By:Carrie James
Lining many of the walls of RMB Drafting Services Inc. and Electrical Inspectors offices are awards and photographs marking all that owner Richard Bivone has done for the community. These "walls of fame" only depict part of what Bivone has done for East Meadow as a businessperson and community leader.
It was Bivone's dedication to his profession and the area that recently led East Meadow Chamber of Commerce President James Skinner to name Bivone East Meadow Small Businessman of the Year on behalf of the Nassau Council of Chambers of Commerce.
"He has several businesses in East Meadow for one," Skinner said. "Number two, he's an outstanding leader in the East Meadow community. He's always in the forefront, helping out. He is a successful businessman in East Meadow. Rich Bivone is a doer."
Before moving to East Meadow, Bivone worked for the Fire Department of New York City as a battalion aide. He retired from the position in January 2000. He moved to East Meadow in 1984 with his wife, Karen, and in 1985 started RMB Drafting Services Inc.
He opened the business, in part, because of the difficulties he and his wife had in closing on their house.
"I found when we closed on our house, about two weeks after, we had some issues of things not being up to code," Bivone said. "It made me aware of the saying that buyer beware. I started this industry of helping people go to closings with all the proper documents. I wanted to protect people from going through the same things I did."
Initially working out of his home, Bivone said it took time for people to see his business as a reputable company that can provide research, drafting and inspection services. Through word of mouth and hard work, Bivone now has an office along East Meadow Avenue and employs around 30 people. Most of the people he works with are homeowners and attorneys representing homeowners. His company helps with closing inspections and obtaining permits, among numerous other services.
In 1992, Bivone started a second business, Electrical Inspectors, Inc., a company he founded to help homeowners get the electrical inspections they need. Bivone said the business came out of finding that getting electrical inspections was the hardest and longest procedure in obtaining a building's certificate of occupancy.
"I'm proud of both companies," Bivone said. "We've decreased the amount of time it takes and stepped up the professionalism in the industry. I believe in integrity and honor in providing a service to people."
Integrity and honor carry over into his service to the East Meadow community. Bivone serves as chairman of the board in the East Meadow Chamber of Commerce, and he's a vice president of the Council of East Meadow Community Organizations and first vice chairman of the executive board of directors of the Education Assistance Corporation in New York State. He is also involved in many other organizations.
"East Meadow is a good community; it's a diverse community," Bivone said. "I have always felt that you should give back to the community you are involved in."
He and his wife still live in East Meadow with their two children, David and Amanda.
