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The Edge for February 2025

An Exclusive Article for NJ ChamberEdge

This Month's ChamberEdge Contributors

We asked New Jersey Chamber of Commerce members to share their “must-see” destinations in the Garden State. Their responses spanned the state, from New Jersey Devils hockey, the Delaware Water Gap, and Paterson Great Falls in North Jersey; to The Stone Pony, Grounds for Sculpture, and Point Pleasant Beach in Central Jersey; to Cowtown Rodeo, Morey’s Piers, and Cape May in South Jersey. And that’s just the beginning. Read the full article below.

 

Wildwood Beaches, NJ Devils Hockey, and Outdoor Concerts at The Stone Pony

Douglas GrahamWildwood brings me back to my childhood. With some of the only free beaches in the state, you can’t beat the games, rides, and food on one of NJ’s best boardwalks.

Watching a Devils game at Newark’s Prudential Center is also great. The excitement of live hockey is amazing, and the arena has a lot of options for refreshments.

The Stone Pony in Asbury Park is one of the coolest music venues anywhere, and it’s quintessential “Jersey.” It hosts great musicians, especially in the summer when the outside stage is rockin’.

– Douglas Graham, Senior Manager, Audit & Assurance, EisnerAmper

 

Alberto GarafaloThe Newark Museum of Art’s World-Class Exhibits

The Newark Museum of Art is a must-see. The local artists, film festivals and public programs are incredible, and its science and natural history collections are captivating. The arts are a powerful way to learn about our history, and we’re lucky to have its world-class exhibits right here in New Jersey. One of the best times to go is during the first full weekend of the month when (Bank of America) cardholders are eligible for free admission through Museums on us.

– Alberto Garofalo, president, Bank of America New Jersey

 

Michael MunozAsbury Park Has Something for Everyone

Whether you are a foodie, a beach enthusiast, or a music fan, Asbury Park has something special to offer everyone. When in the area, I recommend visiting Porta, Talula’s, AP Rooftop or Asbury Lanes for music and bowling.

– Mike Munoz, Senior Vice President and Market President, AmeriHealth

 

In South Jersey, there’s Cowtown Rodeo, NJ Motorsports Park, Edelman Fossil Park, Morey’s Piers and Wineries

Amy MansueHere are my recommendations:

  • Cowtown Rodeo in Pilesgrove is the longest-running weekly rodeo in the country. There’s bull riding, barrel racing, and good old-fashioned cowboy fun.
  • New Jersey Motorsports Park in Millville is the best place to be for professional races, hopping into a go-kart, or just soaking in the high-speed energy.
  • Rowan University’s Edelman Fossil Park and Museum in Mantua opens this March, bringing hands-on fossil digs and prehistoric discoveries to South Jersey.
  • South Jersey’s farms and vineyards offer something special in every season. From spring tulips at Dalton Farms in Swedesboro to the summertime Red, White, and Blueberry Festival in Hammonton to autumn apple picking at Hill Creek Farm in Mullica Hill, there’s always a reason to get outside. For wine lovers, William Heritage winery in Mullica Hill and Valenzano Winery in Shamong are really special.
  • Nothing beats a trip to the Jersey Shore! Morey’s Piers in Wildwood is my favorite. It’s even where Inspira holds its annual employee picnic. Whether you go for the nostalgia, the food, the fun or the sun, there’s always something for everyone at the Jersey Shore. It’s part of what makes living here so special.

– Amy Mansue, CEO, Inspira Health

 

Kevin LuingThe Historic Towns of Morristown and Cape May

Two can’t-miss places in New Jersey are Morristown and Cape May. Morristown has the Jockey Hollow National Historical Park where you can absorb Revolutionary War history while also hiking or biking. Morristown also offers first-class entertainment at the Mayo Performing Arts Center and a plethora of fine dining options in a beautiful town setting. Cape May is historical with its Victorian homes, Congress Hall, and the Harriet Tubman Museum. Beaches and fine dining add to the allure.

– Kevin L. Luing, Chairman of the Board, Berkeley College

 

Kim AlvarezThe Jersey Shore, Grounds for Sculpture and Hiking in the Skylands

As a Jersey Girl, my first instinct is to say that a day at The Shore – the lively boardwalk of Asbury Park or the peaceful sands of Cape May – is one of life’s greatest pleasures. But, as the publisher of Jersey’s Best magazine, I know New Jersey is bursting with hidden gems for everyone. Grounds for Sculpture in Hamilton is a must-visit with its gardens filled with larger-than-life art. And head to the Skylands for hiking trails, lakes and breathtaking mountain views. New Jersey has it all.

– Kim Alvarez, Publisher, Jersey’s Best; Chief Revenue Officer, NJ Advance Media

 

Michael CandidoPoint Pleasant Beach is a Good Place to Sample the Jersey Shore

Our state has about 130 miles of beach, and Point Pleasant Beach is a good place to get a sample of the best of the Jersey Shore. The beach is terrific, wide with soft sand. There’s Jenkinson’s Boardwalk which has games, an aquarium and rides for the kids. And there are plenty of hotels, shops and restaurants, and party-boat fishing trips. It’s an overall great experience for the whole family.

– A. Michael Candido, President. J. Moore & Co. Mechanical Contractors

 

Paterson Great Falls, Delaware Water Gap and the Beach in Manasquan

Dustin RiccioHere are my recommendations:

  • Paterson Great Falls: Beautiful falls in the center of historic industrial town now designated as a national historical park.
  • Delaware Water Gap: Given the beauty and accessibility of the water gap, it provides people with a better understanding of the outdoor activities associated with New Jersey, and helps dispel misconceptions associated with our densely populated state.
  • The Beach in Manasquan: Manasquan gives people a great flavor of the Jersey Shore.

– Dustin Riccio, President and CEO, St. Joseph's Health

 

Randy StodardGo to Morristown National Historic Park for U.S. History

We are headquartered here, so I’m partial to many Morris County sites – given their rich history. For anyone with an interest in how the U.S. became a nation, you have to visit Morristown National Historic Park. This includes the soldier huts and sprawling fields and forests of Jockey Hollow, where the Continental Army encamped during the harsh winter of 1779 to 1780. You also should visit Washington’s Headquarters Museum and Fort Nonsense – two more sites that comprise the Morristown National Historical Park.

– Randy Stodard, Chief Marketing Officer and Vice President, Delta Dental of New Jersey and Connecticut

 

This article is part of a collaboration with Military Matters, an ROI-NJ publication, which is planning a follow-up article on New Jersey's top destinations for military families new to the Garden State.

Responses for this article were edited for space and clarity.

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Newsmakers

As Jennifer Shimek transitions to a new leadership role at KPMG LLP, the company announced Jeffrey Knight has succeeded her as office managing partner in Short Hills.


Ernst & Young LLP appointed Eduardo Villa to serve as the Iselin office managing partner. In his new role, Villa oversees more than 1,200 EY professionals. Villa has been with EY for more than 22 years and has served as the New Jersey Tax Market Leader since 2019.


EisnerAmper has appointed David Frigeri to serve as partner and chief artificial intelligence officer. Frigeri will work with leadership to integrate AI, machine learning, and automation into EisnerAmper’s services to enhance client value and operational efficiency.


Fortune magazine named Merck, Hackensack Meridian Health and Atlantic Health System among the country’s 100 best companies to work for in its latest such list, released April 2. The 100 Best Companies to Work For list honors businesses that build a high-trust workplace environment, and is based on employee surveys.


Public Service Electric & Gas was recognized by J.D. Power as the top utility for residential customer satisfaction in both the electric and gas customer service categories in the East Large Segment for 2024. This achievement marks the second time PSE&G has earned this prestigious dual recognition for its residential customer satisfaction.


Prudential Financial has expanded the role of Caroline Feeney, appointing her as CEO of Global Retirement and Insurance Businesses, a newly created position that will oversee the company’s domestic and international retirement and insurance operations.


Former NJ Transit General Counsel Brian Wilton is joining the national bipartisan government affairs practice of Newark-based McCarter & English LLP.


Kenvue Inc., the maker of well-known brands like Neutrogena, Listerine, Aveeno and Tylenol, held a ribbon-cutting ceremony March 19 for its new, 290,000-square-foot global headquarters in Summit. The company has officially moved its headquarters from Skillman.


South Jersey Industries has donated $46,000 to the Southern New Jersey Chapter of the American Red Cross. The gift includes $23,000 in pledges from SJI employees as part of the company’s annual giving campaign, matched dollar-for-dollar by SJI. In total, this year’s campaign raised $350,000 for various organizations – a new record for the company.


Rowan University’s Edelman Fossil Park & Museum in Mantua opened March 29. It features towering dinosaur models, interactive exhibits, and a quarry where visitors can dig for fossils.


Thomas Edison State University has appointed Dr. Henry Collier as the new dean of its School of Science and Technology, effective April 7. Collier, a cybersecurity and artificial intelligence expert with more than 15 years of experience in higher education, will lead the school’s efforts to expand its programs and prepare students for careers in emerging technologies.


Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital, part of RWJBarnabas Health, and Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School recently received a $2.4 million grant to develop technology to better manage patients presenting with heart attacks.


RWJBarnabas Health celebrated the grand opening of its largest academic ambulatory outpatient facility, a 15-story ambulatory medical pavilion on the Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital campus in New Brunswick.


CentraState Medical Center, part of Atlantic Health System, unveiled the Hersh Pediatric Center at CentraState, a facility that combines advanced pediatric emergency and inpatient services in one family-friendly location.


Cooper and Inspira Cardiac Care team members at Cooper University Hospital in Camden were excited to announce they surpassed 1,000 cardiac surgeries in 2024, the highest number in South Jersey, and third highest in the state


The New Jersey Economic Development Authority Board approved the creation of the New Jersey Film Works Grant Program and entered into Memorandums of Understanding with Montclair State University and Brookdale Community College to expand film and digital media workforce development initiatives.


Merck has signed a licensing agreement for a heart disease drug with Jiangsu Hengrui Pharmaceuticals worth up to $2 billion. Merck will get exclusive rights to develop, manufacture and sell Jiangsu Hengrui Pharmaceuticals’ experimental oral heart disease drug, HRS-5346, worldwide, except in the China region.


Jefferson Health in New Jersey announced its newly elected medical staff officers, who will serve two-year terms. Dr. Gopika Banker was named medical staff president; Dr. Gerardo Varallo was named medical staff vice president; and Dr. Siddharth Bhimani was named medical staff treasurer.