Frank Scarangello Elevated to Chairman of the Board of the Staten Island Chamber of Commerce

By Michael Anderson, The Staten Island Chamber of Commerce

The Staten Island Chamber of Commerce may have a new Chairman of the Board, but the name should sound familiar.  

All photos by Flint Gennari, Fine Art Fotos.

Frank Scarangello, president of Scaran Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing, has been elevated to the top spot at the non-profit business organization, serving the Staten Island business community for over 125 years. He follows his father, Frank Sr. (1985-1986), and brother, Thomas (2009-10), who previously served as Chairmen at the Chamber.

“When I was growing up as a kid in the business, my father was very involved with the Staten Island Chamber of Commerce. And one of his areas of interest was being involved in the local community, especially the business community,” said Scarangello. “I was more into the mechanical side of the business at that time, so that part of the business didn’t interest me. 

“My brother then gravitated towards following in my father’s footsteps with the Chamber of Commerce, and then he became Chairman,” he continued. “After my brother cycled through the Foundation Board, (current Chamber president and CEO) Linda (Baran) and my brother approached me. It just seemed like the right fit at the right moment.”

Scaran has been cooling and heating homes on Staten Island for over 90 years since Scarangello’s grandfather, Vito, started in 1930 as a small ice and coal business and delivered ice and lumps of coal to people’s homes to power their furnaces and preserve their food. So, as a native Islander with a long history on the borough, Scarangello fully understands the need to support our small businesses.

“I think when you’re involved locally, you start to focus a little bit more on where you should do your shopping and buying. I try to avoid sometimes going off the Island for things that I know I can get here. Even if I have to pay more, I know I get a higher quality of service, and I’m happy to pay for it because it supports my community,” he said. “If I’m going to live here, work here, and ultimately, die here, I want to spend my money here. And I want other people to feel that same way about me.

“As a small businessman, I know all the pitfalls of payroll, taxes, property liability insurance, personal liability insurance, and health insurance and all the other things that we go through to keep our businesses running,” he added.

With so many years invested at the Chamber, Scarangello has met many influential business professionals. He would like to see more members serve as mentors to the younger business professionals and entrepreneurs. 

“You know how most people find out things if they don’t Google it? They ask someone who’s already in business. And the Chamber has always been a resource for individuals looking to start or grow their businesses,” said Scarangello. “We have to promote that a little bit more. There are a lot of people at the Chamber with a considerable amount of experience that people can point towards to find an answer. That could alleviate a lot of time and wasted effort in trying to find the right person or agency that you’re trying to locate.”

During the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent variants, businesses was forced to adjust to rapid-changing closures and mandates. As Chairman, Scarangello hopes small businesses can become a larger voice on the issues.

“Our small businesses have to express their concerns and issues with their local elected officials in a public forum. Not just through Facebook, text, or email. We have to have more face-to-face opportunities to let them know what’s right and wrong,” said Scarangello. “I think sometimes we get a little isolated from what’s really happening on the ground.” 

Scarangello inherits the chairman title from Michael Assenza, who served in that role for the last three years. Assenza – who took the reins from Glen V. Cutrona, AIA – will move into his new role as Chairman of the Staten Island Chamber of Commerce Foundation.

The Staten Island Chamber of Commerce 2022 Officers and Board of Directors were sworn into office during the Board Installation on Jan. 27 at the Hilton Garden Inn in Bloomfield. The swearing in ceremony was conducted by Judge Brendan Lantry.  

In other board shifts, members elected as officers of the Executive Board include: Ed Wiseman (Moving Pictures Inc.) Vice Chair; Carol Decina (National Grid), Treasurer; Christopher M. Lee (Port Authority of New York and New Jersey), Secretary; and Michael Assenza (Stat-Land Security Services), Past Chair. Remaining on the Executive Board will be current Chamber President and CEO Linda M. Baran and Bruce Behrins (The Behrins Law Firm) as Legal Counsel. 

Newly elected board members include Mike Bloomfield (Tekie Geek), Roosevelt Board (Chick-fil-A at Staten Island Mall), Jasmine Cardona (College of Staten Island - Economic Development, Continuing Studies, and Government Relations), Kristine Garlisi (The Nicotra Group), and Frank Wilkinson (Rab’s Country Lanes).

Staten Island Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors

The entire Board of Directors is comprised of: Gerald Amerosi (Gerald Peters Inc.); Sam Angiuli (The Angiuli Group); Michael Assenza (Stat-Land Security Services); Mike Bloomfield (Tekie Geek); Roosevelt Board (Chick-fil-A at Staten Island Mall); Capt. Daniel Boylan (United New York Sandy Hook Pilots Benevolent Association); Eric Campione (P.A.C. Plumbing, Heating & A/C); Jasmine Cardona (College of Staten Island - Economic Development, Continuing Studies, and Government Relations); Maria Carrozza (The Cake Chef); Carol Decina (National Grid); Kristine Garlisi (The Nicotra Group); Katia Gordon (Consolidated Edison Co. of NY, Inc.); Christopher M. Lee (Port Authority of NY and NJ); Rick Livan (Staten Island University Hospital); John Maccarelli Jr. (TD Bank); Robert Myers (IDB Bank); Joseph Paradise (Northfield Bank); James Prendamano (Casandra Properties Inc.); Chad Reyes (Wealth and Legacy Group); Wayne Roye (Troinet); Dan Ryan (Staten Island Advance); Jeanne Sarno (Empire State Bank); Frank Scarangello (Scaran); Cory Schifter (Casale Jewelers); Mark Tranchina; Frank Wilkinson (Rab’s Country Lanes); and Ed Wiseman (Moving Pictures Inc.).

All photos by Flint Gennari, Fine Art Fotos.