The Lakewood Chamber of Commerce recently held its annual retreat and induction ceremony for the 2020 Executive Board and Directors at Harrogate, 400 Locust Street, Lakewood, with a dinner prepared by Harrogate’s Executive Chef Joseph Alonzo.
Jose Fabrizzio Orozco, immediate past president and business development VP for Savoy Bank, welcomed everyone on behalf of 2020 Chamber President Justin Flancbaum, executive director of the Lakewood Township MUA (Municipal Utilities Authority).
Guest speaker Senator Robert W. Singer, New Jersey’s 30th Legislative District, praised the work of the Lakewood Chamber and spoke about future job expansion and benefits for area businesses.
Lakewood Mayor Ray Coles congratulated the Lakewood Chamber for the outstanding job it has done in attracting businesses. Mayor Coles noted that 32 years ago when he began his business, it was the Chamber that reached out to him, helping him succeed.
Menashe Miller, executive director of the Lakewood Chamber, said, “We are proud to represent our thriving business community and to promote the economic growth and development of area businesses.”
Among its many accomplishments, the Chamber now represents 310 businesses and is growing. As of April 1, the Chamber’s new headquarters will be at 1771 Madison Avenue, Lakewood. The Chamber also unveiled its new user friendly website www.mylakewoodchamber.com., where members can upload their information.
The 2020 Lakewood Chamber Executive Board is made up of President Justin Flancbaum, Lakewood Township MUA; 1st Vice President Steven Mertz, Assistant Vice President of Fulton Bank; 2nd Vice President Julie Vanore, Chief Administrative Officer, Preferred Behavioral Health; Treasurer Jason Re, Senior Manager, CG Tax, Audit and Advisory Firm; and Secretary Leonard Allen, Business Banking VP, Lakeland Bank; and Members-at-Large Ben Heinemann, Owner of BP Print Group, and Jose F. Orozco.
2020 Board members, sworn in by Executive Director Miller, are Attorney Jonathan Bender, Jonathan L. Bender, PC; Bruce Canell, Account Executive, Brickforce Staffing; Jill Flynn, Vice President, OceanFirst Bank; Denice Gaffney, Vice President, Foundation, Monmouth Medical Center Southern Campus; Lisa Gallicchio, Director Of Community Relations, Preferred Home Health Care & Nursing Services; Jeff Gerstenblatt, Jeffrey Gerstenblatt, Esq.; Ram Hegde, Owner of Dunkin Donuts; Dion Johnson, Managing Partner, Modern Planning Group; Fran Kirschner, President of Frantasy Enterprises, PR Firm; Jan Kirsten, Ocean County College; Patricia Komsa, Lakewood Township HR; David Nicola, Business Development Executive, Maser Consulting; Paul Oster, Better Qualified; Eli Rennert, Senior VP, First Commerce Bank; and Lori Raia Thomas, Assoc. Director Corporate and Foundation Relations, Georgian Court University.
Chamber liaisons are Senator Robert Singer; utilities representatives Bob Gallo, NJ Natural Gas, and John Meehan, JCP&L; and business association representative Ben Waldron, executive director of MODC (Monmouth Ocean Development Council).