By Andrew Hackmack
Debbi Gyulay, who has been the chamber's secretary for the past two years, becomes the fourth female president in the organization's history.
Gyulay (pronounced GUY-lay) succeeds Frank DeMita. She was nominated for the volunteer job after DeMita's planned successor, Tom Day, did not take the post. Gyulay was sworn in by Deputy Mayor Guido Cirenza at last Wednesday's chamber luncheon at the Diya Fusion restaurant. "I'm going to work my hardest," she said.
Since 1999, Gyulay has worked full time at AAMCO Transmissions on Merrick Road, just east of the railroad tracks. After leaving the teaching profession that year, she went to work for her brother, Danny Rankow. She handles much of the paperwork for the business, including the bookkeeping, payroll and business reports. "I haven't really figured out the right title for myself," she said, adding that most consider her the office manager.
Gyulay said she has been helping her brother with the business in some form since 1987. She didn't become familiar with the Chamber of Commerce until her brother became its secretary and she helped him with his duties. Her work must have impressed the chamber's executive committee, Gyulay said, because she was soon nominated for the position.
Now she finds herself at the head of Valley Stream's merchant group. Being president will be a full-time job in itself, she says, but her work with her brother will allow her the flexibility to fulfill her new responsibilities. "If I didn't work [at AAMCO]," she said, "I wouldn't have been able to take on the job of president, because it does require a lot of time."
One of her first priorities will be to see that the chamber's Web site is improved. It is rarely updated, she said, and does not include a current list of chamber members or an calendar of upcoming events. "I'd like to get our Web site up to speed," she said. "That is the future."
Gyulay would also like to see more businesses call Valley Stream home. One area that concerns her is the village's downtown - Rockaway Avenue between Merrick Road and Sunrise Highway. "Those empty stores could use some filling in," she said. "It's such a nice, quaint little street."
Although the chamber can't actually put businesses in empty storefronts, it can market the community to potential renters. There are actually a lot of benefits to having a business in Valley Stream, Gyulay explained. "30 minutes from Manhattan, that's a big plus for people," she said.
She would also like to see more existing businesses join the Chamber of Commerce. Being a member entitles a business to numerous benefits, and she would like to make more businesses aware of those benefits.
The chamber holds meetings every month, and Gyulay wants to continue to invite interesting speakers. Last week's guest was an expert on identity theft, a subject that was of great interest to the audience.
Elliott Rosenbaum, the chamber's executive vice president, welcomes Gyulay to her new position. He has no doubt she will succeed in the job. Rosenbaum described her as ambition, a pleasing personality and an active member at all of the chamber's events. "She adds a lot to this community," he said.
Rosenbaum cited the excellent job she did helping organize the annual networking night last April.
Angela Ogurick, a sales director for Mary Kay who works out of her home in Valley Stream and has been a member of the chamber for 2 1/2 years, welcomes Gyulay to the presidency. "I think she's going to be a fantastic president," Ogurick said. "She has very good ideas and is open to new ideas. I think we're going to see some very good things come about this next year."
Gyulay grew up in Valley Stream and graduated from Central High School. She still lives in the community, and is invested in seeing it thrive. "Valley Stream is my village," she said. "It was a great place to grow up. It was a great place to raise my child, and it still is a great place."
Comments about this story? VSeditor@liherald.com or (516) 569-4000 ext. 265.
