36 THE QUEENS COURIER •RISING STARS •JANUARY 17, 2013 FOR BREAKING NEWS VISIT www.queenscourier.com rising stars JANUARY 31, 2013 H H H H s GERDIE RENE GORDON Owner, Sankofa Salon Member, Cambria Heights Development Corporation Gerdie Gerdie Rene way - tired, not feeling great Gordon studied cosmetol- about themselves, or simply H ogy at the Berean Institute looking for a change- and while completing her under- then leaves a totally new graduate studies at Temple person! University. Through Berean, she participated What are the most JOSEPH TYLER in hair shows, competi- important personal skills AMODEO tions, and employment with someone needs to be suc- Development and Special Assistant to the Executive Roslyn Savings Bank, NYCB operates the Beauty Boutique, always being open to learn- HAn unceasing desireBeing able to communi-What motivates you?cessful?cate effectively. Not sim-ply being heard, but beingable to hear both what isand is not said. Also, hav-ing a genuine interest ininvesting in others. Lastly,In 1998, Gordon startedWhat I love mostBronner Brothers/UpscaleMagazine, Inc.her fi rst company, Gerdie’s ofNew York. In 2007, she part-nered with a colleague andopened Sankofa Salon, Inc.In 2011 she opened and stillabout your job?HELIZABETHCULPAssistant VP, branch managerBank (NYCB) in March 1990. She workedher way up to VP and branch manager, cur-Joseph Tyler Amodeo serves as the Director ofWhat do you love most about your job?Working at QSAC, I’m honored to spend each day Director of Development and Special Assistant to the Executive Director Quality Services for the Autism Community (QSAC) Director at Quality Services for the Autism Community Elizabeth Culp began her career with Inc. in Cambria Heights. ing, adapting to change and (QSAC). Roselyn Savings Bank, New York Community What do you love most willing to grow. with dedicated colleagues working to make a difference rently of the Garden City branch. is that what I do to live a full life - right here in Queens and throughout the region. As the Culp has volunteered with and participated isn’t a “job.” on purpose. Being Director of Development, each day provides me with in the Autism Walk, LLS Walk to Montauk, My greatest able to not only another opportunity to help families affected by autism Habitat for Humanity, Long Island Coalition satisfaction learn and grow receive the services they need. for the Homeless and the Dinner Program is when to be a bet- What have been your biggest obstacles and how for the Ronald McDonald House. a client ter person, but did you overcome them? What do you love most about your job? in one to also teachand pour intoc o m e sI love that NYCB places an importantAt times, my age has been obstacle. I’ve worked to overcome this obstacle through my work ethic emphasis on developing and training their another. and product. I’ve also experienced obstacles with personnel. This ensures a professional, regards to implementing innovative ideas; however, knowledgeable team that will serve consum- I’ve learned that as long as you have supporting evi- ers. I take great pride in that. with a passion for doing would give to the upcoming Rising Stars? HHREICH-HALEJEFFREYWhat have been your biggest obstaclesThe biggest obstacle that I have had to over-What’s the best piece of advice youand how have you overcome them?come is to let go and not do everything myself,to trust in others. With continuous coachingand mentoring I have been able to overcomethis and delegate some of my work.without action it is only a dream. Clear goals,planning and action equal success.Who has been the most infl uential person in your dence as to why an idea will be successful, it’s usually adopted. life and how did this person impact your life? My grandfather, Albert Amodeo. He taught me that the simplest of acts could make a tremendous differ- ence in our community and the world around us. He lived each day “good works” -- an example I Just do it… Whether the goal is professional strive to live up to every day. or personal, taking action is always required, H Wyndham Garden LIC business you are constantly meeting and getting toCity the best experience they can have when visitingQueens and Manhattan. I love how in the hotelworked at several hotelsJeffrey Reich-Hale hasin NYC including the New York Palace Hotel,Director of Sales & Marketing and has helped to open four brand new hotels know people from all over the world. in NYC, the most recent being the Wyndham What’s the biggest risk you’ve taken either in Garden Long Island City Hotel. your life or in this business? Throughout his career he has been a part of all aspects of hotels from front The biggest risk I took was when I moved back to desk to food and beverage, and for the Queens, not having had any experience in working in past nine of his 17 years of hospitality the greatest city in the world. I am of course glad I experience, in sales including event sales did, as it has been an amazing and rewarding experi- and room sales. ence in my life. The Wyndham Garden Hotel is a If you can have dinner with any person-living, part of the Castle Rock Hospitality historical or fi ctitious, who would it be? Management group, a newly-formed It would be my grandmother, who passed when I management group. was in high school. I want her to see what I have done and show her how even a generation later after What do you love most about your bringing her family to the U.S. from Hungary she job? made the best decision ever and gave her family the I love giving visitors to New York most amazing opportunities to be successful.
QC01172013
To see the actual publication please follow the link above