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The Edge for May 2021

An Exclusive Article for NJ ChamberEdge

Inside this month's Edge

The state is set to lift many pandemic restrictions on May 19. So we asked New Jersey business executives whether they expect employees to return to the office full-time, or has working from home during the shutdown demonstrated that a hybrid – or even a full-time remote work situation – is the best way to move forward. Here is what they said:

 

Brydget Falk-DriganA Plan to Ease Everybody Back to the Office in September

Beginning July 6, employees will return to work using a ‘Team A/B’ structure on alternating weeks, providing for a gradual return. They will be expected to strive for three days on site during their designated week. However, we will be flexible for those without childcare. Beginning Sept. 6, employees will be expected to return permanently, supported with work-from-home days to be used as they wish for 2021. We anticipate one to two work-from-home days per week for each employee. Work-from-home days can be used as a lump sum, weekly, or a combination of both. We will evaluate this hybrid work arrangement in the fall before any permanent decisions are made for 2022.

– Brydget Falk-Drigan, Executive Vice President, Chief Human Resources Officer, Peapack-Gladstone Bank

 

Dennis Wilson‘Our Associates Can Work In a Hybrid Model and Succeed’

Determining the direction of a return-to-work plan must take into consideration employee vaccination rates, state and federal guidelines, office design, and our team’s safety. I don’t see us as a 100% virtual organization, nor do I see us requiring everyone to be onsite all day, everyday. A workforce capable of working virtually, especially on a moment’s notice, is a key component of our business continuity planning. I am confident that our associates can work in a hybrid work from home/onsite model and succeed.

– Dennis Wilson, President & CEO, Delta Dental of New Jersey

 

Jennifer Shimek‘Our Professionals Have Proven They Can Serve Clients No Matter Where They Are Based’

We envision a hybrid model for our Short Hills office. Many of our people will work remotely going forward, with the office space used for collaborating, relationship-building and brainstorming – especially with clients. Focused work can be done at the location our people choose. Our professionals have clearly shown their ability to serve clients no matter where they are based.

– Jen Shimek, Managing Partner, Short Hills Office, KPMG

 

Craig Montanaro‘We’ll Do Some Things Differently’

Certainly, we’ll do some things differently. Business development team members normally based at our corporate office will likely continue working remotely for the foreseeable future. Other corporate employees will be assessed individually, with some returning to the office, others continuing remotely, and others assuming hybrid schedules. These decisions will be based on various criteria, including roles, responsibilities, the amount of time typically spent outside the office, and also input from our various business lines and their staff. Overall, we’ve learned from the pandemic, and we’ll use those lessons wisely.

– Craig Montanaro, President and CEO, Kearny Bank

 

Responses for this article were edited for space and clarity.

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Newsmakers

Lincoln Techncal Institute Founder J. Warren Davies is among the 50 nominees for the New Jersey Hall of Fame’s class of 2024. A decorated Army Captain and entrepreneur, Davies established Lincoln Tech in 1946 with a singular mission – to empower veterans returning from World War II with the skills needed to transition back into the workforce.


Dr. Lisa Gallucci has been named as the new chair of Delta Dental of New Jersey‘s foundation. Gallucci succeeds Dr. George McLaughlin, who retired at the end of 2023.


Jim Fakult

Jim Fakult, President of Jersey Central Power and Light (JCP&L), has been named the recipient of Morris Habitat for Humanity's Community Partner Award for 2024. The award was presented at the organization's Hearts & Hammers Gala on Feb. 22 in Mountain Lakes.


United Airlines All Female CrewTo honor Women’s History Month, United Airlines recognized an all-female crew that flew from Newark to Sarasota, Florida – and back – led by Capt. Gabrielle Harding. First Officer Julia Ewalefo and all the flight attendants, customer service representatives and ramp services employees working the flight were also women. They flew a Boeing 737.


Lynda Markoe

RWJBarnabas Health appointed Lynda Markoe as its new chief people officer. In her new role, Markoe is responsible for leading human resources operations. Markoe most recently served as chief people and culture officer for Bed, Bath & Beyond.


Heather Veltre

Overlook Medical Center in Summit, part of Atlantic Health System, recently named Heather Veltre as its new chief nursing officer. Veltre will be responsible for the overall delivery and management of nursing, professional development, research, administration and clinical services.


Amazon.com Inc. has joined the ranks of one of Wall Street’s oldest and most exclusive stock indexes: The Dow Jones Industrial Average. The e-commerce pioneer took its position among the 30-company Dow, replacing drugstore operator Walgreens Boots Alliance.


New Brunswick-based Johnson & Johnson said it completed the acquisition of Ambrx Biopharma Inc. in an all-cash merger deal for a total equity value of approximately $2 billion, or $1.9 billion net of estimated cash acquired. The transaction will be accounted for as a business combination. The acquisition gives J&J an opportunity to design, develop and commercialize targeted oncology therapeutics.


Ground has been broken at Metropark in Woodbridge on the site of the future Hackensack Meridian Health and Wellness Center, a 12-acre, $200 million project that will comprise 240,000 square feet of space. It will include the future headquarters of HMH, along with services such as primary care, medical and surgical specialties, a sports and spine center, retail pharmacy and more.


Hackensack Meridian Mountainside Medical Center and Hackensack Meridian Pascack Valley Medical Center recently announced Todd Huffman, who serves as CFO for both facilities, has been recognized as CFO of the Year by Ardent Health Services.


Saint Peter’s Healthcare System unveiled its expanded Family Health Center in New Brunswick. The center, which underwent a $12 million modernization, offers comprehensive primary and specialty care to adults, children and women, many of whom are among the city’s most vulnerable. The new 73,000-square-foot center, which currently has 60,000 visits per year, will now have the capacity for 100,000 visits.


The National Cancer Institute (NCI) has redesignated Rutgers Cancer Institute, together with RWJBarnabas Health, as the state’s only Comprehensive Cancer Center. Rutgers Cancer Institute scored in the “exceptional range” in a 2023 NCI review. That places it among the top cancer centers in the nation, and one of just 56 with the prestigious distinction.


Rowan University President Ali Houshmand said he intends for the school to dramatically increase its enrollment to 38,500 by 2033 – with the majority of growth coming from online programs. Rowan had a total undergraduate enrollment of 15,264 in the fall 2022, according to U.S. News & World Report.


To help bridge resource and leadership gaps at nonprofits across the county, Bank of America’s ‘Leader on Loan’ program, which began in 2017, lends bank leaders to local organizations full-time. Pragna Mehta is concluding her Leader on Loan experience as interim Data and Analytics Strategist for Liberty Science Center. Pragna is TechStart Pathways Program Manager at Bank of America, and she joined LSC through Leader on Loan in the spring of 2023.


Sills Cummis & Gross announced Craig Parker has come on board as the firm’s newest member. Parker joins the Newark-based law firm's Construction Law Practice, where he will provide strategic legal and business counsel to local and national construction contractors, developers, surety companies and commercial clients.