Anthony Pisicoli

Hello,I am Anthony Pisicoli, Entrepreneur and owner of Bella Vaughan Fine Foods and AJP Business Solutions.

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Anthony Pisicoli has been a successful entrepreneur for more than a decade. An accomplished chef he used Sapore, a critically acclaimed restaurant and winebar, to showcase his creativity and deep knowledge of global flavors. In 2012 Pisicoli with his wife and partner launched Bella Vaughan Fine Foods. Bella Vaughan is centered around a one of a kind mascarpone cheesecake experience. They have created a cheesecake for the person that insists they don't like cheesecake. For those that already love cheesecake you will never go back to that dense brick of cream cheese you have had to accept in the past. Pisicoli also has an unquenchable passion and verve for community service and volunteerism. He has been elected and appointed to several boards of directors. He quickly rose to leadership roles within these organizations. He has spent time as a Chamber of Commerce president, Vice President of a Development Corporation and Vice President of a Board of Education. His dedication to education and providing a safe and healthy childhood for our nations youth is what drives him to give his time, effort and expertise.  

Commissioner at Whittier Cultural Arts Commission

July 2014 - Present | Whittier

Treasurer at Whittier Cultural Arts Foundation

July 2013 - Present | Whittier

Owner at AJP Business Solutions

February 2013 - Present | Whittier

Full service business consultant specializing HR management and executive recruiting.

Registrar at Whittier Area Youth Soccer

January 2013 - Present | Whittier

Vice President of Budget at Murphy Ranch Elementary PTA

March 2012 - Present | Whittier

Owner, President and Executive Chef at Sapore Restaurant and Winebar

2007 - June 2012

Direct all facets of this start-up business including concept and business plan development, strategic planning, staffing, vendor/purveyor sourcing, goal setting, and P&L management. Provide oversight and direction for 35 employees. Grew revenue 40% in one year by expanding seasonal offerings, securing good restaurant reviews, and creating and executing marketing/branding plan that included televised commercial, networking, dedicated website, and social media advertising on Facebook, Twitter, and MySpace. Achieved 11% pre-tax profit margin against national industry average of 4%-7% by creating efficient operational systems and kitchen management standards. Created and adapted menus to include local seasonal fruits and vegetables throughout entire year by building network of local farms to support farm fresh menu. Created, developed, executed, and facilitated training on all recipes for this ever-changing restaurant menu.

Committee Member at Chautauqua Region Farm to Table

January 2010 - March 2012

Collaborate with Cornell Cooperative to create connection between farmers, restaurants, and grocery stores. Created daily offering/need listing through use of social media. Provided participants with education and communication portal by developing web presence.

Vice-President at Westfield Academy and Central School Board of Education

July 2008 - March 2012

Set direction for school staff, create district goals, and write/review policy. Oversee Superintendent and Claims Auditor. Manage $15M annual budget. Serve as Legislative Liaison and active member of Executive, Policy, Health and Wellness, Personnel, and Audit Committees. Past committee involvement includes Chair of Strategic Planning and Audit Committees. Achieved A+ bond rating through fiscally sound decision-making, including leading initiative to allocate $1M in reserve funds toward bond debt, saving nearly $400,000 in future interest payments. Turned cafeteria around from long-term losses to profitability for first time in more than ten years by hiring skilled, qualified manager, bringing food preparation in-house, and reducing inventory on hand. Addressed alleged impropriety by superintendent by leading Audit Committee and Board to audit sitting superintendent’s financial records and ultimately remove superintendent from district. Played instrumental role in development of legislation to institute regional high schools in State of New York by leading Board through attempt to consolidate rural school districts. Contributed to hiring decisions and contract negotiations for Superintendent, both Secondary and Elementary School Principals and staff and teachers unions.

Board Member at Chautauqua County Chamber of Commerce

January 2008 - March 2012

Contribute to development of small business representation, public policy, and Chamber health insurance program. Grew small business board membership from one to six in county where small businesses represent 90% of total business population. Improved effectiveness, increased available resources, and acquired several grants by consolidating county and town chambers into Chautauqua County Development Corporation.

President at Westfield/Barcelona Chamber of Commerce

January 2007 - March 2012

Embraced challenge to revitalize nearly defunct Chamber of Commerce by reinstituting committee system and budget, creating organizational strategic plan, acquiring grants for local advertising, developing quarterly town hall meetings, and partnering with other major community organization leaders. Serve on Executive, Finance, Joint Strategic Planning, and Farmers Market Steering Committees. Transformed chamber from two-person board and dwindling membership of 43 businesses to active 12-member board with 96 member businesses by building relationships, casting vision, and delivering on promises. Established and grew Farmers Market from 7 to nearly 40 vendors with recognition as one of Top 10 mid-sized Farmers Markets nationwide by American Farmland Trust. Built relationships among local businesses by creating shopping and dining guide, as well as introducing cross-marketing workshops. Promoted Main Street businesses, while fostering positive community relations by developing First Friday event complete with live music, children’s entertainment, and beer garden. Attracted tourism by developing program to implement signage for businesses off main highways.

Board Member at Village of Westfield Planning Board

January 2007 - March 2012

Serve on Planning Board to provide leadership and recommendations. Revised and co-authored zoning, sign, and home-based business regulations to reflect current community and 21st century age.

Board Member at Town of Westfield

January 2007 - March 2012

Member, Board of Assessment Review Mediate over tax assessment grievances in town of Westfield.

Vice-President at Westfield Development Corporation

September 2006 - March 2012

Represent Westfield in development of county comprehensive plan. Chair Technology Committee and serve on Marketing, Executive, and Finance Committees. Liaise between Chamber of Commerce and WDC. Contribute to development of community calendar and annual budget. Westfield Development Corporation (WDC), continued… Raised awareness of Westfield by co-authoring detailed branding plan and co-developing business park plan. Promoted WDC by contributing to design and development of promotional website, Westfieldny.com, as well as promotional DVD and its corresponding distribution and marketing plan. Increased website traffic by 178% in first year by developing SEO and marketing plan; realized additional 94% increase in second year.

Owner and President at Cybell's Inc

January 2001 - January 2011

Directed all start-up and daily operations for this retail and wholesale clothier. Key activities included storefront development and design, wholesale distribution network development, purchasing, vendor sourcing, merchandising, advertising, and shipping. Established and grew business to reach 28% profit margins through optimal vendor sourcing, purchasing, and merchandising. Raised awareness through television, print, newsletter, and web-based advertising. Built high performance team of six professionals through effective hiring, training, and development.

Founder and Owner at AP Catering

January 1996 - January 2000

Founded and operated this entrepreneurial venture to provide fresh handmade food for events of up to 50 people. Developed menus and recipes. Conducted all aspects of on-site set up. Trained and managed catering team of 10-12 freelancers. Met diverse client needs by acting as personal chef developing recipes and executing menus.

Executive Chef at Corleone's in

January 1993 - January 1998

Sous Chef at Hampton's in

January 1991 - January 1993