STATEN ISLAND – More than 500 members of the business community gathered at the Grand Oaks Country Club in Huguenot to attend the Staten Island Economic Development Corporation’s (SIEDC) annual Business Conference on Thursday, meeting up for a range of networking opportunities, educational seminars and roundtable summits. The overall theme of the event? How to get back to business and move forward in this post-pandemic climate.
“The economy is coming back,” noted Andrew Kimball, president of the New York City Economic Development Corporation, who took to the podium at the keynote breakfast to reassure guests about the overall economic well-being of Staten Island. “There is momentum in this room. Unemployment is down, jobs are up, and people are returning to the office. Yes, there are new modes of work happening now, but work is indeed happening, and there is a lot of excitement in New York City.”
Telling attendees that Mayor Eric Adams is committed to this borough’s economic success and detailing how Staten Island is uniquely poised to “capture the economy of the future,” Kimball spoke of offshore wind initiatives and large-scale wind turbine service and manufacturing that are being planned for the area’s shores in the near future.
“These same projects are creating 1,000 jobs on the South Brooklyn waterfront,” Kimball said. “The plan is to extend those jobs to this borough.”
Kimball’s comments kicked off the day-long conference, which was filled with more optimistic news about Staten Island’s economic climate.
“Change is good, that’s how momentum happens,” noted Vicki Salemi, an author, columnist and nationally recognized career expert for Monster.com, who addressed attendees about “Combatting the Great Resignation” and spoke candidly about the new landscape of the workplace.
Vicki Salemi, an author, columnist and nationally recognized career expert for Monster.com, addresses Business Conference attendees about “Combatting the Great Resignation.” (Staten Island Advance/Jessica Jones-Gorman)(Staten Island Advance/Jessica J
“Yes, people have changed careers and industries and the way we work is completely different post-pandemic,” Salemi noted. “But we’re shifting back to some sort of normalcy now, and I think 2023 will be an interesting year for both employers and employees.”
A panel discussion on “Diversity and Inclusivity in Small Business” included a conversation on Minority and Women Owned Business Enterprises. (Staten Island Advance/Jessica Jones-Gorman)(Staten Island Advance/Jessica J
The free event, which was presented by Investors Bank, featured more than 70 different local vendors at an expo-style meet-and-greet, plus a variety of educational seminars and panel discussions, each centered around new economic developments in the community and how they will help small businesses succeed.
The free event, which was presented by Investors Bank, featured more than 70 different local vendors at an expo-style meet-and-greet. (Staten Island Advance/Jessica Jones-Gorman)(Staten Island Advance/Jessica J
Chad Reyes, of Lion’s Pride Leadership, served as SIEDC’s ambassador for the Business Conference, and Brian Gomez, of Investors Bank, was event chair.
Jaime Bilotti, left, co-founder of Fanmade and a Forbes Magazine “30 Under 30” recipient, was a featured speaker at the Women at the Top Symposium. (Staten Island Advance/Jessica Jones-Gorman)(Staten Island Advance/Jessica J
Keynote discussions were hosted on how fluency in cryptocurrency can benefit business and the opportunities surrounding the cannabis economy in New York. Symposiums focused on “Women at the Top” and “Careers in Education.” The impact of the film industry on the local economy was addressed, as was diversity and inclusivity in small business. A roundtable discussion on solar power and offshore wind initiatives delved into retrofitting existing utilities, along with the policies, construction, incentives and job creation that will ultimately result.
Fourteen panelists joined a roundtable discussion on solar power and offshore wind initiatives, which delved into retrofitting existing utilities, along with the policies, construction, incentives and job creation that will ultimately result. (Staten Island Advance/Jessica Jones-Gorman)(Staten Island Advance/Jessica J
Thirty-one of the borough’s most impactful private sector business leaders were recognized, and awards were given for Staten Island’s Top 20 Under 40, a collection of young professionals under the age of 40 who have made an impact on Staten Island.
The “Top 31″ recipients included:
1. Michael Caridi, VG Enterprises
2. Joseph Torres, CFP, Merrill Lynch
3. Joseph Ferrara, BFC Partners
4. Gary C. Angiuli, The Angiuli Group
5. Philip Guarnieri, Empire State Bank
6. Steve Klein, Northfield Bank
7. Brian Gomez, Investors Bank
8. Frank Wilkinson, Rab’s Country Lanes
9. Carol Decina, National Grid
10. Anthony Santo, Henry F. Malarkey & Co.
11. Vincent Pitta, Pitta, LLP
12. Katia Gordon, Con Edison
13. Pamela Columbia, Statewide Fire Corp.
14. Ralph Branca, Empire State Bank
15. John Tardy, JVN Restoration Inc.
16. Bill Spiezia, Rogers Surveying, PLLC
17. Robin Lefkowitz, Northfield Bank
18. Gail Castellano, New York Community Bank
19. Dan Ryan, Staten Island Media Group
20. Marcello Sciarrino, Island Auto Group
21. John R. Merlino Jr., Esq., Merlino & Gonzalez
22. John DiFazio, DiFazio Industries
23. Denise Henick, Stop and Stor
24. Walter Daszkowski, Daszkowski, Tompkins, Weg & Carbonella, PC
25. Christopher Ressa, RJW Brokerage Corp.
26. Robert Myers, IDB Bank
27. Liam Gilroy, National Life Group
28. James H. Thomson, Esq, Thomson Law, PLLC
29. Gina Laine, New York Community Bank
30. Keith Campanella, Campa Construction
31. Christine DeHart, Salmon Real Estate
The 20 Under 40 Awards recipients:
1. Bobby Aanonsen, SIEDC
2. Jaime Bilotti, Fan to Band
3. Joshua Braverman, Tekie Geek
4. John Buonocore, Buono Jewlers
5. Joseph Carbonara, Sunrise Office Services
6. Kimberly Carbonaro, Cross Road Foundation Inc.
7. Dr. Christopher Corbo, Wagner College
8. Tiffany Feo,
Staten Island Zoo
9. Susan M. Fiorentino, Staten Island Academy
10. Andrew Guido, New Dorp Central Civic Association
11. Jennifer Miller, Holiday Helpings
12. Briana Nasti, New York City Council
13. Ebenezer Owusu-Sekyere, Integration Charter Schools
14. Saul Porter, Northfield LDC
15. Jazmin Rivera, BRICK Education Network
16. Joseph Salimeni, J’s on the Bay
17. Marcello Sciarrino III, Merrill Lynch
18. Meghan Sinback, YMCA of Greater NY South Shore and Broadway
19. Colleen Siuzdak, Staten Island Borough Hall
20. James West, Scamardella, Gervasi & Kasegrande, P.C.
The conference concluded with a housing summit, which addressed issues like promoting new building stock, accessing transit opportunities, environmental resiliency and housing for young professionals. A cocktail mixer closed out the day.
