Candidates running for
Peekskill Business Improvement District Board of Directors

The ballots for the Peekskill Business Improvement District Board of Directors have been mailed or emailed to all known eligible BID in accordance with BID Bylaws. If you are an eligible property owner or tenant in a commercial space and you did not receive a ballot, you may download and return the blank ballot attached.

Brief Biographies/resumes of candidates for Peekskill Business Improvement District Board of Directors Released:

Please find attached brief biographies/resumes submitted by the candidates running for positions on the Peekskill Business Improvement District Board of Directors. There are three property owner seats up for election and one tenant in a commercial space open.

Louis Lanza, seeking to fill 1 of 3 property owner seats on BID Board

• Chef and restaurateur, Hudson Room, Taco.Dive.Bar
• President of the Peekskill Business Improvement District Board of Directors, seeking second term on Board
• Bid property ownership/partnerships:
• 32 N.Division St
• 23 S Division St
• 101 S Division St
• 1000 Main St 921-923 South St
• “I have been devoting 100% of my work efforts over the past several years to being involved in projects that will ultimately make the City of Peekskill a better place to live, work and visit.”

Frank G. Pugliese, Jr., seeking to fill 1 of 3 property owner seats on BID Board

• Lifelong resident of the City of Peekskill

EDUCATION

• 1978 – Peekskill High School
• 1982 – James Madison University–BBA Major-Marketing, Minor-Office Administration
• 1988 – New York State Academy of Fire Science
• 2015-Fire Department of New York City-Officer’s Supervisory Training Program
• New York State-certified Municipal Training Officer
• American Heart Association-certified CPR Instructor
• New York State-certified Building Safety Inspector

EMPLOYMENT

• 1986 – 1988 – City of Peekskill Water Department-Licensed Grade B Water Treatment Plant Operator
• 1988 – Present – City of Peekskill Fire Department-Fire Lieutenant/EMT/Municipal Training Officer –recipient of numerous commendations and life-saving awards
• Owner-Pugliese Contracting since 1986

MEMBERSHIPS

• International Association of Firefighters, Local 2343 since 1988
• Christopher Columbus Society, Peekskill, NY since 1985
• Past President, Vice-President, Treasurer and Counselor
• Recipient of the President’s Award, 1992
• Hudson Valley Chamber of Commerce since 1998
• Peekskill Business Improvement District since 2009, Co-Chair of Gazebo BeautificationProject, 2012
• Peekskill Yacht Club since 2002
• The Preservation Company Contractor of the Year, 2013
• Board of Directors, Dolphin Cove Condominium Association, Brigantine, New Jersey
• Cortland Hook and Ladder Company No.1 since 1983-Past Lieutenant
• Peekskill Lapolla Little League
• Team sponsor since 1994
• Dugout Construction Committee, Tompkins Field

Giovanni Stiefelmann, seeking to fill 1 of 3 property owner seats on BID Board

Proven strategic professional with solid experience in General Manager, Marketing, Sales Strategy, Information Technology, Financial Controlling, M&A, Financial Planning, Sales Finance and Operations Finance.

• 25+ years’ experience in the consumer goods industry, working for the largest International Tobacco, Philip Morris International & British Tobacco Company. 5+ years at largest International Food and beverages Companies, Kraft Foods, Miller, SAB, Nabisco
• Significant exposure to international markets especially in the America’s Continent (from Argentina to Canada). 15+ years working in the U.S. following expatriate assignment
• Seasoned and creative leader driving results in large businesses
• Experienced GM professional with proven record to quickly adapt and deliver results in complex organizations.
• Extensive experience in domestic and international markets.
• Entrepreneur: Co-founder of several local business in US; Real Estate, Digital Marketingand Distribution Solutions
• In Peekskill, bought and fully renovated 987 Main Street
• Current Treasurer for the Peekskill Business Improvement District, seeking second term

Roya Zarrehparvar, seeking to fill 1 of 1 tenant in commercial space opening on BID Board

• Owner of The Coop Arts & Antiques
• Serves on BID’s marketing committee
• Regularly attends BID Board Meetings
• High School: Graduated 1982 Copenhagen International School College
• Attended Brooks Institute Of Photographic Arts & Science, Santa Barbara CA 1983-1986
• 1986-1988 Carl Fischer Studios NYC Worked as an assistant on set, b&w printer, producer
• 1988-1991 Freelance Assistant to New York Fashion and Still Life Photographers
• 1991-2013 Freelance Photographer Fashion, PR & Event 2013-2016