With a strong business background and a sound vision for Great Neck's business community, Anthony Carbone takes over the lead at the Great Neck Chamber of Commerce. Installed as president earlier this year, Mr. Carbone (from Systematic Control Corp.) is determined to see the chamber expand, in terms of both membership and the infrastructure of the organization.

"My vision is for the chamber to become a conduit of information ... a gateway to allow businesses to communicate with one another ... a place to network and provide mechanisms that will perpetuate business," Mr. Carbone told the Record.

He is anxious to include all businesses in the chamber, stating, "I'm going to work on expanding ... I look to increase exposure and to embrace all business members ... each business is important to the Chamber ... no one voice is too small."

The son of the founder of Systematic Control Corp., Mr. Carbone earned his bachelor's degree in accounting, went on to earn a real estate license and spent years working in the large problem loan workout department (working on restructuring) for Manufacturers Hanover Trust. In 1992 he left the banking field and joined his dad, Neil, at Systematic. Following a letter he sent to Bob Goldfarb at the chamber in 1995, Mr. Goldfarb invited Anthony Carbone to join the chamber of commerce.

Mr. Carbone quickly became involved in chamber activities, working on many committees and soon becoming a member of the chamber's executive board. Right from the start he delved into the advertising angle, "promoting the chamber." This led him to the idea of a map, "a cooperative advertising program," and he coordinated his efforts with Target Marketing.

"Then I spoke with Target about a book ... the (Chamber of Commerce) book (Ultimate Book of Great Neck, Fabled Tales and Fabulous Images) about Great Neck was my idea ... and I worked with Target and with Elliot Rosenblatt (then president of the chamber)," Mr. Carbone explained.

There is a lot going on at the chamber these days and Mr. Carbone is on top of it all. He enthusiastically touched on each event, each project, starting off with the monthly publication, the Signpost, which, he said, is a wonderful way "to get information out to members." Recognizing the need for communication both within and outside of the organization, Mr. Carbone is "re-examining our existing web page ... investigating necessary renovations."

Moving on to the Affinity Program, Mr. Carbone said that this program is the vehicle whereby chamber members receive discounts from one another, "with over 65 different offers ... a member-to-member program." And, although this is the chamber of commerce, residents, too, may join, work with the chamber, and receive the Affinity discounts.

Many existing chamber events bring the business community and beyond together on a regular basis --- the annual awards dinner, the Taste of Great Neck, the networking events and the monthly membership meetings. Now, under Mr. Carbone's new administration, he is looking to start a program where the chamber focuses on specific types of businesses each month, providing the community with a more intense opportunity to really learn about what is on offer right here in Great Neck.

Mr. Carbone would also like to focus on the programming for some of these existing events, featuring "some interesting topics ... like motivational speakers." Also working within the existing chamber infrastructure, Mr. Carbone hopes to reintroduce the Ultimate Book of Great Neck, Fabled Tales and Fabulous Images with some new advertising. He told the Record that "the response to our book was great ... now we want to promote this book again ... for our advertisers."

Existing Chamber committees will be put to good use, some "breaking into sub-satellites." One fine example is the We Care Committee, "which reaches out to the community ... illnesses, a death in the family." Mr. Carbone said that it is his hope that the chamber can "look to focus on public relations with the general community."

Again, working within the system, Mr. Carbone looks toward improvements in the ever-important chamber information kiosk at the train station. "We do need to get a few more volunteers," he said. And he added that he is also looking into obtaining a "touch screen" for a kiosk window --- an electronic informational screen.

And, of course, in the end, an important goal is to bring more businesses to the peninsula. "I am interested in bringing business to the Great Neck peninsula by virtue of marketing," Mr. Carbone stated. "Because this is a peninsula community, people drive right past on Northern Boulevard, overlooking Great Neck, going to the malls." Calling on his experience in his own business, Systematic, he spoke of how they built the business with marketing --- cable television, radio, newspaper ads, postcards, direct mail and even aerial advertising. "Systematic exposes itself to lots of markets ... and I want to help other businesses do the same."

Along these lines, Mr. Carbone also discussed the sagging business community in the Old Village. "We need more destination businesses for the Old Village," he emphasized.

When asked what kinds of businesses he would like to see come to Great Neck, Mr. Carbone explained that it is the real estate market, and the property owners, who steer business. And he added, "Great Neck does well with restaurants."

Systematic Control has been a part of the Great Neck business community since opening in 1968. Mr. Carbone, who lives on the peninsula with his wife and two children, has worked with the chamber of commerce for close to a decade. He is also a member of the Lions Club and president of the Air-Conditioning Contractors of America, the Greater New York Chapter.

For Anthony Carbone, the future of the chamber of commerce is all about growth --- "a more expansive membership drive, a more inclusive Chamber of Commerce family." He knows the business world, he knows Great Neck. He is well on his way to paving the streets of this little part of the Gold Coast with a bustling business community.