Farmingdale Chamber of Commerce President Joseph Garcia
(Photo by Jared Garcia)
The Farmingdale Chamber of Commerce is an invaluable asset to the community. A nonprofit organization, the chamber welcomes businesses, residents and organizations to join through both membership and active participation. As stated on their website, “the chamber has the ability to act as a voice representative of the business community, thus effecting desirable improvements within the business area.” In an effort to better connect Farmingdale residents with the chamber that so diligently serves their community, the Farmingdale Observer sent a questionnaire to the chamber’s president Joseph Garcia.
What do you love most about living in Farmingdale?
I live in Farmingdale and have since 2006. I don’t live in the village, nor the school district.
I love that Farmingdale is a true community. It’s a place where you can still borrow a cup of sugar from a neighbor, buy a steak from the butcher, but then grab a drink at a speakeasy. Having a downtown and a Main Street really give Farmingdale an identity. It’s a place you can go and stroll around. My wife and I love to take the kids to Main Street and hit the Sunday Farmers Market, grab some lunch, buy some steaks, some frozen yogurt, or some little toys or candy from one of the stores. It’s a place where we don’t have to run around and get the car seats in and out of the car. We park and then for a couple of hours you feel like you’re on vacation.
How did you get involved with the Chamber, and how did you get to your position of president?
I first joined the chamber of commerce at the urging of a colleague. I wasn’t really sure of what I was looking to gain with the chamber, and then when we franchised our real estate company to Weichert Realtors, we wanted to have a ribbon cutting. That was the first time I really started to get involved. I felt like I had to return the favor by attending other ribbon cuttings. As I went to more events I really loved to see familiar faces of the board members and other members. These relationships turned to friendships and a feeling that I was part of the larger business community in Farmingdale. I also really appreciated the goals of the chamber and what everyone was trying to accomplish. It eventually turned into a passion. I was appointed to the board for an empty position and worked with the other board members directly. It was then I let our past president, Beth Mignone, know that I was interested in the position of president. She encouraged me to run for president after deciding she would not be running again for the position.
What are some of your responsibilities as president?
The main responsibility is to represent the Farmingdale Chamber of Commerce. I preside over our board, planning and the meetings, and attend or emcee our events. As president, you are the face of the whole organization. Our administrator Jo Wider and the board do such a wonderful job planning our events, so it makes my job much easier. I also need to maintain connections with our members; I constantly poll how they are doing and what they need, and get that info to the board so we can act. I also continue to promote and highlight members to the community, encourage local business relationships and am a voice to our local government of 250 individual members.
What’s the most satisfying part of being involved with the Chamber?
Feeling connected to the community and other area businesses. It is great to plan or sponsor an event and see the residents and business community interact. We have great people and businesses here in Farmingdale.
What is one lesson being a part of the Chamber has taught you?
You need to get involved in community decision making. It’s too late to disagree after a decision is made.
What is something important about the Chamber that people should know?
We help connect the residents and businesses together to make both communities stronger.
I think it’s important to point out that a great number of our members are not only business owners, but they are our neighbors too. As Farmingdale residents, they’re personally invested in the chamber’s mission of keeping our community a great place to work, live and play.
Who’s had the biggest influence on your life?
My father. He taught me so much about business, family and life. He started our real estate business in 1995. Everyone told him he was crazy to open a business, but he did anyway because he had a passion to help renters become homeowners.
What is one item on your bucket list?
To learn another language. Farmingdale and Long Island as a whole is made up of many business owners and residents who speak English as a second language. I want to be able to continue connecting our members with the community without language being a barrier.
What is something you can’t live without?
My wife and kids. My wife keeps me focused on what is important and my kids are my legacy. The best part of my day is always going home to them. A close second is coffee—any father of young children knows you can’t get through your day without coffee.
