COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT: It is rare to find a person who is passionate about uplifting his community. Luckily for Astoria, Michael A. Serao has made helping others his personal mission.
“It’s nice to give back to your community, because there are so many people now who are in need of help,” said Serao; “Especially, all the non-profit organizations who are suffering from all the budget cuts.”
After four years of involvement with the Astoria Civic Association, Serao was recently made Vice-President of the organization. He is president of Out Astoria, and is a director of the Astoria/Long Island City Kiwanis Club. For the past three years, he has been a team captain at Relay for Life at Astoria Park. Serao resides on the advisory board of the Immaculate Conception School in Astoria and sits on the committee for the Judge Charles J. Vallone scholarship
PERSONAL: Serao attended Francis Lewis High School and graduated from New York University with a degree in Business Management. He has received a proclamation from New York State Senator George Onorato as well as Congressional Recognition from Congressmember Carolyn Maloney.
JOB: Currently, Serao is an Assistant Vice-President at the Astoria branch of Washington Mutual, which was recently taken over by J.P. Morgan Chase Bank.
PROUDEST MOMENT: In 2008, Serao received the Man of the Year award from the Powhatan Regular Democratic Club. “When I was honored last year’s man of the year by the Powhatan Club, it was just really an accomplishment to be recognized and to see how many people came out to support me that evening,” he said.
BIGGEST CHALLENGE: “My biggest challenge is trying to get funding for organizations in this economy,” Serao said. It is a fight he is simply refuses to loose. “You can never back down,” he said.
FAVORITE MEMORY: Serao will always remember the joy he felt by having his aunt and uncle watch him receive the 2008 Powhatan Club Man of the Year Award. “Because they raised me, in a sense it is an accomplishment on their part as well,” he said.
INSPIRATION: The work Serao does in the community and the positive impact it has on individuals or organizations is what makes everything worthwhile to him. Role models like former City Council Speaker Peter Vallone Sr., serve as a constant source of inspiration for him to continue his work in the community. “I just see everything he’s done in his life and the legacy he has … knowing him and working with him is something that I would like to do in the future,” Serao said.
