BROOKLYN MEDIA GROUP JUNE 23 – JUNE 29, 2017 47
Small Business Administration
celebrates 2017 award winners
The Staten Island Small Business
Development Center has been
selected as the U.S. Small Business
Administration’s 2017 Small Business
Development Center for Excellence
and Innovation Award winner
for both the New York District as well
as SBA’s Region II, which includes all
districts in New York State, New Jersey,
Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands.
This award honors an SBDC service
center for excellence in providing value
to small businesses and advancing
program delivery and management
through innovation. New York SBDC
State Director James King congratulated
the Staten Island SBDC staff by
commenting, “Since there are only
10 nationwide regional winners, this
signifies that your team is one of the 10
best among 1,000 centers throughout
the country.”
SBA Regional Administrator (Region
II) Alfred Titone congratulated
the Staten Island SBDC by stating,
“This is a remarkable accomplishment
and I would like to acknowledge the
great contributions you are making
on behalf of small businesses and
entrepreneurs in your community, as
well as to the economic development
of New York.”
“We are honored to receive this recognition
on not only a state level but a
regional level as well,” stated Director
Dean Balsamini. “The staff consists
of a talented group of professionals
who deliver extensive services to our
clients and have a strong passion for
serving the community.”
The Staten Island SBDC is one of
24 centers in the New York State
Network of America’s SBDCs. Team
members include Director Dean Balsamini;
Office Manager Megan Ernst;
Certified Senior Business Advisors
Edward Piszko and George Telmany;
Business Advisors Christine Purelis,
Joseph Bottega and Joseph Muller; and
Student Intern Cecilia Alva.
Nearing its 25th anniversary, the
Staten Island SBDC has assisted more
than 8,100 businesses, helping them
invest more than $174 million in the
area’s economy, and creating or saving
more than 5,400 jobs.
With the state-wide adaptation of
an “it’s all about the client” mantra, the
Staten Island SBDC assesses and determines
the needs of the community
by keeping open relationships with
resource partners and clients.
The center has an excellent campus
partner at the College of Staten Island
that supports the SBDC mission to provide
education, entrepreneurship and
economic development. The Staten
Island SBDC contributes towards enhancing
the college footprint. The
team is highly involved with the newly
launched CSI Technology Incubator,
which fosters the innovative drive
for high tech entrepreneurs in New
York City.
“The SBDC delivers extensive value
added services to the small business
community and enhances the College
of Staten Island‘s objective to be an
integral part of the community, not
apart from the community,” said CSI
President William Fritz. “I commend
them for this effort.”
“Dean and his team, with the support
of the New York SBDC, have a demonstrated
history of unparalleled excellence
and innovation in their services
to the Borough,” said Ken Iwama, vice
president for economic development,
continuing studies and government
relations.
The SBDC’s advisors provide opportunities
to established businesses and
start-ups which need support such
as marketing, financial projections,
staffing and sustainability. Different
types of services include MWBE certifications
and BidLinx, which certifies
eligible businesses to apply for federal,
state, and city contracts.
The SBA held a ceremony during
National Small Business Week at its
New York Headquarters to honor all
local, district, and regional award
winners. At a separate event, U.S.
Congressmember Daniel Donovan
honored Balsamini and staff.
Photo courtesy of SBDC
Staten Island SBDC Director Dean Balsamini and staff with
Lead by Example Awardees Megan Ernst and Christine Purelis.
Art for community’s sake
The Park Slope branch of
Kearny Bank has opened
its doors to a local art
exhibition.
Last month, the branch — at
689 Fifth Avenue — mounted the
art exhibit, featuring the work
of area artist Phil Esposito.
“Kearny Bank is proud to
support and promote local
artist Phil Esposito,” said Maria
Palumbo, the bank’s vice president
small business. “Building
community connections–working
with local artists, schools
and non-profit organizations
— is an integral part of who we
are at Kearny Bank. Our goal is
to capture relationships with
local residents that are deep
and lasting, and go well beyond
capturing new accounts.”
Photo courtesy of Kearny Bank
Phil Esposito, Fine Art Photography; Joseph Bottega, business
advisor, Small Business Development Center (SBDC); Cathy
Ruggiero, business development manager, Star Network/
Schneps Communications; and Migdalia Velez Mieles, assistant
vice president/branch manager, Kearny Bank.