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Where Business Executives in New Jersey Go to Unwind

The Edge for September 2018

An Exclusive Article for NJ ChamberEdge
Grounds for Sculpture
At Grounds for Sculpture in Hamilton Township, there are sculptures, beautiful landscapes and plenty of quiet places to take it all in.

With deadlines, meetings and reviews, any workplace can get stressful. It can get intense. So we asked New Jersey business executives to share with us the places – the hidden gems – they retreat to in New Jersey to unwind. Here’s what they said.
 

 

Grounds for Sculpture

Aldonna Ambler

I enjoy Grounds for Sculpture in Hamilton Township, where the New Jersey State Fairgrounds used to be. Each sculpture is displayed in its own distinct setting. The landscaping and foliage play large parts of the overall immersive experience. There are sufficient walkways, seating and refreshments. Plus there are quiet meditation areas that are exquisite. I enjoy visiting at least four times each year because the seasons make a huge difference in the experience.

– Aldonna Ambler, President, Ambler Growth Strategy Consultants

 

Don Jay SmithA Walk in the Woods

When I need to get away from work for a few hours, I like to go for a hike in the woods. Places like Hacklebarney State Park in Chester and Schooley’s Mountain Park in Long Valley are beautiful. But one of my favorites in Central Jersey is the Ken Lockwood Gorge where I can take my dog and walk along the scenic South Branch of the Raritan River. While it’s very popular on the weekends, during the week it is relatively quiet and provides a refreshing respite from my computer and cell phone. The trail follows an old, one-lane road that has long been closed to vehicles so it is an easy walk with plenty of places to sit by the meandering water. To me, there is nothing better than quiet time in the woods and New Jersey is filled with gorgeous opportunities.

– Don Jay Smith, Partner, LKS Associates Inc.

 

Ralph ThomasThe Picturesque Grounds of Fiddler’s Elbow

My favorite hidden gem in New Jersey is the serenity of Fiddler’s Elbow Country Club in Bedminster. As soon as I step foot inside, I have a feeling of calm, and I begin to decompress from the workday or week. This is thanks to the facility’s picturesque grounds, friendly staff and great dining experiences. They also have a culture of respect on the grounds where cellphones, for example, are expected to be muted to ensure everyone has the same serene experience. Whether I’m spending quiet time or enjoying a meal with my wife and friends, the facility makes you feel welcome. As an avid golfer, Fiddler’s three golf courses, training programs and practice areas are particularly inviting. Playing golf on such wonderful grounds makes you enjoy the sport even more.

– Ralph Albert Thomas, CEO and Executive Director, NJCPA

 

Responses for this article were edited for space and clarity.

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Newsmakers

Will Morey, president and CEO Morey’s Piers, the family-owned amusement park in Wildwood, has been reappointed to the U.S. Department of Commerce Travel and Tourism Advisory Board for a third term.

Jeffrey Knight

As Jennifer Shimek transitions to a new leadership role at KPMG LLP, the company announced Jeffrey Knight will succeed her as office managing partner in Short Hills. Effective March 1, Knight will be responsible for the strategic direction and growth of KPMG’s practice in Essex County. The office boasts nearly 944 partners and professionals. Knight brings 25 years of experience at KPMG to the role.

Former New Jersey Supreme Court Justice Lee A. Solomon has joined Archer & Greiner's Business Litigation Group. Solomon has served in all three branches of government, as a member of the state Assembly, a cabinet member serving as president of the Board of Public Utilities, and in the judiciary.

Vicki Walia

Vicki Walia has been named chief people officer at Newark-based Prudential Financial, effective March 31. Walia will succeed Lucien Alziari, who will retire after serving as in the role for eight years. Currently, Walia leads human resources for the company’s U.S. businesses and PGIM, Prudential’s global asset management business.

The Bank of America Board of Directors appointed Maria Martinez as a director. Martinez formerly served as a senior executive at Cisco Systems. She has also held leadership positions at Salesforce Inc., Microsoft Corporation, Motorola Solutions and AT&T Bell Laboratories.

American Water, the largest regulated water and wastewater utility company in the U.S., announced that Denise Venuti Free, formerly senior director of communications and external affairs for New Jersey American Water, has been appointed vice president of external communications.

June Ann Garafano

Saint Peter’s Healthcare System named June-Ann Garafano its vice president and chief human resources officer. Prior to joining Saint Peter’s, Garafano served as ministry chief human resources officer for Trinity Health of New England’s physician enterprise medical group and St. Mary’s Hospital in Connecticut.

RWJBarnabas Health appointed Roshan Hussain to serve as its new chief data and analytics officer. Hussain previously served as chief data officer at the University of Kentucky HealthCare.

Thomas Edison State University named Matthew Cooper vice president for Integrated Technology and chief technology officer. Cooper previously served as chief technology officer and associate vice president of organizational learning at TESU.

Prager Metis, a global accounting and advisory firm with a heavy presence in New Jersey, announced that Joseph Rosoff was promoted to principal in the Tax Department and Matthew Iandolo was promoted to principal in the Private Wealth Services Department.

Cooperman Barnabas Medical Center earned an 'advanced comprehensive stroke program' certification, the hospital announced. The achievement, recognized by the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association, is the highest level of certification for hospitals that treat complex stroke cases.

Dr. Steven Stylianos, a nationally renowned pediatric surgeon, will join RWJBarnabas Health as system director for pediatric surgery and surgeon-in-chief at The Bristol-Myers Squibb Children’s Hospital in New Brunswick. Stylianos also will be a professor of surgery in the department of surgery and chief of the division of pediatric surgery at Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School.

Steven Menna has joined advisory and tax firm Withum, as a partner in its Financial Services Group. Menna will lead the firm’s national alternative investments expansion with a concentration on the southeast and southwest regions.

Delta Dental awarded a $100,000 grant to the Brookdale Community College Foundation that will provide scholarships, equipment and job placement support for students in the college’s dental assistant and dental radiology programs. It is one of the largest contributions the dental education program has ever received, Brookdale said.

Inspira Health announced that Julie Ellis is assuming the role of senior vice president and chief human resources officer. Ellis will succeed Anneliese McMenamin, who is retiring. Since joining Inspira Health in 2021 as vice president of human resources, Ellis has significantly enhanced the organization through focused employee recruitment and retention efforts.

Inspira Health appointed Ruth Bash to serve as senior vice president and chief experience officer. Bash will focus on patient and family engagement, workforce experience, quality improvements within clinical processes, and communication and advocacy for a high-quality patient experience.

JPMorgan Chase, in a continuing effort to increase home ownership across the state, announced it is making a $1.1 million investment to eight nonprofit organizations to help Increase and preserve the state’s affordable housing supply and support people on the path to homeownership. The investment is primarily targeted to Newark's Clinton Hill neighborhood.

Rizco, a woman-owned marketing agency in New Jersey, was named an honoree in the '2024 NJBIZ Empowering Women – Companies Leading the Way' awards program. The program celebrates over 40 New Jersey-based organizations promoting women’s empowerment and advancement through strategic and impactful initiatives.

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