The Queens Chamber of Commerce will have a new leader at its helm, and she is a familiar face to chamber members and the Queens business community.
Carol Conslato, Queens Director of Public Affairs for Con Ed, will be sworn in as the next Chamber president at the organization’s installation reception on Thursday, April 15, and she will officially take over as president on May 1.
“I was very humbled and honored,” Conslato said during a recent phone interview. “I have a passion for business and the Queens community so I’m really looking forward to this opportunity.”
Conslato, who is a longtime Chamber board member and most recently served as the first vice president for the Chamber, will take over the position currently held by Al Pennisi, who has served as president since 2007. In addition to the Chamber, Conslato has held leadership positions in many other borough organizations including Flushing Town Hall, the Queens Library Foundation and the Unisphere Foundation.
Currently, the Queens Chamber of Commerce has more than 1,500 members, and Conslato will become only the second female to serve as president in the Chamber’s almost 100-year history.
“The organization needs to be a linchpin for the borough’s businesses,” Conslato said, citing several areas the organization can focus on including increasing its visibility and advocacy on issues that are important to Queens businesses.
While Conslato wants to build on the recent successes the Chamber has enjoyed, including a new healthcare initiative that will provide more options to small businesses, she also sees room for expanding. She wants the Chamber to provide members with more information about proposed legislation – on a city, state and federal level – that would have an impact on members’ businesses.
In addition, Conslato wants the Chamber to increase its efforts to reach out to members through social media platforms, webcasts and more educational seminars.
“We have to fill those gaps where we can provide a business person with the tools so they can advance and grow,” Conslato said.
At the installation reception on April 15, Mayra DiRico, executive vice president and regional president for HSBC Bank will be installed as the new first vice president and Gerard Thornton will be installed as treasurer.
