TMCnet News

WESTCHESTER'S 2014 RISING STARS 40 UNDER FORTY [Westchester County Business Journal (NY)]
[July 30, 2014]

WESTCHESTER'S 2014 RISING STARS 40 UNDER FORTY [Westchester County Business Journal (NY)]


(Westchester County Business Journal (NY) Via Acquire Media NewsEdge) MICHELLE ARBITRIO, 36 Partner, Wilson Elser GETTING TO KNOW MICHELLE: Name one habit of a highly successful person.

Persistence.

What is your favorite inspirational quote? "It is amazing what you can accomplish if you do not care who gets the credit." If you won $20 million in the lottery, what would you do with the money? Upon learning that I won the lottery, I would go directly to Neiman Marcus.



DR. JIMMY N. AVARI, 35 Assistant Attending Psychiatrist and Associate Director of the Geriatric Psychiatry Fellowship, New York Presbyterian Hospital/Westchester Division GETTING TO KNOW JIMMY: Name one habit of a highly successful person.

Unwavering determination.


What is your favorite inspirational quote? "I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel." What is the last book you read? "An Unquiet Mind." ADRIAN BEREZOWSKY, 34 President, IVI Telecom Services Inc.

GETTING TO KNOW ADRIAN: If you won $20 million in the lottery, what would you do with the money? Save and invest half, giveaway one-quarter and spend one-quarter on friends and family.

What is your definition of success? Personal - enjoying what you do while making enough to take care of your interests. Business - maintaining a stellar reputation among your peers.

Who would play you, in a screenplay of your life? Corey Feldman.

NICHOLAS CALIFANO, 30 Co-founder, Yonkers Brewing Co.

GETTING TO KNOW NICHOLAS: What's your one guilty pleasure? Ice cream before bed - a lot of Ice cream.

Provide one networking tip.

Hold your drink in your nondominant hand. No one likes a cold, wet handshake.

Which bad habits, if any, drive you crazy? Texting in social settings.

JOSHUA CASPI, 35 Principal, Caspi Development GETTING TO KNOW JOSHUA: Name one of your "unusual" talents I can recognize a face under any circumstance from any age whether personally related to me or a screen actor, actress from an obscure commercial or movie. Recently I noticed a person I went to preschool with and had not seen in over 30 years.

What was the best business or personal advice ever offered to you? During a period of frustration someone told me real estate development is like farming you plant the seeds, you water and nurture them and ultimately those seeds will grow into a great harvest but it takes a long time.

What's your one guilty pleasure? I love the occasional Padron #9 Maduro Cigar at the Tobacconist of Greenwich.

WON CHOE, 39 General Manager, Bronx/Westchester Electric Operations, Consolidated Edison Company of New York GETTING TO KNOW WON: If you could have a superpower, what would it be? Super nanny powers. I have 1-year-old twins and a 3 year old. With super nanny powers, they would listen, clean up and most importantly sleep on command.

What do you enjoy most about your chosen profession/industry? We keep the lights on.

Who is your business/personal mentor? My father. He has given his life for the betterment of mine. I try (with marginal success) to emulate his dedication, work ethic and caring.

EROS CORPUS, 38 Store Owner/Manager, Batteries Plus Bulbs, White Plains GETTING TO KNOW EROS: What is the most exotic place you've ever traveled? Exotic places I've been to are Kauai in Hawaii and Santorini in Greece.

What is your definition of success? Definition of success is being able to prioritize what's important in life and by putting family first. If people are driven and not afraid to fail, the rest will follow.

Provide one business tip that has helped in your success.

My business tip is to keep believing in your dreams.

ALEXA D'AGOSTINO, 25 Director of Marketing, Digital & Creative, Mercy College GETTING TO KNOW ALEXA: If you won $20 million in the lottery, what would you do with the money? If I won $20 million I would travel to places I have never been, pay off my parents' mortgage and then I would start a not-for-profit to help young children who cannot afford to play competitive sports.

What is your definition of success? My definition of success is making a difference in an organization or community, while at the same time loving what you do.

If you could have lunch with one historic figure, who would it be? I would love to have lunch with Steve Jobs. Working at Apple was one of the best experiences of my life and I contribute my success to the skills I gained while working there. I wish I could have told him that.

LAURA DAMIANO, 34 Founder CEO + Creative Director Laura Damiano Designs GETTING TO KNOW LAURA: What is your anticipated legacy? My hope for my legacy is to be recognized as a top-level brand that provides a high-quality product and/or service with extremely satisfied customers.

What was the best business or personal advice ever offered to you? Be true to yourself - never change who you are to satisfy someone else.

How would you describe yourself in three words? Creative, hardworking, persistent.

NATALIE DAVIS, 35 Coordinator eDocNY Document Services eDocNY/Arc of Westchester GETTING TO KNOW NATALIE: Who is your business/personal mentor? My business mentor is my supervisor Linda Warner. Linda listens well, is very knowledgeable, organized and a true professional. She entrusts me with additional responsibilities and gives me the opportunity to take the lead to be creative.

What is your favorite TV program? The TV program I like is the detective series Remington Steele. I enjoy watching movies and TV programs from the 1980s.

What do you enjoy most about your chosen profession/industry? The wonderful opportunities we are providing to individuals through employment is most rewarding to me. We have many success stories regarding people who are otherwise difficult to employ but are now earning a wage through eDocNY, achieving their goals and creating a better life for themselves.

DAVID DEMILIA, 38 Senior Vice President/Commercial Banking Regional Manager, Tomkins Mahopac Bank GETTING TO KNOW DAVID: What is the latest book you read? Jack Welch, "Straight for the Gut." What do you enjoy most about your profession? The most rewarding aspect of my job is watching businesses grow with our help through advice, financing options and various financial products and services. Whether it's seeing a new building in our community being built that we helped finance or watching a business add employees, new equipment or start a new product line, knowing that the bank played a role in that growth is emplowering and is an enormous sense of accomplishment What was the best business or personal advice ever offered to you? Observe key leaders in the organization and try to model their best attributes.

JOSEPH DONATO, 32 Founder and President, Joey Shortkutz L.L.C.

GETTING TO KNOW JOSEPH: What is the most exotic place you've ever traveled? Capetown, South Africa. It was actually the first time I ever played internationally and it was an amazing experience. Since then, I have spun in Mexico, Panama, Japan and China and I have secured a monthly residency on the island of St. Maarten.

Name one habit of a highly successful person.

Hard work. This is the one common denominator I have noticed in every successful person. In order to be successful, you need to put in the time and hours that often get unnoticed.

Who is the most important person in your life? My parents. I am fortunate enough to have great parents whose guidance has served as the foundation for all my accomplishments and successes. They have truly been behind me and backed me since the start of my career and I would never have been able to achieve any of my successes without their positive support.

STEPHEN DRESSEL, 36 Director Field Force Effectiveness, Regeneron Pharmaceuticals Inc GETTING TO KNOW STEPHEN: What is the last book you read? "Freakonomics" was the last book I read. The book applies economics to everyday examples and was very interesting.

What is your most cherished hobby? I love to cook. I really got into cooking after suffering through the cafeteria food freshman year of college. I now can cook just about anything and enjoy making up recipes as I cook.

Provide one business tip that has helped in your success.

Throughout my career I have been willing to embrace new opportunities and challenges, which have broadened my knowledge and fostered my success.

ANTHONY FARSETTA, 39 Senior Sales Executive, PrimePay Inc.

GETTING TO KNOW ANTHONY: Provide one networking tip.

Build relationships while networking so that I can be a business resource to my customers and not focus on what's in it for me.

If you could have any super power, what would it be? I would love to have an antidote to cure cancer as well as other major illnesses that impact people's lives.

What was the best business or personal advice ever offered to you? Treat customers like you would your family instead of looking at your customers through the eyes of making your own business objectives or sales goals. By doing this, it creates a stronger bond between you and your customer and shows you genuinely care about their business, which in the long run will produce great results in return.

DR. JENNA FERRIS, 34 Special Education Teacher, Peekskill City School District GETTING TO KNOW JENNA: If you won $20 million in the lottery, what would you do with the money? I would open a youth center such as a Boys and Girls club in Peekskill. Growing up in Peekskill and now working here I see the high need for an establishment such as this in Peekskill. The youth in Peekskill need an outlet where they can go after school, on the weekends and during breaks. A youth center would provide the children in Peekskill with opportunities to help them become productive and successful adults.

How would you describe yourself in three words? Determined, motivated and compassionate.

Name one habit of a highly successful person.

Daily self-reflection.

IAN FLOR, 30 Vice President, Data Services and Analytics, Hudson Health Plan GETTING TO KNOW IAN: What is the last book you read? Malcolm Gladwell's "Tipping Point." I enjoyed his anecdotes on how little changes can have big effect, but the conclusions that he draws in the book are certainly debatable.

Who is the most important person in your life? The most important person in my life is my daughter, Peyton. Becoming a father has been the most rewarding event in my life. No matter how bad a day I am having, her smile can turn it completely around for me.

What is your favorite inspirational quote? Michael Jordan said, "I've missed more than 9,000 shots in my career. I've lost almost 300 games, 26 times, I've been trusted to take the game winning shot and missed. I've failed over and over and over again in my life. And that is why I succeed." JENNIFER GRAY, 34 Associate Attorney, Keane & Beane P.C.

GETTING TO KNOW JENNIFER: What is the most exotic place you've ever traveled? I studied abroad in Australia as one of a dozen students who traveled the country with a professor in a Natural Resource Management program. We camped in the rain forests in Queensland, cooked lizard in a sand pit with a community of aboriginals and hiked through Tasmania.

What is your definition of success? Success is achieved by having a positive impact on those around you, earning the respect of your colleagues and clients and balancing your time so you can live life to the fullest at every opportunity.

Provide one networking tip.

At networking events, always place your nametag on your right shoulder so it is easily visible when shaking hands.

APRIL HORTON, 38 Director External Affairs and Government Affairs, Mid-State New York. Bronx and Northern Manhattan, Verizon GETTING TO KNOW APRIL: Name one of your "unusual" talents.

I have several professions. Being a chauffeur, hairstylist, lobbyist, photographer, teacher, chef and maid. That's what happens when you have children.

Which bad habits, if any, drive you crazy? Not following through on something you have committed to.

What is your anticipated legacy? I would like my legacy to be seen as a female who challenged the status quo and did not except no.' A female who sought to empower others through sharing information and resources. Someone who sought the best in others and for others. A person who lived in the present while thinking about the future both in her professional and personal life. As a person who was committed to the cause of advancing reform through legislation and philanthropic giving.

NIKOLA ILIC, 24 Senior Project Manager, RPW Group GETTING TO KNOW NIKOLA: Who would play you in a screenplay of your life? Christian Bale in "3:10 to Yuma." The film in essence is about a man despite great adversity succeeds in completing his duty and obligation simply because it was the right thing to do.

What is the most exotic place you've ever traveled? Not exotic in the typical sense but my birthplace, Serbia. Every time I go back home and visit, the current state of things humble me and remind me of how lucky I am.

Who is your business/personal mentor? Please explain.

My father has been my mentor and he truly is the epitome of self-made. Through his hard work, great character and all of the life philosophies he has instilled into me, he continues to teach me new things and makes me into a better person. Having the proper ethics and beliefs is one thing, but living by them is the ultimate goal.

ROBERT KISSNER, 28 President, The Digital Arts Experience GETTING TO KNOW ROBERT: Name one of your "unusual" talents.

I spent four years learning Sitar under a classically trained Indian musician.

I've always loved Indian music, especially the unique sound of the sitar and when I was in high school my uncle got me a sitar for my birthday.

What is the most exotic place you've ever traveled? I have been to a few exotic places. I have traveled to Japan, I have been to Turkey three times, I visited Zihuatanejo in Mexico and anyone who has seen The Shawshank Redemption will understand why I bring that up.

What was the best business or personal advice ever offered to you? Don't be afraid to screw up. The best thing I have ever learned in business is that mistakes and failure provide the best leaning experiences. Mistakes obviously teach you what works and what doesn't, but more so, they teach you not to be afraid to try things and take risks.

ANTOINETTE KLATZKY, 28 Program Director, Eileen Fisher Community Foundation GETTING TO KNOW ANTOINETTE: If you could have any super power, what would it be? I would love to be able to teleport myself. Rather than spending six-plus hours on a plane, I could head to the spa.

Name one habit of a highly successful person One habit that highly successful people practice is journaling when they wake up in the morning.

Provide one business tip that has helped in your success.

A useful business tip is to operate from a place of abundance rather than a place of poverty. It's helped me to make decisions based on value rather than cost.

JOSEPH KWASNIEWSKI, 28 Executive Director, Port Chester Carver Center GETTING TO KNOW JOSEPH: If you were given $1,000 to spend on your company, where would you spend the money? I would treat my staff to a phenomenal dinner and happy hour. Investing in your staff is an important component of building morale and increasing retention.

What is your most cherished hobby? One of my most cherished hobbies is snowboarding. In fact, I don't generally vacation during the summer months and I hoard all of my paid time off so that I can hit the slopes.

Provide one business tip that has helped in your success.

I think that the key element that has helped with my success is honesty and transparency. I have implemented a culture of trust and honesty at Carver and that is why I think that my team has been so successful.

DOROTHY LEONE, 32 Ph.D. - Speech Language Pathology Program Coordinator, lona College GETTING TO KNOW DOROTHY: What is the most exotic place you've ever traveled? Two years ago I spent a month in Ghana, Africa. I had the opportunity to supervise a group of speech language pathology graduate students from Columbia University and provide speech and language therapy to both adult and pediatric populations.

Who is the most important person in your life? My husband, John Leone, is one of the most inspirational people one could ever meet. John's consistent motivation and support is what always challenges me to rise to the next occasion.

What do you enjoy most about your chosen profession/industry? My students and clients. As a college professor and speech language pathologist, I am directly rewarded by the populations I service.

JEREMY LEVENTHAL, 29 Managing Partner, Faros Properties GETTING TO KNOW JEREMY: If you could have any superpower, what would it be? Foresight.

What is the last book you read? "The Power of Habit" by Charles Duhigg.

Where do you see yourself in 10 years? Expanding our business to multiple cities across the U.S.

FRANCOIS MAGNANT, 37 Marketing Director, Deutsch Family Wine & Spirits GETTING TO KNOW FRANCOIS: How would you describe yourself in three words? Reliable, doer, learner.

What was the best business or personal advice ever offered to you? From my dad: always do your best so that when you look at yourself in the mirror you can never regret.

What's your one guilty pleasure? Haagen Dazs white chocolate raspberry truffle ice cream.

LUKE MATTHEWS, 37 COO, Tommie Copper GETTING TO KNOW LUKE: Name one habit of a highly successful person.

A highly successful person is one who never stops learning. If you surround yourself by successful people and learn from them every day you will in turn become successful.

Which bad habits, if any, drive you crazy? I can't stand people who chew gum. If I were a politician I would have it banned! What is your most cherished hobby? It would have to be skiing. Finding something I can do outside in the winter with my children and watching their skills flourish has been incredibly rewarding.

THERESA MOTKO, 35 Senior Engineer, Entergy GETTING TO KNOW THERESA: If you could have lunch with one historic figure, who would it be? William Shakespeare. I would like to know what his inspiration was. Why he switched from comedies and histories to tragedies? What is your anticipated legacy? Working in a highly technical, male-dominated industry, I would like to encourage and enable an increase in the diversity of the workforce with a focus on women. I believe encouraging women to pursue careers in math and science is very important... and I would like to be remembered for creating a network of strong women emerging as leaders in the nuclear industry.

What is your favorite TV program? I have two favorite programs: "Walking Dead" and "Game of Thrones." My goal is to have both kids in bed by 9 p.m. on Sunday nights.

JOHN PACIFICO, 35 President and CEO, Abyrx Inc.

GETTING TO KNOW JOHN: Name one habitof a highly successful person.

They question the way things are done and identify ways to do them better.

What is your anticipated legacy? Helped change at least one product category and/or marketplace that addressed unmet needs and enabled millions of people to live happier, healthier and more prosperous lives.

What is your most cherished hobby? Being a great example for my son and daughter and taking every opportunity I can to teach them something that I believe will help them throughout their lives.

TIMOTHY PLUNKETT, 39 Attorney, McKenna Long & Aldridge GETTING TO. KNOW TIMOTHY: What's your one guilty pleasure? Jujubes.

What is the most exotic place you've ever traveled? Cambodia.

What is your definition of success? Maximizing one's natural abilities.

SABAH RAJPUT, 38 Cofounder and Vice President, Walison Corporation GETTING TO KNOW SABAH: How would you describe yourself in three words? Humble, Adventurous and persistent.

Name one habit of a highly successful person.

Perseverance What was the best business or personal advice ever offered to you? Never give up AMANDA READY, 33 Domestic Violence Counselor/Advocate, Hope's Door GETTING TO KNOW AMANDA: What is your most cherished hobby? I got my first Harley four years ago and fell in love with riding motorcycles.

Who is the most important person in your life? My mother Dixie because she loved me unconditionally and always reminded me that I mattered in this world. Her love inspires me daily to offer that same love to others.

What is your favorite inspirational quote? "I think we all want justice and equality, a chance for a life with meaning, all of us would like to believe that if we were in a bad situation someone would help us," Angelina Jolie.

JENNA RUSSO, 29 Senior Producer, News12 Westchester GETTING TO KNOW JENNA: What is your favorite inspirational quote? "Courage doesn't always roar. Sometimes courage is the little voice at the end of the day that says, 'I'll try again tomorrow.'" What is the most exotic place you've ever traveled? St. Lucia. I snorkeled at the bottom of a volcano and swam in a waterfall.

What's your one guilty pleasure? Trying new restaurants. From fancy places to dives, I've probably been to every one in Westchester! TONY SAYEGH, 37 Political Commentator, Fox News/News 12 GETTING TO KNOW TONY: Who would play you in a screenplay of your life? Based on my home life I would say Ray Romano (yes, my parents live down the street and so does my wife's family come to think of it), my professional life I would say George Clooney (politics is very hip in pop culture these days) and for my international man of mystery persona I am definitely thinking Pierce Brosnan.

What is the most exotic place you've ever traveled? Aweil, South Sudan, located roughly 100 miles from the border of Darfur. We participated in a humanitarian mission where I witnessed abject poverty at its worst but the human spirit at its best.

What was the best business or personal advice ever offered to you? The theory of "indispensability;" make yourself indispensable to the organization. It was taught by a mentor who ended up hiring me for half-a-dozen jobs and internships because I successfully followed his advice.

RYAN SCHILDWACHTER, 35 Murphy Brothers Millworks Manager, Murphy Brothers Contracting GETTING TO KNOW RYAN: What was the best business or personal advice ever offered to you? I was once told very simply, if you try to do everything, you'll never do anything really well. Stay focused.

What is your most cherished hobby? My most cherished hobby is my profession. Even on my own time I am designing or building some sort of furniture or cabinet.

What is the most exotic place you've ever traveled? The most exotic place I've traveled to is Tamarindo, Costa Rica, with my wife on our honeymoon. We zip lined through two different forests and through a chasm cut by an active river below. So many amazing sights, too many amazing memories.

RICHARD ST. PAUL, 36 Attorney, Law Office of Richard St. Paul, Esq. P.L.L.C.

GETTING TO KNOW RICHARD: If you could have any superpower, what would it be? My superpower is straight from my childhood wishes. The power to make bad people be good. Most of us pray for goods things; others hope, but turning bad to good and hate to love will improve all our lives.

Why is the Business Council so important to Westchester County's economy? Like a tree that provides so many benefits to our society, businesses need a fertile environment to grow. The Business Council helps to provide that environment..

If you could have lunch with one historic figure, who would it be? While many figures have contributed to make this nation great, few have shaped it. My lunch mate would be Abraham Lincoln and our menu would be a buffet. Apparently, the former President was a foodie.

HILARY SWEENEY, 33 Founder/Director, Westchester Circus Arts GETTING TO KNOW HILARY: If you could have lunch with one historic figure, who would it be? Robert N. Butler, gerontologist and Pulitzer Prize-winning author. He devoted his life to improving the social needs of the elderly. He's always been a hero of mine. The elderly deserve to be revered and cared for.

If you could have any superpower, what would it be? I already have a superpower. As an aerialist, I spend more time climbing than I do walking. I could "spiderman" my way out of almost any sticky situation.

Who is your business/personal mentor? I grew up watching my dad run his own businesses, like his custom car shop. He taught me the value of honesty, service you can stand behind and to go after what you love no matter what If it wasn't for my dad, I wouldn't be accepting this award today.

SCOTT TASCH, 35 Director, Altium Wealth Management, LLC GETTING TO KNOW SCOTT: Name one habit of a highly successful person Goal setting.

What is your favorite inspirational quote? "Success is not final, failure is not fatal: It is the courage to continue that counts," Winston Churchill.

Provide one business tip that has helped in your success.

Challenge yourself continually to push past the comfort zone.

BRIAN VAN RIPER, 37 Senior Project Manager - Construction, Reckson, a Division of SL Green Realty Corp.

GETTING TO KNOW BRIAN: If you could have lunch with one historic figure, who would it be? I always admired Ronald Reagan as a leader and President and would have enjoyed the opportunity to meet him.

What was the best business or personal advice ever offered to you? I was told early in my career to value my reputation and to establish a trustworthy and professional relationship with colleagues, clients and customers.

What is your favorite inspirational quote? "It is hard to fail, but it is worse never to have tried to succeed," Theodore Roosevelt.

BRITTA VANDER LINDEN, 39 Communications Specialist/Economic Development Liaison, Office of the County Executive/Westchester County Government GETTING TO KNOW BRITTA: What do you enjoy most about your chosen profession/industry? The unknown quotient: What will happen today? What strategy will it require? What message or outreach will be called for? How will I successfully manage it? These are the most enjoyable and exciting aspects of my profession.

What is your definition of success? Success is what everyone wants, what everyone strives for and what nobody has time to appreciate when it arrives. If I can fully enjoy and appreciate each day as it comes, I will have been successful.

Who would play you in a screenplay of your life? Fiddle-dee-dee, I would want Vivien Leigh.

MARVIN VASQUEZ, 39 Marketing Director, Multi Marketing USA GETTING TO KNOW MARVIN: If you could have any superpower, what would it be? The superpower to be invisible, I'm always curious to know what's going on in certain moments and places.

What is the last book you read? "The Way of the SEAL: Think Like an Elite Warrior to Lead and Succeed" by Mark Divine.

If you won $20 million in the lottery, what would you do with the money? I would create a college scholarship named The Vasquez Scholarship Fund, dedicated for business students.

(c) 2014 Westfair Communications

[ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ]