Making Media that Matters: Chris Vaccaro

Creating a Culinary Masterpiece: Eric LeVine

This week, we are welcoming Eric LeVine onto the Long Island Legends Podcast! Chef Eric LeVine grew up in Brooklyn, trained at the Culinary Institute of America, and launched his career under celebrity chef David Burke at the River Café. He went on to become Chef de Cuisine at the Marriott Marquis in NYC, earning wide recognition for blending international flavors with modern technique. His accolades include six invitations to host dinners at the James Beard House, the International Chef's Association's Creative Caterer and Chef of the Year (the only American to receive both), a three-star New York Times rating for his restaurant Pleiades, and multiple "Best Chef of Long Island" honors. He became the 2011 Chopped Champion on the Food Network and has made numerous appearances on major networks. Chef Eric has authored multiple cookbooks and is currently Chef/Partner at several Long Island establishments, including Vico and 317 Main Street. He is also actively involved with organizations including the American Cancer Society, as he’s a six- time cancer survivor.

Bringing your Vision to Life: Will La Salle

This week, we are welcoming decorated independent filmmaker Will La Salle onto the Long Island Legends Podcast! La Salle is an actor, director, producer, and screenwriter, and the founder of La Salle Productions. He has built his reputation on a groundbreaking zero-budget approach that produces high-quality films across different genres every year. His directing credits include the acclaimed shorts Hilo and Hilo II, and his feature films Graves, Oculus, and The Security Guard. Hilo II earned him Best Debut Director at the Vesuvius International Film Festival in Italy and Best Film at the Madras International Film Festival. His latest film, The Security Guard, brought him national recognition with appearances on PIX 11, ABC 7, FOX 5's Good Day New York, NY1, and more. Fully dedicated to his craft, La Salle is here to create and innovate in the film industry.

Never Crumble: Marlon Brunn

This week, we are welcoming Marlon Brunn to the Long Island Legends Podcast! A Queens native who found his home on Long Island, Marlon has been passionate about fitness since childhood. After studying business and finance in college and spending time in the corporate world, he realized fitness wasn't just something he did; it was something he lived. That realization led him to step into personal training by creating Tough Cookie Boot Camp, a strong, disciplined community built on a "Never Crumble" mindset. What started as helping a few people has grown into a movement focused on real results, both physical and mental. His mission is simple: to help people become stronger, more confident, and more consistent in every area of their lives.

Entrepreneurship and Fatherhood: Ryan Jones

This week, we are welcoming Ryan Jones to the Long Island Legends Podcast! Ryan is the owner of Chubs Meats and Catering and the CEO of the Jones Food Group. Born and raised in Selden, New York, Ryan’s entrepreneurial journey began at just 17 years old when he started working at a family business called Cow Palace. While learning the ins and outs of the food industry, Ryan was also pursuing another dream, becoming a rock drummer. He spent years playing in a band and touring before ultimately shifting his focus toward building a business of his own. After the band broke up and the tours came to an end, Ryan dedicated himself fully to creating his own path to success. Through years of hard work and persistence, Ryan’s opportunity arrived in 2014 when he and his wife purchased their first store. What began as a single location has since grown into a thriving operation that now includes three stores, food trucks, and several other ventures. In addition to the food business, Ryan has expanded his entrepreneurial footprint into industries such as pickleball facilities, real estate, and credit card companies. Today, he continues to build and grow the Jones Food Group while remaining deeply connected to the Long Island community where his journey began.

Shopping Local Matters: Adam Haber

This week, we are welcoming Adam Haber to the Long Island Legends Podcast! Adam Haber is the Co-Founder and CEO of Trellus, a technology-driven commerce and logistics company enabling small businesses to compete more effectively with large e-commerce platforms. Over the past four years, he has led Trellus from concept to execution, building a same-day delivery and e-commerce infrastructure designed for affordability, reliability, and scale. Trellus leverages proprietary batching and routing technology to reduce delivery costs while improving speed and unit economics. To date, they have completed 200,000+ deliveries, serving merchants and consumers across the NY Metro Area, and expanded into their second market in the North Bay of San Francisco in September 2025.