Brooklyn's Progress
December 2000

More than 350 Brooklyn Chamber Members and friends filled the El Caribe Country Club in Mill Basin on December 7th for the 82nd annual Dinner Dance. David Gedris, Con Edison’s Vice President of Electric Operations, Brooklyn/Queens, was the honoree. “I’d like to thank you all for your support of this event,” he said. “It is my privilege to accept this award on behalf of the men and women of Con Edison. As with many of the businesses represented this evening, we at Con Edison have supported the Chamber’s projects designed to enhance the business environment in this Borough. Partnerships with non-profit organizations, like the Chamber, help us leverage dollars to increase our impact locally.” In addition to Gedris, Owen Jackson of Hugh and Cameron and Jean Kristensen of Armrest Security Patrol, also received awards. Jackson received the Women or Minority Owned Business Robert F. Kennedy Award and Ms. Kristensen received the Eileen C. Dugan Public Service Award. In partnership with the Business Council of New York State, the Brooklyn Chamber also presented the first annual pathfinder Awards for the most improved public schools. Two of the state’s most improved schools were right here in Brooklyn – PS 146 and PS 21. Each school received a $1,000 check with their award. “This is a great example of the business community stepping up to the plate to support our public schools,” Kenneth Adams, President of the Brooklyn Chamber, said. In his role at Con Edison, Gedris is responsible for both the underground and overhead electric distribution, which includes system maintenance and reinforcement, construction, environmental and safety compliance programs. Gedris, 51, joined Con Edison in 1970. Prior to coming to Brooklyn/Queens, he served as vice president of Fossil Power. He has held various positions within Con Edison. Most recently, he was assistant vice president of System Operations and power Generation Maintenance, vice president of Maintenance and Construction, and Westchester Customer Service. He is a graduate of Manhattan College, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering. He has served on the boards of numerous not-for-profit, and community based organizations in Brooklyn and Queens including the Brooklyn Chamber, St. Francis College Council of Regents, Brooklyn Arts Council, Downtown Brooklyn Council, Brooklyn Sports Foundation, Queens Chamber of Commerce and the Greater Jamaica Development Corporation. He is married and has four children. Jackson is the President and Chief Operating Officer of Hugh & Cameron Systems Advantage Inc., a computer services organization with offices in New York City and Washington D.C. that designs, builds, integrates, supports and manages database and network systems for businesses seeking a competitive advantage. He was honored for his persistence in obtaining an 8(a) certification for his company. The 8(a) certification process helps minority owned businesses secure contracts from the federal government. Although 8(a) is a lengthy process, Jackson and his colleagues expect it to yield great rewards. Jackson is a member of the American Management Association and the Association for Information and Image management. He is on the Board of Directors for the Queens Chamber of Commerce and the Board of Managers for the Long Island City YMCA. He is a member of the Queens District Attorney Business Advisory Council and an adjunct professor for City University of New York. He is married with two children. Kristensen, whose company provides facility management, security, cleaning and fire safety, was honored for her company’s dedication to helping people with disabilities. She has made hiring people with disabilities and homeless people a central part of her company’s mission. “The Chamber is so proud of Kristensen and her entire staff for reaching out to people who are often passed over by other companies,” Adams said. Armrest provides facility management, security, cleaning and fire safety. Kristensen serves on the board of the National Minority Business Council and is an active member of The Chairman’s Circle, Women President’s Association, American Women’s Economic Development Association, Professional Women in construction, American Society for Industrial Security, Associated Licensed Detectives, Society of Professional Investigators and International Facility Managers Association. Armrest is one of New York City’s largest minority and women owned businesses with a headquarters on Coney Island Avenue and branch offices in New Jersey and Long Island. The Brooklyn Chamber thanks the following companies for supporting the Dinner Dance: Underwriters: Chase, Con Edison, Fleet, Health Plus, KeySpan Energy, Verizon; Sponsors: Citibank, Courier Life Publications, Independence Community Bank, Kings Plaza Shopping Center, Muss Development Company, Pfizer, SIAC, The MONY Group, and Tree Line Companies; and Patrons: Continuum Health Partners, The Dime Savings Bank of New York, Kingsborough Community College, Lutheran Medical, New York City Congregational Nursing, and Ruby Weston Manor.