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Team & Steering Committee

nglccNY Team

Screenshot 2024-05-07 at 2.17.26 PM

Gunner Gardner

Membership Manager, nglccNY;
Regional Certification Specialist, NGLCC |they/them/theirs
 Email Gunner

Gunner Gardner (they/them/theirs) is a new resident of New York City as of 2020. Originally from Austin Texas, Gunner served as the Programs Director for the Austin LGBT Chamber of Commerce and an LGBTQIA+ Community Liaison for the City of Austin and State of Texas. A graduate of Sul Ross State University in Alpine Texas, Gunner played Division III NCAA Men’s Tennis and was the recipient of the NCAA Community Service Athlete of the Year Award in 2017. Gunner has since made their home in NYC and enjoys the numerous food choices the city has to offer along with performing as their drag persona Robin Rose Quartz and many of New York’s vibrant gay clubs.
Barton Jackson Head Shot.pdf

Barton Jackson II

Executive Director, nglccNY;
he/him/his
 Email Barton

Barton Lee Jackson II (he/him/his) possesses a 16-year career in banking with an expertise in small business and nonprofit. A serial volunteer and LGBTQ+ economic activist, Barton regularly creates, manages, and executes on programmatic financial education at the intersection of business and diverse communities. Prior to assuming the role of Executive Director, he proudly served as an ambassador and LGBTBE certification site visitor of nglccNY. When he is not working on the business case and economic opportunities of LGBTQ+ New Yorkers, he enjoys abstract painting and illustration.

Steering Committee Chairs

Phyllis Mehalakes

Ambassadors

Phyllis Mehalakes
Chair | she/her/hers
Email Phyllis

The Ambassadors Committee welcomes event participants, discusses membership benefits with members and guests, and manages the twice-annual New Members’ Breakfast. Phyllis is an associate real estate broker with Compass. She specializes in the sale of residential properties in Manhattan and Brooklyn including co-ops, condos, townhouses, multi-family homes, and investment properties.
Kevin Claus

Long Island and NY Regional Engagement

Kevin Claus
Chair | he/him/his

The Long Island and Regional NY Engagement Committee engages with Long Island-based members and NGLCC Certified LGBT Business Enterprise companies through professional, personal and corporate programs. We plan and execute Long Island-based events and work strategically with local businesses to integrate them into the chamber with a guided view of how to leverage certification and the chamber to elevate their business. Partnering with the Corporate Engagement Committee, we identify local Corporate Partner opportunities for nglcc. Additionally, we engage with regions throughout NY State to provide strategic direction to grow nglccNY in their local area. Kevin is the founder and owner of Claus Coaching and Consulting LLC, specializing in leadership development, employee engagement, and executive and career coaching. Claus Coaching and Consulting LLC is a Certified LGBTBE.