The Edge for August 2021
We asked New Jersey business executives to tell us how COVID-19 is affecting their vacations this summer. Their answers involve COVID tests, vigilance and flexibility. See exactly what they said below:
How Did He Get to Maui? He Started with a COVID Test.
After our 2020 Hawaiian vacation was canceled, my family was determined to overcome any obstacle to visit Maui in June. To avoid the 10-day quarantine period, Hawaii required a negative COVID test no more than 72 hours prior to landing. For weeks prior to our trip, I worried that we wouldn’t get the test results back in time or worse, test positive. But everything – from testing to the flight to arrival in Hawaii – went off without a hitch. Kudos to United Airlines and the state of Hawaii. P.S. Hawaii dropped their test requirements two weeks after our trip.
– Don Meyer, Chief Marketing Officer, NJCPA
Driving, Not Flying, and Vigilance
My family and I will be venturing out to Vermont to visit extended family and make up for traditions we have dearly missed over the past year. We have not traveled since January 2020, and this vacation will be different for us. We will be driving, not flying, and we’ll continue to be vigilant especially since we will have a young, unvaccinated child in tow. I am fortunate to work at a firm whose leadership has focused on keeping our team safe and healthy in a remote environment since March 2020. Now, the firm’s leadership is encouraging everyone to enjoy some downtime and mindfully step away from work. I am looking forward to the opportunity to unwind, recharge and reset.
– Dawn Afanador, Chief Marketing Officer, Chiesa Shahinian & Giantomasi PC
Vacationing Within an Easy Car Ride
Due to COVID-19 safety concerns, rising hotel and airfare costs and the general hassle of air travel, we are vacationing within easy car rides from home this summer. July 4th weekend, we enjoyed a family reunion near Annapolis, Maryland, where over 20 kids and adults got together, many for the first time since the pandemic started, for kayaking on the Chesapeake Bay and sightseeing in Washington, D.C. We’ll continue to keep it local with a trip down to the Jersey Shore before the kids head back to school.
– Randy Stoddard, Chief Marketing Officer, Delta Dental of New Jersey
The Key to Vacationing this Year? Flexibility.
Late last year, my wife and I booked a Caribbean cruise that will take place shortly. Recently, we were notified that certain islands on the itinerary are now off-limits. We probably won’t know the final itinerary until it’s time to go. Without a doubt, the key to vacationing this year is flexibility.
– Gary S. Horan, President & CEO, Trinitas Health & Regional Medical Center
Bristol Myers Squibb announced appointment of Cari Gallman to serve as executive vice president, general counsel and chief policy officer. She succeeds Sandra "Sandy" Leung, who is retiring after a 33-year career at the company. Gallman has held leadership positions at Bristol Myers Squibb for 10 years, most recently serving as executive vice president, corporate affairs.
Kevin R. Gibala, senior vice president and regional vice president at TD Bank, will become chair of the Inspira Health Foundation Board of Trustees after serving as vice chair in 2024, Inspira Health announced.