The Queens Chamber of Commerce recently nominated Charles Houston, Executive Director of Queens Centers for Progress as Business Person of the Year for Medium Sized Businesses. Mr. Houston was honored on October 20, 2005 at Russo’s on the Bay in Howard Beach by the Queens Chamber.

During his 18 years as Executive Director at Queens Centers for Progress, the agency has more than tripled its budget and staff. QCP is a major provider of comprehensive services to children and adults with developmental disabilities in New York City.

Coming to QCP in 1981, Mr. Houston moved into positions as Director of the agency’s vocational programs, then all adult programs, before becoming Assistant Executive Director. Prior to coming to QCP, Mr. Houston worked at several rehabilitation agencies in the New York City area in direct service, research and administrative roles.

Mr. Houston has served on the boards of directors of several statewide provider associations, and is currently president of the board of the Interagency Council of Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities. He is also president of Disability Service Providers of America (DSPA), a national organization based in Washington, D.C. which is focused on representing the needs of developmental disability service providers on the federal level.

Queens Centers for Progress is very proud and fortunate to have Charlie as their Executive Director!

Ray Irerra, QCP Board Member and Queens Chamber President, presents Charlie with the Business Person of the Year award at Russo's on the Bay on October 20, 2005.