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Long Island’s Nonprofit Sector featuring John Miller of Guide Dog Foundation and America’s VetDogs and Ken Cerini of Cerini & Associates

Posted: May 15th, 2018

Collaboration was the word of the day on this CMM Live episode focusing on Long Island’s vibrant nonprofit sector. John Miller, President and CEO of the Guide Dog Foundation and America’s VetDogs, inspired viewers with personal stories of the countless lives these organizations change every year. Fresh off the 2018 Imagine Awards, Ken Cerini, nonprofit accounting guru and head of Cerini & Associates, discussed how he works with the nonprofit sector to maximize their impact. Both guests noted that collaboration among organizations is key.

CMM Spotlight: Suffolk County Community College Partners with HIA-LI

Posted: May 11th, 2018

It’s easy for the business community and academia to give lip service to concepts of job creation and cultivating student opportunity. But leaders from Suffolk County Community College and HIA-LI are backing up their talk with concrete action and a roadmap of plans to make it happen.

Joe Campolo, HIA-LI Board Chairman and Campolo, Middleton & McCormick Managing Partner, recently met with a team of SCCC administrators and leaders to discuss building their partnership. It’s a natural collaboration: with Long Island’s workers aging out, the business community – particularly industrial and manufacturing businesses in the Hauppauge Industrial Park (HIP) – needs the next generation of workers. Students coming out of institutions of higher learning, such as SCCC, need jobs. “Academia and the business community need each other, but are often lacking in each other,” Campolo said. “If we are really going to make Long Island better and do more for students, we need to focus on jobs.”

Looking to “fertilize” student opportunities, SCCC administrators, including Dr. John K. Galiotos, Dr. Fara Afshar, and John Lombardo, are successfully establishing the school as a top choice for the HIP’s workforce pipeline, particularly in technology and manufacturing. They are actively working to increase awareness of the HIP among students and build engagement with academic staff by fostering relationships with the business community. Speaking of HIA-LI/SCCC collaboration as a “need-to-have, not a nice-to-have,” the leaders at the meeting got to work creating a list of opportunities on which the organizations can work together, from mentoring programs to job fairs to community solar initiatives.

Long Island is home to many prestigious colleges and universities, but SCCC fills a unique niche: while many students there go on to four-year colleges and beyond, others attend SCCC for its hands-on technical programs such as AAS two-year degree programs and other non-degree training programs. In a society that often views a bachelor’s or master’s degree as an obligatory stepping stone to success, these talented students are often overlooked as a critical part of the labor force. HIA-LI and SCCC are committed to partnering these students with the Long Island businesses that need them – and in turn, ensuring Long Island’s future economic growth.

Following the meeting, Campolo toured the Workforce Development Technology Center for an inside look at SCCC’s unrivaled training programs in manufacturing-related disciplines, created in partnership with the industries they serve. Check out these photos of the tour here, then visit these SCCC websites to learn more:

All Degree Programs

Manufacturing AAS Degree Program

Workforce Training

If your business would like to recruit at SCCC or learn more, please contact Dr. Fara Afshar at afsharf@sunysuffolk.edu!

Joe Campolo recently met with a team of administrators and leaders from Suffolk County Community College to discuss collaboration between the school and HIA-LI. SCCC plays a critical role in educating and training the workforce pipeline for the Hauppauge Industrial Park – the largest industrial park in the nation after Silicon Valley. Next photo: SCCC’s Workforce Development Technology Center, at the Brentwood campus, offers programs designed in partnership with industry to provide hands-on training in several manufacturing-related disciplines including welding, electronic assembly and soldering, and CNC (computer numeric control) machine operation, among others.

Campolo toured SCCC’s Workforce Development Technology Center with Ali Laderian, Manufacturing Technology/Engineering Program Coordinator; Fara Afshar, Associate Dean of STEM/CTE; John Galiotos, Senior Associate Vice President of STEM/CTE; and Lisa Calla, Assistant Dean for Workforce Development, Community Partnerships, and STEM/CTE. Next photo: What high school science fair dreams are made of.

Dr. Galiotos at the training center. Next photo: Program Coordinator Ali Laderian and Communications Director Drew Biondo review SCCC program offerings with Joe Campolo, who is spearheading initiatives to grow the pipeline of talented workers for the future of the Hauppauge Industrial Park.

A maze of pipes and steel overlooks the CNC machines. Next photo: The CNC Machine Operator training program is taught in a blended format – a combination of classroom, lab, and online learning. Students receive a certificate of completion and a National Certification as a CNC Mill and Lathe Operator from the National Institute for Metalworking Skills.

Long Island businesses in high-demand fields routinely hire students from SCCC’s manufacturing programs for their hands-on experience. Next photo: A Computer Numeric Controller used for student training. SCCC offers manufacturing and industrial training programs designed to develop critical manufacturing skills. This focus makes SCCC students a perfect fit for Long Island businesses seeking employees who can hit the ground running.

Here at CMM, we’re not sure what this CMM Machine does, but we want one. Next photo: Ali Laderian gives Joe Campolo an inside look at the CMM Machine.

Inside a student workshop. Next photo: View from above: another intricate ceiling at the training center.

Navigating the Complex Web of Data Breach Notification Laws

Posted: May 10th, 2018

Tags: cybersecurity, technology

Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg testified before Congress in April about how a political consultancy had improperly accessed the personal data of nearly 90 million Facebook users. The Congressional hearings prompted by Cambridge Analytica’s misappropriation of personal data was not the social media company’s first brush with the federal government regarding the protection of user data. In 2011, the Federal Trade Commission (“FTC”) accused Facebook of breaking its promise to users that third-party applications had access only to user data required for the application to function. Facebook entered into a consent decree—an agreement resolving a legal dispute with the government not involving an admission of guilt or liability—that required Facebook to obtain user consent before sharing personal data with third parties. The FTC is now investigating whether the Cambridge Analytica data breach is a violation of 2011 consent decree, which could carry heavy fines.

Mr. Zuckerberg’s testimony and Facebook’s past and present travails highlight how even one of the largest, richest, and technologically sophisticated companies in the world can run afoul of consumer data privacy laws, and in particular, timely notifying both the government and its users of data breaches. Facebook is certainly not the first technology company to face criticism over its failure to timely notify of a breach. In November 2017, Uber disclosed a major data breach that occurred in 2016 during which hackers stole data on 57 million Uber customers. Uber paid the hackers $100,000 to destroy the data, but did not disclose the breach until a year later. A week after Uber disclosed the hack, three U.S. Senators introduced the Data Security and Breach Notification Act, which would require companies to report data breaches within 30 days and imprison for up to five years any employee or executive who knowingly conceals a breach.

While the proposed legislation is not likely to become law during the 115^th Congress, its introduction signals not only the seriousness of data breach reporting but the fact that there currently is no single, federal law that governs how and when companies must report data breaches. But that is not to say that there are not laws or regulations governing breach reporting—quite the opposite, in fact.

Currently, 48 states plus the District of Columbia, Guam, Puerto Rico and Virgin Islands have breach notification laws that require notification of a breach to affected individuals. Twenty-seven states plus Puerto Rico also require notification of a breach to a state attorney general or regulator. Beyond individual state laws, certain industries, such as healthcare providers and defense contractors, are governed simultaneously by sector-specific federal laws and regulations that direct when and how a company’s customers and regulators must be notified. Even certain states have passed sector-specific laws governing, among other things, data breach reporting – for example, the New York Department of Financial Services (“DFS”) Cybersecurity Regulation, which requires regulated entities to notify DFS within 72 hours of an incident. Moreover, the FTC, which enjoys broad jurisdiction under its consumer protection mandate, has promulgated “guidance” against which it may assess the adequacy of a company’s data breach response. Last, but not least, as of the May 25, 2018 effective date, the EU General Data Protection Regulation (“GDPR”) requires even U.S. companies that collect, process, or retain data regarding European persons to notify those persons of a breach within 72 hours.

With so many overlapping laws and regulations regarding data breach and cybersecurity incident notification, it is no surprise that companies like Facebook and Uber are coming under scrutiny, let alone small and medium-sized enterprises in less technologically-focused sectors. The laws are not trivial. Federal regulators and states impose substantial costs and liabilities on companies that impermissibly delay notification. In January 2017, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (“HHS”) entered into a settlement with Presence Health for untimely reporting of a breach of unsecured patient information. Under HIPAA’s Breach Notification Rule, breaches involving over 500 individuals require the company to report the breach to the individuals, media and HHS without “unreasonable delay” or in any event no later than 60 days. Presence Health paid nearly half a million dollars in penalties for delaying notification approximately 100 days following the breach.

Setting aside all the other business challenges and liabilities associated with a cybersecurity event, some might ask, how hard is it to timely notify customers of a breach? Well, it is. Imagine your system is subject to ransomware attack and your customers’ data is viewed by a hacker. Your company may be based in New York, but you have customers across 15 states. You must comply not only with New York’s data breach notification law, but also the laws of those 15 states. Your company’s ability to respond is based, in part, on knowing the geographic location of all your customers, where all your customers’ data resides on your systems (to determine if the data itself was breached), and the substantive legal nuances of what must be contained in each notification letter. Let’s say that your company is also a defense industry supplier, so you must also meet a 72-hour reporting deadline to the Department of Defense pursuant to the Defense Federal Acquisition Regulations Supplement (“DFARS”). Meanwhile, you are simultaneously responding to a hacker, attempting to preserve and back-up data, restore your security posture, and then ensure such an attack never happens again.

Companies across sectors are rightly focused on investments in cybersecurity defense, insurance, internal policies, and employee training; however, they must also have in place an incident response plan that outlines how the company will meet its data breach notification requirements. Advance planning and cybersecurity “fire drills” designed to simulate and test how a company will respond to a cyberattack go a long way to reducing cost, stress, reputational harm, and legal liability.

CMM-Flexible Cyber Alert: Spoof Email

Posted: May 10th, 2018

“There are only two types of companies: those that have been hacked and those that will be. And even they are converging into one category: companies that have been hacked and will be hacked again.”

Former FBI Director

We’re pleased to introduce a newly created strategic partnership between Campolo, Middleton & McCormick, LLP and Flexible Systems to fully service the business community’s legal and technological needs when it comes to cybersecurity. We seamlessly work together, and with you, to help you recover from an attack and plan for remediation; assess your unique legal risk, obligations, and reporting requirements; reduce your risk of falling victim to a cyber attack in the first place; and give you valuable peace of mind.

Learn more about how we work together to handle critical cybersecurity matters in this real-life case study.

Method of attack: Spoof email

How they did it: A client fell victim to a phishing attack by unknowingly downloading malicious software from a spoof email. The software allowed the attacker to penetrate the client’s system and access all incoming and outgoing emails. Eventually, the hacker came across emails calling for a wire transfer of significant funds to be made in connection with an upcoming transaction. The hacker then sent an email – which appeared to come from one of the client’s senior executives – to the company that was supposed to wire the funds to our client. The email contained fraudulent wire transfer instructions in an effort to trick the company into wiring the funds to the hacker’s account rather than our client’s account.

The damage: Fortunately, the company who had received the fraudulent wire instructions sensed something was off and contacted our client before wiring the funds. While the loss of significant funds was averted, the client’s sensitive corporate materials had still been in the hands of the hacker for months.

The response: The client called CMM immediately upon discovering the attack. As a strategic partner, CMM contacted Flexible right away and entered into agreement whereby the parties would work in concert in response to the attack, with CMM directing Flexible with regard to the legal issues involved. (Such an arrangement can help preserve attorney-client privilege should the attack ever become the subject of future litigation.)

Flexible deployed a response team the very same day to ensure the client’s systems were locked down, mitigate against further data breaches, and analyze the attack vector to create a timeline and investigation report detailing exactly what happened, how, and when.

This investigative information was crucial for CMM to then analyze and advise the client on what, if any, legal reporting obligations exist. CMM determined that the client would need to inform its primary regulator of the breach and worked with the client to meet their legal obligations without causing undue alarm.

The takeaway: Many business owners and executives believe they are “too smart” to be fooled by spoof emails and other ploys that hackers use to gain control of your data. Others believe that data breaches affect only major public companies with millions of customers, or small mom-and-pop businesses with owners too naive to properly safeguard their data. But in this case, the victim of the cyberattack was a sophisticated, mid-size technology company led by some of the most brilliant minds in the industry – demonstrating that no one is immune to a cyberattack and that businesses must remain vigilant and proactive.

After the dust settled in this case, CMM and Flexible continued to work with the client to conduct a more thorough risk assessment and strengthen their cyber defenses from both a technical and policy standpoint.

Contact us today to see how we can help you.

CMM Spotlight: The Sexy Salad

Posted: May 8th, 2018

It would be fitting for John Robertson, owner of an eatery featuring delights such as the Earth Angel Salad and the Basket of Sexy Egg Sandwiches, to add an eye-catching title to his business card. “Millennial Keeper” and “Outsourced Chief Culture Officer” are both fitting descriptions of a business owner who entices prospective corporate catering customers of this unique spot – the Sexy Salad in Hauppauge – with an offer that’s hard to resist: “Let me use my art to help your business.”

A long-time member of HIA-LI, Robertson recently welcomed CMM Managing Partner and HIA-LI Board Chairman Joe Campolo to the Sexy Salad’s newly expanded space on Adams Avenue in the heart of the Hauppauge Industrial Park (HIP) for a tour and discussion about the ways forward-thinking companies use catering to attract and retain top talent.

In the nearly 15 years since Robertson first opened his doors, the Sexy Salad has morphed from a hip lunch spot (which it remains today) to part of the solution for local businesses seeking to appeal to talent in the face of changing employee preferences and expectations. Reflecting on the common narrative that Long Island is hemorrhaging its young people who leave for the city or elsewhere, Robertson said that instead of fueling this “hysteria” over millennials, employers need to become part of the solution to keep our ambitious young people here. How? A critical step is to become an employer of choice by taking care of employees with food.

Robertson’s focus has therefore shifted from how to get hungry office workers in the door for lunch (though they are still welcomed with delicious food and terrific service) to expanding his catering services as a tool for Long Island businesses to keep their best and brightest workers happy and productive. Robertson knows this idea works because it’s how he’s grown his own business over the years with very little turnover. Each employee enjoys free lunch every day, despite ever-increasing costs. He hosts a summer barbecue for staff with a grab bag of gifts employees actually want. He sends new employees home with dinner for their families on Day 1. “Food is such an effective way to convey your appreciation,” Robertson said. “It’s a great way to take care of employees who work hard.”

Fellow business owner Campolo, who is in the trenches with Long Island’s business community every day and is working to modernize the HIP – the second largest industrial park in the nation after Silicon Valley – pointed to the gourmet cafeterias now commonplace in West Coast offices. When there’s high quality food in the office for the taking, employees not only feel valued, but they also save time – which means more productivity for employers. Robertson agreed that these non-monetary benefits are now critical to employee retention: “Food can be viewed as an expense, but forward-thinking companies use it as a tool, a benefit, an incentive.”

Robertson has always been an entrepreneur, selling lemonade to motorists waiting on line in his neighborhood during the 1970s gas crisis. He explained that he “worked a lot for a little in hopes of eventually working a little for a lot,” toiling away in hotels, NYC executive dining rooms, and food service companies before opening the Sexy Salad in 2003. Last year, he took advantage of the opportunity to double his footprint when the neighboring space opened up, creating Build a Burger adjoining his well-known eatery. His current involvement with the prestigious Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses program has encouraged him to think even bigger, giving him the opportunity to get “re-motivated” to keep growing.

The Sexy Salad has already grown into a critical role helping successful Long Island businesses attract and retain employees in the most delicious way possible. Think about that the next time you sample a Sexy Salad Platter.

John Robertson, owner of the Sexy Salad on Adams Avenue in Hauppauge, recently welcomed CMM Managing Partner Joe Campolo for a tour and discussion about the ways forward-thinking companies utilize catering to attract and retain top talent. Next photo: Robertson takes great pride in the quality ingredients and exceptional service that are hallmarks of the Sexy Salad experience.

After the lunch rush! Next photo: Salad not your thing? There’s still plenty to choose from at the Sexy Salad.

No regular omelets here (“sexy” omelets are offered for breakfast). Next photo: Food for thought. How does your company boost employee morale?

The unique Sexy Salad logo adorns everything at the eatery from the cups to this wall clock. Next photo: Robertson opened the Sexy Salad in the heart of the Hauppauge Industrial Park in 2003. Last year, he seized on the opportunity to expand when the neighboring space became available, opening an adjoining Build a Burger and doubling his space.

A look at the seating area in the Build a Burger section. Next photo: Campolo and Robertson both credit HIA-LI with being a major driver of business.

Robertson is a longtime supporter of HIA-LI.

CMM Closes M&A Deal for Major Events Management Company

Posted: May 3rd, 2018

On behalf of client Wave Capital Consulting, Inc., Campolo, Middleton & McCormick successfully closed a deal involving the purchase of substantially all the assets of a major events management company. The transaction, which closed in April 2018, included the acquisition of rights to business networking and sales events and domain names including NY XPO, LI Business Expo, and NY Market Expo, some of the most recognizable names in trade shows and facilitated networking. CMM’s Vincent Costa brought the deal to a swift close along with Donald Rassiger.

“CMM provided great service from start to finish and handled the deal very efficiently,” said Peter Spoleti of Wave Capital. “They kept me informed every step of the way.”

CMM has helped clients close billions of dollars’ worth of deals over the past 10 years. As the cornerstone of our corporate work, our Mergers & Acquisitions practice is focused on working efficiently and creatively to keep deals moving toward closing. The firm also has access to a critical network of relationships with M&A advisors, bankers, accountants, IDA loan advisors, and other professionals to assist in getting deals done.

CMM Spotlight: The Argyle Theatre

Posted: May 3rd, 2018

There’s no shortage of lofty reasons to eagerly await opening night at the state-of-the art Argyle Theatre in Babylon Village, namely: the positive impact of arts and culture on a region’s vitality. Millennials want to live and work in places where they can also play and find entertainment. The arts and culture sector often outranks other sectors in U.S. spending. Entire communities are planned around cultural spaces and the arts.

Not to mention, live theater is just SO GOOD!

The Argyle Theatre opens this month with a full schedule of Broadway-caliber shows, from Guys and Dolls to The Producers, featuring professional equity actors, at the newly renovated 1920s movie house that most recently housed Bow Tie Cinemas until closing in 2014. Joe Campolo, CMM Managing Partner and a lifelong patron and supporter of the arts on Long Island, was thrilled to receive a behind-the-scenes tour of the Argyle Theatre in April as construction crews completed the last phase of renovations.

The Argyle Theatre’s grand opening this month is the culmination of a lifelong dream for father and son co-owners Mark and Dylan Perlman, who purchased the building in 2017. The Argyle is set to become a regional destination: it is the second year-round professional equity theatre on Long Island and offers a convenient, right-in-my-backyard alternative to NYC for Long Islanders seeking a night out featuring live entertainment with the quality and style of Broadway. Only a five-minute walk from the Babylon LIRR station and surrounded by the vibrant Babylon Village downtown restaurant and shopping scene, the venue is sure to attract theatergoers beyond Long Island as well. A shuttle to and from the train is planned, and a bike rack is going up outside the building. (For those coming by car, the Argyle’s website will list nearby lots where parking is permitted during showtime.)

“We’re looking to make people think and feel,” said co-owner Mark Perlman of bringing professional, live theater to Long Island’s South Shore. “We’re incredibly excited to bring the Argyle Theatre to the public after a very long process.” The beautifully renovated single-theatre space features 250 seats at orchestra level and an additional 250 at mezzanine level, as well as top-of-the-line lighting, sound, and rigging systems.

Season tickets are available as well as single-show tickets for an inaugural season that also includes Hairspray, Peter and the Star Catcher, The Hunchback of Notre Dame, and Spring Awakening. Marty Rubin, the Argyle’s Director of Sales, has also put together corporate event packages for businesses looking beyond the boardroom for a unique venue that transports visitors to different time periods and places. Classes, summer programs, and children’s programs are also planned.

CMM is excited to welcome the innovative Argyle Theatre to Long Island and support its role in keeping our island a vibrant cultural destination. Check out these photos of our private tour in the weeks before the Argyle’s grand opening, then head over to https://argyletheatre.com/ or call 844-631-LIVE for tickets.

Pictured: Argyle Theatre co-owner Dylan Perlman, sales director Marty Rubin, and co-owner Mark Perlman invited CMM Managing Partner Joe Campolo to the 1920s-era former movie house on Main Street in Babylon Village during the last phase of construction in April. The Argyle Theatre’s inaugural season begins this month. Next photo: The iconic “Babylon” fluorescent sign will shine once again in Babylon Village.

The space has been completely renovated from its most recent past life as Bow Tie Cinemas. This state-of-the-art facility will now offer year-round professional equity theatre. Next photo: The 500-seat Argyle Theatre now seats 250 at orchestra level and 250 at mezzanine level.

The new single-theatre space features an orchestra pit, balcony, and top-of-the-line lighting, sound, and rigging systems. Next photo: Inside view of the front doors during construction. These posters advertise the last movies screened at the former movie theater before closing in 2014.

Marty Rubin and Joe Campolo check out the balcony. Next photo: Center and right, owning and operating the Argyle Theatre is a dream come true for father and son team Mark and Dylan Perlman. On the left is sales director Marty Rubin, who has reconnected with Mark, his former baseball teammate at Queens College.

Enter stage left: the view from the stage. This stage will feature productions of Guys and Dolls, Hairspray, Peter and the Star Catcher, The Hunchback of Notre Dame, Spring Awakening, and The Producers in its grand opening season. Next photo: The Perlmans paid careful attention to every detail during the restoration. Here, a view outside from upstairs.

The Perlmans honored the theatre’s past, as well as their own journey to making their dream a reality, by including period furniture with a personal twist. This couch belonged to Mark Perlman’s parents. Next photo: Just one of the many dressing rooms backstage being readied for opening night.

State-of-the-art lighting awaits installation backstage. Next photo: This box office is now open! Single show and season ticket packages are on sale now – call 844-631-LIVE.

May 31 – Campolo Discusses Long Island Development at HIA-LI Trade Show Executive Luncheon

Posted: May 1st, 2018

Event Date: May 31st, 2018

HIA-LI 30th Annual Trade Show: Long Island’s Largest B2B Trade Show & Conference

Suffolk Community College Sports & Exhibition Center, Brentwood

May 31, 2018 from 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.

Join us for the Executive Luncheon: 11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.

Long Island Development: Growth for Business, Our Kids & the Economy

Moderator: Mitch Pally, CEO, LIBI

Panelists: Joe Campolo, Campolo, Middleton & McCormick

Russ Albanese, Albanese Organization

Jim Coughlan, TRITEC Real Estate

Paul Pontieri, Village of Patchogue

David Wolkoff, Heartland Business Center

Campolo and CMM Advance Quality of Life on Long Island with Leadership Role in The Energeia Partnership

Posted: May 1st, 2018

Campolo, Middleton & McCormick, LLP has pledged $50,000 to financially support the mission, work, and programs of The Energeia Partnership and its efforts on behalf of Long Island. Joe Campolo, CMM Managing Partner, recognized business leader, and a member of the Energeia Class of 2016, has also been elected to Energeia’s prestigious Board of Advisors.

Energeia, which derives its name from a Greek word used to describe the demonstration of inner character in deeds, brings together a diverse group of ethical leaders from Long Island’s public, private, and nonprofit sectors to help address the region’s most complex issues including education, poverty, land use, energy, transportation, and healthcare. Energeia’s mission fits seamlessly into CMM and Campolo’s efforts to improve the quality of life for all Long Islanders and bolster the economy.

“We are very grateful to Campolo Middleton & McCormick’s Joe Campolo for believing in our mission to serve as stewards of positive change here on Long Island,” said Executive Director Paul J. Tonna. “Support from generous donors like CMM is essential to achieving our goal of promoting and enhancing life on Long Island, and ensuring the long-term sustainability of The Energeia Partnership.”

Campolo has spearheaded some of the most important initiatives in recent years to grow the Long Island economy. In addition to CMM’s support of The Energeia Partnership, Campolo is the driving force behind projects that attract public and private dollars to support economic engines on Long Island, including the Hauppauge Industrial Park, and has facilitated partnerships among the region’s power players to boost the economy and promote innovation. The firm also provides philanthropic and pro bono support to many national and local nonprofit organizations.

Campolo explained that his personal experience with Energeia was eye-opening, vastly improving his perspective on key issues. “Energeia is a terrific path to help Long Island leaders become more thoughtful about different perspectives before making decisions that impact people and society at large,” he said. “I am proud to support Energeia’s incredibly important work.”