First, let me say that it is an honor to serve as the Metro Chapter for the upcoming 2011 – 2012 year. We have a very exciting upcoming year and I’m very eager to get involved in all of the upcoming events and plans that have been created for the chapter. I can’t say that I am here to reinvent the wheel. There is really no need to. Before me, came very talented and dedicated professionals who served as President and on this chapter’s board that have laid the groundwork for a thriving and effective chapter.

However, before I get into what we have planned for the upcoming year, I would like to take a moment to introduce myself. For those who do not know me, my name is Tom Orefice and I currently work for Mill Bergen Pools in Brooklyn, owned by Bob Blanda, NESPA’s current Vice President and a past President of the Metro Chapter. I have been employed by Mill Bergen Pools as the day to day operations manager in retail, service and construction but I have been involved in the pool industry for much longer. I became friends with Bob many years ago in college, and he got me involved in his business going on estimate calls and involved in the Atlantic City Pool & Spa Show for over years. I’ve served on the Metro Chapter board for the past several years and on NESPA committees such as the Communications and Public Relations Committee, the Finance Committee and the Policy and Governance Committee and never looked back.

Before becoming involved with Mill Bergen, I was a proud attendee of Brooklyn Technical Highschool, only 1 of 3 schools in NYC that is mandated by the state and not the city, and I am still actively involved in the alumni association. I also spent time working on Wall Street with different firms; most of my time spent working as a VP with AG Becker. After retiring from that industry, I moved onto the restaurant business eventually owning my own restaurant for several years.

But enough about me for now… In the upcoming year, my plan is to continue the work of the good people that became before and increase membership, education and fun. What I mean by that is that the chapter would like to welcome in more members this year, while maintaining every single current member, increase the number and quality of our educational courses and plan more social events this year. As President, I plan to do my part to lead the chapter in the right direction, but I am only as good as those around me. And, if the last couple of years working with the people in this chapter is any indication, I am around the right people. The old sayings, “One man don’t make no show” and “Keep It Simple Stupid” are 2 that I plan to live by for the upcoming year. I look forward to the tutelage of all the great chapter Presidents before me and I really look forward working with the current group that we have right now. I am true believer in friends and family, which this chapter has offered great friends that I consider family and I am big believer that if one is confident in their abilities anything be achieved.