May. 1, 2023 By Bill Parry
The Queens Chamber of Commerce welcomed five new members to its board of directors on April 25. Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz presided over a swearing-in ceremony at Bourbon Street in Bayside as part of the chamber’s annual meeting and elections of officers and directors.
“The Queens Chamber of Commerce is a valued business resource that has contributed greatly to the vibrancy of this borough. I am proud to partner with the chamber in my capacity as the District Attorney to ensure that the people and businesses of this borough remain safe,” Katz said. “The new members of the board will help further that mission so that our economy may continue to grow and prosper.”
The new members of the board include Lindsay Hagerty, manager of government and airport affairs at JetBlue, headquartered in Long Island City.
“I am honored to become part of the Queens Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors representing JetBlue Airways,” Haggerty said. “JetBlue has long been known as ‘New York’s Hometown Airline,’ and we are proud to call Queens home. We look forward to continuing our longstanding relationship with the Queens Chamber of Commerce in its 122nd year.”
Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz swears in the new members of the Queens Chamber of Commerce board of directors.Courtesy of Queens Chamber of Commerce
After billionaire hedge fund manager Steve Cohen became the owner of the New York Mets, he began working with the Queens Chamber of Commerce on a number of initiatives including a Small Business Grant Program, which provided vital resources to small businesses in Queens that were impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. That initiative was funded through a donation of $17.5 million from the Steven and Alexandra Cohen Foundation, Inc., a nonprofit organization committed to inspiring philanthropy and community service.
Now Cohen’s Chief of Staff Michael Sullivan will sit on the chamber’s board of directors.
“Queens represents the very best of New York with its culture, diversity, and community,” Sullivan said. “Whether you’re a street vendor or a tech startup, we all have a role to play in shaping the future of Queens and I look forward to working with the Chamber and our neighbors to do just that.”
Other members include Patrick Jenkins, president of Patrick B. Jenkins & Associates; Joe Mascialino, chair of Greenberg Taurig’s New York City Government Law & Policy Practice; and Richard Siu, chief investment officer at F&T Group.
“We are thrilled to welcome these five accomplished business leaders to our board,” Queens Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Tom Grech said. “Each addition brings their own unique experiences and an impressive array of talents to the table. I look forward to working with them as we continue our dedication to helping Queens businesses grow and prosper.”
The Queens Chamber of Commerce represents more than 1,400 businesses and more than 150,000 Queens-based employees.