Club Staff

Terence Hughes, Executive Director

Terry brings his energy and experience in the Boys & Girls Club movement to the Variety Club to help make a difference in one of the more culturally diverse communities in America. He grew up in a Club as a youngster and helped lead a transformation of his hometown 75 year-old organization into one of the finest Boys & Girls Clubs in the country. Terry graduated with a B.S. in Education from Southern Connecticut State University. He’s already begun implementing his system of unique and creative programming run by quality youth development professionals to attract more kids. Under this philosophy he hopes to gain more community partners and long-term donors in order to offer great opportunities for more and more young people in the Long Island City and Astoria NY neighborhoods. [ thughes@vbgcq.org ]

Mr. Mohamed Oukacine, Associate Executive Director

Mohamed’s experience working with children spans over a decade and includes teaching Computer Literacy; Activity and Youth Development management. Mohamed Graduated with a B.A. in management in 1998 and obtained a Cisco Networking certification in 2003. He is multilingual which helped ease the transition of new immigrant families in the Queens community accessing the services the Variety Boys and Girls Club has to offer. His sports of choice are soccer, biking, kayaking, tennis and hiking. HE IS LOVED BY ALL!!!!

[ moukacine@vbgcq.org ]

Liz Lutz, Executive Assistant/Office Manager

Liz began her career with the Variety Boys and Girls Club of Queens on Jan 6, 1992. Liz’s role at the Club includes maintaining the day to day operations of the management office. She received an Associate Degree in Business Administration from The Katharine Gibbs School, while remaining on the Honor’s List throughout her tenure there. She has lived in Astoria her whole life and prides herself on her commitment to the community. Liz began her career as a Secretary in 19??. Liz is a great mentor to the kids and the staff at the Club.

[ llutz@vbgcq.org ]

Nakia Thomas, Membership Manager

Nakia has been with the Variety Boys and Girls Club of Queens for the past two years and counting. She received an Associates degree in Business and is currently working on her Bachelor degree in Public Administration. Nakia’s responsibilities include: keeping up with the members tracking system, answering the phones, handling all the school-year and summer program registrations, and greeting parents and visitors, plus much more. Nakia enjoys every minute of her time at the Club. She states, “the kids keep her on her toes”. Working with kids is something she always enjoyed doing. If you have a question, or need assistance with anything never hesitate to ask her. [ nthomas@vbgcq.org ]

Blair Trunzo, Program Director

Blair Trunzo, A.K.A. Mr. B., began his career with the Variety Boys and Girls Club of Queens as the Director of Performing Arts in 2007. In October of 2010 Blair received the title and responsibilities of the Club’s Program Director. Mr. B. is originally from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and moved to the Big Apple to attend the American Musical and Dramatics Academy on Broadway in 2000. Blair returned to school to obtain his degree in Business Communications in 2008 and is still diligently working on graduating. Over the course of his Acting Career, Mr. B has performed across America in numerous National Tours while culminating in his most recent performance with Tia Carrera at the famous Carnegie Hall. Mr. B is very proud of his students at the Boys and Girls Club of Queens and hopes that they continue to blossom into outstanding performers and contributing citizens. When Mr. B is not running around the Club, he can most likely be found relaxing with his best friend, Mrs. Trunzo.

[ btrunzo@vbgcq.org ]

Carol O’Connell, Athletic Director

With over 30 years of service in coaching and mentoring youth, Carol uses her experience at the Variety Boys and Girls Club to run Variety’s Boys Basketball program and the Boys and Girls Clubs of America’s physical fitness programs including Triple Play. Carol graduated with a B.A. in Social Science from St. Joseph’s College. [ coconnell@vbgcq.org ]

Nifara Ali, Teen Services Director

Native born of Trinidad and Tobago, at age 21 I was relocated to the United States by my parents to pursue and further my education. After 3mos in the USA I volunteered and joined the Army as a Nurse, after 16 years of service and 1 year in Desert Storm I moved on to achieving my Doctorate in Clinical Psychology. After receiving several Medals of Honor for my service I moved from the Army to Civilian life.

In those years I have had the pleasure to be a Foster Mother to 5 teenage boys,I also belonged to Big Brother Big Sisters Organization,I volunteered with The Red Cross Disaster Team and have sat on a Non-Profit Board for a Alcohol and Drug Counseling Program as a Chairwoman for 5 years.

Currently I am in the role of a Teacher and Public Speaker which is my true passion in this Lifetime, I love mentoring and teaching the Youth and helping them achieve their goals reach their highest potential.
In every instance I always believed that being in a role of service to Humanity is the reason why we are placed on the Earth.

My daily affirmation is “ NAMASTE “ which means I acknowledge The Creator in YOU as you acknowledge the Creator in ME. [ nali@vbgcq.org ]

Ariel Gagliardo, Education Director

This is Ariel’s first year at the Variety Boys and Girls Club of Queens; Ariel oversees activities in the Library and the Computer Lab. She’s also the Torch Club Advisor and the Co-Coordinator of the Career Launch Program. Ariel received her Bachelors

Degree from Queens College in Political Science and her Masters Degree in Counseling from Manhattan College. Ariel has lived in Astoria her whole life and is proud to by serving her community. "It is my job to ensure that all of the children who attend the Club whom are academically challenged, strive for success, and continue on a path that will help them change the world for the better."

[ agagliardo@vbgcq.org ]

Matthew Zarate, Library /Computer Lab Assistant

Matthew became involved with the Variety Boys and Girls Club through the Summer Youth Employment Program (SYEP) sponsored by the NYC Department of Youth and Community Development. He enrolled in this program and got selected to work at the Boys and Girls Club in June of 2008. Once the summer program was completed, Matthew volunteered at the Club for a year and through his hard work and dedication, was able to obtain a job as a lifeguard for the summer of 2009 and 2010. Matthew is currently a library assistant, as well as a technology assistant in the computer lab. [ mzarate@vbgcq.org ]

Vanessa Toledo, Library Assistant

Vanessa has been the Library Assistant at the Variety Boys and Girls Club of Queens for six years. Vanessa received her Associates Degree in Liberal Arts from Queensborough Community College in the summer of 2009 and is currently enrolled in Queens College studying for her Bachelors Degree in English. In her free time, Vanessa enjoys doing community service with her Sorority.

[ vtoledo@vbgcq.org ]

Nayomi Spencer, Dance Teacher/Choreographer

Nayomi Spencer is Seventeen years old and is currently a Senior at Queens Vocational Technical High School where she is pursuing her license in Cosmetology. Nayomi worked at the Variety Boys and Girls in the summer of 2010 as a member of the Summer Youth Employment Program (SYEP) sponsored by the NYC Department of Youth and Community Development. Because of her talent and hard work Nayomi was asked to continue her progress with the kids on a part-time basis. Ms. Spencer started her tenure at the Variety Boys and Girls Club of Queens as a young Club member active in our Performing Arts Program. We are very proud to add another home grown employee such as her to our Team.

[ nspencer@vbgcq.org ]

Richard Morgan, Recreational Leader

Richard has been working at the Variety Boys & Girls Club of Queens for the past ten years, eight of them as the Recreational Leader of the Jr/ Sr Game Room. Richard graduated from LaGuardia Community College with an Associate Degree in Human Services. He started at the Club in 1999 as an intern learning the intricacies of the Front Desk and when he finished his internship he was offered a part time role as the Locker Room Supervisor. In 2001 he became the Recreational Leader of the Jr/Sr Game Room. Mr. Rich believes in the Boys and Girls Club movement and strives to impact one person’s life per day. "I enjoy watching a child gain a sense of accomplishment through the Game Room competitions". [ rmorgan@vbgcq.org ]

Carolyn Parson, Food Program Coordinator

Carolyn has been working at the Variety Boys and Girls Club of Queens for the past six years. Carolyn began her career as a nurse at the Goldwater Memorial Hospital, where she served proudly for many years. Upon retirement from the medical field Carolyn’s overwhelming desire to continue giving back to her community drove her to seek out the Boys and Girls Club of Queens. Carolyn began her service at the Club by working as the Girls Locker Room Supervisor where she watched over the swimmers with a mother’s care. Presently, Carolyn’s role at the Club is Food Program Coordinator. She provides snacks daily from 2:30-4:30pm, and dinner from 5pm-6pm. Carolyn also instructs boys and girls ages 6-15 in a cooking class every other Wednesday from 6-7pm. "I enjoy encouraging our members to try different foods that are healthy." [ cparson@vbgcq.org ]

Mason Jordan, Utility Assistant

Mason became involved with the Variety Boys and Girls Club as a young club member. He was immersed as a member for ten years utilizing all of the opportunities the club presented to him. He started volunteering at the age of seventeen, once he turned eighteen; he was able to obtain a position at the Club as a locker room attendant where he remained for four years. Now, he currently assists in supervising the Food Program, as well as assisting in Club maintenance. Mason also supervises the cadet game room with the help of other recreational leaders. [ mjordan@vbgcq.org ]