Commission Members
Chairperson: Dynishal Gross, Acting Commissioner, NYC Department of Small Business Services
Administration
- Phillip Banks, Deputy Mayor for Public Safety
- Meera Joshi, Deputy Mayor for Operations
- Anne Williams-Isom, Deputy Mayor for Health and Human Services
- Maria Torres-Springer, Deputy Mayor for Housing, Economic Development, and Workforce
Education and Outreach
The Education and Outreach subcommittee assesses and recommends ways for the city to reach all corners of the small business community, across all neighborhoods, sizes and sectors. This committee ensures small business owners are well informed and kept abreast of rules, regulations, and services that support business success.
- Deepa Dadlani, VICI Brands and BrandMX (Co-Chair)
- Dr. Erika Faust, Elite Orthodontics (Co-Chair)
- Tiffany Diaz, My First Step Enrichment Program 2 Inc.
- Joy Fan, Re/tell
- Tom Grech, Queens Chamber of Commerce
- Reverend Carmen Hernandez, NYC LGBTQ Chamber of Commerce
- Dawn Kelly, The Nourish Spot Inc.
- Jeffrey Kwan, Canal Sound and Light
- Dheydra Lovell, Garden of Knowledge Day Care & Learning Center
- Andrew Walcott, Fusion East LLC
- John Wang, Queens Night Market
- Shelley Worrell, caribBEING Inc.
- Jamila Wright, Brooklyn Tea
- Alex Xu, Xuper Marketing Inc.
- Tariq Zaid, Richmond Hood Company/Vodega
- Jabr Zanta, La Seen Printing
Enforcement and Operations
City regulatory agencies are tasked with preserving the health and safety of the New Yorkers through the enforcement of City rules and regulations. Small business owners often express challenges with inspectors, the inspection process, and understanding how to be in compliance. This subcommittee addresses those challenges while analyzing overall operations, including potential customer service improvements.
- Dominic Christopher, Deh Abroad Village (Co-Chair)
- Megan Rickerson, Someday Bar (Co-Chair)
- Linda Baran, Staten Island Chamber of Commerce
- Joseph Ferrara, DBA Ferrara Manufacturing Company
- Nina Flores, BID Association Regulatory Reform Working Group/Forest Avenue BID
- Tony Forte, Coffee Uplifts People
- Sandra Jaquez, Latino Restaurant, Bar and Lounge Association
- John Jiang, NY Laundromat Business Association
- David Landau, Continental Capital
- Yoonjoo Lee, Janchimyeonga
- Francisco Marte, Bodega & Small Business Association of NYC
- Mahi Rahman, Mannan Halal Supermarket
Licensing, Fines, and Fees
Small business owners have made it clear that unnecessary fines and fees create barriers to their financial success. The Licensing, Fines, and Fees subcommittee takes a deep dive into the many requirements, infractions, annual fees, filing fees, etc. to establish recommendations to alleviate the financial burden.
- Andrew Rigie, New York City Hospitality Alliance (Co-Chair)
- Lisa Sorin, Bronx Chamber of Commerce (Co-Chair)
- Mohamed Attia, Street Vendors Project
- Matt Bauer, BID Association Regulatory Reform Working Group Committee/Madison Avenue BID
- Micah Bergdale, Joulez Inc.
- Rudy Cazares, Cazar Logistics LLC
- Tamara Keshecki, St. George Theatre Restoration Inc.
- Richard Nicotra, Hilton Garden Inn, Hampton Inn Suites, The Nicotra Group
- Randy Peers, Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce
- Frank Scarangello, SCARAN
- Chaim Sobel, Vanta Developers/Future Brands
Annual Reports
Making NYC a City of Yes for Small Businesses
Advocacy
Supported by the Commission