FEBRUARY 2016

MONTHLY
UPDATE

www.sibiztrends.com

BUSINESS MEETINGS
See this months event listings.

Mental Health thrift

shop needs volunteers
Do you enjoy meeting new people? Would you like to work in retail? Most importantly, do you
have a few hours a week to spend
in a fulfilling service opportunity?
If your answer is yes, the Staten Island Mental Health Society
invites you to join the dedicated
women and men who staff and
manage its Great Kills Thrift
Shop.
The shop, located at 10 Brown
Ave., carries high-quality, gently
used clothing, accessories, housewares, knick-knacks and holiday
items, tagged at the lowest discount prices. The hard-working
and devoted individuals who volunteer at the store fulfill their
pledge to raise funds that benefit
the SIMHS diverse programs for
children with special needs and
their families.
No experience is needed, just
energy and enthusiasm. To keep
the store running smoothly,
staffers fill a mixed bag of roles.
Jobs include sorting and inventorying donations, hanging and displaying clothing in an attractive
manner, keeping the shop decor
and merchandise seasonal, helping customers select and coordinate outfits, collecting money, and
keeping records of donations and
sales.
Since its doors opened in 1963,
all proceeds have gone back to the
society, adding hundreds of thousands of dollars to its coffers and
helping the mental health agency
meet the ever-growing demand
for its services for children with a
wide range of emotional, behavplease see BRIEFS, page 2

PAGE 5

ON THE JOB
See this months movers and shakers.
PAGE 16

SCORE
The 3 Rs of thoughtful marketing.
PAGE 6

Tobacco-Free Staten Island Coalition

Special to Business Trends

The Tobacco-Free Staten Island Coalition recently held its first meeting at the Jewish Community Center of
Staten Island. With more than 60 organizations participating, the goal of the TFSI Coalition is to launch a targeted effort to reduce the burden of tobacco use on borough residents. Pictured here, from left, are Josephine
Bosco, Robin Vitale, Tiba Mouaki, Nancy Rooney, Michael Sielback, Ashley Zanatta, Jody Ruth Steinhardt, Joel
Bhuiyan, Guillermo Flores, Bob Cutrona, Jennifer Cutrona, Julia Cuthbertson and Matt Mikaelian.

SBA re-opens Sandy recover loans

By TIM RONALDSON
Business Trends
Superstorm Sandy may be three years in
the review mirror, but the effects of her

Women of Distinction
SI chapter of New York State Women
to honor longest standing members.
PAGE 18

power are still affecting businesses throughout the region.

The U.S. Small Business Administration
officially recognized that fact when, late last
year, it announced a re-opening of its appli-

cation filing period for small business owners who seek low-interest disaster loans. The
new deadline to submit applications for physplease see SANDY page 14

2 BUSINESS TRENDS FEBRUARY 2016

Monthly Update
BRIEFS
Continued from page 1

ioral, developmental and intellectual challenges. Last year, the

thrift shops contribution helped

the SIMHS assist more than 5,300
Staten Island children.
As a thrift shop volunteer,
your compensation is the satisfaction of knowing that you are acting to raise the quality of life of
the Islands most vulnerable children, said SIMHS Director of
Volunteer Services Maryann
Striffolino. Moreover, you are enabling consumers on limited
budgets to find just the items they
need at affordable prices.
For more information about
this rewarding volunteer opportunity, call Striffolino at (718) 4422225
ext.
304,
or
visit
www.simhs.org.

number of components: A redeployment of a portion of the

banks overnight and short-term
investments into higher-yielding
securities investments; an aggressive initiative aimed at increasing
the banks loan portfolio through
a combination of outreach efforts
in its community and hiring new
loan business development officers to produce more loans outside of the Staten Island market.
Our strategy is bearing fruit,
as we have seen our fourth quarter ROA (return on assets) and
ROE (return on equity) rise to
0.65 percent and 7.18 percent, respectively, said Joseph J.
LiBassi, chairman of VSB Bancorp. We continue to hold our
underwriting standards in this
competitive market. We paid our
33rd consecutive dividend to our
stockholders and now our book
value per share stands at $16
and our net income increased 51.6
percent since the close of 2014. We
are focused on stockholder value,
which has benefited from the
growth of our net income, the
fourth buyback program and the
payment of cash dividends.

VSB Bancorp announces

growth in net income
VSB Bancorp Inc. closed 2015
on a high note with 51.6 percent
growth in net income.
The companys fourth quarter
concluded a year in which it experienced an increase of its core
earnings, growth of its loan portfolio and a reduction in its nonperforming loans.
VSB Bancorp, the one-bank
holding company for Victory
State Bank, attributes the years
positive outcome to the use of a
strategy designed to increase interest income, with an eye on
avoiding excessive risk in the
event of an increase in market interest rates.
This strategy comprises a

Apply for NYC Tech

Talent program
The
NYC
Tech
Talent
Pipelines Series A Data program is now accepting applications for its inaugural class!
please see BRIEFS, page 4

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FEBRUARY 2016 BUSINESS TRENDS 3

YPG, Rotary hold coat drive

Special to Business Trends

The Staten Island Chamber of Commerce Young Professionals Group

and the Rotary Club of Staten Island joined forces recently to help
veterans in need by hosting a coat drive at Afternoones Restaurant
& Bar. Pictured, from left, are Champ Albano, owner of Afternoones;
Brian Lincer, The Internicola Law Firm; Linda Baran, Staten Island
Chamber Of Commerce; Patrick McGrade, McDermott and Thomas
Associates; Tom Bilotti, Advisors Mortgage; Rob Myers, IDB Bank;
Kevin McKernan, The Law Firm of Kevin P. McKernan; Teresa Cirelli,
On Your Mark; and Eric Campione, P.A.C. Plumbing, Heating, & Air
Conditioning.

4 BUSINESS TRENDS FEBRUARY 2016

Doreen M. Inserra, CPA, PC

Monthly Update

Certified Government Financial Manager

Certified Public Accountant
Individual & Business Tax Consultant
A Professional Corporation

E-File / E-Pay / Direct Deposit

BRIEFS

Member
QuickBooks Professional Advisor Program
Staten Island Chamber of Commerce
Honorary Member of SCORE, Counselors to Americas Small Business

Continued from page 2

By Appointment

718-979-5163

There is a great opportunity

available through the city's Tech

Now Available
ASE
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ASE
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St. George - Professional Office Building. Great

Visibility from Victory/Bay Street signage exposure. Heavily traveled location via
car/buses/walking and near Ferry terminal.
Currently available: 2nd flr Office - 2 rooms with
hardwood floors. $1,000+electric 2nd flr Office
- close to courts, restaurants, shopping. Bay Street signage exposure. Call Jennifer x13

West Brighton - Forest Avenue Professional Office Building

---Desk space available
---Private office available
Convenient location near corner of Bement Avenue. Rent includes: Use of conference room, parking, and utilities.
Monthly rent $300.00 to $900.00 Call Robert x17

ASE
FOR LE

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St. George - One of a kind duplex unit

available for immediate occupancy. 6
bedrooms, 3 full bathrooms, eat in
kitchen with stainless steel appliances, cherry wood cabinets,
granite, Jacuzzi tub & soaking tub, wet bar, formal living/dining
rooms, heated sun porch, stackable washer/dryer hook-ups,
large garden & use of driveway. In home with old world charm
located in the historic district of St. George. Walking distance
to SI Ferry & public transportation. $3,995.00 per month, heat
included.*Corporate leases considered.

St. George - A newly renovated 4-story 80,000 sq. ft.

"Class A" mid-rise office building with an average floor
plate of 20,000 sq.ft. Landlord will build to suit. Suites
from 500 sq. ft. - 20,000 sq. ft. Full floor plates available
for immediate occupancy. On-site parking & security. Call
Rob for details.

Our Knowledge, Experience, Teamwork + Integrity =

Results for You

Your gateway to better business and better living on Staten Island
285 St. Mark's Place Staten Island, NY 10301

718-273-3800
www.gatewayarmsrealty.com

Contact our Commercial Division for

more information about:
Sales & Leasing Investment Property
Multi-dwellings Industrial/Manufacturing
Retail Space Raw Land
Warehouses 1031 Exchanges
Office Buildings

Talent Pipeline initiative. Created

in direct response to industry
need and developed in partnership with New York City employers and the General Assembly, the
NYC Tech Talent Pipelines Series A: Data program will prepare
New Yorkers for in-demand careers as data analysts.
The part-time training is provided free-of-cost to participants
and includes 12 weeks of parttime training and connection to
full-time jobs as entry-level data
analysts with salaries of $40,000
or more.
Classes will begin March 28,
and will be held Monday through
Wednesday from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m.
Eligible NYC residents who earn
less than $30,000 a year and have
no prior professional data analytics experience are encouraged to
apply.
Do you know any New Yorkers
who might be great candidates for
this opportunity?
Applications are due by Feb. 15,

but candidates are reviewed on a

rolling basis. For more information and to apply, visit www.generalassemb.ly.

Signature Bank ranks

high on Forbes list
Signature Bank, a New Yorkbased full-service commercial
bank, announced that it ranked
sixth in Forbes annual list of
Americas Best and Worst Banks
2016. Signature Bank is one of
only three banks in the nation to
rank in the top 10 in each of the
past six years. The annual ranking of Forbes Americas Best and
Worst Banks 2016 was released on
www.forbes.com.
The changing face of Americas banking and financial landscape prompted Forbes to adjust
the metrics they routinely used
over the past several years when
evaluating Americas best and
please see BRIEFS, page 10

FEBRUARY 2016 BUSINESS TRENDS 5

WEEKLY MEETINGS
MONDAY
Bus. Outreach Ctr of SI/WBCLDC
Small Bus. Counseling
MWBE/BOC Capital: WBCLDC, 705
Forest Ave., 2nd Fl. By appointment
only. For info, call 718-816-4775.
Kiwanis Club of Richmond Co.:
LaFontana Restaurant, 2879 Amboy
Rd. 7 p.m. Call 718-420-1966.
College of S.I., Small Bus. Dev. Ctr.
Business Counseling: CSI, 2800
Victory Blvd. 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. No
charge. For info, call the SBDC at
718-982-2560.

TUESDAY
Greater New Dorp Networking
Group: 8 a.m. Perkins, 1409 Hylan
Blvd. For information, call Steve
Lombardo at 718-702-8623.
Richmond Business Connections:
Z One, 1821 Richmond Ave. 8 a.m.
For information, call Ronald P.
Cutrone at (347) 258-8131.
SI Business Friends: 7:30 - 8:45
a.m. Hilton Garden Inn, 1100 South
Ave. For information, call Dr. Richard
Bove at 718-938-5978 or visit
www.sibfnetwork.com.
Bus. Outreach Ctr of SI/WBCLDC
Small Bus. Counseling
MWBE/BOC Capital: WBCLDC, 705
Forest Ave., 2nd Fl. By appointment
only. For info, call 718-816-4775.
Direct120.com, Ultimate Think
Tank: Lorenzos, 1100 South Ave. For
info, visit www.direct120.com.
Kiwanis Club of South Shore:
LaFontana, 2879 Amboy Rd. 7:30
p.m. For info, call 718-370-2770.
SCORE Business Counseling: S.I.
Bank & Trust, 1550 Richmond Rd. 9
a.m. to noon. No appointment necessary. No charge. For info, call 718727-1221.
Business Guild I of the S.I. Chamber of Commerce: Hilton Garden
Inn, 1100 South Ave. 7:45 a.m. Members and invited guests only. Call
Michael Anicito at 646-606-2111.
Business Network Intl. (BNI) Network Alliance Chapter: Z-One
Lounge, 1821 Richmond Ave. 7 to
8:30 a.m. For info, call Timothy
Houston at 718-981-8600.
Rotary Club Staten Island: LiGrecis Staten, 697 Forest Ave. 12:30 to
1:30 p.m. Members and guests welcome. For info, call 718-370-3140.
College of S.I., Small Bus. Dev. Ctr.
Business Counseling: Chamber of
Commerce, 130 Bay St. 9 a.m. No
charge. Call 718-982-2560.

College of S.I., Small Bus. Dev. Ctr.

Business Counseling: CSI, 2800
Victory Blvd. 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. No
charge. Call the SBDC at 982-2560.

WEDNESDAY
Bus. Outreach Ctr of SI/WBCLDC
Small Bus. Counseling

MWBE/BOC Capital: WBCLDC, 705

Forest Ave., 2nd Fl. By appointment
only. For info, call 718-816-4775.
Richmond County Referral Source:
Comfort Inn. 7:00 to 8:15 a.m. For
info, email jcmexp@aol.com
Staten Island Business Council:
please see MEETINGS, page 8

6 BUSINESS TRENDS FEBRUARY 2016

in our opinion

Tell us your sweetheart story

JOE EISELE
Publisher
TIM RONALDSON
Executive Editor

Help us celebrate Valentines Day this year

ove is in the air. Valentines Day
is still a few days away, but you
can already sense that warm,
cozy feeling inside.
The weather has warmed up recently. The holidays are in our rearview
mirror, and spring is on the horizon.
Everywhere you go, stores are
preparing for Valentines Day. Restaurants are promoting prix fixe menus.
Jewelry stores are showcasing their
most brilliant stones. Flower shops
are displaying their most romantic
arrangements.
Newspapers, business and romance
dont often go hand in hand, but we
want to change that this year.
We are working on special, fabulous-

Share your story

Want to share your story of love during
this Valentines Day? Send in your story,
and a photo of you and your significant
other, to our news email address to the
right.

ly-romantic stories about local couples

who have been together for impressively long times.
Its hard to believe, but even suitwearing business people like us have
love stories to tell.
So were calling on you, the business
leaders of Staten Island, to send in
your special love story for us to share

66 Willow Avenue
Staten Island, NY 10305
718-775-3154

with everyone.
How did you and your
husband/wife first meet?
Where was the first place you went
on a date?
What is the most romantic thing
you have done together?
What makes you stand out as a
couple?
What lessons do you have to share
with budding romances and young
couples alike?
Send in your romantic story, and a
photo of you and your special someone, to our news email, which is listed
to the right.
We want to share your story during
this season of love.

STEVE COPPOLA
Director
RICHARD GRADO
Director
ROBERT CUTRONA
Director
LAWRENCE RAMPULLA
Director
JANET WARREN DUGO
Publisher Emeritus
DAN McDONOUGH, JR.
Chairman
Business Trends is mailed each month to the
business and community leaders of Staten
Island. To be added to the mailing list, email joe@sibiztrends.com. To submit a
news release, email news@sibiztrends.com.
For advertising info, call 718-775-3154 or
email joe@sibiztrends.com.

The 3 Rs of thoughtful marketing

By BRIDGET WESTON POLLACK
Everyone knows they need to market
their business to reach potential customers
and drive sales. But if your marketing efforts arent guided by a thoughtful plan,
that time and energy might be wasted.
Instead of trying to conquer your corner
of the business world by marketing everywhere all the time, its important to plan
your marketing thoughtfully. Your plan
doesnt have to be overly ambitious. But it
does need to help set you up for success,
rather than leaving you feeling frazzled or
overwhelmed.
Before you pick your Twitter handle or
start handing out coupons, think about
how you want to achieve these three marketing Rs:

Represent your brand

You might already have a logo and

branding materials, but its time to take

that branding to the next level. Envision
seeing your logo in various advertising
and marketing forms on community bulletin boards, in newspaper ads, on bus shelters. Where do you want to see your logo?
Where do you want to hear people talking
about your brand?
For example, youd never advertise an
upscale cafe with a flyer on a telephone
pole. But a well designed flyer posted in a
bustling neighborhood might be a great
match for a dog-walking service. Can you
see your moped shop featured in a glossy
luxury magazine? Maybe not maybe your
nearest college student newspaper makes
more sense.
This exercise isnt about figuring out the
best place to pay for advertising. Its about
thinking about how your brand fits into
the world around you. Whos the customer
walking through your door on any given

day? What do you want them to think or

feel when they arrive?
Thinking about how to represent your
brand helps you focus on your marketing
approach.

Raise awareness
Once youve thought about your brand
aesthetic, its time to figure out how to
reach your target customer. Try to get a
sense of their lifestyle and set your marketing efforts to match.
Targeting older customers? They might
not be on Snapchat, but theyre probably
crazy about Facebook. Seeking younger
customers? Sign up for Periscope, but
maybe skip a traditional blog.
Not sure how your customers want to
learn about you? Ask them. Hearing their
preferences can guide where you spend
your time to see the greatest return as you
work to raise awareness of your business.

Business not open yet? Nows the time to

pick your familys brains, email your
friends or even strike up a conversation
with your local barista during a lull. Everyone loves to share their opinion sometimes you just have to ask!

Reward customers
Some big-box stores seem like they offer
a different sale every day. Sales are great,
but how are you going to use them to attract and keep customers?
Sales, promotions and rewards programs can overwhelm you if you dont consider them in advance. Think about how
you feel about flash sales, discount programs and markdowns at other businesses
you frequent.
Do some programs keep you coming
back, while others fail to keep your interplease see SCORE, page 12

8 BUSINESS TRENDS FEBRUARY 2016

Weekly Meetings

Parisi Rampulla & Lenza, P.C.

78 Martin Avenue | Staten Island, NY, 10314

(718) 761-3333
Short Sales, Mortgage Modification,
Foreclosure Defense

MEETINGS
Continued from page 5
Andrews Diner, 4160 Hylan Blvd. 7
a.m. Members and invited guests
only. For info, call 347-855-4488 or

send an e-mail to info@sibizcouncil.com.

Bucks Business Network: Hampton Inn, 1120 South Ave. 7:45 a.m.
For info, call 718-351-2557 or visit
www.sibucks.com.
Kiwanis Club of Brighton: Jodys
Club Forest, 372 Forest Ave. 7:30
p.m. For info, call 718-348-0505.
Kiwanis Club of North Central:
LiGrecis Staten, 697 Forest Ave.
7:30 p.m. Call Len Bosso at 718-4427804.
Gateway Rotary Club: LaStrada,
139 New Dorp Ln. 7:15 p.m. For info,
call 718-447-1509.
SCORE Business Counseling:
Chamber of Commerce, 130 Bay St.
9 to 11:30 a.m. Appointment necessary. No charge. Call 718-727-1221.
E.L.I.T.E. (Executive, Leadership,
Interactive, Team, Effort) Networking Group: 1110 South Ave. 8
a.m. New members welcome. For
info, call 347-273-1375.
College of S.I., Small Bus. Dev. Ctr.
Business Counseling: CSI, 2800
Victory Blvd. 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. For
info, call 718-982-2560.

THURSDAY
Bus. Outreach Ctr of SI/WBCLDC
Small Bus. Counseling
MWBE/BOC Capital: WBCLDC, 705
Forest Ave., 2nd Fl. By appointment
only. For info, call 718-816-4775.
Kiwanis Club of Staten Island:
LiGrecis Staten, 697 Forest Ave.
7:30 p.m. For info, call 718-967-4345
or kiwanisclubofstatenisland.com.
Rotary Club of South Shore: Mansion Grand, 141 Mansion Ave. 12:15
p.m. For info, call 718-987-2061 or
visit southshorerotary.org.
Rotary Club Mid-Island: New Dakota Diner, 921 Richmond Ave. 7:30 to
9:00 a.m. Call 718-981-0700.
SCORE Business Counseling: SI
Bank & Trust, 1550 Richmond Rd. 9
Weddings
Sweet 16s
Anniversaries
Birthday Parties
Much much more!
..................................

Bill Bergman, Vice President, Leasing

(718) 263-3800 x 307
bbergman@muss.com
118-35 Queens Blvd., Forest Hills, NY 11375
www.muss.com

Steve White
6 Genesee Avenue
Staten Island, NY 10308
Phone: 718.317.5025
Cell: 917.446.4029
Email: statenarts@aol.com

a.m. to noon. No appointment necessary. No charge. Call 718-727-1221.

Rotary Club of North Shore: LiGrecis Staten, 697 Forest Ave. 7 p.m.
For info, call Christine DeHart at
718-448-4725.
Business Network Intl. (BNI) High
Achievers Chapter: PKs Restaurant,1281 Arthur Kill Rd. 7 to 8:30
a.m. For info, call Timothy Houston
at 718-981-8600.
Business Guild II of the S.I. Chamber of Commerce: Hilton Garden
Inn, 1100 South Ave. 7:45 to 8:45
a.m. Members and invited guests
only. For info, call Lou Rizzo at 718490-0057.
Business Guild III of the SI Chamber of Commerce: Hilton Garden
Inn, 1100 South Ave. 8 a.m. New
members welcome. Call Nick Testa
at 646-823-4494.
College of S.I., Small Bus. Dev. Ctr.
Business Counseling: CSI, 2800
Victory Blvd. 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. For
info, call 718-982-2560.
Community Emergency Response
Team (CERT): 7 p.m. For info. and
locations, call John Tidona at 4487160 or portrichcert@yahoo.com.

FRIDAY
Bus. Outreach Ctr of SI/WBCLDC
Small Bus. Counseling
MWBE/BOC Capital: WBCLDC, 705
Forest Ave., 2nd Fl. By appointment
only. For info, call 718-816-4775.

SATURDAY
SCORE Business Counseling: St.
George Library, 5 Central Ave. 10
a.m. to noon. Appointment necessary. No charge. Call 718-442-8560.
SCORE Business Counseling: Richmondtown Library, 200 Clarke Ave.
10 to 11:30 a.m. Appointment necessary. For info, call 718-668-0413.

statenarts
Staten Arts Photography
www.statenartsphotography.com

FEBRUARY 2016 BUSINESS TRENDS 9

Applebees hosts Breakfast with Santa

TEMPORARY PERSONNEL / STAFFING FOR YOUR:

Custodial / Superintendant Needs
Vacation Coverage
Handy Man Repairs
Interior / Exterior Maintenance
Emergency Staffing
Truck with driver available (local)

MLM PUBLIC RELATIONS/Special to Business Trends

Neil Rusken, general manager of the Applebee's location in New Dorp (fourth from left, behind Santa),
surrounded by his staff, poses with Santa at the 19th Annual Breakfast with Santa event held in December at Staten Island's four Applebee's locations. Applebee's employees volunteer their time every year
to serve the guests at the breakfasts. The 19th annual Breakfast with Santa benefitted the Have a Heart
Foundation, Camelot Counseling, Community Resources, GRACE Foundation, Staten Island Childrens
Museum, Staten Island YMCA and United Activities Unlimited.

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10 BUSINESS TRENDS FEBRUARY 2016

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Michael Gaffney, Esq. 718-815-6400 mgaffney@thegaffney.lawfirmcom

BRIEFS
Continued from page 4

worst banks this year. Based on

the overall statistics, Forbes
noted that while credit quality
seemed to improve on the whole,
growth and profitability exhibited mixed results. However, Signature Banks growth and profitability has continued to set
records since our founding in
2001, and we maintain strong
credit quality. The banks inclusion in the Forbes list yet again is
evidence of the broader acceptance of our relationship-based,
depositor-focused model, Joseph
J. DePaolo, president and chief
executive officer at Signature
Bank, said. All our colleagues
continue to put forth efforts that
consistently contribute to the accolades we earned through this
Forbes ranking, and we appreci-

ate their dedication along with

the unwavering loyalty demonstrated by our clients. This thirdparty recognition by Forbes is
demonstrative of the strength
and success of our proven clientcentric model coupled with the
single-point-of-contact founding
philosophy upon which Signature
Bank was built.
The data used by Forbes to create the list was supplied by Charlottesville, Va.-based SNL Financial while the rankings were compiled by Forbes. Ten metrics were
evaluated this year including,
among others, asset quality, capital adequacy, growth and profitability. A new methodology was
applied to this years listing to
better reflect the current state of
Americas banking environment.
Three new metrics were added,
including return on average tangible common equity, net chargeoffs as a percent of total loans and
please see BRIEFS, page 13

12 BUSINESS TRENDS FEBRUARY 2016

"

"

SCORE can help

with your big picture
marketing plan

SCORE
Continued from page 6

Generate More
Revenue For
Your Business

Contact
Ronald P. Cutrone

718.727.5100

est? Your salon might not want to

attract new customers with a
Groupon or similar daily deal,
but a discount after a certain
number of visits might be the
perfect thing to keep a customer
coming back for trims every six
weeks.
Again, think about your representation. An upscale boutique
will offer and announce sales
or buying programs differently
than, for instance, an outdoors
rental company.
Next youll want to work on
your marketing calendar to make

sure you promote any sales or

special events with plenty of time
to save the date on your customers calendars. Help them be
loyal to you by making their life a
bit easier!
Get together with a SCORE
mentor to think about your marketing big picture. Remember the
three Rs before you get caught
up in that Twitter feed!
Bridget Weston Pollack is the vice
president of marketing and communications at the SCORE Association.
In this role, Bridget is responsible for
all branding, marketing, PR and communication efforts. She focuses on
implementing marketing plans and
strategies for the organization to facilitate the growth of SCOREs mentoring and trainings services.

FEBRUARY 2016 BUSINESS TRENDS 13

Monthly Update
BRIEFS
Continued from page 10

efficiency ratio. Other metrics

were removed from this years
formula, such as return on average equity and nonperforming
loans as a percentage of loans.
Other metrics used include net
interest margin, nonperforming
assets as a percent of assets, reserves as a percent of NPLs, two
capital ratios (Tier 1 and riskbased) and revenue growth over
the past 12 months. All data was
based on regulatory filings for the
period ending Sept. 30, 2015. Each
of the 10 metrics used were
weighted equally in Forbes final
rankings.

Malliotakis, Islander
bring recovery program
SMART Recovery for Family &
Friends NYC, a solution-oriented
fellowship for people impacted by
the addiction of a loved-one,

brings science based tools to Staten Island. With the assistance of

Assemblywoman Nicole Malliotakis, the organization was able
to secure space to host meetings
here in the borough. A certified
facilitator for SMART Recovery
Family & Friends, Anne DeMarzo, a lifelong Staten Island resident, is hoping to change the stigma attached to addiction.
DeMarzo was prompted to start
the group after considering the
experiences of someone very
close to her who dealt with the
issue. An alternative to 12-step
models, such as Al-Anon and NarAnon, SMART Recovery for Family & Friends uses well-established techniques from modern
psychology to help those impacted by the addiction of someone
close to them. Based on the same
self-empowering four-point program of regular SMART Recovery, SMART Recovery for Family
& Friends focuses on Concerned
Significant Others of those struggling with addiction.
SMART Recovery Four Point
Program:

1.) Building motivation

2.) Coping with urges
3.) Managing thoughts, feelings
and behavior
4.) Living a balanced lifestyle
In addition, SMART Recovery
Family & Friends teaches Community Reinforcement and Family Training, a decades-old science-based approach with two
goals:
1.) Help CSOs manage the effects of addiction while finding
fulfillment in their own lives
2.) Offer more helpful responses that often influence their lovedone to drink and/or drug less and
ultimately pursue recovery.
Having a program like
SMART Recovery available to
Staten Islanders who are relatives
and loved ones of individuals
struggling with addiction can be
beneficial to so many, Malliotakis said. I commend Anne for
her commitment and dedication
to bringing this resource to Staten Island. I hope Islanders find
the program provides the comfort, support and information
they need.

Want more? Visit us on the Web at www.sibiztrends.com

14 BUSINESS TRENDS FEBRUARY 2016

Sandy disaster recovery loans available through SBA

SANDY
Continued from page 1

ical damage and economic injury

losses is Dec. 1.

The additional time for businesses, homeowners and renters

to request federal disaster loans
will go a long way in continuing
to support the rebuilding efforts
of the communities affected by
Superstorm Sandy, said Maria
Contreras-Sweet, administrator

of the U.S. SBA. I want to thank

the chairmen and ranking members of the Senate and House
Small Business Committees for
their leadership on this issue. To
date, the agency has received
more than 1,000 applications. We
have improved processing time

on applications and, on average,

provide a disaster loan decision
in eight days and cash disbursement on average five days after
receipt of loan closing documents. To date, we have approved
$2.5 billion in loan assistance to
more than 37,000 individuals and

businesses affected by Sandy.

In December, Congress passed
and President Obama signed into
law the Recovery Improvements
for Small Entities After Disaster
Act of 2015, which gives the SBA
administrator the authority to
make disaster loans for Superstorm Sandy available for one
year. The bill authorized the SBA
to revise the disaster deadline for
major presidential declarations
for Superstorm Sandy in Connecticut, Maryland, New Jersey,
New York and Rhode Island.
Businesses and private nonprofit organizations may borrow
up to $2 million to repair or replace disaster damaged or destroyed real estate, machinery
and equipment, inventory and
other business assets.
Homeowners also may qualify
for disaster loans up to $200,000 to
repair or replace disaster damaged or destroyed real estate, and
homeowners and renters may be
eligible for up to $40,000 to repair
or replace disaster damaged or
destroyed personal property.
Interest rates are as low as
1.688 percent for homeowners and
renters, 3 percent for non-profit
organizations and 4 percent for
businesses, with terms up to 30
years, according to the SBA. Loan
amounts and terms are set by the
SBA and are based on each applicants financial condition.
Applicants may be eligible for a
loan amount increase up to 20
percent of their physical damages, as verified by the SBA for
mitigation purposes.
Some improvements could include building a safe room or
storm shelter to help protect
property and occupants from future damage caused by a similar
disaster.
Interested applicants can apply
online
at
https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela.
More information can be obtained by calling the SBA Customer Service Center at (800) 6592955 or by sending an email to disastercustomerservice@sba.gov.
The Richmond County center
of the SBA is located at the NYC
Business Solutions Center, 120
Stuyvesant Place, Third Floor,
and is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Mondays through Fridays.

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16 BUSINESS TRENDS FEBRUARY 2016

on the job
CLAIRE BISIGNANO CHESNOFF
Staten Island Board of Realtors
Claire Bisignano Chesnoff, broker/owner of Claire Properties,
has been inducted as the 54nd
president of the Staten Island
Board of Realtors.
Bisignano Chesnoff was sworn
into office Jan. 14 by Joan Illuzzi,
special counsel to Manhattan District Attorney Cyrus R. Vance Jr.,
during a banquet ceremony at the
Excelsior Grand, New Dorp.
SIBOR marked its 100th anniversary this past year, and I feel
fortunate to be president as we
enter the threshold of our next
100 years, Bisignano Chesnoff
said. It is a privilege to be part of
such an extraordinary organization, and a gift to be working
alongside a team of officers and
directors who are truly devoted to
the American Dream and the further enrichment of our community.
In addition to Bisignano Chesnoff, SIBOR officers installed at

the event included PresidentElect Greg A. Sokol, Cangiano Estates;

Secretary/Treasurer
Michael Blasi, Sherlock Homes
Realty; and Immediate Past President Dilshad (Dil) Gillani, Gillani
Homes. All other officials inducted during the evening were sworn
in by Linda Lugo, president of the
New York State Association of
Realtors.
Other board members include:
Sandy Krueger, CEO of the Staten Island Board of Realtors;
Michael Dukhovny; Richard E.
Dun; Donna A. Iadarola; Laird
Klein; Vivian P. Kokkinos; Hector
Mesa; Ron Molcho; Angelo Pappalardo; Joseph Pugliese; Frank
Reali; Scott Setaro; Rochio
Uchofen; Joseph Tirone; George
K. Wonica; and Alfred M. Fazio,
Esq., board counsel.
Two members of the board are
non-Realtors: Robert B. Rampulla
of the law firm of Sak & Rampulla, and Philip A. Guarnieri, president and CEO of Empire State

Bank, who is serving as a non-Realtor member for the fourth consecutive year.
The officers and directors of
the Staten Island Multiple Listing
Service Inc., a wholly owned
SIBOR subsidiary, also were inducted.
The following individuals, or
their designates, have joined or
have been reinstated as directors
and/or members of the SIMLS
board: President and CEO Sandy
Krueger; Vice President Frank
Reali, Better Homes and Gardens
Real Estate Safari Realty; Secretary/Treasurer George K. Wonica, Wonica Realtors & Appraisers; Joan C. Camerlengo; Ann
Coppola; Thomas DeLese; Georgianna Diaz; Frank DiTommaso;
Daniel Fausak; Michael Gentilesco; Donna A. Iadarola; Laird
Klein;
Domenica
(Mimi)
Neuhaus; Raju Philip; Greg A.
Sokol; Kevin M Swetsky, and Alfred M. Fazio, Esq., board counsel.

FEBRUARY 2016 BUSINESS TRENDS 17

SIBOR swears in new president

STATEN ISLAND BOARD OF REALTORS/Special to Business Trends

Claire Bisignano Chesnoff is sworn in as president of the Staten Island Board of Realtors by Joan Illuzzi,
special counsel to Manhattan District Attorney Cyrus R. Vance Jr.

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18 BUSINESS TRENDS FEBRUARY 2016

NYS Women to award

Lifetime Distinction
The Staten Island chapter of
New York State Women will
honor its longest standing members Margaret Barry and Geraldine Walters-Smith with its Lifetime Distinction Award. Barry
served the organization for 53
years, Walters-Smith for 52 years.
Seven outstanding women will
join Barry and Walters-Smith at
the ceremony and luncheon on
Saturday, April 2, at noon, at LiGrecis Staaten, 697 Forest Ave.
Virginia Allen, Sallyann Bartels, Cammie Brandofino, Joan
Del Priorie, Edith Holtermann,
Elissa Montanti and Marie
Thompson will be recognized as
Women of Distinction.
The Community Program of
Distinction Award will be presented to AnnMarie McDonough,
Raisa Ginzberg, Sharon Zinke,
Rehabilitation Medicine, Staten
Island University Hospital, for
Rebuilding Lives: Returning
Back to the Community.
The featured keynote speaker
is Linda Wilson, executive director, National Alliance on Mental
Illness.
Virginia Allen, a retired
black nurse with experience in
Sea View Hospitals designated
tuberculosis sanitarium, will be
honored for her commitment as
an activist on labor issues; health
care; womens and senior citizens issues; education reform,
and youth involvement.
Sallyann Bartels, membership
services, Staten Island Chamber
of Commerce, will be honored for
her efforts to seek out financial
and emotional support for Staten
Island businesses after Hurricane
Sandy and for promoting programs such as the Race for Space
and grant programs that create
values of businesses and support
community wellness.
Cammie Brandofino, president, SI Chapter, National Cooleys Anemia Foundation, will be
feted for her 30 year work to help
eradicate the disease. Credited
with establishing a Staten Island
chapter in 1985 with other parents and family members, New
York State Women SI will also

applaud her efforts as a member

of the National Cooleys Anemia
Foundation Board of Directors
and Executive Committee, and for
her service on the Board of the
Staten Island Inter-Agency Council for the Aging.
Joan Del Priorie is a sign language interpreter at Staten Island
University Hospital who uses her
interpreter skills for seminars,
support and community groups,
assuring appropriate auxiliary
aids are available to accommodate the hearing impaired to communicate more effectively with
the hearing population.
Edith Holtermann, retired
physical education teacher at
Curtis, New Dorp and Susan Wagner High School, will be recognized for her 42 years volunteer
and leadership service at St. Andrews Church, Richmond Town
and her work as a Girl Scouts den
mother.
Elissa Montanti, founder and
executive director, Global Medical Relief Fund for Children, will
be recognized for her work to aid
children worldwide who are missing or have lost the use of limbs
or eyes, severely burned injured
through war, natural disaster or
illness.
Since its founding in 1997, Elissa Montantis efforts brought and
helped injured children from regions in more than 30 countries
that offer minimal medical care,
poorly fitted prostheses or none at
all. She also created a Dare to
Dream house that gives children
in treatment and their guardians
a place they call home during
their visit.
Marie Thompson, head educator, the Child Study Center of
New York, Brooklyn and member
of the Council for Exceptional
Children, will be honored for her
lifelong work with special needs
children.
Elaine Croteau and Rosemarie
Dressler are co-chairs of this
event. The cost per person is $65
and includes lunch. For more information about this event, contact Rosemarie at rdCommunic@aol.com.