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The Edge for July 2017

An Exclusive Article for NJ ChamberEdge

An Exclusive Article for NJ ChamberEdge

Spring Lake

The most successful leaders know when it’s time to work and when it’s time to step away from business for a while. Since it's July, we asked New Jersey executives to tell us their favorite Garden State vacation spots. And we asked them why getting away makes them better business leaders. Here is what they said:

 

Listening to the Seagulls at the Jersey Shore Provides Perspective

Hagaman Bill

As a resident of Spring Lake, all I need to do to get away is to walk down the street to the beach. There’s nothing like a peaceful, early morning in a beach chair with a cup of coffee. Looking out over the vast, beautiful ocean and listening to the seagulls reminds me how blessed I am to live on the Jersey Shore. It helps to clear the mind and gain perspective.

– Bill Hagaman, Managing Partner and CEO of WithumSmith+Brown

 

Sunfish Pond is Good for Relaxing, Recharging and Remembering

Sunfish Pond

When I want to unwind, I hike Sunfish Pond along the Kittatinny Ridge portion of the Appalachian Trail. Sunfish Pond, the southernmost glacial lake along the Appalachian Trail, is one of New Jersey’s hidden treasures. It was declared a National Natural Landmark in 1970 after the site was nearly destroyed in the 1960’s as part of the Tocks Island Dam project that was ultimately cancelled.

My first trip to Sunfish Pond was as a 12 year old Boy Scout, hiking up the ridge from our scout camp on the Delaware. I still remember the sense of awe from seeing the frigidly cold 44 acre expanse once we reached the top.

Dennis ToftSince then, I have been back for day hikes and longer backpacking trips to explore many different trails up to the pond. Each time I learn and see something new. There is nothing like breathing in fresh air in a beautiful natural environment to clear one’s head and make one realize how important it is to preserve nature’s gems. This experience helps me relax, recharge and remember why I became an environmental attorney -- to help ensure there is a balance between the protection of our environment and the evolving needs of a modern society. At the end of these trips, I am energized to pursue my practice and help my clients.

– Dennis M. Toft, Chair of the Environmental Group at the law firm Chiesa Shahinian & Giantomasi

 

A Walk among Exquisite Sculptures Challenges the Senses

AmblerThe Grounds for Sculpture in Hamilton Township provides an opportunity to get outside and take a refreshing walk among exquisite sculptures, a wide variety of foliage and meditation gardens. I particularly enjoy the Johnson sculptures that depict day-to-day life in a past, much slower century. When you are weighing options for a significant business investment or a work problem, a visit to the Grounds for Sculpture can challenge your senses and clear your head.

– Aldonna Ambler, President, Amber Growth Strategy Consultants

 

Time in the Sun, Sand and Ocean Paves the Way for Relationships

Paul MardenTo unwind, I go to Long Beach Island. The sun, sand and ocean can relax anyone. Plus, you can forge great memories of being with families and friends at the beach.

Having balance in your life between work and play helps you keep perspective. All of our colleagues, clients and business partners have varied interests outside of work that help them unwind. People who smell the roses and share their experiences (tend to) cultivate more interesting and deeper relationships and that helps them develop trust with those around them.

– Paul Marden, CEO, UnitedHealthcare of New Jersey

 

Cape May Keeps the Mind Open and Ready to Go

Swan Lighthouse New Jersey Cape May Wetlands 669209

Marjorie PerryThree or four times during the summer, I camp out at a bed and breakfast in Cape May. I look for new and interesting antiques, handmade jewelry, and taffy candy is a must. Then I bike to Sunset Beach to top off a wonderful, hot summer day. That means I get a hamburger with everything on it. It’s relaxing, and it keeps my mind open and ready to go when I return to the office.

– Marjorie Perry, President and CEO, MZM Construction & Management

 


Interviews and submissions are edited and condensed.

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.