As President and CEO of the SIEDC, Cesar oversees a $1.8 Million budget, a staff and consultant team of thirteen members, and over twenty-five projects and programs, which serve over 4,000 businesses a year. High profile SIEDC initiatives include the Annual Economic Development Conference where over 2,500 business and community leaders gather to discuss issues, hear from high-profile keynote speakers and network all day; the Staten Island Film Festival, labeled by the Staten Island Advance as "Staten Island's Premier Event", the Festival draws thousands of visitors every year; two NYS Empire Zones, which collectively have attracted hundreds of millions in private investment, created over 8,000 new jobs and are responsible for the development of hundreds of previously vacant acres of land.

Cesar is most proud of the SI 2020 Action Plan, created by SIEDC in 2007, which serves as the Borough's blueprint document for economic resurgence.

In addition to organizing a very active Board of Directors, Cesar has organized membership layers of support for SIEDC. The SIEDC Cabinet is made up of up and coming business leaders, who are in training to eventually become SIEDC Board Leaders. The SIEDC Business Council is made up of over thirty small business leaders who assist SIEDC in a variety of "signature project" initiatives. The SIEDC Ambassador Program consists of high-profile leaders who serve as the name and face of SIEDC's most prominent events and projects.

 

Laura Liberto joined the SIEDC in 2004. As Senior Vice-President, Laura is responsible for managing the day-to-day operations of the organization. In addition, Laura works on programs and projects including the West Shore Light Rail Study, the Leadership Development Program and the planned Health & Environmental Conference.

Some of Laura's past projects include the Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS), The Staten Island NFP Association, the Customer Service Institute and the Keeping Business on Staten Island Campaign.

Laura earned a Bachelor of Science degree, magna cum laude, in computer science from Wagner College. She currently resides in New Dorp with her husband.

 

Alex is credited with bringing SIEDC into “Web 2.0”, improving SIEDC’s internet presence significantly while establishing an online constituency for the organization through social media channels, and improving internal technology operations. Her past projects include the third edition of Opportunity SI magazine, 20 Under 40 Leadership Awards ceremonies, the successful launch of the Member Dinner Series in 2009, the Lifetime Achievement Awards Luncheon and the production launch of SIEDC’s CTV show in 2010.

Alex Porto has been with SIEDC since 2006. As the Director of Membership & Outreach for SIEDC, she is responsible for implementation of the organization’s outreach and marketing efforts, media relations and internal communications; this includes oversight of all SIEDC websites, social media outlets, email and text message marketing campaigns, the popular “SIEDC on CTV” show, "SIEDC News" and "What's Happening", press releases, advertising and marketing materials. In addition, Alex oversees coordination of SIEDC membership benefits, inquiries, incentive referrals, and is responsible for managing SIEDC’s core membership groups.

A graduate of the Macaulay Honors College (CUNY), Alex holds a dual degree in Economics and English. Born and raised in Staten Island, Alex is very familiar with the unique characteristics of the borough.

 

Jay Anderson, Director of Projects, has been with the SIEDC since 1997, during this time he has served as the South Shore's Commercial Revitalization Manager (1997-2000), the Empire Zone Coordinator for both the North and West Shore (2000- present) and currently as the City's Industrial Ombudsman Manager for the Richmond Terrace area.

Jay incorporates his past experience of working with every size company in a variety of business sectors, along with providing the technical assistance for City and State incentive programs. He brings a "how to fit" view to firms looking for assistance to utilize cost cutting tax incentives, business developing financing programs, workforce training programs and real estate assistance.

 

Steve attended the Michael J. Petrides School, and then went on to the University of Mary Washington, Fredericksburg Virginia in 2007 where he graduated with a B.A. in geography and received the National Council for Geographic Education Excellence of Scholarship Award. He also holds a M.A. in Urban Planning from Hunter College, Manhattan where he submitted studies on Improvements to the Urban Design of Staten Island Waterfront Parks, Uses of Public and Semi-Public Spaces in Rossville, and a Plan for Light Rail Development on Staten Island’s North Shore.

Steve has interned with the New York City Department of City Planning and with the Potomac & Rappahannock Transportation Commission in Woodbridge Virginia where he worked in GIS analysis. Steve recently concluded a two-year appointment with the United States National Park Service where he was the unit level manager for historic leasing and business management.

Steve is a native Staten Islander with a significant interest in the natural and historic spaces throughout the island as well as future transportation, environmental, and cultural developments.

 

Marisol joined SIEDC in 2005 as a receptionist, and currently serves as the Outreach Coordinator. Marisol maintains SIEDC's opt-in databases, distribution of Opportunity SI magazine and post-event SIEDC photos, as well as handling service inquires as part of the Outreach Division. Marisol also assists with administrative duties and direct mailings.

Prior to SIEDC, Marisol worked at JPMorganChase for 10 years. She began as a co-op student in 1994 and soon worked her way up to the position of Executive Administrative Assistant. In 2004 she left JPMorganChase to help run her father's restaurant business on Staten Island.

 

Theresa joined SIEDC in 2004 as a receptionist, and currently serves as an Office Assistant. Theresa handles incoming phone inquiries and also assists with administrative duties, and is responsible for entering Siebel CRM, a client-relationship management system software.

 

Jen returned to her hometown of Staten Island in 2009 after participating in a work-exchange program in Sydney, Australia. Shortly after returning, Jen joined SIEDC as an office volunteer for the Staten Island Film Festival. Jen was later fortunate enough to be offered an Office Assistant position, which she gratefully accepted.