal is a little more personal: "to be the best spouse, mother, daughter and friend I can possibly be." She is married to Michael Kleinschmidt, and they have three children, Andrew, 6, Evelyn, 4, and Michael, 10 months old.
Brandon Ray
AT&T External Affairs, Long Island
Brandon Ray believes in Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s philosophy that "everyone can be great because everyone can serve." "I have always been about public service and truly believe that public/private partnerships are necessary in order for communities to thrive," said Ray, who is regional director of external affairs on Long Island for AT&T. "Service is what guided me into this field." Ray serves as AT&T's representative to local government and community organizations. He also leads and implements the company's local governmental public policy initiatives by developing and executing strategic legislative and public affairs tactics and strategies. Ray also provides community relations at the local level to promote positive customer image for AT&T and its affiliates. Education is a top priority for Ray and, as such, one of his proudest career moments was during AT&T's most recent sponsorship of the Girl Scouts of Nassau County's Science, Technology Engineering and Mathematics conference. "AT&T New York President Marissa Shorenstein served as the keynote speaker," he said. "AT&T believes in providing STEM education opportunities for young women. This conference served as one of those opportunities."
He aspires to make the community a better place in which to live and work. Among his many volunteer positions, Ray was a trustee to the board of education of the Hempstead Public School System from 2009-2013 and a special assistant to the executive director at the After School Excellence Center, where he organized board meetings, public forums and town hall meetings related to after-school education and programming. Additionally, he has helped senior citizens regain entry into the workforce through his efforts with the Urban League of Long Island. Ray has set two goals for himself. "A work-related goal is to help continue to spread the message throughout Long Island as best I can that AT&T has made significant investment in our network infrastructure here and would like to continue to improve, with the help of our local elected officials and municipalities," Ray said. "A personal goal is to marry my fiancée, Alicia, who I recently got engaged to, this past November." Ray earned a master's degree in public administration from Baruch College and a bachelor's degree in management from Howard University. He was also chosen as one of a select group of promising leaders when he was accepted into the National Urban Fellows Inc. fellowship program, Class of 2007.
Allison Roditi
South Nassau Communities Hospital
Allison Roditi was a biology major at Wake Forest University when one of her sorority sisters recognized her leadership qualities and suggested she enter the administrative side of healthcare. Roditi followed that route, and it wasn't long before she realized it was just where she belonged. Today, she is service line administrator for surgery and obstetrics and gynecology at South Nassau Communities Hospital in Oceanside. She oversees the strategy, finances and operations for two of the largest service lines at South Nassau, as well as the hospital's ambulatory surgical practice in Valley Stream. At South Nassau, Roditi has assisted the chairman of ob-gyn with growing the faculty to 65 members and has worked with physicians to bring deliveries to the hospital, increasing volume by nearly 300 deliveries over the last year. She has helped to bring a Maternal Fetal Medicine program to the hospital, and she worked with the marketing department to develop a women's services brochure and other patient education materials that focus on the comprehensive women's services the hospital provides.
Prior to joining South Nassau, Roditi held director-level positions in the specialties of neurosciences, surgery and perioperative services in the North Shore-LIJ Health System. Her proudest achievement is a recent one. It was right after she joined South Nassau – just over a year ago – that she was asked to reorganize one of its outpatient surgical practices. Today, she is credited for the more efficient running of the practice and for the bonding of a team that now functions as one. After earning her bachelor's degree in biology from Wake Forest University, she went on to obtain her master's degree in public health from Tufts University School of Medicine and her master's degree in philosophy in health administration from New York University's Robert F. Wagner Graduate School of Public Service. Roditi also holds the distinction of fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives and serves as a mentor for young healthcare executives. She is involved with nonprofit organizations, including the Boomer Esiason Foundation and iLiveFit, serving as board president for the latter, which provides fitness classes, health information and wellness to at-need populations. "A short-term personal goal for me is to work closely with my friend Shawn Swift, CEO of iLiveFit, to increase our fundraising and develop steady sources of philanthropy to support the four pillar programs of the organization," she said. Roditi's long-term goal is to be the best role model for her sons, Connor and Ryan. "Being a working, single mom is not without its challenges, and I want them to always feel stable, loved and secure," she said.
Dean Rothman
National Financial Network LLC
National Financial Network Investment Specialist Dean Rothman always knew he wanted to work with people and help them enhance their lives. He joined National Financial Network – with offices in Garden City, Manhattan and Brooklyn – in 2002 and has worked to maximize the value of clients' assets and perpetuate their legacies for generations to come.
Rothman is responsible for the training and development of National Financial Network's 60 registered representatives. A leader of the firm's management team, he also aids its young associates in building their practice with the same devotion and integrity that he possesses in his own practice. Nationally, Rothman's investment advisory practice ranks among the top 50 out of 4,000-plus agents nationwide, according to National Financial Network's broker/dealer, Park Avenue Securities. Additionally, each year he qualifies for Guardian Life Insurance's Leader's Club, a nationally recognized achievement in family protection areas such as life insurance and disability insurance. "My proudest achievement is the very first year I was nationally recognized for my business, and my clients' overwhelming response to the news and how proud they are to be with me," Rothman said. Another career highlight was when one of his clients retired after years of having worked together. "He called me to tell me that I made it possible," Rothman said.
His dedication to on-going knowledge of his field is evident through his professional accredited asset management specialist designation. The AAMS is an intensive program that educates advisers about the various aspects of all areas of financial planning. Rothman is also a member of the Million Dollar Round Table, an exclusive honor that is achieved only by a small percentage of all financial service advisers worldwide. He earned a bachelor's degree in business/finance from Seton Hall University. He raises awareness for various causes, including Tri-ing for Kids, a nonprofit organization that helps provide financial support for sick, injured and needy children. He also participates in the Maggie Fischer Memorial Great South Bay Cross Bay Swim, which helps raise funds for the Hospice Care Network of Long Island. Rothman seeks to advance his career as he helps clients heighten the quality of their lives. "I want to continue to be innovative and help people I touch better their financial lives and financial situations," he said. "My personal goal is to be an example to my two daughters, Emily and Olivia, and show them that commitment to anything you put your mind to is a key to success to anything you do."
Peter Scavuzzo
Marcum LLP
Although Peter Scavuzzo graduated high school with a very strong skill set in math and science, it was his enjoyment of electronics that set him on route to study electrical engineering in college. Two years into his studies, however, he began to understand just how keen his abilities were in math and science, and he decided he wanted to apply them to business, finance and leadership initiatives. "Since I was midway through an engineering curriculum, I changed my focus to computer engineering, where I felt I could get more exposure to business and critical thinking," he said. "That, coupled with taking on several university leadership roles and starting my own information technology business, shaped me to be successful in the role I have today." Today, Scavuzzo is chief information officer at Marcum LLP, a top national accounting and advisory services firm with more than 1,300 employees in 22 offices in the United States, Grand Cayman and China. He is responsible for creating and executing the strategic technology roadmap across all Marcum Group companies. His current strategic charter focuses on five major points: customer service, IT to business alignment, IT financial predictability, business continuity/disaster recovery and workforce excellence.
Interested in providing focused and the highest-quality services, Scavuzzo requires that IT follow standard operating procedures and practice change management. He has played a key role in the firm's expansion, having successfully integrated more than 20 merger-and-acquisition transactions and seamlessly expanding and relocating 15-plus offices. As a member of the firm's management team, Scavuzzo provides continual guidance on business processes, data protection, security, risk management and operational improvements. He regularly visits firm offices, gathering constructive feedback from partners and staff. He is a contributor and key asset to all C-Level executives, and mentors staff as part of the firm's coaching program. Scavuzzo's proudest career achievement was being named CIO at Marcum at the age of 33. "They placed a great deal of trust in me at that age and I was very proud to achieve this role." Scavuzzo earned a bachelor's degree in computer engineering and a master's degree in telecommunication networks from Polytechnic University, now known as Polytechnic Institute of NYU. Prior to joining Marcum, Scavuzzo was responsible for national IT infrastructure at Photocircuits Corp., a global manufacturing company. He also served as assistant director of computing services at the SUNY College at Old Westbury and, for more than a decade, he owned his own technology consulting firm. A future goal for Scavuzzo is "to be a recognized national leader in the CIO role."
Michael Sciara
John W. Baumgarten Architect, P.C.
It was hours of building with Legos and sketching freehand style as a child that helped structure Michael Sciara's path into the architecture field. "Attending Sewanhaka High School in Floral Park afforded me the opportunity to pursue my budding interest in architecture by participating in their technical drawing and computer-aided design courses," said Sciara, who is principal and vice president at John W. Baumgarten Architect in Jericho. "Before entering college, I was guided into the profession at a very early age." Sciara leads JWB's healthcare and commercial design studios and is responsible for managing the day-to-day operations of the design, production and field teams. He has served in a number of strategic and senior managerial positions at the firm, most recently as director of architecture. Sciara has built his architectural career solely on Long Island. He has more than 14 years of industry experience, having worked at several architectural firms. He has worked with senior care, healthcare, corporate, retail, educational and institutional clients throughout the Northeast region. He has designed and managed multiple projects that have been awarded the prestigious ARCHI Award from the American Institute of Architects.
Among Sciara's proudest career achievements was passing the state registration board exams and officially becoming a licensed architect. "Any architect can attest to the grueling process it is to study and sit for the state exams," Sciara said. "It really taught me about patience, determination and perseverance." Sciara is committed to mentoring young architects through his day-to-day involvement with the AIA's Intern Development Program. He also served as an adjunct professor of architecture at the New York Institute of Technology, his alma mater. Sciara enjoys volunteering his time to organizations and his community. He is a member of the Young Professionals Advisory Board at New Ground Inc., a Hempstead-based nonprofit agency seeking to end homelessness. He also manages and coaches baseball for Plainview Little League. As Sciara looks toward the future, he plans to continue to produce first-rate work and contribute meaningful architectural design to the industry. "As a business owner, I envision growing my firm in depth and quality while mentoring the top new talent coming from the Long Island region," he noted. "Personally, I strive to be a better husband to my wife, Heather, and father to my four sons, Matthew, Brenden, Jacob and Nathaniel."
Ana Shields
Jackson Lewis, P.C.
With a clear understanding that she was destined to litigate and an interest in employment law issues that are universally important to the community, it is no wonder that Ana Shields joined Jackson Lewis, one of the largest workplace law firms in the world representing management. Today, Shields is a shareholder in the firm's Melville office. Since joining Jackson Lewis in 2005, she has practiced exclusively in employment law and has been involved in proceedings before federal and state courts, the American Arbitration Association and administrative agencies. She has successfully prepared pleadings, motions, memoranda of law, position statements and legal opinions related to employment law issues, including employment discrimination, harassment, retaliation, whistle-blowing claims and restrictive covenants.
Shields has also advised clients on compliance with various state and federal laws affecting the workplace, including Title VII, Family and Medical Leave Act, Americans with Disabilities Act, Age Discrimination in Employment Act, Fair Labor Standards Act and New York State and City laws. In addition, she is a firm resource for electronic discovery issues.
She has worked closely with clients through all phases of litigation, including investigations, depositions and trials. Her hard work and dedication has been key to her record number of successful cases. "I'm always proud when I deliver positive results for our clients. " She is admitted to practice in New York, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit and the U.S. District Courts for the Southern and Eastern Districts of New York. A recognized leader in her field, she was designated by Super Lawyers magazine as one of the New York metro area's 2014 Rising Stars in Employment Litigation: Defense. Shields was also the recipient of the 2003 American Bar Association/Bureau of National Affairs Award for Excellence in Labor and Employment Law. Shields shares her expertise as a member of the Society for Human Resource Management-Long Island, where she co-chairs the professional development committee. She earned a bachelor's degree, cum laude, in psychology from Harvard University and a Juris Doctor from St. John's University School of Law, where she was a published member of the New York International Law Review. Looking toward the future, Shields said, "I plan to continue to provide our clients with the best advice, strategic initiatives and most efficient service possible."
Brad Somma
MassMutual Greater Long Island
From the start of his career, MassMutual Greater Long Island Agency Managing Partner Brad Somma knew that one day he wanted to run a firm. "Attending a liberal arts institution, Middlebury College, I certainly didn't think I would enter into the financial services sector, but the principles of a liberal arts education developed critical thinking skills that have been invaluable in building a successful business," said Somma, who was introduced to the field by a friend. Possessing 13 years of experience in the financial services industry, Somma has run a personal practice and held various management roles. In 2012, he joined MassMutual Greater Long Island in Melville, where, as a registered principal, he is responsible for the firm's overall growth and development strategy. He leads the full-service financial services firm in delivering specific financial solutions to individual and business clients. His keen insight in any situation allows him to present confident next steps that clients can take toward financial security.
Somma has enjoyed many accomplishments at the firm, which specializes in the design, implementation and servicing of investment, insurance and retirement solutions and products. "Being named managing partner of MassMutual Greater Long Island was definitely one of the proudest moments in my professional career. " Somma continuously strives to bring the firm to the next level. "One of the top goals of our firm is to double our clients in the Greater Long Island area to 50,000, while remaining committed to a service-based model," he said. As a valued member of the firm, he helps clients through obstacles that may stand in the way of building their financial future. Clients have come to rely on him to help them meet their financial needs, protect their families and businesses, and build their retirement income. His guidance has enabled his firm to earn MassMutual's Gold Bowl, the company's highest award for the agencies within its network, in 2013 and 2014. A life underwriter training council fellow, Somma earned a Bachelor of Arts in American studies from Middlebury College, where he captained the football and track-and-field teams. Today, he is a football coach in the Rye Town Youth Football League, an ice hockey coach in the Rye Ranger Hockey Club program and a lacrosse coach in the Rye Youth Lacrosse program. He and wife, Melissa, have two children, Dominic, 7, and Sophia, 5.
Lance Stier
Nassau Candy Confections LLC
Nassau Candy Confections President Lance Stier grew up learning about the candy business from his father, Les Stier, a highly successful candy entrepreneur. After spending six years as an investment banker and private equity investor on Wall Street, Stier knew it was time to join the family business and help the second-generation family team take it to the next level. NCC is a subsidiary of Nassau Candy in Hicksville, one of the largest distributors and manufacturers of specialty confectionery, gourmet foods and natural foods in North America, with six distribution centers and two world-class manufacturing facilities. The company services thousands of customers daily, ranging from large retailers and corporations to specialty stores across all classes of trade. Nassau Candy was acquired by Stier's father in 1984, who along with Stier's uncle, Barry Rosenbaum, have led Nassau Candy from a three-person operation to a national company with more than 700 employees. Stier joined the company in 2009. His responsibilities include leading 120-plus NCC employees in Freeport as well as Canada. He also oversees Nassau Candy's business development, financing and merger-and-acquisition activities. Among Stier's proudest professional achievements include the acquisitions of Chocolate Inn (2010), Taylor & Grant (2011) and A La Carte (2014), as well as the successful leadership of the NCC business. Since the first acquisition, Stier has helped the company more than triple its business and has plans for future growth in the promotional industry and in other classes of trade. "I'm proud of the team we've built and how hard we work daily to execute for our customers," he said. "We're working to expand the NCC business both in the promotional channels as well as in other markets where custom products are purchased, including specialty retailers, college bookstores and souvenir shops."
A dedicated supporter of Long Island charities, Nassau Candy was named the 2014 Suffolk Y Corporate Honoree. Stier is a board member of the Lakeville Civic Association and a member of the Young Presidents' Organization. Stier earned a bachelor's degree in philosophy, politics and economics from the University of Pennsylvania. His personal goal is to continue to provide great products and service to his customers and to work hard to continue to grow the business. "I enjoy working with my family, our great partners and our great team members, and am proud to continue building a great business together. I hope one day my daughter, Elizabeth, joins the team. She's only 2, but hey, I can dream."
Meaghan Zanfardino
People's United Bank
People's United Bank Senior Vice President and Senior Commercial Relationship Manager Meaghan Zanfardino admits she doesn't know many little girls who dreamed of a career in banking. However, having exceled in math, she knew at a young age she would be dealing with numbers. When it was time to decide on a specific college major, it was her dad, Michael Fallo, who encouraged her to major in finance. "My father unfortunately died of cancer when I was a senior in high school," she said, adding that the first class she registered for in her freshman year of college was Finance 101. "I figured I would give it a try for my dad." Zanfardino enjoyed the course and, during her undergraduate studies, found a job as a Commerce Bank (now TD Bank) teller to see how banking would be. Her enthusiasm and natural ability quickly led her to become teller manager. "During my senior year in college, I applied and was accepted into a commercial credit analyst training program at the bank and I am still in commercial lending today," she said.
At People's United, Zanfardino manages a significant portfolio of middle-market and nonprofit business clients. She is known for her enthusiasm for finding the right solution for every client. Zanfardino has much success in obtaining new clients for People's United by creating solutions that are satisfying for both clients and the bank. She also strives to learn as much as she can about her clients, their industry, the banking industry and the competition. "I learn by asking a lot of questions," she said. "I always have my hand up, either to volunteer myself for a new project or to ask someone a question." Her community involvement includes The Women's Financial Group, as well as the Moxxie Network, where she received the "Ms. Moxxie of the Year" award in 2013. Zanfardino is also a member of the Suffolk County Coalition against Domestic Violence business council. Zanfardino earned both her master's and bachelor's degrees in finance from Hofstra University. With a love for learning, she plans to continue her education. "I would love to pursue another college degree, either another master's degree or a Ph.D.," she said. A working mom, Zanfardino works hard to establish a balance between her family and career. "I try my best to set a positive example for my two daughters, Elisabeth, 4, and Charlotte, 1, that they can excel in whatever career path they choose and still have a family," she said. "And thankfully my husband, Michael, is very supportive of my career ambitions."
Matthew Zangwill
Ruskin Moscou Faltischek P.C.
Matthew Zangwill cannot honestly say that he always wanted to be a lawyer. He did know that he wanted to be a "professional" and that, coupled with his long-time curiosity about architecture and building construction, ultimately led him to a career in real estate law. Zangwill is a senior associate in Uniondale-based Ruskin Moscou Faltischek's real estate department and the IDA and municipal development incentives and environmental practice groups. His practice involves commercial real estate transactions including the acquisition and disposition of commercial properties throughout the New York metropolitan area. He has considerable experience representing buyers and sellers of commercial properties involving various forms of financing including mortgage, mezzanine and private-equity financing, as well as working on multifaceted joint ventures, tax-deferred exchanges and defeasance transactions. Being a young attorney in a law firm, Zangwill knows all too well the long hours of difficult work that comes with the territory. "I take pride in not only learning how to be a better lawyer but how to be a better counselor and adviser to our clients," he said. Moments of gratitude make the long hours worthwhile, he explained. "Receiving a note, email or phone call from an appreciative client thanking me for a job well done is always a proud achievement," he said.
Zangwill has closed hundreds of millions of dollars of financing transactions that include office buildings, shopping centers, apartment complexes, retail sites and vacant land. His work on behalf of borrowers and lenders includes the negotiation of complex loan documents. A significant portion of his practice is dedicated to the conversion of rental properties to a condominium form of ownership. He successfully closed the sale of more than 300 condominium units in two separate new construction projects in Long Island City. Additionally, he has drafted many offering prospectuses while working closely with the Office of the Attorney General of the State of New York to successfully convert existing rental buildings to condos in New York City and Nassau County. Zangwill never wants to sit back and rest on his laurels. "A modest goal I have set for myself is to maintain perspective and to never lose the desire to continue to learn new things daily," he said. He earned a Juris Doctor, cum laude, from Touro College Jacob D. Fuchsberg Law Center and a bachelor's degree from Binghamton University. He is on the board of directors of The School for Language and Communication Development and Able Community Services Corp., both of which are nonprofit organizations serving children and young adults with language and autism spectrum disorders.
MassMutual Greater Long Island consists of dedicated men and women in the tri-state area you can get to know and work with one-on-one. MassMutual Greater Long Island provides quality financial solutions through a team of financial services representatives committed to superior service, achievement and growth based on a foundation of competence and integrity, and proud of the work environment built on trust, teamwork and commitment to perpetual growth. MassMutual helps you see obstacles that might stand in the way of building your financial future and its team of financial services representatives strives to simplify the process and present you with meaningful next steps you can take with ease and confidence. Founded in 1851, MassMutual is a leading mutual life insurance company that is run for the benefit of its members and participating policy owners. The company has a long history of financial strength and strong performance, and although dividends are not guaranteed, MassMutual has paid dividends to eligible participating policy owners consistently since the 1860s. With whole life insurance as its foundation, MassMutual provides products to help meet the financial needs of clients, such as life insurance, disability income insurance, long term care insurance, retirement/401(k) plan services, and annuities. In addition, the company's strong and growing network of financial professionals helps clients make good financial decisions for the long-term. For additional information, visit greaterlongisland.massmutual.com
Astoria Bank is a full-service, diversified community bank that offers services including business and consumer banking, residential mortgages and multi-family/commercial real estate lending. Established in 1888, Astoria provides its customers and local communities with quality financial products and services through 87 convenient branch locations throughout the greater New York metropolitan area as well as via its mobile app and online at AstoriaBank.com. Its business banking team – experienced bankers from some of the largest commercial banks in the world – is passionate about helping businesses of all sizes to succeed and grow. Astoria Bank consults with businesses one-on-one to help them reach their financial goals and navigate through the "what if's" of running their business. To learn more, visit AstoriaDifference.com.
People's United Bank is a subsidiary of People's United Financial, Inc., a diversified financial services company with $33 billion in assets. People's United Bank, founded in 1842, is a premier, community-based, regional bank in the Northeast offering commercial and retail banking, as well as wealth management services through a network of over 400 retail locations in Connecticut, New York, Massachusetts, Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine, including , seven-day banking available at more than 140 convenient People's United Bank Stop & Shop locations in Connecticut and New York. Through additional subsidiaries, People's United provides equipment financing, asset management, brokerage and financial advisory services, and insurance services. For additional information, visit www.peoples.com.
The Entrepreneur Center is a destination for business owners who are successful but want more. The Center's cutting edge business owner training programs challenge both seasoned and new entrepreneurs to execute strategies for intentional growth. Business owners hire the Entrepreneur Center and immerse in learning how to increase sales, innovate processes, and develop financial independence. What sets them apart is their direct experience as business owners actively developing cash-flowing businesses here on Long Island. For more information on The Entrepreneur Center, visit theecenterli.com.