Handful of LI executives part of exclusive network

NETWORKING

Could you qualify for this club? You must be under 50 and president or chief executive of a company that has sales of at least $8 million and employs at least 50 people.

You probably can't. But don't feel bad. Only a handful of Long Islanders qualify to be members of the fairly secretive Young Presidents Organization, which calls itself "a global leadership network" of more than 10,000 business leaders in 100 countries. The organization is celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2010.

The LI chapter has about 46 members, said Mark Fasciano, 41, co-founder of Mineola-based software company FatWire and the chapter chairman. Some notable members: Richard Ash, chief executive of Sam Ash Music; Chris Dey, president of the New York Islanders, and Brian P. McNally, a vice president of Melville-based Arrow Electronics Inc.

Fasciano said the chapter is "education-oriented," with the goal of helping members run their businesses. Monthly meetings revolve around speakers and networking.

The group has been "press-shy" for years, he said, but is changing its ways. "It's helpful to reach out in this highly networked world," he said.