Mike Assenza welcomed as new Chairman of the Board at Chamber's Board Installation & VIP Reception Breakfast
Some of the borough’s top business leaders pledged their commitment to the Staten Island Chamber of Commerce as the preeminent source for businesses during the Board Installation & VIP Reception Breakfast at LiGreci’s Staaten in West Brighton.
The Chamber’s Executive Board, the Staten Island Chamber of Commerce Board, and Foundation Board Officers for 2019 were officially sworn into office by Senior U.S. District Judge Eric N. Vitaliano.
“The Chamber of Commerce is an institution not only in Staten Island but throughout America,” said Vitaliano. “Businesspeople have an opportunity to assemble and pledge themselves to the communities they serve. They pledge themselves to do business honorably, ethically, morally, and in the best interest not only themselves, their employees, and customers, but for the people of their community. That’s what the Staten Island Chamber of Commerce stands for.”
And for Mike Assenza (Stat Land Security Services), he joins a long list of past Chamber presidents who exemplifies the judge’s sentiment. The security expert was welcomed as the new Chairman of the Board of the Staten Island Chamber of Commerce, and was introduced by Paul Ferrara, Assenza’s uncle and past Chairman in 1994 and 1995.
“It’s remarkable in one sense, and also mind-blowing. Those past Chairs were giants of our community at one time, and here I am today representing the Chamber. It’s a hard pill to swallow and certainly big shoes to fill,” said Assenza.
He recalled once sitting in the Chamber’s former office and looking at all the pictures of the past chairs in admiration. He said he could just hear their voices as they looked down on the board knowing they were doing the right thing.
Assenza follows Glen V. Cutrona (Glen V. Cutrona Associates), who served as Chairman in 2017 and 2018. The architect now assumes the role of Chairman of the Foundation Board.
“In addition to the responsibilities of the Chair, I’m also proud to have implemented two major efforts,” said Cutrona during his farewell remarks. “The first was a visioning process that included and focused on identifying a path for a sustainable future for our Chamber. And, the second, was the sale of the Staten Island Chamber building.”
The new chairman later echoed Cutrona’s sentiment about how the Chamber will continue looking out for businesses.
“We are going to stay on track with the visioning process, and our action plan is coming into play,” he said. “We will make sure to bring value to our members because it is so important for any business today to be involved with the Chamber.”
Recently-elected Assemblyman Charles Fall (D-North Shore) and Councilwoman Debi Rose (D-North Shore) stopped by the installation to show their support.
Fall spoke about his enthusiasm to work with the Chamber, as well as the recent approval of a series of reforms intended to make it easier to vote in New York. Meanwhile, Rose lauded the Chamber for its work on Bay Street and the surrounding area and said her office is always open for questions or concerns.
Susan Wagner High School senior Madison Gorodovich kicked off the festivities with a resounding rendition of “The Star-Spangled Banner.”
Staten Island Chamber of Commerce Executive Board
The Executive Board will be: Chairman Mike Assenza (Stat Land Security Services); Frank Scarangello (SCARAN); Ed Wiseman (Moving Pictures, Inc.); Carol Decina (National Grid); and Past Chair Glen V. Cutrona (Glen V. Cutrona Associates).
Staten Island Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors
The full Board of Directors is comprised of: Gerald Amerosi (Gerald Peters Inc.); Sam Angiuli (The Angiuli Group); Mike Assenza (Stat Land Security Services); John Atkins (New York Container Terminal Inc.); Dean Balsamini (Small Business Development Center); Bruce G. Behrins (The Behrins Law Firm PLLC); Captain Daniel Boylan (United NY Sandy Hook Pilots); Anthony Carro (Point Vantage Employee Benefits); Maria Carrozza (The Cake Chef); Gail Castellano (Richmond County Savings Bank); Glen V. Cutrona (Glen V. Cutrona Associates); Carol Decina (National Grid); Katia Gordon (Consolidated Edison Co. of NY, Inc.); Philip Guarnieri (Empire State Bank); Christopher M. Lee (Port Authority of NY and NJ); Robin Lefkowitz (Northfield Bank); John Maccarelli Jr. (TD Bank); Robert Myers (IDB Bank); James Prendamano (Casandra Properties); Chad Reyes (Wealth and Legacy Group); Wayne Roye (Troinet); Dan Ryan (Staten Island Advance); Frank Scarangello (SCARAN); Cory Schifter (Casale Jewelers); James Thomson, Esq. (Scamardella, Gervasi, Thomson & Kasegrande, P.C.); Louis Tobacco (Staten Island University Hospital); Mark Tranchina (It's Our Pleasure Hospitality Group); and Ed Wiseman (Moving Pictures Inc.).
Staten Island Chamber of Commerce Foundation Board
Lastly, the Chamber’s Foundation Board includes: Chairman Glen V. Cutrona (Cutrona Architecture); Ed Wiseman (Moving Pictures Inc.); Carol Decina (National Grid); Ram Cherukuri (NY Fragrance); James Easley (Staten Island Mall Merchants Association); Michael Porpora (RPM Insurance); Rosemarie Scampas (Inform); Joseph Sciame (St. John's University); and Joseph Tornello (Meals on Wheels of Staten Island).
