Page 11 - NYC Imagine Awards Journal

Meet the Judges Meet the Judges

Stephen Powers Ray Schwetz
Co-Founder Assistant Vice President of Business Banking
OPEN Impact Real Estate Jovia Financial Credit Union

Stephen is a co-founder of OPEN Impact Real Since joining Jovia Financial Credit Union in
Estate. He has 17 years of commercial real 2008, Raymond Schwetz has become a trusted
estate experience dedicated to serving nonprofits. resource and a valued and respected member
Stephen has completed over eight million square of the Jovia family, the community, and the
feet of transactions for his nonprofit clients, while commercial banking industry. Ray currently
ensuring that the real estate strategy is always serves as Assistant Vice President of Business
driven by mission and operational/programmatic Banking, where he applies a wealth of expertise
goals. Stephen was nominated for the Real Estate gained over 30 years in financial services,
Board of New York’s Most Ingenious Deal of commercial banking, and community outreach
the Year and recognized by Crain’s New York in managing all aspects of Jovia’s Business
Business Notables in Real Estate. A creative Banking Unit.
problem-solver, he specializes in producing out-of-the box real estate solutions Prior to being promoted to his current position, Ray was the Community
for his clients.
Relations Director, and was originally hired to promote business development
for Jovia. Throughout his tenure, Ray’s unique ability to connect people has
Education:
made him a strong relationship builder for the Credit Union and its members.
► Washington University OLIN School of Business He is actively engaged as a business leader in the Long Island community, and
► NYU Masters in Real Estate Development clients gravitate toward his creative approach to keeping their best interests in
mind while providing solutions to their banking and financing needs.
Ray’s previous experience includes working with New York Community Bank
(Roosevelt Savings), TIAA-CREF, and WaMu/Chase. He has been a committee
member for various non-profit organizations including the Long Island
Coalition for the Homeless, Developmental Disabilities Institute (DDI), and the
Long Island Imagine Awards. Ray is a dean's list graduate of New York Institute
of Technology (NYIT) with a bachelor's degree in Economics. Prior to attending
NYIT, he earned an associate’s degree in Liberal Arts and Sciences from Nassau
Community College (NCC), where he currently serves on the board for the Nassau
Community College Foundation and was awarded Outstanding Alumni from the
NCC Alumni Association.
As a well-known entity in the business banking and financial services industry on
Long Island, Ray hosts a business talk radio show/podcast on 90.3 WHPC called
'Tower Talk', which is available on iHeart Radio, Spotify, Apple podcasts, and
other platforms. Tower Talk features Ray’s “all access” interviews with the NCC
Foundation Business Leaders Council as well as Long Island’s top entrepreneurs
and business owners who discuss a range of topics impacting local organizations.
Ray’s dedication to Jovia’s community relations program has earned him the
position of Vice Chair of the Community Involvement Committee. Together
with his fellow Jovia philanthropists, Ray actively supports Long Island charities
and non-profits by volunteering his time at many events and for a variety of
different causes. He has an inspirational leadership style and is looked upon by
his peers as someone who can always be counted on to step up, organize, and
rally people to support one another and the community.

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