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QC01172013

foR bReaking newS viSit www.queenscourier.com JANUARY 17, 2013 •RiSing StaRS • the QueenS couRieR 39 rising stars H JANUARY 31, 2013 H H H s RicaRdi Calixte owners throughout the year from various neighborhoodsWhat do you love most about your job?I enjoy the fact that I interact with hundreds of business Director of Neighborhood Development and backgrounds. Helping merchants to organize and H Queens Economic Development promoting economic development. --What is the single most important thing in your orgabecome more engaged in improving their communitiesbenefits their business, the local shoppers, and area residents. I love being involved in community-based initiativesRicardi Calixte currently serves as DirectorEconomic Development Corporation. At thisof Neighborhood Development at the QueensCorporation role he manages multiple commercial revital- nization? ization projects in various neighborhoods in We have great leadership and a devoted team that takes Queens. Calixte provides technical assistance a lot of pride in helping our clients. Our staff offers a wide to local merchant organizations, Business array of professional services that is crucial for small busi- Improvement Districts and development nesses to succeed, especially during times of economic corporations in implementing neighborhood- distress. based planning initiatives with a particular focus on underserved or low to moderate What’s the best piece of advice you would give to the income communities. upcoming Rising Stars? Recent project achievements include coor- Identify and cherish your purpose. Whether you identify dination of multiple community placemak- as an entrepreneur, activist, humanitarian, or a profes- ing events throughout Queens, the creation sional, it is important to know what you stand for. This of new merchant organizations in southern will help guide your actions throughout your life and Queens, and the completion of a new pedes- shape your legacy. It is cliché but if you do not stand for trian plaza in the heart of Corona’s business something, then you will fall for anything. district. Manager, Forest Hills abramS associates, and colleagues. Being able to-day life. It’s the lens through which I experience my world and interact with friends,S-Media is an integral, vital part of my every.diceRteriSShu Suzanne managing the 108th Street Forest What motivates you? Associate the opportunities it provides in openly con-financial successes.invaluable asset to my career, mostly due toDigital Media and MembershipSuzanne Shusteris has beenTD Bankproperly leverage digital media has been an Hills Store of TD Bank, Americas Early in my career I was told Queens Chamber of necting and engaging with others. May of 2009. She is a seasoned never work a day in your life.” I Who’s your favorite speaker or author?Commerce“Find a job you enjoy, and you’ll Most Convenient Bank, since al within the Financial Service risk of having my degree revoked if I don’tEric D. Abrams is the Digital Mediacan’t stress how true that is. I’veAs a former English Major, I may run the- sales management profession ence in Business Development, this is a good thing, though. From readingChamber of Commerce, where he works topassion to succeed as a managermention Shakespeare or James Joyce here;and Membership Associate at the Queensalways been motivated by my- Industry with extensive experi Specialties include working petition by not only delivering bolster and support its member- be successful, one must acknowledgepresence of the Chamber and to-history’s greatest, I’ve learned that, tothe digitalenhancehelp expand andas well as a mentor. I make everyeffort to stand above the com Training and Retail Banking. sumer and business relationships, helping to solidify customer rela- es. Through the Chamber, Eric sonality.-ship base of 1,000+ businesslegendary customer services but -and take pride in his talents and per- with and developing both con coaching and mentoring her staff. tionship to ensure they meet their has founded QYP, a young pro- financial goals. fessionals organization for What do you love most If you can have din- Queens, which looks to build a about your job? ner with any person- community of passionate young What I love most about living, historical professionals who seek new my job as it related to or fictitious - who opportunities in Queens. my staff is the ability to motivate, nurture, train would it be? What do you love most help make an impact ship. He was the tics, marketing, non- H-The background I comeabout your job?from is a varied one; I’veworked in retail, poli-Steve Jobsvision, his passionand his leaderbecause of hisinnovation, his- and support a team to accomplish growth within their careers, pertaining to my cus tomers the ability to on their creator of his own profits, sales, and business- destiny. Chamber representsstart-ups. The Queens es, lives an amalgamation of a n d all the things that I enjoyed doing throughout my p r o f e s s i o n a l experiences; the job is varied, it’s Hexciting, and ittouches upon eachof my interests andpassions in someway. Can you explain the impact that Digital Media has made on your orga- nization or you per- sonally? D i g i t a l


QC01172013
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