GCRE announces new board members
Joseph A. Farkas, President and Founding Trustee of the Garden City Real Estate Professionals Foundation (“GCRE”), has announced the appointment of two new Board members and the elevation of two existing Board members, bringing the Board to a total of nine full‑time members. Garden City resident John Nero and Linda O’Connor have been named to the Executive Committee of the GCRE Board, and Tiffany Rufrano and Brad Wolk have been elevated to the position of Trustee. Both Rufrano and Wolk previously served as Executive Committee Members.
Farkas stated, “As the Foundation has grown in its responsibility to the charities it supports as well as its vast donor base, the size of our Board needed to grow as well to service the needs of those who rely upon us for economic support.” He continued, “The appointment of John Nero and Linda O’Connor to the Executive Committee of the Board was a result of their years of service and dedication to supporting GCRE’s fundraising efforts, as well as the various education and awareness programs presented throughout the year.” In their new roles, John Nero will work directly with Trustee Salvatore Ciaravino, Secretary and Chairperson of the Membership Committee, while Linda O’Connor will work with Trustee Frank Liantonio, Vice President and Co‑Chair of the Charitable Events Committee, alongside Trustee Lauren Scarantino, Vice President and Co‑Chair of the Charitable Events Committee. Separately, the Board recognized the strong performance of Tiffany Rufrano and Brad Wolk in their previous positions as Executive Committee Members, elevating both to the role of Trustee. Wolk will now serve as Chair of the Education Committee, and Rufrano will assume the responsibilities of Community Liaison, a role formerly held by the late Trustee Brian Pinnola.
Farkas stated “these four individuals are highly accomplished professionals in the real estate industry within their respective sectors and withhold the highest standards of ethics. The Board is honored to have them help guide GCRE into its next chapter of philanthropy.”
The Trustees and Executive Committee Members of the Board implement the programs and fundraising on behalf of GCRE’s Members to support causes important to Garden City Village residents. GCRE has donated over $1 million dollars to a variety of charities and foundations that have requested support. In November 2025, GCRE held its annual gala, Cocktails for a Cause honoring Christine and Michael Tiedemann and donated $190,000 to Breakthrough T1-D (formerly the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation “JDRF”) to support the organization’s on-going research and development programs. GCRE is also proud to have provided funding for many other important Garden City related charitable organizations including The Schmitt Family Foundation, Charlie’s Champions, Bobby Menges I’m Not Done Yet Foundation, The Biggane Family Foundation, Mollie’s Fund, Tomorrow’s Hope, The International Association for Spelling to Communicate, The Griffith Family Foundation, Enriching Adult Lives, The Rix Family Foundation, For All Who Fight, The INN, NYU Langone Cancer Center for Kids and the Garden City Historical Society.