Carol Conslato, Queens Director of Public Affairs for Con Ed and a longtime Queens Chamber of Commerce board member, became only the second female President of the Queens Chamber in its nearly 100-year history.
Conslato, who is well-known in the Queens business community, was sworn in at the Chamber’s installation reception on Thursday, April 15.
“After being involved with the business community in Queens and the Chamber for so many years, it’s an honor and a privilege to be asked to serve as President,” she told the more than 100 people in attendance including Queens District Attorney Richard A. Brown, Borough President Helen Marshall and Queens Assemblymember Catherine Nolan. “I can assure you that I relish the challenge, and look forward to working with each and every one of you.”
Prior to being appointed President, Conslato served as the First Vice President of the Chamber for three years. She will officially take over as President, effective May 1, for Al Pennisi, who has led the organization for the past three years.
At the installation reception, Mayra DiRico, executive vice president and regional president for HSBC Bank, was installed as the new first vice president and Gerard Thornton was installed as treasurer.
Assemblymember Nolan, who represents portions of western Queens, helped swear Conslato into office and praised her leadership abilities.
“The chamber did well to choose Carol at this juncture because her professionalism shows through in everything that she does,” Nolan said.
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.
“We unite business, academia, nonprofits, labor and government,” Conslato said. “Our members employ a half million people in Queens. I applaud all of our achievements as a chamber network, but we are only scratching the surface of what we can do if we work together,” Conslato said.
