D'Amato's consulting firm opens Taiwan office

Former U.S. Sen. Alfonse D'Amato's roots are solidly on Long Island. But those of his privately owned consulting company, Park Strategies Llc, are not. The company that D'Amato, of Lido Beach, formed 11 years ago has opened its first overseas office, in Taipei, Taiwan.

D'Amato was in Taipei a few weeks ago for the opening, along with Taiwan vice president Vincent Siew. The day after the opening, D'Amato met with Taiwan's president, Ma Ying-Jeou.

According to a Park Strategies announcement, Ma "promised to create a more business-friendly environment in Taiwan."

Park Strategies has offices also in Washington, D.C., Albany, Buffalo and Uniondale. The firm provides consulting services for a variety of industries, including telecommunications, financial services, defense and banking. D'Amato, a Republican, was once chairman of the Senate Banking Committee.

Dana Sanneman, a Park Strategies spokeswoman, said firm vice president Sean King, who has business experience in Asia, suggested opening a Taipei office. Taiwan is "a gateway to Asia," Sanneman said.