Our Board

Our board is made up of diverse local leaders who have commended themselves to their communities. 

 

James Verdi, CFP President

James Verdi, CFP®, is President of Synergy Wealth Strategies, an independent financial services firm. Jim specializes in using an in-depth, overall,financial analysis approach to assist his clients in creating wealth management strategies that enable them to achieve their financial goals.

David Korcz, CPA, Treasurer

David is a seasoned professional with 27 years of experience in accounting and finance. He handles tax compliance, as well as many HR and employee benefits administration functions. The firm specializes in tax and outsourcing CFO services to small businesses.

Elizabth Malafi, Secretary

Elizabeth Malafi is coordinator of the Miller Business Center at the Middle Country Public Library. The Miller Center supports regional economic development through training, networking events, research assistance and more. She is active in the local business community.

 

Elizabeth is the co-author of Small Business and the Public Library, published by ALA Editions and Supporting Local Businesses and Entrepreneurs in the Digital Age: The Public Librarian’s Toolkit, published by Libraries Unlimited. She has written a chapter for the upcoming book 26 Libraries that Build Business, to be published by ALA Editions this summer. All of these books serve as guides for librarians looking to connect with their business communities.  Elizabeth was awarded the BRASS Mergent Excellence in Business Librarianship Award (2017) and the BRASS D&B Public Librarian Support Award (2008).

Lenore Paprocky, Co-Founder

Lenore has always been very active in the business community and is currently the President of the Greater Middle Country Chamber of Commerce and Business Chairperson for Smithtown Industry Advisory Board. Before becoming the chamber president, she was recognized for her efforts by being awarded Volunteer of the Year and Member of the Year, consecutively. Lenore was recently appointed to the board of Brookhaven Industrial Developmental Agency/Local Development Corporation. As an influential business leader, she was named one of the Top 50 Most Influential Women in Business on Long Island, as well as being awarded LIBN Corporate Citizen of the Year.  Lenore understands the importance in building strong relationships in business and the value gained by increasing her Spheres of Influence. 

Rick Ammirati, Co-Founder

President of Prince Public Relations & Productions:  2019-present

President of the Holbrook Chamber:  2000-present
Town of Islip’s Economic Development Advisory Commission:  2007-present
Town of Islip Arts Council Advisory Board:  2018-present
Congressman Lee Zeldin’s Small Business Task Force-Charter Member:  2016-present 
Suffolk County Downtown Revitalization Advisory Committee: 2019-present
Director of Fun H.Y.P.E. Young Professional HIA-Hype Squad: 2019-present
Charter Director Cub Scout Pack 124 Holbrook: 2004-present 
Friendly Drugs Pharmacy in Holbrook NY. 1985-1995 Manager. 1995-2018-President
 
With a long tenured and very diversified background in advertising & public relations, today he is consulting, connecting and helping businesses better communicate their company branding message across Long Island.

Need More Information

Interested in learning more about Spheres of Influence? Send us an email so we can discuss it further with you.