President of the Maspeth Chamber of Commerce
Jim O’Kane, President of the Maspeth Chamber of Commerce, was recently elected to serve a second term in office. Previously, he served as Vice President and then Executive Vice President for three years.
As President, he oversees all operations in the Chamber, making sure it is operating well to resolve any issues and simply improve the quality of life of Maspeth residents. Since May 2007, he has helped put in additional trees, tree pits with wrought iron fences, and new garbage pails all along Grand Avenue.
O’Kane is most proud of putting in place an old-fashioned clock at Grand Avenue and 72nd Street. He said it was a “nice addition” because it is where the Memorial Day Parade kicks off every year.
O’Kane is his own boss when it comes to his family business, O’Kane Realty. “[It was] a natural movement on my part,” he said, because of his parents’ passion for the business and because he was raised in that environment.
Prior to taking over the family business, O’Kane was employed with Century 21 for many years. Additionally, he worked with the Department of Parks & Recreation for 30 years as Supervisor of golf courses at Douglaston Golf Course, Clearview and Forest Park.
As a native resident of Maspeth, he is actively involved as Treasurer of Maspeth Town Hall, member and Governor for two years at Moose Lodge and former President and current Bulletin Editor of the Maspeth Kiwanis Club.
O’Kane received his Associates Degree in Business Banking and Real Estate from Suffolk Community College and is a graduate of Grover Cleveland High School.
