Nanuet Chamber of Commerce Honors 2 Founding Members

NANUET, NY — At the November meeting of the Nanuet Chamber of Commerce, Immediate Past President Tony Pallogudis presented Risa Hoag and Susan Farese with Foundation Leadership Awards.

Both Hoag and Farese are founding members of the group and have been involved since the organization’s start up sessions back in May of 2012.

Clarkstown Supervisor George Hoehmann, Town Council Members John Noto, Frank Borelli and Adrienne Carey, were on hand that evening to congratulate Hoag and Farese.

The chamber was reborn in 2012 after Hoag, owner of GMG Public Relations, hosted exploratory discussions after a 2011 meeting with Hoehmann, then a town councilman, and Kim Tran, then editor of Nanuet Patch.

“The Board of the Nanuet Chamber of Commerce is comprised of the most dedicated people I have had the honor to work with in my 30-year career. Their sincere desire to improve Nanuet for both the residents and businesses is to be recognized and commended and I share this award with each of them,” said Hoag, who had served as Vice President of the original Nanuet Chamber of Commerce in 1996 before the construction of the Palisades Center Mall.

Farese has been deeply involved with the Nanuet Chamber Board since the start. Through her efforts, the Chamber meets monthly with Clarkstown officials and under her guidance, has doggedly pursued the Chamber’s initiatives including the purchase and installation of new holiday lighting on Main Street in conjunction with Clarkstown, the construction and installation of new handmade wooden refuse containers along Main Street, and the coordinating of the Chamber’s Keep Rockland Beautiful team each year.

Farese and other members of the board also serve as committee members on the Nanuet TOD committee considering the redevelopment of the train station. Farese also heads up many of the group’s events including the Annual Street Fair and the Halloween Spooktacular.

Other accomplishments of the Chamber since its founding include:

• Two Business Expos and two Joint Networking Tent Events
• Hosting an annual health fair
• Hosting an annual Art and Culture event in conjunction with Nanuet School District
• Presentation of two $1,000 High School Scholarships
• Teaming up with DECA to help support students who have a business interest
• Participation with a team each year for Keep Rockland Beautiful
• Hosting the Annual Nanuet Street Fair in June
• Participation and Support for American Express Small Business Saturday
• Attendance and support for new business openings
• Taking over the “Adopt a Spot” at the Triangle Shopping Center to be completed in the spring

The Nanuet Chamber of Commerce has more than 150 members. Membership is open to any business, whether located in Nanuet or not, for $150 annually. Residential memberships are available for $25 and non-profit organizations may join for $75. The Greater Nanuet Chamber of Commerce is dedicated to promoting and supporting the business, civic, and cultural vitality of Nanuet through advocacy, leadership and networking to create a vibrant, prosperous, environmentally sound, and strong community.

PHOTOS:

Awards: Left to Right. Clarkstown Council Member John Noto, Nanuet Chamber President Risa B. Hoag, Clarkstown Town Supervisor George Hoehmann, Nanuet Chamber Secretary Susan Farese, Clarkstown Council Member Adrienne Carey.

Group: Left to right: Nanuet Chamber Immediate Past President Tony Pallogudis, Chamber Board Members: Kim Tran, Linda Stankard, Jeffrey Gibs, Erica Sallahian, Nanuet Chamber President Risa B. Hoag, Clarkstown Town Supervisor George Hoehmann, Chamber Treasurer George Mollo, Board Member Michael Kitt, Nanuet Chamber Secretary Susan Farese, and Nanuet Chamber Board member Jim Flynn.

SEE ALSO: Nanuet Chamber of Commerce Takes Shape