On Wednesday night November 2, The Queens Chamber of Commerce celebrated the Business Person of the Year Awards. There were many elected officials on hand and Borough President Melinda Katz touted the honorees positive impact and service to the borough.
This year's Business Person of the Year event was the epitome of the American Dream and Queens in particular. We honored business people from all points far and wide from NYC's largest geographic borough. Monte Redman's humble beginnings growing up in LIC to the President & CEO of Astoria Bank along with Steve Wei of Wei, Wei & Co immigrant story to become the largest CPA firm in Queens are reminders of what hard work and perseverance can accomplish.Rhonda Binda and her role at the Jamaica BID and John Kaiteris's 40 plus years as Executive Director at HANAC are also testament and reminders of what success looks like. The Queens Chamber of Commerce was humbled to feature these deserving Honorees as the best of the borough," said Thomas J. Grech, Executive Director of the Queens Chamber of Commerce.The Hall of Fame honoree was Monte N. Redman, who is CEO/President of Astoria Bank and Astoria Financial Corporation. Mr. Redman joined Astoria in 1977, and was appointed as Chief Executive Officer and elected to the Board of Directors on July 1, 2011. Under his leadership, Astoria Bank has established a strong, seasoned Business Banking team, and has expanded the bank's focus on multi-family and commercial real estate lending. In 2014, Mr. Redman oversaw the bank's rebrand to Astoria Bank, reflecting the organization's extensive range of offerings for its diverse and expanded customer base. In addition to his leadership of Astoria, Mr. Redman is an active member of the board of directors for the Federal Home Loan Bank of New York and the New York Bankers Association, addressing issues of importance to the New York banking community. He is also a director and former chairman of the board of the Tourette Association of America (TA). Under his leadership, the TA helped influence legislation, furthered education and supported cutting-edge research. "I am proud of Astoria Bank's long history of serving the people and businesses of Queens and equally honored to have been recognized by the Queens Chamber of Commerce. Being inducted into its Hall of Fame is definitely one of the highlights of my career," said Monte Redman, President and Chief Executive Officer, Astoria Bank," said Astoria Bank President and Chief Executive Officer Monte N. Redman.John Kaiteris, Executive Director/CEO of HANAC Inc. He has an extensive background in government service and community relations having worked in the New York City Human Resources Administration and in the Mayor's Office. He has brought these skills and talents to HANAC where he has been the Executive Director/CEO since 1973.Steve Wei, is the founder/senior partner of Wei, Wei & Co., LLP. He was the principal and founder of Steve Wei, CPAs. As a partner of Wei, Wei & Co., LLP, he is in charge of overall management and administration of the firm's accounting and tax practice, including directing the activities of managerial, professional and support staff, and coordinating manpower needs, among other resources.Rhonda Binda, Executive Director of Jamaica Center Business Improvement District. She joined the Jamaica Center Business Improvement District as Executive Director in December 2014. With tri-sector private, government and non-profit experience and expertise in forming effective public-private partnerships, she has been advancing the BID by leveraging technology, tourism and transportation to make it an even more thriving business hub, and enjoyable shopping and cultural destination.The awards dinner brought together all of the different parts of Queens together to honor these amazing people for their hard work and dedication.
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