STATEN ISLAND LEADERS IN BUSINESS, CULTURE, AND THE ARTS SHARE PROUDEST CAREER ACCOMPLISHMENTS, INTERIOR DESIGN STYLES, AND FAVORITE RESORT AMENITIES

BY MADELYN DAWSON, ELIZABETH HAZARD, AND AMANDA MCCOY
PHOTOS BY AMANDA DOMENECH, ALEX BARRETO, AND TOM ZAPCIC

Richard Bodian Chief Clinical Offi cer, JAG-ONE Physical Therapy / jagonept.com

Bodian’s story begins unconventionally: in 1994, while working in Staten Island as a regional manager at one of his cousin’s physical therapy practices, he was forced to close the location. But a week later, the practice reopened, now under his name and tax number. Patients were told the offi ce was closing for one week, and like clockwork, it was back seven days later. For Bodian, when his community has a need, there is no other option but to fi ll it. In 1998, he opened his own practice: One on One Physical Therapy, planting his roots in Brooklyn and Staten Island. While he watched as other leaders moved to Long Island, Manhattan, and Connecticut, he stayed loyal to his communities and providing quality care where it was needed most. “With gentrification, the community was starving for quality care,” he said.

“We gave ourselves to the areas that needed the most care.” Sending clinicians to high schools and developing strong relationships with patients and doctors alike, Bodian positioned himself well for the 2019 merger with JAG Physical Therapy, creating what is now JAG-ONE, a massive operation with more than 115 locations throughout New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania. JAG-ONE, Bodian said, is steadfast in its commitment to clinical excellence and quality care. “Th e biggest reward of my career is, and will always be, watching the patient progress,” added Bodian. “That never gets old.”

WHAT IS YOUR PROUDEST CAREER ACCOMPLISHMENT?

Getting the recognition for what we’ve achieved in such a short period of time, and how many patients and families we’ve touched in the 23 years we’ve been operating in the Northeast.

DESCRIBE YOUR INTERIOR DESIGN STYLE IN A FEW WORDS.

Center, colonial, country.

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE RESORT HOTEL, AND WHAT IS ONE OF ITS AMENITIES YOU LOVE?

Snowbird, Utah. It’s the greatest ski resort in the world, and I’m a huge skier.

Teresa Calemine Co-Founder, The Bridal Boutique at Always a Bridesmaid thebridalboutiquesi.com

Twenty years ago, Teresa Calemine and her husband James noticed a void in the Staten Island bridal scene. While there was a surplus of shops lled with wedding gowns, there weren’t any high-end offerings for bridesmaids – thus the idea for Always a Bridesmaid was born. “We wanted to make the experience fun for bridesmaids, mothers of the bride or groom, and fl ower girls, ” she explained. “There wasn’t anything like it at the time.”

Th e concept quickly took off , and for ten years the boutique thrived in its Main Street footprint, pampering bridesmaids with a fi rst-class shopping experience. Th e owners began receiving requests for bridalwear, and in 2013, they decided to expand – not only to a larger store on Amboy Road, but in offering a designer selection of wedding gowns. Today the boutique also carries tuxedos, evenin-gwear, headpieces, veils, jewelry, shoes, and many more accessory options. Th ere’s also a full-service alteration department on site.

“Anyone can sell dresses,” added Calemine, who’s witnessed fl ower girls become brides and brides become mothers of the bride during her 20 years in business. “What sets us apart is the professionalism and warmth of our staff . We off er the high-end, designer shopping experience without any preten-sion. Our customers notice and love that.”

WHAT IS YOUR PROUDEST CAREER ACCOMPLISHMENT?
The growth of our business, staff, and clients. We started with a 900-square-foot boutique and now we’re in a 5,000-square-foot store with a private parking lot for our clients. We are also very excited and thankful for our growth and looking forward to our continued growth in the future.

DESCRIBE YOUR INTERIOR DESIGN STYLE IN A FEW WORDS.
When we remodeled the store, I wanted to modernize while still keeping a traditional feel. I decided on a greige color palette with black accents.

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE RESORT HOTEL, AND WHAT IS ONE OF ITS AMENITIES YOU LOVE?
The Intercontinental Resort Bora Bora & Thalasso Spa. The best amenities were the spa and the beautiful water views.

Joseph “Jay” Matassa Co-Founder, Matassa Real Estate Services matassarealestate.com

Brokered in NY by Get Listed, Get Sold, NYC & American Financial Network, Inc.

Joseph “Jay” Matassa has made a 30-plus-year career of helping others realize their dreams. Today his team of NY & NJ real estate and lending professionals are doing just that, one home or real estate investment at a time. Matassa and his wife Francesca have built a team that consistently meets the needs of their clients. “Th ere is not a single client that is not being actively engaged with to ensure we know their evolving needs and interest in properties they see,” he said. “We present clients the properties and mortgage products most likely to not only fi t their needs, but more importantly, that can be successfully obtained. Our reward is the happy smiles from our buyers, sellers, and investors. Th eir amazing feedback and referrals are truly what makes us know that we are living up to our own high standards.” Today, Matassa remains committed to making a diff erence in the real estate industry. “We have built a team such that ethics and professionalism underlie every-thing we do. It ensures that we are always moving forward and leaving behind positive change in the industry. Our clients walk away with confi dence and experience that will make them be even better lifetime homeowners.”

WHAT IS YOUR PROUDEST CAREER ACCOMPLISHMENT?
The achievement of amazing work/life balance. Across industries, I have been available to my family since the birth of my children. I remain always available to clients while almost never missing the important moments of my children and family.

DESCRIBE YOUR INTERIOR DESIGN STYLE IN A FEW WORDS.
My style has been evolving recently. I am a traditionalist by heart and love natural wood, stone, and fabrics. However, we have been updating the interior of our home recently and blending in some retro ‘70s/80s style elements. So far, I am really liking the result.

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE RESORT HOTEL, AND WHAT IS ONE OF ITS AMENI-TIES YOU LOVE?
Domestically, I’d have to say the Ritz-Carlton Orlando. It’s probably the one that career and family combined has brought me to more than any other property. The JW Marriott and Ritz share a property with some
amenities specifi c to only the Ritz-Carlton guests. It’s hard to narrow it down to one amenity. Its serenity, on-site golf course, and amazing dedication to customer experience and satisfaction have brought me back any time I am in the area.

Rich Pasquale Co-Owner, Pool Doctor / pooldoctorsi.com

Rich Pasquale’s initial dive into the pool business was in college, working part-time at a swimming pool and supplies retailer.
“Instead of just going through the motions, I took the opportunity to learn every aspect of the business,” he recalled. His interest eventually guided him toward construction, and 25 years ago, he teamed with his brother and business partner to launch Pool Doctor, a swimming pool contracting fi rm that off ers custom, cutting-edge design and builds. Th e business has since grown into a sweeping operation, off ering everything from small backyard pools to ultra high-end pool and spa sanctuaries, plus spring openings and fall winterizations, weekly maintenance, and renovations to older pools. “What sets us apart from others is our ability to build any type of pool,” noted the co-owner, whether it be Gunite concrete, fi berglass, or liner. “Most companies only build one type. Another thing that sets us apart is exceptional customer service. We have a large offi ce with eight phone lines and seven trained offi ce assistants to handle any customer needs seven days a week.” Looking back on the past 25 years, Pasquale said his career’s biggest reward is the memories his work will create. “Knowing that you just created so many years of enjoyment and happiness for a family is enough for me.”

WHAT IS YOUR PROUDEST CAREER ACCOMPLISHMENT?
I’m most proud of the size we’ve grown our company to date. We started out with a couple of shovels and now we have over 35 vehicles on the road. We also have a great team of workers that I’m so proud of. DESCRIBE YOUR INTERIOR DESIGN STYLE IN A FEW WORDS. Clean, contemporary, modern.

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE RESORT HOTEL, AND WHAT IS ONE OF ITS AMENITIES YOU LOVE?
My favorite hotel is the One Hotel South Beach. Their attention to detail, design, and style are exactly in line with what we like our backyards to look like.

Michael Higgins Principal, MHS Architecture / mhsarchitecture.com

ere are numerous multifamily architects in the metropolitan area, but perhaps none as impassioned in approach as Michael Higgins. With over 30 years of experience that stretches back to his family’s own construction fi rm, Higgins recently transitioned into the managing principal role at MHS Architecture (formally Marchetto Higgins Stieve) in Hoboken. With this new appointment he brings a refreshing energy to the company. MHS has been in business for over 40 years, designing mixed-use buildings across the tri-state area, but Higgins wants to expand further. Denver is one of the cities he has his eyes on as he continu-ally brings MHS placemaking opportu-nities. New Yorkers and Garden Staters only have to look out their window to glimpse the company’s many architec-tural marvels. Higgins noted that he, along with his team of 40 architects and interior designers, designs with the community and local context in mind. As he shapes the skylines, he designs structures that inspire awe and integrate seamlessly into the neighborhoods.

WHAT IS YOUR PROUDEST CAREER ACCOMPLISHMENT?
I pride myself on being able to work with the diverse group. It takes a lot of people to put these large buildings together, and I like to work with each of the stakeholders and team members, and be the point person that organizes, synthesizes, takes all of their specifi c goals and synthesizes it into a creative solution for a new building, a new place.

DESCRIBE YOUR DESIGN STYLE IN A FEW WORDS.
I would say that when we’re in existing or downtown urban areas, we often like to apply some sort of contextual response to the design so it feels like it’s part of the existing urban fabric. But we also like to come up with a modern interpretation of that existing urban fabric, something that is a creative, elegant, and timeless.

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE RESORT HOTEL, AND WHAT IS ONE OF ITS AMENITIES YOU LOVE? I was at a beautiful hotel called the Thompson in the heart of downtown Denver recently, and I loved the style of the whole place. It had an amazing rooftop bar lounge space with fantastic views of the Rockies and a wonderful French restaurant connected to the lobby.