Melinda Murray-Nyack is the Founder/President of the Dominic A. Murray 21 Memorial Foundation (DomHeart21). DomHeart21 was established after the tragic death of 17-year-old Dominic Murray, who was stricken by sudden cardiac arrest while playing basketball at school. Those who witnessed Dominic’s collapse did not recognize that he was in cardiac distress, which delayed CPR and an AED wasn’t used until EMS arrived. By then it was too late. Just three years prior to Dominic’s sudden death, his father had a fatal heart attack at the age of 42. Melinda’s mother died from heart disease at age 57.
DomHeart21 is committed to preventing sudden cardiac arrest and death in young people. The Foundation provides heart screenings for early detection of risk factors and conditions related to sudden cardiac arrest, places automated external defibrillators (AEDs) wherever youth live, learn, and play and facilitates CPR/AED trainings.
Melinda is Chair of American Heart Association New York State Advocacy Committee and AHA CPR/AED Instructor. Melinda serves on the National Board of Parent Heart Watch, Queens Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, Member of Bayside Business Association, Health and Business Alliance and Executive Board of the Nora F. Taylor Missionary Society of the Greater Allen AME Cathedral of New York.
Kirstin Callahan Austin has recently returned to her family’s automotive business, the Helms Auto Group, consisting of Helms Bros. Mercedes-Benz, Bayside Volkswagen and Volvo Cars of Queens. Prior to residing in Jupiter, Florida where she moved with her family 20 years ago, she worked in every department of the dealership.
Kirstin graduated from the National Automobile Dealer’s Association Successorship Program in 2000’. She attended Roanoke College where she obtained a Bachelor of Arts majoring in History. Kirstin is thrilled to rejoin her family at Helms and welcomes the opportunity to ensure that the Helms Auto Group stays enthusiastically engaged in the local community.
Tom Grech was appointed Executive Director of the Queens Chamber of Commerce in July 2015. On November 1, 2017, Tom became President and Chief Executive Officer of the Queens Chamber of Commerce.
From Astoria, Tom is a graduate of the University of Scranton, Scranton, PA with a BS in Accounting. He received his MBA in International Business from Manhattan College, Riverdale, NY.
Tom’s previous career has spanned the printing and publishing industries over the past 25 years with RR Donnelley & Sons Company, Merrill Corporation and SONY DADC.
Other activities include:
- Board Member, Catholic Charities of Brooklyn & Queens
- Board Member, York College Foundation
- Board Member, Friends of the BQX, Inc.
- Co-Chair; LaGuardia Air Train
- Sunnyside Yards Steering Committee
- Western Queens Tech Council
- Willets Point Redevelopment Steering Committee
- JFK Redevelopment Community Advisory Council
- Former Amazon Community Advisory Committee
- Board Member, King Manor Museum
- Board Member, Cathedral Prep
- Board Member, NYC PAL
- Member, New York City Regional Economic
- Development Council
Bert Lurch is Co-Founder and CEO of E Central Medical Management & Onet Systems LLC (full-service medical billing and practice management firms).
After graduating from SUNY Old Westbury, Bert began his career at Northwell’s L.I.J. Medical Center. He and his business partner, Louis Burke, founded ECM in 1999. Bert is active in the business and non-profit community, serving as President of the Health & Business Alliance, a consortium of healthcare, non-profit and business entities.
He serves on the board of both Big Brothers Big Sisters of Long Island and the Queens Chamber of Commerce and co-chairs the chambers Health and Wellness Committee. Bert is also an advocate for Diversity, Equity & Inclusion.
