Jeanette Frisina was the only woman on the Greater New Hyde Park Chamber of Commerce executive board 12 years ago when she was installed as fourth vice president.
Now, as Frisina begins her two-year term as president, she serves on a female majority board.
“It’s very different from the norm and it’s very exciting,” said Frisina, a publisher at Market Place Publications. “It seems to be the year of the woman in the local leadership roles so we’re kind of following suit with what’s been going on.”
To celebrate the occasion, local elected officials were invited to the swearing-in ceremony last Thursday at the Inn at New Hyde Park.
State Sen. Elaine Phillips swore in Frisina, and Town of North Hempstead Supervisor Judi Bosworth swore in Reena Gulati, vice president, Cheryl Fajardo, second vice president, Donna Pagano, third vice president, Saveeta Barnes, secretary, and Richard Guilfoyle, treasurer.
Nassau County Executive Laura Curran, the first woman to hold that position, also attended the event.
New Hyde Park Village Mayor Larry Montreuil swore in the board of directors.
Although Frisina has been with the chamber for over a decade, she said leading the group will be a new adventure.
Frisina said the female executive board members will serve as role models for young women and could encourage more to join.
Increasing membership recruitment is one of Frisina’s goals for her term.
The New Hyde Park chamber is already one of the largest and most active chambers in Nassau County, Frisina said, with 265 members.
She said she wants to expand to over 300 members.
Her plan is to increase marketing efforts and explain to local businesses why being part of the chamber is valuable.
Frisina said she also wants to keep current members engaged and involved in programs.
To do so, she said, she wants to offer new informative speakers and increase networking opportunities.
Upcoming speakers include Gail Trugman, a business consultant and published author, who will speak at the February chamber meeting about how to protect a business’s reputation and how to hire the right employees.
In March, Frisina said, speakers from New Hyde Park Memorial High School will discuss a student intern program where local businesses can have high school interns come in a few hours a week.
Frisina doesn’t have to accomplish these goals alone, though.
She said she looks forward to working with her “wonderful team of talented and dedicated people.”
“Each person adds a unique value to this chamber,” Frisina said. “I plan to continue the good work of this chamber and add in some new ideas and help the members of this chamber to make business happen.”
