HLTC Welcomes New Board Chair, Members

As they prepare to kick off the 2015 season, their sixth, The Harbor Lights Theater Company, Staten Island's only professional Equity Theater Company lead by Founders and Artistic Directors Tamara Jenkins and Jay Montgomery, are pleased to announce and welcome Harbor Light's New Board Chair, award winning producer Julius Nasso, and three new board members: Jhong Uhk Kim (Grandmaster Kim,) Paola Tornabene Esq., and Sergey Guberman.

Julius Nasso is the founder of Universal Marine Medical Supply, Co. (UMMSC), which is now the largest international medical supply company servicing cruise ships, oil rigs, super yachts, merchant vessels, tankers, and freighters. Jules had a 17-year producing partnership with Warner Brothers Studios, where he was responsible for producing a series of action blockbusters including: Under Siege, The Glimmerman, Marked for Death, and Narc. Julius' numerous critical honors include the 2012 NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Documentary for his work with Harry Belafonte on Sing Your Song. He has served on Harbor Lights board since 2011.

Jhong Uhk Kim, respectfully known as Master Kim, has achieved renowned success in the areas of Martial Arts, Real Estate Development and Restaurant Management. As a 9th Degree Black Belt Master, Kim is one of the world's highest-ranking Grandmasters. Master Kim has been an ardent supporter of local non-profits, serving on over 12 boards of directors, such as the Staten Island Mental Health Society, American Red Cross Chapter, National Light House, and the Board of Trustees of Staten Island University Hospital. His honors include the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Dream Award, and Capital Campaign Ambassador by The Eger Foundation, to name a few.

Paola Tornabene, Esq. is a Staten Island resident and attorney. After graduating from New York Law School she served as in-house counsel for Major League Baseball Properties, with a focus on intellectual property law. She is currently Vice President of Corporate Affairs at the Stephen Siller Tunnel to Towers Foundation.

Sergey Guberman is a Real Estate developer in Brooklyn and owner of three Edible Arrangements in Staten Island where he resides in the Todt Hill area. He also serves on the boards of the JCC, Staten Island Academy, Chamber of Commerce, and is active in the SIEDC. Mr. Guberman was a ballet dancer in his native Russia before immigrating to the USA.

Executive Artistic Director Tamara Jenkins says," We are thrilled to be bringing people of such stellar caliber and accomplishment onto the board of The Harbor Lights Theater Company. Mr. Nasso has been an enormous asset for the last five years, and will now be leading our growing board in paving the way for a sustainable future for Harbor Lights. Master Kim's business acumen and love of the arts, Ms. Tornabene's legal expertise and non-profit experience, and Mr. Guberman's experience as an artist and business builder will all prove invaluable to our organization."

The new board members join long time director Michelle Desantis, marketing director at Royal Press, and Jay Quinones of Jay-Quinn Contracting. "Ms. Desantis has stood strong with Harbor Lights through many board iterations in our early years. We owe a lot to her and her husband Carmine," says Ms. Jenkins. "And Mr. Quinones has built a tremendous network of friends and clients on the Island. His energy and enthusiasm have made him an excellent ambassador on our behalf."

More exciting news is on the way with the company's 2015 Season announcements coming soon!