On Wednesday, Jan. 28, the Garden City Chamber of Commerce will host its 2015 kick-off luncheon program starting at 11:30 a.m., at the Garden City Hotel. Garden City Mayor John J. Watras is slated to be the keynote speaker and he will present the State of the Village and what he envisions for the future of Garden City.
Mayor Watras’ career in village service began in 1996, when he moved up through the ranks to become president pf the Western Property Owners’ Association (WPOA). Watras was subsequently elected to the village board of trustees in 2003. His service on various village commissions has included finance, fire, police and recreation.
For the past 19 years, John Watras has been a partner and securities principal with Concept Capital Markets LLC, an institutional broker dealer. Affiliated with the Concept Capital division of SMH Capital Inc. and its predecessor firms since 1996, Watras has served as a salesman of its prime brokerage services and independent research services as well as a supervisor for third party marketers. Previously, he was a director of the New York Stock Exchange, where he served as director of institutional sales with responsibility for covering a major money management firm and promoting the New York Stock Exchange.
Interestingly, for many years, John Watras has served as chairman of the Development Committee of the Hagedorn Little Village Schoo,l which provides education and therapeutic services for children with developmental disabilities.
The program will include a showcase of various member businesses to begin at 11:30 a.m. and continue throughout the reception/networking period. Luncheon will be served promptly at 12:30 p.m. Advance reservations at $60 per person are required. Please call the call the Chamber at 516-746-7724, ext. 101. Make checks payable to the Garden City Chamber of Commerce, 230 Seventh St. The fee may be collected at the door. Credit cards are accepted by telephone or fax at 516-746-7725. To view the invitation or download the reservation form, please visit www.GardenCityChamber.org.
