By Tom Nicholson
The president of the Queens Chamber of Commerce announced his resignation this month, citing a job offer outside the borough as the reason for his departure.
George Rozansky, who has served as president for two years, informed the executive committee of his resignation on Jan. 15 and will end his tenure as the leader of the 1,200-member Chamber on Jan. 30.
Vice President of the Chamber Raymond Irrera will serve as president until the term expires on April 30, according to a Chamber of Commerce press release.
The Chamber’s Executive Committee voted unanimously to appoint Irrera to serve as interim president and has nominated him as a candidate to serve the next one-year presidential term.
Rozansky, who is currently the vice president of ATCO property management company in Queens, will take a job in Manhattan with Time Equities Inc., an asset management company, he said.
“I truly, truly enjoyed the experiences I shared with Queens businesses while I was president,” he said. “I made many friends that I intend to keep. I’m not disappearing I’m just going across the river.”
Rosanksky is credited with initiating programs and fund-raisers that pulled the Chamber out of financial problems that had plagued the group when he assumed office, said William Egan, executive vice president of the Chamber.
“When he took over as president, the Chamber was in a difficult financial situation,” Egan said. “He was able to bring it back in two years and we are now in the black.”
Egan said Rozansky streamlined the Chamber’s inter-member communication method, doing away with mailings and initiating e-mail and faxes, which cut costs and increased efficiency.
Rozansky increased revenues for the Chamber by creating fund-raising events that helped replenish the Chamber’s coffers. He also helped secure a grant to initiate economic development in Queens, Egad said.
“His dynamic policies were unprecedented,” Egan said. “We made a good team and we are all very, very sad to see him go.”
Reach Reporter Tom Nicholson by e-mail at news@timesledger.com or by calling 7218-229-0300, Ext. 157.
