Roosevelt Board Honored for Service to Community and Staff

Written By Dominic Provenzano

By Danielle Wiseman, Staten Island Chamber of Commerce

Roosevelt Board, Owner and Operator of Chick-fil-A Staten Island Mall, stands as a beacon of entrepreneurial spirit and community leadership in Staten Island.

Born into an army family in South Carolina, Board spent much of his childhood across the United States, namely in New York, Colorado, South Carolina, and Georgia. Board eventually returned to South Carolina to attend Coastal Carolina University, where he majored in marketing and explored several advertising internships with high-profile companies, including Southwest Airlines and NASCAR. Upon graduating from Coastal Carolina University, Board began his career with Chick-fil-A as the General Manager of Chick-fil-A Murrells Inlet, a store on the coast of South Carolina.

After several years managing the Murrells Inlet restaurant, Board became a Grand Opening Supervisor at Chick-fil-A. In his role as Grand Opening Supervisor, Board prepared new Chick-fil-A locations to open by helping Operators execute their visions, selecting and training new staff members, and ensuring that each location maintained Chick-fil-A standards. Board served as a Grand Opening Supervisor for three years, opening countless Chick-fil-As across the country.

With more than six years of experience under his belt as both a manager and operator, Board was presented with the opportunity to open his own Chick-fil-A location within New York City. Excited about the prospect of putting down roots, Board jumped at the chance and moved his family up the coast. At just 27 years old, Board opened Staten Island’s first and only Chick-fil-A in the Staten Island Mall. Located in the newly-renovated dining area, Chick-fil-A immediately drew in the Staten Island community, which previously travelled to New Jersey just for a taste of Chick-fil-A sauce.

Board has been surrounded by business his entire life, even before spending his 20s climbing the ranks at Chick-fil-A. “My mother opened a clothing boutique, and my aunt went to Cornell for business,” says Board. “When my grandfather came here from Jamaica, he opened a tailor shop in Brooklyn that is still open to this day. Entrepreneurship runs in my family.”

“I always wanted to be in the restaurant industry growing up because I was inspired by my mom, my aunt, and my grandma, who were the best cooks that I’ve ever known,” says Board. “I felt their love through food, and I wanted to be able to do that for other people one day. I’ve had this dream since I was 7 years old.”

The mall-based location is now well-rooted, and Board’s responsibilities have shifted from creating solid foundations to casting a vision toward the future. Board handles every one of the staff’s final interviews and envisions himself as a catalyst for growth within his ever-growing and transforming team, who he credits to constantly fulfilling Chick-fil-A’s mission.

“My mission statement is to develop a team of people that dream, achieve, and succeed, while being a pillar of support for a community that relies in our existence as much as we rely upon them,” says Board. “Of course, I’m shuffling fries every once-in-a-while, but where I’m able to make a true difference is when I can develop people. My team feels comfortable coming to me to help them build out their dreams, and that brings me so much joy.”

Upon opening in Staten Island, Board immediately joined the Staten Island Chamber of Commerce. Shortly after, he became actively involved in the Chamber’s Young Entrepreneurs Academy (YEA!), an innovative after-school program that helps high school students launch their own businesses. Board has become one of the program’s fiercest advocates and strongest contributors, acting as a mentor, guest speaker, sponsor, and even a field trip host.

Board’s passion lies in his ability to create leaders, motivate change, and make a meaningful impact on his community. In addition to empowering his staff members, Board also participates in the Chick-fil-A Leader Academy, a national high school leadership program that focuses on impact through action. Chick-fil-A Staten Island currently partners with Gateway Academy and Pathways to Graduation.

For his accomplishments, Roosevelt Board is being honored with a Louis R. Miller Business Leadership Award, which he will receive in the Established Businessperson category. The awards, which are presented by the Staten Island Chamber of Commerce and the Staten Island Advance, honor the memory of Louis R. Miller, a businessman and West Brighton resident who was also a community leader. 

Although often known as “The Chicken Guy,” Board is so much more than the franchise that he built his business on. Board also uses the Chick-fil-A platform to benefit local causes that are near to his heart. In the years since the restaurant opened, Board has overseen events, donations, and outreach efforts on causes including homelessness and food insecurity, and he has benefited charities and nonprofits like the American Cancer Society, The Theodore Atlas Foundation, and IlluminArt Productions. 

Board, and his team at Chick-fil-A, do their best to embrace the concept of “leading with real change.” In addition to donating countless sandwiches since the restaurant’s inception, Board also participates in community activations throughout Staten Island, including partnerships with organizations like City Harvest. Board is also dedicated to visiting schools across Staten Island to share his story with aspiring entrepreneurs, forming lasting connections with students throughout the borough.

“Chick-fil-A allows me to accomplish so much more than just what ‘little Roosevelt Board’ would be able to do on my own,” emphasizes Board. “Through the restaurant, we can help so many causes I care about. It's only right to find opportunities to give back and to utilize profit to make a difference in people's lives. I’ve been very blessed – I’m proud to use this platform to be able to bless others. 

As he is enjoying his breakfast, Board will greet every guest who enters the dining area with a smile and a “good morning.” As he is sitting down to complete annual reviews, he will take over the counter and serve chicken while his team handles a large order. Before you can say thank you, he will offer to re-fill your iced tea. Board has created an environment in which his team not only works for Chick-fil-A but also thrives with Chick-fil-A, using the national platform in a way that motivates and inspires younger generations for years to come.

“Being a community leader allows me the opportunity to give people hope that there are people who care about you and there are people who want to see you be successful,” stresses Board. “That’s the part of the job that I get the most pride out of; being a Chick-fil-A owner and operator allows me to make an impact on this community. There are so many other people on Staten Island doing the exact same thing, and I’m thankful for the synergy that we have with those organizations that are lacking the resources that we can provide. Influence and Impact is how I’ll measure success when it’s all said and done.”

Hometown: Army Kid, but lived in Myrtle Beach, SC the most

Community involvement::

Some of my life goals include:

  • Go to all Tennis Grand Slams

  • Live in Japan for 3-6 months

The best part of my job: Engaging/Supporting with my Team and my Community

The most difficult part of my job: Firing people

My life philosophy: Stay Hungry and Stay Humble

I am most proud of: Being a Dad

Something that no one knows about me: My love for music and art

The quality I like best about myself: Loyalty and committed to causes I believe in

Personal interests and hobbies: Playing tennis, listening to new music, attending concerts, Japanese samurais, and learning random knowledge

I laugh at: Seinfeld and dark humor

I am really good at: Developing leaders and assessing business opportunities

I admire: People who are disciplined.

Some important thing/s I would like you to know about me: I love people and having genuine/authentic relationships.

This story is part of our 2025 Louis R. Miller Business Leadership Awards. To register for the event, secure sponsorship, purchase a journal ad, or read the other honoree stories, click here.

 

Dominic Provenzano
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