Costa Constantinides represents the New York City Council’s 22nd District, which includes his native Astoria, as well as Rikers Island, parts of Jackson Heights, Woodside, and East Elmhurst. As chair of the Environmental Protection Committee since 2015, he has been committed to fighting the effects of climate change and keeping it from forever changing New York City’s landscape.

The son of a Greek-Cypriot immigrant and an education activist, Costa grew up immersed in the diverse fabric of Astoria. When he was elected in 2013 with more than 65% of the vote, Costa became the first Greek-Cypriot-American to hold a New York City office. He was elected to his second term in 2017 with 97% of the vote.

Sustainability, resiliency, and air quality have been among Costa’s top environmental issues long before he was sworn in. Growing up in western Queens meant seeing power plants go up in Astoria and Long Island City — often next to public housing — despite unified opposition from the community. As a volunteer after Sandy struck the area in 2012, Costa also saw first-hand what the storm did to the most vulnerable citizens.

In April 2019, Costa led the effort to pass the Climate Mobilization Act, the largest carbon emissions reduction ever mandated by any city in the world. The eight-bill package tackled greenhouse gas emissions from large buildings, made the first step toward closing fossil fuel power plants, and required green roofs on new buildings.

Costa has also sought to make District 22 stronger, especially when it comes to education. He has supported initiatives that prioritize hands-on learning in the STEM curriculum. Central to that effort has been allocating capital dollars to put a hydroponic science lab in every school in his council district, so students can learn about biology, agriculture, and nutrition like they never have before. He also worked with the School Construction Authority and the Department of Citywide Administrative Services to put solar panels on every solar-ready school in Council District 22by 2020.

In 2016, Costa worked with the de Blasio administration to secure a historic $30 million to reimagine Astoria Park. Work is underway to renovate the heavily trafficked running track, which will now surround a brand new soccer field. That will be followed by a new Charybdis Playground, new walking paths, and rain gardens to absorb excess stormwater. Since taking office, more than half the parks in District 22 have been renovated or funds have been provided for renovations.

Costa has also been committed to creating 500 new units of senior affordable housing by the end of 2021. That goal hit recently hit a milestone thanks to a partnership with the Department of Housing Preservation and Development. More than 100 senior appropriate units will be created on what’s currently a municipal lot on 31st Street near Broadway, ensuring that seniors aren’t priced out of their own neighborhood.

Costa attended P.S. 84 and P.S. 122, both in Astoria, before graduating from William Cullen Bryant High School. He attended Queens College and Cardozo Law School while also working as a toy store manager.

Tom’s career has spanned the printing and publishing industries over the past 25 years with RR Donnelley & Sons Company, Merrill Corporation and SONY DADC. For the past five years, he has been involved in the energy industry. Most recently, Tom was Director of Sales for CCI Energy Solutions, Inc.

His other interests include investing in multi-family real estate, adviser to non-profit and for-profit boards.

Originally from Astoria, Tom lives in Malverne, NY with his wife and their daughter and son. He is a graduate of the University of Scranton, Scranton, PA with a BS in Accounting and received his MBA in International Business from Manhattan College, Riverdale, NY.

He has served as President & CEO of Queens Chamber of Commerce since July of 2015.

John M. Comack has launched a new electric charging station company as an extension of his general construction business which is based in New York and Long Island. This is a very exciting time to see a changing economy from a fuel based driven to an electric supply in just a few years.

We are focused on last mile trucking, hotels and high-end retail, with an expanding market nationwide. Our turn key solution offers direct manufacturer participation, engineering, financing, installation and day 2 servicing. We coordinate all government rebate programs, carbon credits and also retrofit all lighting upgrades. We will be offering co-generation options in the future with our channel partner’s

Bob Gerard has 30 years of extensive management, leadership, strategic planning and P&L responsibility in the engineering, energy and construction industries. He is a skilled communicator, with emphasis on building strong client relationships and managing those relationships for the benefit of all parties.
His experience stems from owning and managing engineering and energy development firms where his marketing expertise and client development skills were coupled with his knowledge of health, safety and environmental regulatory issues, engineering and energy management services.

Russ Lancey has been with Five Star Electric since 2007 and serves as President and Chief Executive Officer. His responsibilities include oversight of the day-to-day operations, company profitability, as well as bidding, estimating, business development, purchasing, recruitment, staffing, project reviews and project settlements.

Mr. Lancey began his career as a Broadcast Engineer and Owner’s Representative with ABC, Walt Disney Inc. working for ESPN, Radio Disney, ABC Radio and WPLJ. He then served in business development as the lead Estimator for one of New York City's largest electrical contracting firms, Forest Electric, a subsidiary of EMCOR Group. Mr. Lancey was recruited to launch startup electrical contracting firm, Belway Electric NYC, where he served as a Chief Estimator/Project Manager and was instrumental in the firm's transformation from a startup company to a $30 million dollar firm within its first year of operation. After Belway Electric was acquired by Five Star Electric, Mr. Lancey rose through the ranks in various roles as a Project Executive, Project Manager, Senior Estimator, Purchasing and Business Development executive, vice president and chief estimator. He is a graduate of The University of Rhode Island and holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Electrical Engineering while playing football for the University. He also served on the board of directors for the Paladin, a premier Upper East Side Condominium Property.

Mr. Lancey, has personally been involved in closing and administering more than $2 billion in new contracts for both public and private sector customers.

Julie Tighe was named President of NYLCV and NYLCVEF in 2018. As President,
she oversees the organizations’ policy, political, development, programmatic, and
communications teams. Due in part to the League’s and her advocacy, the State
enacted the Climate Leadership & Community Protection Act – the nation’s most
progressive climate law, congestion pricing, the $3 Billion Restore Mother Nature
Bond Act, the Accelerated Renewable Energy Growth & Community Benefit Act,
and several other pieces of legislation to reduce emissions from the
transportation and buildings sectors. She also helped secure increased State
funding for water infrastructure and New York City funding for parks and open
spaces.
Previously, she served for more than eleven years at the NYS Department of
Environmental Conservation in various roles, having been elevated to Chief of
Staff following her role as Assistant Commissioner of Intergovernmental and
Legislative Affairs. As DEC’s Chief of Staff, she was instrumental in advancing the
agency’s legislative priorities including reform of the State’s Brownfield Cleanup
Program and a ten-year, $1 billion Superfund authorization. Ms. Tighe was a
primary negotiator for the landmark $2.5 billion Clean Water Infrastructure Act,
the incorporation of the Climate Change program into New York’s historic $300
million Environmental Protection Fund, three successful Constitutional
Amendments, and the most comprehensive electronics recycling law in the
country. She oversaw DEC’s policy development, helped run the nearly 3,000
employee agency, and served as a key member of the organization’s leadership
team.