QUEENS CHAMBER OF COMMERCE HOSTS THE 2025 BUSINESS PERSONS OF THE YEAR AWARDS GALA

On the evening of Wednesday, December 3, hundreds of business, government, and community leaders from throughout Queens gathered at Terrace on the Park in Flushing Meadows, Corona Park for the Queens Chamber of Commerce’s annual Business Persons of the Year Awards Dinner. The evening recognized Cheryl McKissack Daniel, President & CEO of McKissack & McKissack; Larry Zogby, CEO of RDS Same Day Delivery; Bob and Maureen Shoule, of J. W. Hampton Jr. & Co., Inc.; Dr. Helen Arteaga, CEO of NYC Health + Hospitals/Elmhurst; Kenneth Koenig, President, Roosevelt Building Maintenance Co., Inc; and Richard Grebinger, CPA, CFO of the Queens Chamber of Commerce.
“Bringing people together to honor leaders like Cheryl, Larry, Bob and Maureen, Dr. Arteaga, Kenneth, and Richard is one of the best parts of what we do,” said Tom Grech, President and CEO of the Queens Chamber of Commerce. “Each of them gives so much to Queens. They work hard, they care about their neighbors, and they help make this borough stronger. Their leadership and vision shine through everything they do, and I’m grateful we had the chance to recognize them.”
“I'm thrilled that the Queens Chamber of Commerce is honoring an outstanding group of local leaders who have contributed so much to our borough's prosperity and vitality,” said Queens Borough President Donovan Richards Jr. “Congratulations to Cheryl McKissack Daniel,  Richard Grebinger, Dr. Helen Arteaga, Larry Zogby, the Shoule family, and Kenneth Koenig. They have truly gone above and beyond in showing their commitment to the betterment of our community."
 
During the event, the crowd heard from the honorees. Tom Grech also addressed the crowd and expressed his excitement about the future of Queens.
 
In an effort to bring holiday cheer to those who are less fortunate, the Chamber also hosted its 2025 Toy Drive at the event. Many new, unwrapped toy donations were collected from attendees.
 
This year’s Business Persons of the Year honorees include:
 
Cheryl McKissack Daniel – President & CEO of McKissack & McKissack

Cheryl McKissack Daniel is President & CEO of McKissack & McKissack, the oldest minority- and woman-owned design and construction firm in the nation. A fifth-generation builder and author of The Black Family Who Built America (Simon & Schuster, August 2025), she carries forward her family's 230-year legacy while shaping the future of infrastructure, equity, and generational wealth. A civil engineer with more than 30 years of experience, Cheryl has overseen over $50 billion in construction, leading projects that have transformed skylines and communities nationwide. Her firm's portfolio includes the New Terminal One at JFK International Airport, LaGuardia Central Terminal Building Redevelopment, Columbia University's Manhattanville Expansion, Coney Island Hospital Campus Renovation, the Lincoln and Harlem Hospitals, and consulting for the MTA—the nation's largest transit system. Her book traces her family's journey from enslavement to entrepreneurship, highlighting McKissack's pioneering contributions to American architecture and construction while underscoring the broader truth that Black families have been foundational builders of America. A proud Howard University alumna, Cheryl continues to lead with vision and preparedness—honoring her family's history while shaping the future of the built environment.

Larry Zogby – CEO of RDS Same Day Delivery

With over 40 years of experience in last-mile delivery and logistics, Larry Zogby is a recognized industry leader and community advocate. A recipient of more than 20 awards from city and state officials, he is known for building a culture of passion and service within his company. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Larry launched One Random Act of Kindness, delivering over 350,000 meals to frontline workers and families in need—a mission that continues today. He actively supports numerous organizations including City Harvest, Friends of Karen, Queens Together, and the Variety Boys & Girls Club of Queens. His partnerships with the Queens Chamber of Commerce and Long Island City Partnership further demonstrate his commitment to meaningful community impact. An advocate for small businesses, fair policy, and inclusion, Larry works closely with Access VR to support individuals with disabilities. Outside of logistics, he brings joy as a skilled magician, performing for hospital patients and at charitable events, and sharing the stage with icons like Cher and David Copperfield.Through leadership, advocacy, and heart, Larry Zogby continues to inspire change across industries and communities alike. 
Bob and Maureen Shoule – President of J. W. Hampton Jr. & Co., Inc.Bob and Maureen Shoule have been the leadership team for decades behind J. W. Hampton Jr. & Co., Inc., a respected Customs Brokerage and Freight Forwarding company based in Jamaica, Queens that is now run by the fourth-generation - their sons Bobby and Michael. Established in 1865, the firm has served generations of importers and exporters for over 160 years, and under Bob and Maureen's direction, it continues to thrive in the modern landscape of international trade.
 
Bob Shoule Jr., President of the company, brings strategic vision and 6o plus years of industry experience to his role. He oversees the firm's operations, regulatory compliance, and client services, ensuring that the company maintains its longstanding reputation for integrity, reliability, and efficiency.
 
Maureen Shoule has stepped back over the past fews years in her daily involvement at J.W. Hampton, preferring instead to focus on her role as grandmother and to work on her golf game, sharing pointers with Bob on each hole.
 
Together, Bob and Maureen and their sons Bobby and Michael uphold the legacy of J. W. Hampton Jr. & Co., Inc. while guiding it into the future. Their shared leadership combines historical knowledge with modern practices, making them a trusted team in the world of Customs Brokerage and international logistics.
 
Dr. Helen Arteaga – CEO of NYC Health + Hospitals/ElmhurstDr. Helen Arteaga is the CEO of NYC Health + Hospitals/Elmhurst, a Level I Trauma Center and the second oldest public hospital in New York City. She is the first woman and the first Latina to helm the hospital's executive team. Under Helen's leadership, Elmhurst has been recognized as one of U.S. News and World Report's "Best Regional Hospitals" and as one of the nation's "High Performing" hospitals. Over the past five years Helen has secured millions in public funding for key capital projects for the facility, including $27.5 Million from New York State for a new Women's Pavilion and a Pediatric Intensive Care Unit. She has a bachelor's degree from New York University, a Master of Public Health from Columbia University, and a Ph.D. from the City University of New York. In 2025, she was named as one of City and State's Queens Power 100. She has also been noted as one of Becker's Hospital Review's "Women Hospital Presidents and CEOs to Know" for both 2024 and 2025. Helen is a recipient of the prestigious Joan H. Tisch Community Health Prize from the Laurie M. Tisch Illumination Fund for her distinguished accomplishments in the field of urban public health, and the Mujeres Destacadas award from El Diario NY.

Kenneth Koenig – President, Roosevelt Building Maintenance Co., Inc.Kenneth Koenig is the President of Roosevelt Building Maintenance Co., Inc., a trusted provider of building maintenance and janitorial services based in Flushing, New York. With extensive experience in the facilities services industry, Kenneth leads the company with a strong focus on quality, reliability, and customer satisfaction. Under his leadership, Roosevelt Building Maintenance serves a wide range of commercial and residential clients across the New York metropolitan area. The company offers janitorial cleaning, building maintenance, and customized service plans designed to meet the unique needs of property managers and building owners. Kenneth oversees daily operations, client relations, and staff management, ensuring that services consistently meet high standards of quality, safety, and compliance. He combines traditional service values with modern practices, emphasizing training, accountability, and responsiveness. Kenneth has cultivated a culture of professionalism and long-term client relationships, helping Roosevelt Building Maintenance maintain a reputation for dependable, consistent service. Operating from its Flushing headquarters, the company continues to grow and serve diverse properties, including office buildings, schools, and residential complexes. Kenneth Koenig's leadership and commitment have made Roosevelt Building Maintenance a respected name in the New York building services industry.
 
Richard Grebinger, CPA – CFO Queens Chamber of Commerce
Richard Grebinger became licensed as a CPA in 1981. He was hired by a Long Island CPA firm and his first assignment was to assist in the annual audit of the Queens Chamber of Commerce. Richard has been associated with the Queens Chamber for over 41 years as their outside accountant and currently as CFO. Through the years Richard has been the Controller for Gemstone Supermarkets Inc, a mid-size Queens based Supermarket chain, was a partner in National Tax Consultants a Long Island accounting and tax practice, operated his own CPA practice and is currently an associate with Diapoules & Feinstein, CPAs in Melville.
In his spare time Richard enjoys traveling and sports with a particular love of baseball. Richard was recognized as MVP in the New York Mets 2008 Fantasy Camp in Port St. Lucie and was recognized as umpire of the Year for the AFU (American Federation of Umpires) in 2010.

“Thank you to the Queens Chamber of Commerce for this meaningful honor,” said Cheryl McKissack Daniel, President & CEO of McKissack & McKissack. “I was proud to stand alongside leaders who care deeply about the future of this borough. My family has been building in America for more than two centuries, and receiving this recognition in Queens, a place defined by its diversity, is truly special. I am grateful to the Chamber for its commitment to uplifting businesses and communities across the borough.”

“Many thanks to the Queens Chamber of Commerce,” said Larry Zogby, CEO of RDS Same Day Delivery. Being honored in a room full of people who work tirelessly to strengthen our communities means a great deal to me. Queens has supported my company’s mission for decades, and I am proud to continue giving back to the borough that has given me so much.”
“I’m truly touched by this recognition from the Queens Chamber of Commerce,” said Bob and Maureen Shoule, President of J. W. Hampton Jr. and Co., Inc. “Standing on that stage reminded me how far our family business has come since 1865 and how important the Queens community has been in that journey. We remain committed to serving importers and exporters with the same integrity and reliability that have guided our company for generations.”
“I am very grateful to the Queens Chamber of Commerce for this honor,” said Dr. Helen Arteaga, CEO of NYC Health + Hospitals Elmhurst. “This award reflects the heart and hard work of everyone at Elmhurst, and I am proud to share it with them. I appreciate the Chamber for seeing the value in what we do for our patients and our community every day.”
“I want to thank the Queens Chamber of Commerce for this recognition,” said Kenneth Koenig, President of Roosevelt Building Maintenance Co., Inc. “It means a great deal to me to be honored by the borough where my company has grown and built long-standing relationships. I am grateful to the Chamber for acknowledging the work of our committed team and all we do to support businesses and properties throughout Queens.”
"I am truly humbled to be honored by the organization that I've called home for the last 40 years,” said Richard Grebinger, CPA, CFO of the Queens Chamber of Commerce. “I have enjoyed my work with the Queens Chamber immensely and have appreciated participating in the growth over the years. I am grateful to the Board and the staff for this honor."

Press release available for download, below. 
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