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Board Member Profile: Stephen Fisch
Stephen Fisch has served on the CAC's Board of Directors since 2013, and is also the Board Liaison to the Circle of Friends Volunteers. Steve Grew up in Brooklyn and is a graduate of Cornell University. After a career in the Flight and Marine simulation industry, and having served as Engineering Director of Flight Safety Intl and Marine Safety Intl during acquisition to Warren Buffett’s Berkshire-Hathaway empire, Steve is currently owner of a property leasing company in NJ, Milridge Properties LLC, and a volunteer at the Riverhead Foundation for Marine Rescue and Rehabilitation at the LI Aquarium.
Cinema Arts Centre: When did you first start attending the Cinema Arts Centre?
Stephen Fisch: About 30 years ago. It was love at first sight and eventually cut down on frequent trips to the theaters in the City. I had moved to Long Island from Queens a few years after returning to NY from Tulsa, OK.
CAC: What are some of your favorite CAC programs?
SF: I might be in the Guinness Book of Records for having attended the most CAC programs. Favorites include ‘Rock Legends’, ‘National Theater Live’, ‘Film Noir’, ‘Anything But Silent’, ‘Science on Screen’, plus the music, comedy and theme events in the Sky Room Café
CAC: You are the Board Liaison to our Circle of Friends volunteer group (a group of CAC members who support fundraising and outreach efforts.) Can you talk a little bit about your involvement with this group?
SF: The Circle of Friends is a great success story. The group itself started in 2010 by Rene Bouchard as a taskforce to assist in Membership and Fundraising events with me and a handful of volunteers. Since then it has grown to a large number of dedicated members, involved in many different pursuits. They have contributed significantly to the growth and success of the Cinema Arts Centre’s Membership and Fundraising efforts. We are constantly growing and developing new ideas to support the Cinema.
CAC: What made you decide to make the commitment to Board Service?
SF: I had become so enamored with the Cinema and the role it played in the community that I felt my marketing, financial, engineering, administrative, and decision-making background would make a good fit with the Board. I’d become good friends over the years with our Co-Directors, who always listened to my ideas and who invited me to join.
CAC: What do you think are the most important aspects of your role as a Board Member?
SF: Serving on one of the Committees, which for me is Development; people skills in finding common ground with anyone - young, old, CEOs, and janitors; genuine curiosity about people and issues surrounding the Cinema; honesty and the will to stand up to and discuss my opinions; compassion; knowledge and having much experience with investing and financial strategy; experienced researcher; persistence and dedication; good collaborator.
On my annual road trips around the country, I usually add Independent Theaters to investigate in towns and cities of CA, WA, UT, CO, ND, TX, etc. Most owners are very familiar with the Cinema Arts Centre from also belonging to the Arthouse Convergence so I’m usually greeted with open arms. Being curious about their programs, administration, organization, new ideas, sponsors, membership, impact on the community, etc. is valuable information.
CAC: What do you think are CAC’s most important goals for our future?
SF: Continuing to honor our mission of bringing the best in cinematic artistry to Long Island and use the power of film to expand the awareness and consciousness of our community; maintaining and adding to our incredible range of activities and special events too long to list that is unmatched by any other independent theater in America; continuing our vital role for the community and all of Long Island; more films and events to attract audiences of different ages, backgrounds, ethnicities and political beliefs
All of us at the Cinema Arts Centre are so grateful for the contributions of Stephen Fisch and all of our Board of Directors.
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