Chamber president profile: Great Neck's Hooshang Nematzadeh

Hooshang Nematzadeh — President and CEO of Nemat Homes Inc.

Previous community involvement:

Member of planning board, Village of Kings Point; executive vice president of the Iranian American Jewish Federation of New York

How many members are in your chamber?

178

When was your chamber founded?

1915

How would you describe the business community?

The continuous real estate development and new homes add new members from different communities and counties as well. In the past few years we have seen an influx of various types of businesses participating and evolving our community and beautiful town beyond the local force.

Briefly, what are the main issues for the chamber?

The main challenge we are currently facing is bringing valuable tenants to our town to fill store vacancies.

How has being involved in the chamber helped your business?

I did not expect the chamber involvement to bring me additional business. I felt it is an obligation to serve the community.

Ten years from now, how will things have changed?

My goal is to have Great Neck as a must visit location for both national and other local businesses of all types, from retail to restaurants, and have many more residents from neighboring communities come by, if it’s either to shop, dine or just walk and experience our Town. Shop in Great Neck, or S.I.G.N., is our goal for our local residents, and full occupancy of all stores is our challenge.

Tell us something no one knows about your community.

The Village of Great Neck holds so much history both in the retail streets as well as some of the residences. This community has always been resilient and determined throughout its history to make the best out of any situation it was faced with.

Tell us something no one knows about yourself.

I have not taken a sick day off from work in 15 years.