Rosemary Basmajian named East Meadow's Businessperson of the Year

When Rosemary Basmajian heard that she would be named East Meadow’s Businessperson of the Year, her first reaction was to shy away from accepting the honor.

“At first I was humbled,” she said, explaining that Chamber of Commerce President Frank Camarano encouraged her to accept the award, and reminded her of all the hard work she has done for the community. “I appreciated that recognition very much.”

Basmajian, the practice administrator at Life Physical Therapy & Wellness in East Meadow for 29 years, was honored at the Nassau Council of Chambers of Commerce breakfast on Oct. 19 at the Crest Hollow Country Club in Westbury. She has been involved in the East Meadow chamber for eight years, was its secretary in 2015 and has served as its treasurer for the past three years.

“I enjoy working with people,” she said. “I enjoy being creative, and coming up with new ideas to lead the company in new directions. It’s something that has always been a part of me.”

Through the chamber, Basmajian has helped organize events such as East Meadow Pride Day, the third annual Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy Syndrome Association Walk, Walk-Ride-Read for Success, and mock job interviews for East Meadow High School students. In addition, for four years she has co-chaired the chamber’s biggest fundraiser, Culinary Delights.

Most of the events she coordinates introduce members of the community to the local shops, eateries and resources offered in East Meadow. “It’s all about giving exposure to small local businesses that don’t really get those opportunities,” she said.

Ivan Sayles, president of the Freeport Chamber of Commerce, spoke at last week’s breakfast about the impact of local business leaders like Basmajian. He shared with the crowd a story about a local business owner who is told that he has no clout and is denied a bank loan. In response, the businessman stocks his cash register with $2 bills and, because of his vast customer base, the bills start circulating back to the bank. The next time he requests a loan, he explains to the banker what he did and, sure enough, he receives it.

On each table at the breakfast were $2 bills for honorees to take home as a reminder of their influence. As small business owners, “You’re really learning to overcome obstacles and forge ahead,” Basmajian said.

Basmajian was the recipient of the East Meadow chamber’s 2018 Dave Rothbaum Silver Fox Award and its 2017 Outstanding Board Member of the Year Award. She lives in East Meadow with her husband, Greg, and their three children.