Judging

Download 2007 Judging Criteria & Score Card

JUDGES

Below is a list of the 2006 Competition Judges, the 2007 Judges will be announced soon

Kathleen Parisi

National Business Development Officer/Marketing Director

Citibank Community Development Real Estate Finance

Ms. Parisi has worked over the past 18 years with a variety of local, regional and national community based organizations, government agencies, for profit developers, builders, architects, engineers, entrepreneurs, venture capital and small business owners and investors within the community development arena throughout the United States. 

Her work in Rochester, NY, New York City, and eventually nationally, has brought her in contact with some of the most influential community, financial and government leaders in the Community Development industry.  Throughout Ms. Parisi’s career at Citigroup, she has worked closely with the senior most staff of the global corporation and side by side with many of the corporation’s business heads through a myriad of activities related to Community Reinvestment, marketing and advertising, business development, event planning, new program initiatives, bank acquisitions, compliance, strategic planning and more. 

In addition, Ms. Parisi developed the successful “PowerUp” Small Business Entrepreneurs Competition with the Brooklyn Business Library, for which she raised over $400,000.  The program has helped to create over 15 new businesses based in Brooklyn and is currently being launched in Queens, NY with the Queens Public Library and the Queens Economic Development Corporation.  The program has been slated to run nationally.

Prior to working with Citigroup, Ms. Parisi worked for the NYC Housing Partnership – the largest developer of affordable housing on the East Coast - and Neighborhood Housing Services of NYC and Rochester, NY.  She continues to serve as a Reviewer for the US Department of Treasury’s Community Development Financial Institution’s Fund.  

She has a BA from SUNY Geneseo where she graduated cum laude and received the John Deleyes Award for Outstanding Dramatic Achievement for her work in theatre and dance.

Mark McMillan

Deputy Counsel, Queens Borough President’s Office

 Mr. McMillan advises the Borough President, senior staff and local not-for-profits on various legal issues involving the City Charter, contracts, personnel, trademark, intergovernmental and legislation. He sits on the Franchise and Concessions Review Committee, and is on the Board of Directors for the Jamaica Center for Arts & Learning.

 In a previous life working in the private sector, Mark worked as a consultant for Calvin Klein Cosmetics Company doing regulatory review of labeling and packaging copy for global compliance and global product registration.

 Mr. McMillan was also founder and co-owner of East Coast Litigation Support Center, Inc., a litigation support business serving major New York law firms in connection with high risk, document intensive cases.

 Mark received his Bachelor of Arts from Hobart College and his Juris Doctorate from Golden Gate University School of Law.

Ronald Milon, Ph.D

Dean of the Business Department at DeVry Institute

Dr Ron Milon is the Dean of the Business Department at DeVry Institute of Technology in Long island City, New York.  He received his B.S. degree in History and Political Science from SUNY College at Brockport (1987), his first M.A. degree in History from the University of Buffalo (1989), his second M.A. degree in Political Science from the New School University (1995) and his third masters (MAIA) in International Affairs from the New School University (1995). From 1989 – 1992 Mr. Milon was a Ralph Bunche Fellow on the United Nations.  Dr. Milon received his  Ph.D. in Adult Education and post secondary education from Capella University in 2006.  Dr. Milon’s interests are in Adult Education and retention research, Critical thinking, Higher Educational assessment, Strategic planning, Human Rights, and Statistical Research. Professor Milon has conducted presentations and seminars on Retention strategies and the Adult learner.

Miguel Centeno

VP of Strategic Market Development, AETNA INC.

As Vice President of Market Development, Mr. Miguel focuses on identifying and implementing customer-focused products and programs that address the needs of the city’s Hispanic, Asian and African-American communities. Miguel has an extensive understanding of the city’s business and community leaders, and guides and promotes Aetna’s Small Group and Middle Market strategies.

Miguel Centeno is the former Chief of Marketing for the U.S. Small Business Administration's New York district office. Centeno was responsible for promoting the agency's financial assistance, management counseling, business development and minority enterprise development programs to entrepreneurs and small business owners throughout New York City and the Westchester-Mid-Hudson area. Prior to this appointment, Centeno served in the SBA's New York district office as a marketing and outreach specialist and as the public affairs officer. He holds an impressive track record of promoting the SBA's programs within the small business community. Miguel received his Master of Public Administration in Public Policy from New York University and his Bachelor of Arts in Urban Studies degree from Columbia University.

Emily Lin, AIA

Principal, Lin + Associates Architects, PC

Emily Lin, Principal of LIN + ASSOCIATES Architects, PC, founded her practice in late 1995 with a staff of two. Since then the firm has grown considerably to include a staff of 10 full time personnel. Currently based in Kew Gardens New York the practice includes a wide range of condominium, residential, commercial, institutional, religious, retail, interior and multi-use projects throughout the Tri-State Area and China.

As the head of design and business development, Ms. Lin coordinates all new projects with clients and developers. Her design for a residential urban planning complex in China won Second Place honors in China’s National Design Competition. She has also served as the architect for the People’s Republic of China, Ministry of Foreign Affairs for all their projects in New York City, including the construction of a new Residential/Office Mission-Complex to the United Nations; a new 22-story Residential Tower for the General Consulate of the People’s Republic of China on West 43rd Street and the renovation of the existing General Consulate on 12th Avenue and West 42nd Street.

Ms. Lin has extensive experience in both design and construction for projects in New York and New Jersey. She is licensed in both states and serves as an expert witness for NYC/NYS building code, ADA and related construction matters. She is a member of the American Institute of Architects, Long Island Chapter, where she served on the Executive Board from 1995 to 1998 and then again from 2001 to 2003 chairing the Women in Architecture Committee.

Born in Taiwan in 1956, she emigrated to the U.S. in 1971 with her family and attended public high school. She received her architectural training and professional degree from Pratt Institute in 1979 and has completed advanced studies at Harvard University Graduate School of Design in 1992. She is a graduate of Queens County’s Economical Development Entrepreneur Program and has been a Board member for QEDC since 2004.

Paul G. W. Fetscher

President of Great American Brokerage Inc.,

Paul Fetscher, CCIM, CLS is President of Great American Brokerage Inc., a New York based firm specializing in Restaurants and Retail. His restaurant experience dates back to 1963, and as a principal since 1968. He started in commercial real estate in 1969 and was the top retail producer nationwide for Cushman and Wakefield Real Estate during the 1970s. Since founding Great American in 1980, he has been responsible for more restaurants throughout the Greater New York metropolitan area, than any other broker.

Paul Fetscher holds the designation of CCIM (a Certified Commercial Investment Manager) as designated by the National Association of Realtors. He is also a CLS (a Certified Leasing Specialist) as designated by the International Council of Shopping Centers. He has also served on the test writing committee for ICSC.

He has been a guest columnist for Nation's Restaurant News, Dealmakers, Retail Vacancy Reporter, Entertainment & Specialty Projects Magazine, and others.

Mr. Fetscher's real estate experience has reached far beyond the Greater New York Metropolitan Area His involvement in projects or transactions encompasses a wide diverse geographical range from Maine to Florida; New York to California; and includes Hawaii, Alaska, London, Paris, Hong Kong, Shanghai and Thailand. Most recently he was selected as restaurant consultant for Dubai Festival City, United Arab Emirates, a multi use project that will include the world’s largest collection of restaurants.

Mr. Fetscher attended The Citadel, Charleston, South Carolina with a major in Civil Engineering, and minors in Mathematics, Business and Psychology. He is also a member of MENSA.

Veronica Rose

Founder and CEO of Aurora Electric Inc. (AEI)

On September 3rd, 1993, with over 25 years of experience in the electrical industry, Veronica laid her tool belt down and decided it was time to start her own business. Aurora Electric is a New York State Corporation celebrating its tenth year of profitability.  The current annual sales for Aurora Electric Inc are $5 Million with projections for 2003 revenues to top $9 Million.  Veronica Rose received an honorable discharge from the United States Air Force in 1977. She then served her electrical apprenticeship and early "A" training as an electrician in Phoenix, Arizona through the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW), Local Union #640.

From 1983 to 1995, Ms. Rose was an electrician with New York's Local Union #3, during which she worked for prominent firms such as L.K. Comstock, Arc Electric and Fischbach and Moore. Veronica Rose holds a Bachelor of Science degree from the Empire State College, and an undergraduate certificate in Trades Union Women's Studies from Cornell University. Mrs. Rose is of the first female electrician to be granted and to hold the New York City Master Electrician's License. She is also a pilot in training, learning on the Bonanza V tail single engine plane.

Veronica Rose has been an active member of National Electrical Contractors Association since 1996 and currently participates on the board of several committees: the Trade Relations and Government Affairs Committee, Pension Hospitalization Benefit Plan, and Future Leaders of New York Electrical Contractor's Association. In addition to her involvement as a board member, Mrs. Rose has represented NECA in interviewing new apprentices.

Seth Bornstein

Assistant Dean for Economic Development, LaGuardia Community College

Seth Bornstein is the Assistant Dean for Economic Development at LaGuardia Community College.  He oversees the College’s economic development programs including the Small Business Development Center, the Center for Corporate Education and NY Designs, which is the first business incubator for the design industry.

From 1996 to 2006 Seth was the Director of Economic Development serving under Borough Presidents Claire Shulman and Helen Marshall.  In that capacity he advised the Borough President on economic development projects in the hub communities of Long Island City, Jamaica, and Flushing.  Additionally, he worked with local development corporations, business organizations and government agencies in the planning and implementations of projects designed to create and retain jobs.

Prior to his position with the Borough President, Seth was a site selection consultant, working nationally to assist businesses locate their back office operations.  He started his career with the Queens Economic Development Corporation in 1979 where he initiated their first commercial revitalization program.

Seth has a Bachelor’s Degree from Parsons/New School.

 Napoleon Barragan

Founder, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, 1-800 Mattress.com

Napoleon Barragan founded 1-800-Mattress.com in 1976, growing the business from a small furniture store in Queens, N.Y. into the nation’s leading bedding tele-retailing business. The company is based in Long Island City, N.Y., and employs 350 associates, more than 60-percent of which are Hispanics and other minorities.

When Barragan was 18, he left his native Ecuador for Bogota, Colombia where he worked as a messenger for a photographer. But with a passion for teaching, Barragan secured a position at a high school in Barranquilla three years later. Soon thereafter, he founded a foreign language school.

He arrived in New York City in 1969, initially taking factory jobs in the plastics, carpeting and shoe business. In 1975, Barragan had the opportunity to takeover a small furniture shop on Jamaica Avenue in Queens. One day while riding on the subway, Barragan noticed a classified advertisement for “Dial-a-Steak.” He thought selling his products, in particular beds, by phone, combined with fast delivery and absolute guarantees, would increase sales. Barragan took out a similar classified advertisement offering mattresses and its success convinced him that he was on the right track. He outfitted his basement apartment with two phone lines, and Dial-a-Mattress (now called 1-800-Mattress.com) was born.

Barragan has forged many close relationships with government leaders in the New York metropolitan area during his business career. In 2005, New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg recognized Barragan for his outstanding contribution to the region’s economy during a press conference at Gracie Mansion.

In 2006, New York Gov. George Pataki honored Barragan at the annual dinner of the New York State Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. New York Attorney General and gubernatorial candidate Elliott Spitzer has recognized Barragan for his exceptional business practices. He also maintains close relationships with U.S. Sens. Charles Schumer and Hillary Rodham Clinton.

In 2006, he received the U.S. Hispanic Chamber of Commerce’s highest award for business achievement, and was recognized by the former president of Ecuador with that country’s highest civilian honor, the National Order of Merit.

American Express and the National Retail Federation have recognized the company for its commitment to customer service. 

Barragan’s business success has been chronicled in thousands of newspaper, magazine, radio and television articles and stories and more than a dozen business books.

Paisley Demby

Founder, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, PBN Consulting, LLC

Paisley Demby is Founder and Chief Executive Officer of PBN Consulting, LLC., and has over 16 years of finance and strategic management experience. Mr. Demby founded PBN in 1999 and the practice has grown to offer Venture Capital Advisory Services, Business Planning, Development, and Strategy Formulation for start-ups to large for-profit and non-profit organizations nationwide. He is widely recognized for his work in the business development arena helping develop innovative businesses in the media, technology, consumer products, nonprofit, entertainment, financial services, and life sciences industry. In 2007 Mr. Demby was honored with a career achievement and social impact award from the Whitney M. Young Jr. Memorial Conference Executive Board at The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania among an impressive list of honorees. 

In addition to his responsibilities at PBN, Mr. Demby has lectured at Taylor Business Institute, Drake Business School, and Medgar Evers College on subjects such as Organizational Business Development, Business Planning, Business Law and Oral Presentation. Mr. Demby has facilitated workshops and panels at the New York Science Industry and Business Library, Queens Public Library, Whitney M. Young Business Conference, and Annual Diversity Initiative’s Tour for Success on topics such as Capital Raising, Business Planning, Marketing, and Understanding Financial Statements. 

Mr. Demby served on the Board of Advisors to IPORUSSIA, Inc., an International Advisory company providing consulting advice to Russian companies looking to complete IPOs in the US and London. Mr. Demby is actively involved in the small business development community serving as a judge for the Wharton Business Plan Competition, The Whitney M. Young Jr, Memorial Conference New Venture Competition, and the Brooklyn PowerUp! Business Plan Competition.

Mr. Demby has been employed by such renowned firms as Accenture, JP Morgan, Synergie Capital Group, IBM, General Motors, The May Davis Group, and Westinghouse. Mr. Demby holds an MBA in Finance and Strategic Management from The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania, and a BA in Engineering and Economics from Brown University.