Award Ceremony, Reception and Dinner
Wednesday, June 8
Garden State Council, Boy Scouts of America, Presents...
Honoring
John Ruga
Cumberland County
and
David S. Burgin
Salem County
Welcome
Wade Sjögren, Event Co-Chair, Charles Allen, Event Co-Chair
Opening Ceremony: Pledge, Scout Oath and Law
Scouts BSA Troop 33, Sharptown United Methodist Church
Remarks: What Scouting Means to Me Eagle Scout Dylan Tuthill, Scouts BSA Troop 38, Woodstown Presbyterian Church
Invocation
Greg Baker
Buffet Dinner
Remarks by Event Co-Chair Charles Allen
Remarks from the Garden State Council President Debra Rosen, Partner, Archer Law
Recognition of Committee & Sponsors
Event Co-Chairs Wade Sjögren & Charles Allen
Cumberland County Presentation: Good Scout Award to John Ruga
Mark Gorgas, General Manager – Commercial Division, Northeast Precast
Remarks by Cumberland County Honoree, John Ruga
Salem County Presentation: Good Scout Award to David S. Burgin Gunnar Burgin, Son
Remarks by Salem County Honoree, David S. Burgin
Congratulatory Remarks
Government Officials
Remarks from Patrick Linfors, Garden State Council Scout Executive
Closing Remarks
Co-Chairs Charles Allen & Wade Sjögren
Be safe going home
Thank you for your belief in the programs and values of the Boy Scouts of America
For more information about Scouting in South Jersey, visit the Garden State Council website: GardenStateScouting.org
Congratulations John Ruga & David S. Burgin
The Distinguished Citizen “Good Scout” Award is presented to community leaders who exemplify in their daily lives the ideals of the Boy Scouts of America as expressed in the Scout Law and Scout Oath. The recipients are chosen for their outstanding service as evidenced by the interest and leadership they have provided to many worthwhile organizations, as well as the respect and esteem in which they are held by their colleagues.
A Scout is: Trustworthy, Loyal, Helpful, Friendly, Courteous, Kind, Obedient, Cheerful, Thrifty, Brave, Clean, and Reverent
On my honor, I will do my best, to do my duty to God and my country and to obey the Scout Law; to help other people at all times; to keep myself physically strong, mentally awake, and morally straight.
The Good Scout Award statuette is patterned after the statue of a Scout that stands before both the Loren S. Riggins, Jr., Scout Resource Center in Millville and the Rowan Scout Resource Center in Westampton. Here is the story behind the sculpture and its significance in Scouting History.
The sculptor was Dr. R. Tait McKenzie. In 1914 at the request of Dr. Charles D. Hart, President of the then Philadelphia Council, Boy Scouts of America, McKenzie created a statuette of the “Ideal Boy Scout.” His model, selected in a competition of Scout parades, was 12 year-old Franklin Williamson Hoover. Ten bronze 18 inch-high statuettes were cast as part of the Boy Scout Friends of Scouting Program. The edition was closed and Dr. McKenzie presented the copyright to the Philadelphia Council.
Plaster, bronze and epoxy reproductions were sold, beginning in 1916. Later, smaller copies, suitable for desk ornaments, were made available and are highly popular. In 1930, when the Philadelphia Council moved from 916 Walnut Street to 22nd and Winter Streets, it was hoped Dr. McKenzie would create a life-size statue to stand before the new building. He obliged, not by reproducing the small figure, but with a restudied statue with many changes, incorporating the new Scouting insignia.
Scout Douglas Shannon was the “Model in Chief” with Scout Joseph Straub in reserve, but several other Scouts also served as models for head, body and various detailed studies. The statue was unveiled June 12, 1937, Dr. McKenzie making the presentation address. Many life-sized copies are exhibited throughout the United States and in other countries around the Scouting world.
Garden State Council presents “The Ideal Boy Scout Statue” to the Distinguished Citizen because it embodies the meaning of Scouting found in the Scout Oath and Law. These same principles are found in this year’s honorees.
& Salem
Distinguished
Distinguished Contributor
Gold Life
Silver Star
Charles Allen
Bronze First Class
Butlered Hors d’Oeuvres
Henry R. Hansen
Event Co-Chair
Wade Sjögren President
WHIBCO, Inc.
BJ Ayars
Richard Eber III
Mark Edwards
Joe Elwell
Council Leadership
Patrick Linfors
Scout Executive
Carl Gaskill
John F. Hall
Hon. Ben Laury
Richard Morris Jr.
Hon. Carol Musso
Joyce Skradzinski
Development Director
Garden State Council Business Partners
Event Co-Chair
Charles Allen
First Vice President
Wealth Management
Financial Advisor
Morgan Stanley
Frank Rumick
Eric Sjögren
John Sloat
Theresa L. Widger
Thank you for your continuing support.
Ace Pumbing & Heating
Allen Associates
Capizola, Pancari, Lapham & Fralinger
Cumberland County Improvement Authority
Cumberland Mutual
Engineering Design Assoc.
F&S Fresh Foods
Fox Foundation
Franklin Bank
GE Mechanical
Mark V. Shourds Consulting Pc
Mike & Mary Ann Pontano
NJM Insurance Group
Richard E. Pierson Construction
Toyota of Vineland
VLD Municipal Utilities (Lee Toffanelli and Assoc.)
Walt’s Lawn Service
Athey & Co., CPA
Burton Doremus Jr.
Carl Cavagnaro
Carl W. Kirstein
COVIA Holdings Corp.
David Rode
Einstein Associates
George E. Rossi
Lex Nova Law, LLC
Theresa Widger
Tips Trailer Park, Inc.
WW Manufacturing Co., Inc.
Cumberland & Salem Counties Distinguished
Citizen of the Year Reception
CONGRATULATIONS
John Ruga
President
Northeast Precast
Cumberland County Honoree
David S. Burgin
Emergency Preparedness, Offsite and Response Programs
PSEG Nuclear LLC
Salem County Honoree
My name is Dylan Tuthill. I am 15 years old, and I am proud of the accomplishments that I have done in my scouting career so far. One of my greatest accomplishments is becoming an Eagle Scout at the age of 14 along with completing over 75 merit badges. I am currently attending Salem County Vocational Technical School as a freshman. My plan is to one day become a game warden or a state trooper. I also plan to have an associate degree by the time I’m done with high school. I partake in the chess club at my school as an extracurricular activity as one of my hobbies.
Dylan Tuthill President Northeast PrecastI started my Scouting experience at age 6 as a Tiger Scout in Quinton Pack 5. Ever since, I have been dedicated and determined to earn my ranks diligently and I will continue to strive for excellence.
Currently I am the Senior Patrol leader in Woodstown Troop 38. I crossed over to this Troop in 2017 at age 10. While in this troop we have gone caving, fishing, shooting, hiking, canoeing, kayaking, climbing, klondikes, jamborees, and summer camps. When I first joined troop 38 my first trip was to a place called “The High Rocks” and we went climbing there. We would climb up and rappel down the mountain that we hiked to. The next trip was summer camp at Roosevelt Scout Reservation. I had a great time; I took the Rough Riders program, which was good because it taught me the basics of Scouting.
One of my favorite Scouting experiences was earning my Wilderness Survival Badge. To earn that badge we had to learn to live without any amenities. We made our tents out of leaves, ate whatever we caught (snake and fish) and boiled our water to purify it enough to drink.
These are just a few of the trips we have gone on, even though the trips are a blast, it is important to be knowledgeable about your Scouting experience. I am one that wants to have hands-on learning along with the reading materials given for merit badges. I feel the more merit badges you try to earn the more knowledge you will have to be a wellrounded and prepared Scout.
John Ruga is President and CEO of Northeast Precast and has led the company since its inception. He brought his visionary mindset to Cumberland County when he started Northeast Precast in Millville in 2004. Continuing with that vision has allowed NEP to grow far beyond his first idea of creating a manufacturing center for precast basements in New Jersey. He now finds himself at the helm of one of the largest precast concrete operations in the United States.
John grew up in Dorothy in Atlantic County and believes strongly in working hard to give back to the people around him. His Christian faith is woven into his everyday business decisions and the way in which he treats employees and customers alike.
John Ruga President Northeast Precast
Today John and his wife Lorie (VP) reside in Vineland where they’ve worked to establish their company headquarters over the past few years. John believes that Cumberland County has made a strong base for the company’s success. The working-class mindset from employees and the surrounding community have left John with a grateful attitude and the desire to give back each step of the way.
“What I’m doing here is as much for the long-term benefit of the employees as anything. Over time, I want to give them a future that survives beyond me. So we definitely believe in Cumberland County and are excited about this next step.”
Northeast Precast, LLC is a construction manufacturing company specializing in precast concrete. The company offers solutions for residential, commercial, industrial and infrastructure construction. Vertical integration of the manufacturing, construction, steel fabrication/machining, engineering, trucking and heavy equipment operations bring tremendous value to each of its customers and offers great opportunity to its employees. NEP’s headquarters sit on over 150 acres and include over 300,000 sq. ft. of indoor manufacturing space.
STRUCTURAL INSULATED WALL PANELS UP TO 55' TALL AND 14' WIDE
PANEL THICKNESS OPTIONS
8" THICK WITH R-VALUE OF 15 10" THICK WITH R-VALUE OF 15
12" THICK WITH R-VALUE OF 20
STRUCTURAL PRECAST MEMBERS
DOUBLE TEESUP TO 16' WIDE
BEAMS
COLUMNS
CUSTOM PRECAST FOR HIGHWAY INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS
SUPERIOR WALLS
PRECAST INSULATED RESIDENTIAL FOUNDATIONS
David Burgin is the manager for Emergency Preparedness, Offsite and Response Programs at Public Service Enterprise Group (PSEG) Nuclear LLC. Mr. Burgin has built a 40-year career in the emergency preparedness and public affairs sectors. His current position includes responsibility for offsite emergency preparedness for PSEG’s Salem and Hope Creek nuclear generating stations.
Mr. Burgin holds multiple leadership positions with PSEG. He also serves on several advisory boards for professionals in the nuclear energy and emergency preparedness field including the industry representative to the New Jersey State Police Office of Emergency Management, Delaware Emergency Management Agency, Nuclear Energy Institute, and Institute of Nuclear Power Operations.
A committed leader, Mr. Burgin has served on the board of directors of a number of organizations, including the American Red Cross, Rowan University, Stand Up for Salem Main Street, the Southern New Jersey Chamber of Commerce, Salem County Chamber of Commerce, and the Clearview Regional School District.
A graduate of the Southern New Jersey Leadership Institute at Rutgers University, Mr. Burgin earned several degrees from Rowan University—undergraduate degrees in communication/journalism and education and a master’s degree in public relations.
Most importantly, David loves his family – his wife Lisa; his young adult children Brighid, her husband Erik, and their son Cervando; Gunnar and his wonderful fiancé Ashley; and his youngest son Pierce. David also enjoys giving back to his community through, community service, charity, music, theatre and sports.
David S. Burgin Emergency Preparedness, Offsite and Response Programs PSEG Nuclear, LLC
As we recognize your selection as the 2022 Distinguished Citizens of the Year, thank you for your outstanding work in the community and your strong support for Scouting Programs in Cumberland and Salem County.
ANTHONY R. FANUCCI Mayor, City of Vineland
John Ruga
David S. Burgin Cumberland County Salem County
2003 - KENNETH L. ENDER, PH.D.
2004 - PETER GALETTO
2005 - DR. EDWARD H. SALMON
2006 - JAMES M. SEABROOK
2007 - SIDNEY BRODY*
2008 - ALBERT FRALINGER JR.
2009 - ROBERT SWANSON
2010 - J. ALAN WOODRUFF
2011 - GARY SIMMERMAN
2012 - FRANK M. HANKINS JR.
2013 - PAUL J. RITTER III
2014 - DAVID J. HEMPLE
2015 - JEFFREY DUBOIS
2016 - KEN PUSTIZZI
2017 - WADE SJÖGREN
2018 - KENNETH W. FREITAG
2019 - GARY GALLOWAY
2020 - SAM PIPITONE JR.
2021 - CARMINE C. CATALANA IV
*Deceased
DR. GLORIA BONILLA-SANTIAGO
JOHN BRANDT
CAMPBELL SOUP COMPANY
HON. RILETTA CREAM
DR. ROY J. DAWSON
MICHAEL DEVLIN
REV. TONY C. EVANS SR.
EDWIN FIGUEROA
HON. ANGEL FUENTES
REV. DR. LARRON JACKSON, E.DD.
RHONDA LAUER
CARMEN MORALES
LEWIS L. PAYNTER
HON. MARY PREVITE
DAVE ROBERTS
OLVIN S. ROUSE JR.
HON. ALBERT B. KELLY
RALPH PADILLA
TONY SURACE
1977 - THOMAS J. GRIEVES*
1978 - HUBERT P. LAYTON *
1979 - DR. JOHN S. MADARA*
1980 - HENRY D. YOUNG*
1981 - JOSEPH MICHAEL GALVIN
1982 - ANGELO MASSARI*
1983 - SALLY B. FEATHERER*
1984 - JOHN B. CAMPBELL*
1985 - CHARLES F. BIERNBAUM*
1985 - MARIAN H. BIERNBAUM*
1986 - JOSEPH J. DYER SR.*
1987 - ROBERT A. SHINN
1988 - B. HAROLD SMICK JR*.
1989 - FRANK J. HOERST III
1990 - SOL. L. DAVIDOW
1991 - DR. ROBERT A. BROOKS*
1992 - BENJAMIN W. TIMBERMAN*
1993 - DR. WILLETTA L. MULHORN*
1994 - CHARLES A. AHL*
1995 - THOMAS H. BOWEN*
1995 - JUDGE GEORGE FARRELL III
1996 - RON LEHEW*
1997 - HON. JACK COLLINS
1998 - KEITH S. CAMPBELL
1999 - DR. CHARLES L. LIEBEKNECHT
2000 - JOHN M. LAKE, JR.
2001 - ROGER E. NATHAN*
2002 - HOWARD “GRANT” HARRIS
2003 - GENEVA WOOD
2004 - ROBERT J. VANDERSLICE
2005 - THOMAS A. PANKOK*
2006 - JOHN T. “JIGGS” LENAHAN
2007 - DAVID LINDENMUTH
2008 - GEORGE AND CAROL REESE
2009 - REV. DAVID BAILEY SR.
2010 - ROBERT A. WOODRUFF SR.
2011 - CHARLES M. MILLER
2012 - EDWARD REMSTER
2013 - ED WARREN JR.
2014 - MICHAEL S.WARNER*
2015 - JOHN BOBBITT JR.
2016 - CARL R. GASKILL
2017 - MARK V. EDWARDS
2018 - ROBERT A. WOODRUFF JR.
2019 - RICHARD E. PIERSON SR.
2020 - WILLIAM FERRELL JR.
2021 - COL. DR. GWYN PARRISATWELL
*Deceased
The vision of the Garden State Council is to offer exciting, fun and values-based experiences of the highest caliber to the greatest number of youth possible.
The mission is to deliver the highest quality youth program of character development and leadership training, and to prepare young people to make ethical decisions, so they can reach their full potential and better serve their family, community and country. Scouting was put to the test over three years when Tufts University worked with youth to measure character attributes of both Scouts and non-Scouts. Funded by the John Templeton Foundation, nearly 1,800 Cub Scouts and nearly 400 non-Scouts under the age of 12 were measured through both interviews and survey data. The findings are represented in the bar graph, below, and show the positive impact of Scouting.
It costs the Garden State Council about $200 per member annually to deliver Scouting to the young people in the six-plus counties we serve. We invite you to consider an annual gift of support to keep Scouting the most cost-effective, comprehensive youth development program on the planet. This QR code will take you to
Source: Tufts University
SERVING OUR COMMUNITIES SERVING OUR COMMUNITIES FOR OVER 160 YEARS. FOR OVER 160 YEARS. C o n g r a t u l a t i o n s t o t h e h o n o r e e s
