STATEN ISLAND LEADERS IN BUSINESS, CULTURE, AND THE ARTS SHARE FAVORITE TYPES OF EXERCISE, SUPERHERO ALTER-EGOS, AND WHAT INSPIRED THEM TO ENTER THEIR INDUSTRIES

BY ERIK SCHONING AND AMANDA MCCOY PHOTOS BY AMANDA DOMENECH AND ALEX BARRETO

Linda Baran
President and CEO, Staten Island Chamber of Commerce sichamber.com

Linda Baran’s career is proof that in today’s fast-moving job market, putting down roots can oftentimes be the best move. President and CEO of the Staten Island Chamber of Commerce, Baran has been with the company since 1986, starting out as a bookkeeper and becoming interim president after a seat was vacated. In 2004, she was elected as the chamber’s first female president.

Through her dedication and hard work, the Staten Island Chamber of Commerce has held its place as a resource for local businesses, creating a network in what can often be a challenging market. One of her passion projects is improving transportation on and to the Island, a potential boon for commuters and tourism. It’s a fitting cause: she loves to introduce people.

“I like to connect people,” Baran said. “I really get exposed to a lot of people that are experts in their field. And we’re very involved in community issues. I grew up on Staten Island, was born and raised here, so those things are very important to me.”

Baran has overseen a chamber that has gotten younger in recent years, bringing in an influx of new ideas and talent to keep the borough’s small businesses moving.

WHAT INSPIRED YOU TO PURSUE A CAREER IN YOUR INDUSTRY?
I always wanted to be a graphic designer, but after I had my first baby I wound up here as a bookkeeper. I kept a close eye on all the finances and the operations, and at a certain point, I thought to myself: I can do this!

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE TYPE OF EXERCISE?
I like to walk. When I’m vacationing, I love to walk down the boardwalk and the beach and our local parks.

WHO IS YOUR SUPERHERO ALTER-EGO?
I have three kids, so I always said that I was like the mom from the Incredibles. I was multitasking all the time, running around, stretching myself thin, that kind of thing.

Emad Abdou, DDS
Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon, Staten Island Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery / statenislandoralsurgery.com

From his earliest memories, this Cairo, Egypt, native knew his career path would lead him to medicine. “I chose dentistry for the opportunity to really make a difference in people’s lives, to not only improve their quality of life but give them confidence,” noted the doctor, who relocated to Brooklyn with his family at age six. After a one-year fellowship at the Royal Children’s Hospital in Melbourne, Australia, Dr. Abdou realized a special interest in pediatric maxillofacial surgery. He joined Dr. David Ho man’s practice at Staten Island Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery last October, where he treats kids and adults with severe facial anomalies. But his career’s greatest reward, he explained, is treating babies born with congenital deformities.

“The babies will never know who you are or what you’ve done for them, and that’s OK, because it feels like you’re contributing to humanity,” he said. “And the gratitude of the parents is incredible. It’s one thing when you treat an adult, but when you treat the person they love more than themselves, it’s even more rewarding.”

WHAT INSPIRED YOU TO PURSUE A CAREER IN YOUR INDUSTRY?
The unique ability to do a wide range of procedures, both in an office and hospital-based setting.

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE TYPE OF EXERCISE?
Hiking, because I enjoy the exercise as well as the refreshing views.

WHO IS YOUR SUPERHERO ALTER-EGO?
Spiderman. He’s very smart when he’s Peter Parker, and he helps so many people when he’s Spiderman.

Uel J. Alexis, MD
Anesthesiologist and Pain Management Specialist, the Spine & Pain Institute Of New York / spinepainny.com

As a child, Dr. Alexis’ mother instilled the importance of giving on a daily basis, reminding him to, “Be good, and to do good for your fellow man.” “She was right,” noted the doctor, who began his career in medicine by conducting research at the MD Anderson Cancer Center. After completing his residency in anesthesiology with Mount Sinai, he completed a fellowship in invasive pain management before joining the Spine & Pain Institute in 2014, where he’s remained ever since. “We have a talented group of doctors focused on making a difference in the communities we serve,” he said.

Specializing in minimally invasive spine and pain procedures, Dr. Alexis is invested in the full scope of pain management, including headaches, spinal stenosis, pinched nerves, arthritis, and more, adding he particularly enjoys the human element of his practice. “It is not just pain that I am trying to resolve,” he said. “It is a full analysis of you as a patient, what makes you tick, how do we improve your functionality so that you can do what you enjoy, what goals do we need to set to achieve happiness in life. Miracles do happen here. I see them all the time.”

WHAT INSPIRED YOU TO PURSUE A CAREER IN YOUR INDUSTRY?
Although the need for pain management is high, it is still a relatively new field in medicine. This excited me with aspirations of being able to significantly contribute to this field and make a difference. Pain medicine is a multimodal specialty that utilizes neurosurgery, interventional radiology, orthopedics, neurology, and psychiatry. The combination of these fundamentals can produce impressive benefits for patients in a quick and minimally invasive fashion.

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE TYPE OF EXERCISE?
Core strengthening. As the name describes, these set of exercises strengthen our most important muscles to allow us to function. I have significantly hurt my back in the past. I became a patient overnight. By focusing on the core exercises and stretches I was able to return to work and get my life back. Now, I fully encourage these same exercises for everyone. My favorite stretch is a Prone-Push-Up. It can mechanically help the disc get back into place.

WHO IS YOUR SUPERHERO ALTER-EGO?
Captain Planet.

Corinne Arena
Senior VP, Nicotra Group Restaurants officespacestatenisland.com

Corinne Arena has always loved restaurants. As senior vice president for the Nicotra Group’s restaurant division, Arena oversees Lorenzo’s Restaurant, Bar & Cabaret at the Hilton, plus the newly opened COMMONS café and Pienza Brick Oven Pizza Café. It’s the latest step in a career that has always revolved around dining, from Arena’s hiring at Lorenzo’s when the restaurant first opened 20 years ago. As Arena pointed out, one of the hallmarks of the Nicotra Group’s practices is hiring from within, and she’s been able to grow with the company from those early days. Even then, she had a penchant for elegance.

“As a kid, I went to a restaurant in Manhattan, and they used a crumber on the linen tablecloth,” Arena said. “I was amazed by that little extra step. It’s the little things that make the dining experience special.”

Today, Arena brings that same extra-step philosophy to everything she does with the Nicotra Group, including booking acts at the newly opened the Gallery, an event space for private events. (A regular booking is a monthly Latin night, which draws crowds in the hundreds.) In her time with the company, Arena has seen Lorenzo’s grow from a 30-seat restaurant to a 250-seat restaurant. It’s that growth, that constant push for the next thing that keeps her motivated.

WHAT INSPIRED YOU TO PURSUE A CAREER IN YOUR INDUSTRY?
I always wanted to do exactly what I’m doing. Throughout my career, I’ve been a bus girl, a waitress, a cook, a bartender, and a dishwasher. From hostess to now management, I’ve loved it all. One thing I love about working here is that most of my staff has been a part of Team Nicotra for such a long time. That always makes my job easier. When guests say I did a great job, I always say that it is our staff that makes us shine.

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE TYPE OF EXERCISE?
Anyone who works in hospitality will tell you that at work, “life exercise” will be all the exercise you’ll ever need! I don’t have to wear a pedometer to count my steps, because I easily exceed 10,000 steps a day as I help serve our guests. And any parent with young children will tell you that every day keeps me busy as I work hard to keep our house together and stay in step with my daughters, Olivia and Emily.

WHO IS YOUR SUPERHERO ALTER-EGO?
In addition to my work and busy life as a mom, I am the co-leader of my girls’ Girl Scout Troop, so we are a busy family. I was a Girl Scout too growing up, and I am so happy my girls are on this Scouting path. So, every single parent whether they stay at home or work out of the house is a superhero to me. And every parent who finds ways to spend time with their child, that’s a superhero to me. So, my life as a mom is a type of alter-ego!

Abraham S. Biegeleisen, DDS
Periodontist and Reconstructive Implant Surgeon, Implant Spa / implantspa.com

Over the course of a four-decade career, Dr. Biegeleisen – or Dr. B, as his patients call him – has restored the smiles of thousands of Staten Islanders. The principal at Implant Spa, which specializes in reconstructive and regenerative periodontics and implant surgery, Dr. B always knew he would one day pursue a career in healthcare.

After obtaining his bachelor’s degree in biology from CCNY, he received his D.D.S. degree from NYU, followed by residencies in periodontics at USC in California and implant surgery at NYU, but he noted he felt called to do more than dentistry alone. “I got into implant surgery, and that’s when it got really exciting,” he said. “When people fracture their teeth or they’re in an accident or their teeth are decayed or infected, we’re able to restore their mouth and make it look like they did when they were 18 years old.”

He opened his Staten Island practice in 1980, and today has become one of the most trusted and reputable implant surgeons in the tri-state area. His practice was one of the first in Staten Island to pioneer “Immediate Implants” – a cutting-edge implant technique that shortens the entire process from multiple surgical procedures that can last over a year to as little as a day or two. The widespread implementation and success of this technique has contributed to Dr. B’s office mantra: “Immediate Implants, Immediate Function, Immediate Smile.”

WHAT INSPIRED YOU TO PURSUE A CAREER IN YOUR INDUSTRY?
To effect positive change for my patients.

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE TYPE OF EXERCISE?
Swimming and jet skiing.

WHO IS YOUR SUPERHERO ALTER EGO?
Thor