James Vilardi is a lifelong Five Towns resident who grew up in Inwood and now lives in Hewlett. Involved with several diverse civic organizations, he is someone who has used his real estate acumen — pro bono — to help a local business remain viable. Vilardi, 60, says he just likes helping. “I think of myself as a problem solver,” he said. “There’s a solution to the problem. We just need to find it.”

He was taught by his late parents, Levy and Josephine Vilardi, to lend a helping hand. They were involved with the John Oliveri Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1582 in Inwood. Levy was a post commander, and Josephine was a member of the Ladies Auxiliary.