Bellmore Chamber honors local leaders

The Chamber of Commerce of the Bellmores pulled out all the stops to honor its Chamber Member of the Year, Community Person of the Year, Board Member of the Year and Lifetime Achievement Award winner at the Woodbury Country Club on Jan. 16.

In addition, the chamber installed its president, officers and board members that evening. The lavish setting provided the perfect environment to celebrate the chamber’s numerous accomplishments over the past year, including hosting the Bellmore Family Street Festival, Nassau County’s largest family fair, which annually attracts more than 100,000 attendees.

This year’s Lifetime Achievement Award went to William and Pat Zagarino, owners of Zagarino Realty, which their grandfather, Frank, founded in 1922. Zagarino Realty is involved in property management and residential and commercial property sales.

The Board Member of the Year is Dan Yngstrom, who represents the Vietnam War Veterans Association, and has been involved with the chamber since 2008. He has been a board member for the last four years.

The Community Person of the Year is Mike Rehab, owner of Alpine Towing, who annually lends a hand at the Street Festival and the chamber’s Friday Night Car Show.

And the Chamber Member of the Year is Nancy Weshkoff, the principal teacher and workshop creator for Moonflower Yoga, which she founded on Bellmore Avenue three years ago.

The Bellmore Herald Life sponsors the annual awards.

Peter Ray, owner of the AG Electrical Supply Company, on Grand Avenue in Bellmore, was installed as the chamber’s new president, succeeding Debby Izzo, owner of the Dirty Dawg pet grooming. Izzo served four years in the post.
The new vice president is James Spohrer, of Bellmore Automotive, Inc.; recording secretary, Yngstrom; and treasurer, Izzo.

The board of directors comprises Jill Bromberg, John DeLisa, Jackie Fithian, Hector Granados, Gene Judd, Emilio Manzo, Marc Menzies, Michael Pittakas, Billy Polara, Joe Verdi, William Wilgus and Weshkoff.