Honoree Michael J. Dowling (L) and Tom Grech (R). Photo credit: Dominick Totino

Honoree Michael J. Dowling (L) and Tom Grech (R). Photo credit: Dominick Totino

On Thursday afternoon, March 12, hundreds of business and community leaders from throughout Queens gathered at Antun’s in Queens Village as the Queens Chamber of Com­merce honored Robert S. Tucker, former FDNY Commissioner and Chairman and Chief Execu­tive Officer of T&M USA, and Michael J. Dowl­ing, CEO Emeritus of Northwell Health, at its annual St. Patrick’s Day Luncheon.

“St. Patrick’s Day has always been one of my favorite traditions at the Chamber,” said Tom Grech, President and CEO of the Queens Cham­ber of Commerce. “It’s a great chance to bring people together, celebrate Irish heritage, and rec­ognize leaders who have made a real difference in the world’s borough. Robert and Michael have both built careers defined by service and leadership, and it was a pleasure to honor them with the Queens business community.”

Hosted by Queens’ oldest and largest busi­ness association, the event honored the contri­butions of Irish Americans to the borough while celebrating Celtic traditions with vibrant enter­tainment, classic corned beef and cabbage, and a spirited performance by the Raggle Taggle Pipe Band. Also there to entertain was a live band, The Cobblers. Sophie Chirila from Mon­signor McClancy Memorial High School sang the national anthem, followed by a flute per­formance by her schoolmate Maeve Roche. There was an invocation from Monsignor Al LoPinto, President and CEO of Catholic Chari­ties of Brooklyn and Queens. The program also featured a captivating Irish dance performance by Fallon O’Brien from the Hagen Kavanagh School of Irish Dance.

 

 

Robert S. Tucker was recognized for his leadership in both the private and public sectors. As Chairman and CEO of T&M USA, he helped transform the company from a small security guarding firm into a global operation. In 2024, Tucker stepped away from the firm to serve as the 35th Fire Commissioner of the City of New York, overseeing the nation’s largest fire depart­ment with roughly 18,000 firefighters, para­medics, EMTs, fire marshals, and fire prevention inspectors. Earlier in his career, Tucker served for nearly a decade as a prosecutor in the Queens County District Attorney’s Office. He remains active in civic and philanthropic leadership, serving on the Board of the Gary Sinise Foun­dation.

“It means a lot to be recognized by the Queens Chamber,” said honoree Robert S. Honoree Robert S. Tucker (L) and Tom Grech (R). Tucker. “Queens is where my career in public service began when I worked in the District At­torney’s Office, so being honored here feels es­pecially meaningful. I’m grateful to be part of a community that values leadership, service, and looking out for one another.”

Michael J. Dowling was honored for his decades of leadership in healthcare and public service. As President and CEO of Northwell Health for more than two decades, he guided the organization’s growth into one of the largest and most innovative health systems in the United States, helping reshape how it delivers health­care across the region. He is a widely respected voice on healthcare policy and social issues and has received numerous honors for his work, in­cluding being named one of TIME’s 100 Most Influential People in Global Health in 2025 and receiving the Presidential Distinguished Service Award for the Irish Abroad. Earlier in his career, he held senior leadership roles in New York State government, including serving as a top ad­visor to former Governor Mario Cuomo on health, education, and human services, and also worked as a professor of social policy and As­sistant Dean at Fordham University’s Graduate School of Social Services.

“I’ve always believed that strong communi­ties are built when people come together to sup­port one another,” said honoree Michael J. Dowling. “The Chamber plays an important role in supporting businesses and strengthening com­munities across Queens, and I’m deeply grateful for this recognition and proud to celebrate along­side so many moving the borough forward.”

“This Queens Chamber of Commerce’s an­nual St. Patrick’s Day Luncheon is always a wonderful opportunity to honor the contribu­tions of our borough’s Irish Americans and to celebrate the richness of Irish and Irish Ameri­can heritage and culture,” said Queens Borough President Donovan Richards Jr. “I offer a heart­felt salute to the Chamber for its great success in organizing this amazing event. I also salute and thank the luncheon’s distinguished hon­orees, Robert S. Tucker, Esq. and Michael J. Dowling, for their outstanding work on behalf of our community.”