Breakout Sessions : Farmingdale Entrepreneur Conference

Learn how to make the transition from employee to business owner. Our panel will share their insight on how they were successful in making the switch.

Admitted 1989, New York Bar; 1990, U.S. District Court – Southern and Eastern Districts of New York.

Experience: Member, Murray and Hopkins (1995-) Legal Counsel to The West Sayville-Oakdale Fire District (1999-) and The Islip Terrace Fire District (2001-); Appointed by the New York State Supreme Court as Referee to the New York State Liquidation Bureau (2000-); State Hearing Officer for Small Claims Assessment Review, Nassau and Suffolk Counties (1996-); of counsel and formerly Senior Associate to White, Quinlan & Stanley, Garden City, New York (1989-); of counsel to Hopkins, Kopilow & Weil, (1995-1998); Adjunct Professor, Long Island University (1998-); Clerk to the National Labor Relations Board, Judges’ Division (1988); Clerk to the Honorable Edward G. McCabe, J.S.C., Administrative Judge of the New York State Supreme Court, County of Nassau (1987).

Education: Touro College, Jacob D. Fuchsberg Law Center (J.D. 1989, Research Editor of Moot Court), Niagara University (B.S. Labor Relations and Business Management – 1984).

Member: New York State, Suffolk County and Nassau County Bar Associations; New York State Trial Lawyers Association; Nassau/Suffolk Trial Lawyers Association; Chairman of the Board of Directors and Past President of the East End Republican Club; Suffolk County Republican Committee (1992-); Nassau County Republican Committee (1987-1990); West Sayville Fire Department (1993-); Brehon Society; Phi Alpha Delta; Islip Town Volunteer Firefighter’s Association; Suffolk County Volunteer Firefighter’s Association, Irish-Americans in Government, Suffolk County Volunteer Firefighter’s Emerald Society, Founding member of Meadow’s Edge Chapter of BNI.

A graduate of Nassau Community College with a degree in Hotel Restaurant Management, Kevin started his career as a General Manager of Fishtales, a 100-seat seafood restaurant in Bayside, New York. Three years later, Kevin was moving on and advancing his career and learning experience with Hotel and Conference Center Management working at the Hotel Macklowe and Conference Center in New York.

In 1992 Kevin become Banquet Operations Director for the Essex House Hotel in New York and stayed with them for eight years. His next challenge was the Waldorf Astoria in New York as the Director of Stewarding Operations.

With all this experience under his belt, it was now time for Kevin to go out on his own. Kevin is now owner/operator of a large, popular Long Island delicatessen and catering operation called Twin Forks Catering and Maple Tree Deli in Riverhead, New York. With a progressive background in the hospitality arena and customer service orientation, Kevin is a leader whose creativity, energy, bottom line focus is evidenced by a uniquely successful career. His expertise includes start-up and turn-around operations, human resource management, sales and vendor identification and management.

Lillian Dent, Co-owner of LL Dent Restaurant

Lillian Dent and her daughter Chef Leisa Dent are co-owners of LL Dent Restaurant. Lillian re-entered the workforce after her children were old enough, and also went back to school to earn a Bachelor’s Degree. Lillian recently retired from the corporate world.

With over 30 years of experience cooking and extensive management experience, Leisa and her mother Lillian, have created LL Dent, their vision of home-style American cuisine with a southern flair. Set in an environment reminiscent of a southern dining room, LL Dent’s authenticity is only surpassed by its southern hospitality. LL Dent is a full service southern style restaurant, unique to Nassau County, featuring lunch and dinner. LL Dent Restaurant received the 2007 Business Award for owning a successful restaurant, located at 221 Old Country Road in Carle Place, New York. Business and Professional Women of Nassau County, April 14, 2007 at The Marriott Hotel in Uniondale, New York presented the award.