I have written columns before about how to use golf as a sales tool and about my adventures (“misadventures) on the golf course. After all these years of writing about golf, I participated in the running of my first golf tournament- the first annual Long Island Development Corporation Golf Outing. The tournament was created to support the efforts of one division of LIDC- the Long Island Procurement Technical Assistance Center (PTAC).
     PTAC started in the mid 80’s to help local machine shops do business directly with the Dept. of Defense-in recognition of the fact that prime contractors were downsizing and we needed to keep the subcontractors viable. Over the years, PTAC has expanded to help small companies do business not only with DOD but with all Federal agencies, State agencies, local municipalities, and private entities. The LI PTAC is headed by Sol Soskin and Patty Cook, dynamos with many years of government contracting experience. Through their efforts and the efforts of many others, LI PTAC has brought over $1.7 billion in government contracts to LI entrepreneurs! This translates into significant jobs and taxes paid in our community.
     The efforts of LI PTAC are made possible by LIDC’s earned revenue in connection witih its loan making with support from DOD and local sponsors (banks, foundations, municipalities). For the first time, PTAC conducted a major fundraiser- its first annual golf outing.
     This year, we were proud to have as our honoree- John R. Buran, President/CEO of Flushing Financial Corp. Flushing (parent of Flushing Savings Bank) provides banking services through offices located in Queens, Brooklyn and Long Island. Under John’s leadership Flushing has expanded its reach to the

business community and to Long Island in particular. John joined Flushing in 2001 after a distinguished banking career with Citibank, Natwest/Fleet and Carver Bank. John has long been active in the Long Island business and philanthropic communities with stints on the boards of LIA, Nassau and Suffolk Boy Scouts, LI Philharmonic, LI University, Family and Childrens Association, among others. He has been honored by many organizations, including St Joseph’s College where he now serves as a Trustee. John is a Long Islander, residing here with his lovely wife Denise. And, for purposes of our golf outing, he has a decent golf handicap.
     In addition to being our honoree, John arranged for Flushing to be our prime event sponsor and received support from many others who have benefited from his generosity and expertise over the years. PTAC was proud to receive support at the outing from entities such as Cullen and Dykman; Lewis Johs Avallone Aviles, the Elena Melius Foundation, Bank of America, CIT Small Business Lending, Citibank, Sovereign Bank, and All Around Foods.
     As John expressed in his remarks at the outing dinner, “LI PTAC provides a valuable service for the entrepreneurs of Long Island, helping them to expand with government and other contracts. This service helps these companies to grow and thrive in our community.”
     Thanks to the efforts of Flushing Savings, John Buran, the other sponsors, and our dedicated LIDC staff, the first annual LIDC Golf Outing to Benefit LI PTAC was a huge success. Save the date- 5/19/08 for the second annual outing. We’ll be announcing our honoree shortly- exclusively here in Networking Magazine!