Few people would bring as varied a background to the job of executive director of the Sleepy Hollow-Tarrytown Chamber of Commerce as has John Sardy. He took over the part-time position in June, but will also continue to work as a local realtor. Before taking his present post, Sardy had leadership positions with the Chamber, as co-president this year and as treasurer for the two prior years.

One of his primary goals now is “to utilize my software, internet and managerial experiences to enhance the development of effective marketing and networking campaigns,” he said. “I worked on a patent for e-commerce and very much enjoy surfing the internet and utilizing Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter.”

He also said he “particularly liked meeting with the local merchants where I can listen to their concerns and hopefully follow up with something that will benefit them and most of the local businesses.”

Sardy has lived in Tarrytown for 28 years and through one stretch of his career was employed in the local restaurant business.

“I worked at most of the restaurants in Tarrytown, he said. Those included The Castle, where he was manager, the Tarrytown Hilton, Abigal Kirsch, and Ruth’s Chris Steak House.

Sardy’s next vocation took him into the medical education field for a few years where he traveled nationally and planned “conferences, luncheons, dinners and seminars for medical doctors, helping to further their knowledge of certain prescription medications.” He said he then “took up a real estate license since I truly appreciate the river towns and have remained active with the Chamber since I feel it most important to support local business and foster the growth of the local community.” Sardy is with Better Homes and Gardens Rand Realty.

He is at ease interfacing with the public and that characteristic may have originated from his experiences in yet two other phases of Sardy’s earlier life; the priesthood and in musical theater.

“I traveled nationally and worked with many Broadway and off-Broadway actors in regional theaters and dinner theaters,” Sardy said. “My favorite role was FDR in Annie, opposite a young Jamie Lynn Siegler.”

Sardy served in the priesthood in the New York area for eight years after being ordained by Cardinal Terrance Cooke. He graduated with a Master of Divinity degree from Saint Joseph’s Seminary, Dunwoodie, and also has a Bachelor or Arts degree in psychology.

As for his work with the Chamber, Sardy said that he is “continually hearing that our Chamber is more active than most local chambers,“ and he credits that to “the long and hard work of previous officers and directors,” namely, JoAnne Murray, Linda Rey, Susan Crucy Burkhardt, Ann Marie Basher and his most immediate predecessor, Katharine Swibold.

He is pursuing a project in which “the landmark achievements of businesses that have served the public for years would be celebrated.” Sardy believes that would “put a face on their businesses and bring the Chamber to the next level.” He urged Chamber member businesses that are having a “landmark year” to contact him so that they can participate in a September Recognition Ceremony at the Marriott Hotel.