Meadowlands USA: December

2016 Connecting New Jersey Businesses

December $4.00

Bergen County’s Hunter Group CPA LLC:

Helping New Jersey’s Family-Owned Businesses To Succeed

Economic Development Focus: Tourism & Transportation Retirement & Estate Planning: Part 2 Teterboro’s Legacy Continues: Convenience, Luxury Amenities & Community Support

Pictured Right to Left: Avanti Linens Arthur Tauber, Michael Tauber and Hunter Group Director Elliott Koplitz, CPA review design in production at Avanti’s Moonachie manufacturing facility.

318302

MFM

318302 MFM MIEW Meadowlands USA October Ad.indd 1

MIEW

Meadowlands

USA

Octo

10/5/16 5:17 PM

SpencerSavings.com • 1-800-363-8115 • 21 Branches throughout New Jersey *The Prime Rate is the highest Prime Rate published by the Wall Street Journal for the last day of the preceding calendar month, which is currently 3.50%. There are no additional fees associated with the BusinessEdge Line of Credit. Offer is subject to credit approval. Rates and terms are subject to change without notice. Maximum loan amount is $100,000. An active BusinessEdge Checking Account is required to receive the stated APR. APR=Annual Percentage Rate.

Your Source For Commercial Real Estate  Brokerage Services  Property Management  Tenant Representation  Financing  Investment  Property Valuations  Corporate Services  Government Services  Logistics

Hackensack  201 488 5800 Parsippany  973 463 1011 naihanson.com

Check out our latest Meadowlands Market Report at naihanson.com

contents

Connecting New Jersey Businesses

L EADERSHIP C OUNCIL Allstate BCB Community Bank Bergen Community College Bergen Engineering/Branca Properties Boiling Springs Savings Bank Bruinooge & Associates Comfort Guard Contracting LLC Edison Properties Ernst & Young, LLP Eastwick Colleges Forsgate Industrial Partners FORT Group Goya Foods Hackensack University Medical Center Hartz Mountain Industries Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of NJ-NYC In Thyme Catered Events J. Fletcher Creamer & Son, Inc. Kearny Bank MassMutual New Jersey-NYC Meadowlink Commuter Services MetroMultiMedia MWW Group NAI James E. Hanson, Inc. New York Jets NJM Insurance Group NJSEA Onyx Equities, LLC PSE&G Russo Development Scarinci Hollenbeck Skanska USA TD Bank Suez Water New Jersey Inc. Verizon Wacoal America

Publisher: Meadowlands Regional Chamber of Commerce, Inc. 201 Route 17 North Rutherford, NJ 07070 201.939.0707 Managing Editor: Joe Garavente Email submissions: jgaravente@meadowlands.org Advertising Director: Martha Morley, Greer Enterprises, Inc. 201.493.7996 Design: Evan Eagleson & Sandra Torres, Eighty6 Printing: Action Graphics

16 4 43 44 45 46 48 48 50 51

24

Meadowlands Business Report Harmon Meadow Retail, Restaurants & Hotels Directory Meadowlands Restaurants & Dining Meadowlands Transportation Event Planning & Catering Services Explore the Meadowlands Stay in the Meadowlands Destination Meadowlands News From the Meadow

DEPARTMENTS

6 8 10 12 14 18 22 28 34 38 40 42

Business Wise Economic Update Environmental Update Legal Lessons in Leadership Human Resources & Operations Investments, Banking & Financing Retirement & Estate Planning Tourism & Hospitality Chefs of the Meadowlands Featured Member: Newmark Grubb Knight Frank Tech Talk

Meadowlands USA Magazine Distribution: MTM Resources Copyright 2016. All rights reserved. Reproduction of any artwork, editorial material or copy prepared by Meadowlands Regional Chamber of Commerce and appearing in this publication is strictly prohibited without written consent of the publisher. Additional magazines and reprints of articles are available.

The views expressed in this magazine are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent the views of, and should not be attributed to, the Meadowlands Regional Chamber.

FEATURES

16

Teterboro’s Legacy Continues: The area’s oldest airport continues to offer convenience, luxury amenities & community support

24

Bergen County’s Hunter Group CPA LLC: Helping New Jersey’s family-owned businesses to succeed

32

Tourism in the Meadowlands: Jobs, revenue & reputation

36

Connecting The Meadowlands: Developed infrastructure keeps the region moving

MEADOWLANDS USA

meadowlandsusa.com

DECEMBER 2016

3

Business Report From the Desk of Jim Kirkos

President & CEO, Meadowlands Regional Chamber

2

016 has been a year where we sharply focused on economic development, for both the present and the future of the region. As many of you know, the Meadowlands Regional Chamber (MRC) established the 2040 Council in 2009 as an economic development “think tank” comprised of leaders from small to large companies who have invested mightily here in the Meadowlands region. The purpose was to discuss “big picture” issues that affect the economy and to create a vision plan that could take us through the year 2040: transportation infrastructure & mobility, flood control, education & workforce development, the regulatory environment and overall economic development.

In 2016, we worked with our 2040 Foundation to develop an Economic Development & Relocation Guide aimed at an audience of businesses new to the region and businesses prospectively looking to relocate or invest here. We also worked with the 2040 Foundation to present another Thought Leaders Conference, which facilitated discussion towards infrastructure developments that would improve business and personal quality of life in the Meadowlands region. The group is comprised of prominent business leaders that have deep roots in the region—and a strong commitment to improving the area for those who live and work here.

“Goya Foods has invested almost $1 billion dollars in a new 650,000 square-foot headquarters facility and state of the art distribution center here in the Meadowlands. The future of the region is critically important to our business and our family,” comments Goya COO Peter Unanue.

We will cover issues of economic development more closely in the next two issues, as we present a two-part Economic Development installment.

One of our resolutions for 2017 is to continue building up the momentum toward infrastructure expansions and economic growth trends that will make the Meadowlands an even better place to live, work and visit. This way, we can continue to attract more business investment in the region.

As always, we will keep you updated and informed on these developments, through Meadowlands USA and our other publications and communications tool. Just as a reminder, we regularly update our blog (www.MeadowlandsUSA.com) with news stories and advisories. You can also submit pieces for submission review to Managing Editor Joe Garavente at JGaravente@meadowlands.org.

We look forward to working with you and building our relationship with your business in 2017!

Respectfully,

Jim Kirkos Follow me on twitter: @JimKirkos To stay informed about more activities from the Meadowlands Regional Chamber please visit www.meadowlands.org.

4

MEADOWLANDS USA

meadowlandsusa.com

DECEMBER 2016

BUSINESS WISE

The New Marketing

The shift to digital: The battle for customers’ mind & profitability

S

ince business is about marketing, applying digital technology has become the most critical element for any company in the battle for the customers’ mind and profitability.

Let’s review the digital drivers and their value: • Online transactions: Customers can shop at their convenience with their smart devices. This allows the company to have fewer tangible assets and lowers expenses.

• Broader customer access: More online options are available.

• Integration: Digital customer information creates a profile and history of purchases that can be used for better customer relations management.

• Scalability: New products and services can easily be offered to customers e.g.

Amazon.

• Analytics: Sophisticated algorithms can mine transactional data and produce a variety of predictive insights into trends and even customized new product offerings.

The application of digital technology creates an opportunity for any company to operate more efficiently and serve their customers better. In effect, companies can understand their customers better and make more profitable marketing decisions.

The greatest challenge for any management team is to change the culture from the tangible asset mentality to the intangible asset structure of a digital technology company. Even after seeing new logical information, it is hard to transition out of doing the same old things.

Many CEO’s have hung onto failing strategies until they were too far down the slippery slope to irrelevance to do anything about it. A&P and Radio Shack were dead ten years before they actually closed the doors.

Jeff Bezos, founder, chairman and CEO

6

MEADOWLANDS USA

meadowlandsusa.com

of Amazon.com, said, “What’s dangerous is not to evolve.”

Digital technology provides for an endless stream of new strategic choices driven by information provided by your customers. Creating a one-to-one electronic dialogue with a customer is the most powerful marketing relationship any company can achieve.

The fundamental concept of customer relationship management is to increase its customer’s lifetime value. What better way to achieve this goal than through a one-to-one online relationship wherein the customer shares their changing requirements with you?

Every time you have an opportunity to interact with a customer you have a wonderful opportunity to increase awareness and affinity. Predictive analytics provides the ability to surprise and delight your customers. Most customers will gladly provide feedback and information if the process is integrated and simple.

Virtually engaged customers will generate greater affinity and long term value and clarity for the company.

However, you also need to give them an incentive in the form of some kind of digital reward for continuing with you as a partner in progress. This is especially true of millennials.

Amazon’s customer centric model is good to follow. Their goal is to provide

DECEMBER 2016

the most convenient way to buy anything online. It’s certainly hard to refute their success.

Tips for CEOs: • If you are embracing digital technology yourself and appreciate the value you are deriving from it, apply that same experience to your company.

• The “internet of things” is here— embrace it.

• Five billion people use mobile phones and smart devices to interact and transact today—and that number is growing exponentially.

Robert M. Donnelly is an author, educator and brand builder for businesses and individuals. His corporate life was spent in executive positions with IBM, Pfizer and EXXON and then as the CEO for several U.S. subsidiaries of foreign multinational firms. Professor Donnelly is on the faculty of Saint Peters University as well as Rushmore University, a global online university. His latest book is Personal Brand Planning for Life, available on Amazon. He also functions as an interim executive. You can contact him at rdonnelly@saintpeters.edu.

AS NEW JERSEY AS IT GEHTS.

For comprehensive software development from a company you can trust, being local matters.

Gehtsoft USA designs and delivers custom software applications on virtually any platform across a wide range of industries.

With over 100 of the most sought-after developers conveniently located in offices along the East Coast, you’re guaranteed accurate, well-designed solutions with the fastest possible turnaround. All at pricing that will make you abandon offshore options.

Every project begins and ends with a focus on quality, value and your satisfaction.

Get the right development for your needs. Set up a consultation today.

Gehtsoft USA | 201.820.1281 or contact@gehtsoftusa.com | gehtsoftusa.com

ISO 9001:2008 Certified

ECONOMIC UPDATE

New Goya Facility

Meadowlands legacy continues with new production facility in Secaucus

G

oya Foods, the largest Hispanic-owned food company in the United States, is celebrating its 80th anniversary this year and has opened a 240,000-square-foot, state-of-the-art and sustainable production facility in Secaucus, New Jersey as part of a $250 million investment.

The facility, equipped to manufacture and distribute over four million cases of Goya products annually, features new production machinery with cutting edge technology, including a continuous motion line that produces 600 boxes of Goya’s rice mixes per minute, six times faster than the company’s past production capability.

“The opening of our new production facility in Secaucus, along with our current headquarters in Jersey City, not only enables us to operate more efficiently and cost effectively but most importantly, extends 80 years of Goya’s heritage in providing our consumers with authentic, high quality and affordable Latin products,” says Bob

8

MEADOWLANDS USA

meadowlandsusa.com

Unanue, President of Goya Foods.

Committed to the construction of environmentally sustainable and eco-friendly facilities, Goya’s new facility is also equipped with 6,552 solar panels on 3.7 acres of rooftop to generate over 70 percent of the building’s energy supply and provide a net zero carbon foot-print. Goya is currently working on the installation of rail service, located alongside the facility, which will significantly reduce transportation costs, traffic congestion and fuel consumption.

The opening of Goya’s new facility reinforces the company’s role as an important and long standing member of New Jersey’s business community and ensures the retention of over 61 existing local jobs and 16 new positions.

In total, Goya has 26 facilities and employs over 4,500 people throughout the United States, Puerto Rico, Dominican Republic and Spain. In 2014-2015, Goya opened up four new facilities in Texas, CalDECEMBER 2016

ifornia, Georgia and the company’s current headquarters in Jersey City. Goya’s cutting edge, high tech facilities will maintain its mission to produce over 2,500 authentic and affordable products with premium quality and superior taste to national and global markets.

Founded in 1936, Goya Foods, Inc. is America’s largest Hispanic-owned food company, and has established itself as the leader in Latin American food and condiments. Goya manufactures, packages, and distributes over 2,500 high-quality food products from Spain, Caribbean, Mexico, Central and South America. Goya products have their roots in the culinary traditions of Hispanic communities around the world; the combination of authentic ingredients, robust seasonings and convenient preparation makes Goya products ideal for every taste and every table. For more information on Goya Foods, please visit www.goya.com

© 2016 Ernst & Young LLP. All Rights Reserved. ED None.

Serving communities.

Changing lives.

What matters to you matters to us.

At EY, we’re proud to support The Meadowlands Regional Chamber of Commerce. It’s one of the ways we’re helping to make our community a better place to work and live. A better and brighter future starts with all of us.

Visit ey.com

ENVIRONMENTAL UPDATE

Property Remediation Update

New opportunities for reducing tax assessments of environmentally contaminated properties

R

ecent decisions in the New Jersey Tax Court provide new opportunities for the owners of environmentally contaminated properties undergoing remediation to seek reductions in their property tax assessments. In many cases, the owners of environmentally contaminated properties pay property tax assessments based upon their prior operating use—without consideration of environmental contamination and remediation on their properties.

The New Jersey Tax Court in Methode Electronics, Inc. v. Township of Willingboro, 28 N.J. Tax 298 (Tax 2015), reduced the property tax assessment of an industrial property formerly occupied by the manufacturer of printed circuit boards and automatic airbag parts, which had ceased manufacturing.

The tax court considered expert environmental and appraisal testimony and concluded that the nature and extent of the environmental remediation on the property made it unlikely that the property could be used or developed in the foreseeable future. The tax court accordingly reduced the property tax assessment to a nominal amount.

In other cases, where the nature and extent of the environmental contamination and remediation was not as extensive as in Methode Electronics, the tax court found that taxable value could be best determined by formulating a true market value as if the property were clean and discounting over the estimated remediation period the remediation costs to arrive at a taxable value. This is from Metuchen I, LLC v. Borough of Metuchen, 21 N.J. Tax 283 (Tax 2004).

In light of these decisions, the owners of environmentally contaminated properties undergoing remediation should evaluate their properties now to

10

MEADOWLANDS USA

meadowlandsusa.com

determine whether they can benefit from the filing of property tax appeals seeking reductions in their current property tax assessments.

Since April 1 is the annual deadline for filing tax appeals (May 1 where a municipal wide revaluation of municipal reassessment has been implemented) property owners should evaluate their environmentally contaminated properties well in advance of those dates to determine whether they would benefit from a property tax appeal.

Do you need assistance in evaluating your environmentally contaminated properties to determine if you would benefit from filing of property tax appeals or have any further questions? You can contact the New Jersey Tax Court by mail at Tax Court Management Office P.O. Box 972, Trenton, New Jersey 08625 or by telephone at (609)-292-5082.

DECEMBER 2016

John M. Scagnelli’s environmental law practice at Scarinci Hollenbeck encompasses the entire environmental law field, including environmental compliance, environmental litigation, environmental auditing, environmental permitting and environmental counseling. He serves as environmental counsel for banks and lending institutions, commercial and industrial companies, states and municipalities, real estate development organizations, and other organizations. His environmental work includes remediation projects and litigation relating to state environmental statutes. Scarinci Hollenbeck is a New York, New Jersey and Washington, D.C. regional law firm that serves a diverse group of clients in both private and public sectors. More information can be found at scarincihollenbeck.com.

We have the energy to make things better [

... for you, for our communities and for our children.

]

www.pseg.com/sesamestreet

To download the app, visit www.pseg.com/sesamestreet or scan the QR code below.

The PSEG Foundation is proud to partner with Sesame Street on a new, free app called Let’s Ger Ready: Preparing Families for Emergencies. This unique app, geared toward pre-school children, introduces ways to prepare for emergencies in an entertaining and ageappropriate way and provides a number of resource guides and short videos to help parents, educators and other caretakers as they guide the children through the learning process.

LEGAL

Family Business Guide

Legal considerations from start-up to succession

W

e frequently end up being the “House Doctor” for closely-held, family owned businesses in New Jersey. Most people know that New Jersey is an incredibly expensive and legally complicated environment for business, especially for the family business.

My advice to owners (proprietors, shareholders or members) usually centers upon two important aspects of the business life cycle: first, the economically dangerous start-up phase and then the continuation/business succession phase.

Ultimately, any pertinent advice must center on the realization that “business is the art of taking risks.” The businessperson must know the risks and then must hedge the risks. Failure to do anything less than that results in more exposure to the risks.

Managing risk exposure from the start This means, therefore, that limitation of liability becomes an essential starting point. Risk exposure is generally managed through: • Choice of business organization (to include limitation of liability through use of a corporation or LLC), • Adoption of contractual limitations of risk (such as indemnification clause); and

12

MEADOWLANDS USA

meadowlandsusa.com

• The proper selection of and purchase of insurance.

Business start-up risk includes possible relational disputes which should be managed through the formulation and adoption of shareholder and/or operating agreements, employment agreements and employee handbooks or policy guides. At the same time, the possible income tax and estate tax exposures must not be ignored and should be managed through contract and tax elections such as Subchapter S. Long term considerations Once the business has been properly organized and reaches some level of maturity and critical mass, the existential threat of succession becomes a significant issue. If a principal dies or becomes disabled, who succeeds to that interest?

How is the obligation to purchase funded? To what degree are the tax (income and estate, federal and state) and valuation issues addressed? What mechanisms for dispute resolution are in place?

All too often, we see where these many risks are not addressed or ignored altogether. The analogy of a house being built without a foundation comes to mind. Does it make sense to spend time and money on a business, upon which the family’s fortunes may be entirely dependent, only to allow it to collapse because such fundamentals are not addressed?

DECEMBER 2016

Although the answer seems obvious, this question ends up being rhetorical for the many. Further, even where issues have been addressed, it is critical that those solutions be revisited from time to time as changes in circumstances and the law may render them obsolete or otherwise inappropriate.

Bottom line The smart (and successful) entrepreneur comes to realize that, with family business success, a more sophisticated and evolving approach must be taken that requires an investment in the advice of professionals. Family business owners who understand that the start-up mentality must be overtaken by a bigger and growing commitment to getting the answers. Those who hedge the risks end up being the winners in the dangerous business of doing business.

Do you own a family business in New Jersey and have questions? Would you like to discuss the matter further?

If so, please contact me, Gary Young, at (201) 806-3364.

Gary S. Young is a partner at Scarinci Hollenbeck. He concentrates his practice on ERISA, employee benefits and executive compensation as a member of Scarinci Hollenbeck’s Corporate Transactions and Business Law Group.

Gary began his legal career over 40 years ago as a traditional labor lawyer, and he continues to provide employment law advice to private sector employers on subjects such as wage & hour compliance, workplace harassment, FMLA, etc. Scarinci Hollenbeck is a full-service, general practice law firm that provides a broad range of legal services to a diverse group of clients. The firm has offices in Lyndhurst and Ocean, New Jersey and New York, New York. For more information on the firm, please visit the firm’s website at www.scarincihollenbeck.com.

LESSONS IN LEADERSHIP

Leadership: It’s Personal

Connecting with people on a personal & human level

A

s leaders, it is important to proactively and consistently connect with others on a personal and human level—not only as employees or as paying customers but as people who are a big part of our success.

Consider the following actions you can take to have a more personal connection with those around you: • Be aware of the “big things” going on in the lives of others.

An employee may be dealing with a personal situation that is challenging and very difficult such as an illness in the family or the loss of a loved one.

Or, on a happier note, an employee might be especially proud of his or her child performing in an important play or recital. As leaders, we must be aware, sensitive, and empathetic when it comes to these personal circumstances. For example, be sensitive to the workload you assign to your employee during this particular time or if extra time off is needed, don’t hesitate to give it. Further, when something special happens for a colleague or client, place a call, send an email or a congratulatory note.

• Support and encourage team members to reach their professional potential. For example, you might encourage your colleagues, peers, or direct reports to pursue a particular academic or professional degree, attend a leadership development seminar, or participate in executive coaching to improve skills. Further, take the time to find out what is standing in their way, what obstacles and challenges they

14

MEADOWLANDS USA

meadowlandsusa.com

are facing, and whether any of these obstacles have to do with time constraints arising from their workload.

Great leaders understand the value of making a personal investment in their people. The payoff for both parties can be huge.

• Find common ground with clients and stakeholders. Often, a leader’s job is to make sure he or she develops the appropriate personal relationships with key stakeholders who have a direct impact on the organization’s success. This often means spending time with these stakeholders in a variety of settings outside the workplace. Some of the most meaningful relationship building a leader can do is over a breakfast, lunch or dinner meeting, as this informal setting often helps others feel especially comfortable.

The point is, really good leaders understand that leadership is often very personal. It’s about relationships and in-

DECEMBER 2016

teracting with other people on a very human level. Leaders who don’t make this connection on a human and personal level—no matter how smart they are or think they are—will never truly succeed.

As a leader, what steps have YOU taken to establish a personal connection with your employees, clients, or stakeholders? Write to me at sadubato@aol. com.

Steve Adubato Ph.D., is the author of numerous books including his latest, “You Are the Brand”, and his upcoming book, “Lessons in Leadership”. He is also an Emmy Award-winning anchor on Thirteen/WNET (PBS) and NJTV (PBS) who regularly appears on CNN, FOX News and NBC’s Today Show. Steve also provides executive leadership coaching and seminars for a variety of corporations and organizations both regionally and nationally. To read more Lessons in Leadership visit www.Stand-Deliver.com.

Follow Steve on Twitter @SteveAdubato and Facebook @SteveAdubatoPhD.

Innovative ways to help

BUSINESSES Succeed

Building sound relationships on a solid foundation.

Weiss Realty represents a broad range of private investors, retailers, property owners, and corporate clients providing: • Medical, healthcare, office and retail leasing & sales • Commercial Real Estate Development • Consulting and Property Management • Investment Property Services

250 Moonachie Road, Moonachie, NJ 07074 p: 201.814.1800 f: 201.814.1811 jweiss@jweissrealty.com www.jweissrealty.com

A higher level of service For today. For tomorrow.

Kearny Bank combines the hands-on assistance that only a local, retail banker can provide with the expertise of experienced commercial lenders. From checking and deposit accounts to retirement planning to commercial real estate mortgages to small business loans, every commercial customer receives the utmost personal attention.

Contact us to learn how a “superior banking relationship” can help improve your business’ financial future.

42 Banking Offices 1-800-273-3406 kearnybank.com

Teterboro’s Legacy Continues The area’s oldest airport continues to offer convenience, luxury amenities & community support

T

he word “airport” often evokes images of busy, crowded terminals and long, slow-moving lines. Thousands of people bustle about to catch dozens of scheduled flights, and giant planes take off carrying hundreds of passengers at a time.

Teterboro Airport, which is located in Teterboro and borders Moonachie, Hasbrouck Heights, Little Ferry and Wood-Ridge, is a much different kind of airport. As a general aviation airport with no scheduled commercial flights, Teterboro Airport, or TEB, lacks much of the chaotic bustle of larger airports. Yet, as one of the most active “reliever” airports in the New York and New Jersey metro area, it plays an enormous role in reducing air traffic congestion and providing convenience to private aircraft owners and those seeking to lease or charter aircrafts.

With its first flight taking place in 1919, TEB is nearly as old as flight itself, and is the oldest airport in the metro area that is still in operation. Last year, 167,236 aircraft movements went through TEB—approximately 450 per day.

16

MEADOWLANDS USA

meadowlandsusa.com

DECEMBER 2016

One of TEB’s greatest boons is its location—a mere 12 miles from midtown Manhattan. With bus and train stops within a mile of the airport and taxi and limo services readily available nearby, passengers can disembark and be in the heart of the city before they know it. Passengers departing from New York City similarly reap the convenience of Teterboro’s proximity.

This convenient access to New York City means Teterboro sees celebrities making their way in and out of the Big Apple. But one doesn’t need to be a celebrity to receive luxury treatment with the amenities provided by the airport’s four fixed-base operators, or FBOs: Atlantic Aviation, Jet Aviation, Signature Flight Support and Meridian Teterboro.

In addition to providing an array of services such as aircraft maintenance, hangaring and chartering, these FBOs provide, at each of their terminals, everything to assure that time spent there is as comfortable as possible.

TEB is owned by the Port Authority of NY & NJ, which has

Teterboro Airport - FBO Services and Amenities Atlantic Aviation Services

- 24-hour surveillance & security - Concierge - Deicing - Ground and international handling - Hangaring - Public notary

Amenities

- Business center - Conference room - Crew cars - Pilot’s lounge - Rental cars - Wireless internet

Meridian Teterboro Services

- Aircraft inspection, maintenance and repair - Aircraft management - Chartering - Paint touch-up - Security

Amenities

- Flight planning facilities - Gym (with locker room and showers) - Pool table - Private movie theater - Sleep rooms - Work stations

Jet Aviation

Signature Flight Support

Signature Flight Support

(East and West Terminals)

Services

- 24-hour security - Aircraft cleaning and refueling - Catering and hotel coordination - Charter support services - Concierge - Deicing - Domestic and international handling - Hangaring (nightly)

Amenities

- Business center - Crew cars, lounge and snooze room - Executive lounge and conference rooms - Fitness center - Flight planning facilities - On-demand same-day newspapers delivery (over 400 titles) - Rental cars - Wireless internet

put over $380 million into renovating, upgrading and expanding the airport. Of the property’s 827 acres, 329 are undeveloped and ripe with potential for further growth. As of 2015, plans are in the works to build a new control tower, three new hangars and a modernized terminal building.

The airport already supports 14,900 jobs, paying $868 million in wages yearly while generating about $2.3 billion in annual revenue. And with an aircraft weight limit of 100,000 pounds, TEB saves both small and large aircrafts time and money by removing small aircrafts from air traffic where they would otherwise contribute to congestion in the airways around the metro area.

Without TEB, there would be less relief of heavy air traffic and small aircrafts would be forced to land in less convenient locations. TEB helps things run smoothly, benefiting not just its own patrons but many other aviators in the sky above New York and New Jersey.

TEB is necessary for more than just its convenience and the comfort it provides to its clients. It is a primary receiving point of human organs being transported for life-saving transplants at medical centers nearby, including three just minutes away. Speed

Services

Services

- Deicing - Fueling services (East) - Ground handling (East) - GPU, lav and water services

Amenities

(South Terminal) - Aircraft detailing and maintenance - Concierge - Deicing - Fueling services - Ground handling - Lav and water services - Quick-turn services - Shuttle service

- Business center - Crew lounge, individual snooze rooms, lockers and showers - Executive conference room - Private telephone rooms with PCs - Starbucks coffee and refreshments - Wheelchairs available - Wireless internet

Amenities

- Bistro - Courtesy transportation - Executive conference room - Fitness center - Flight planning facilities - Gourmet catering - Linen and dishwashing services - Office space - Passenger lobby - Pilot lounge - Rental cars - Showers - Snooze room - Workstation with internet access - Wireless internet

is of the essence when it comes to this precious cargo, and TEB provides the convenience of location and smooth operation to aid in the delivery of health and hope to transplant patients.

Teterboro Airport is also a benefactor to its local community, contributing millions of dollars to nearby infrastructure improvements and soundproofing for six local school. Every year the airport hosts two charity events: the TEB 5K “Runway” Run and a Scholarship Benefit Golf Tournament, which raise money for Bergen County United Way and scholarships for local high school seniors, respectively. TEB has contributed over $300,000 total to Bergen County United Way and awards thousands of scholarships annually, through its 30-year-old Community Benefit Fund, to students pursuing an education in aviation-related fields.

Teterboro itself is a small town of just over 70 residents and just over a square mile. But as one of the region’s biggest assets, its airport’s impact is far from miniscule.

Laura French is a freelance reporter and writer. She can be reached at lauram.french1994@gmail.com.

MEADOWLANDS USA

meadowlandsusa.com

DECEMBER 2016

17

HUMAN RESOURCES & OPERATIONS

Employee Education & Development

Five ways to support staff progression & foster employee growth

B

ack-to-school refrains are still in the air, making it a great time to think about how you can help your staff get the education and training they need to improve. In deciding how you want to help employees with education, keep in mind that there are some ways that are tax free to employees and do not entail any employment taxes (Federal Insurance Contributions Act, Federal Unemployment Tax Act or state unemployment tax).

If you have any further questions, consult your tax advisor and/or attorney for specific guidance and questions. Here are five solutions to consider if you want to give employees an incentive to work to the best of their ability: Pay for work related courses You can pay for the cost of any education and training that is work related.

This benefit is fully tax-deductible by the company and tax free to employees as a “working condition fringe benefit.”

18

MEADOWLANDS USA

meadowlandsusa.com

A working condition fringe benefit is a payment that, if made by the employee, would be personally deductible by him or her. In the case of education, it is deductible as long as it maintains or improves job skills and does not lead to a new trade or business.

Support their education You can create an education assistance plan to help employees in a more limited way. This plan can reimburse employees for their education costs, whether or not job-related. Tax-free reimbursement is capped at $5,250 per year, per employee.

The payments can be used for tuition and fees, as well as for books, equipment and supplies.

Although, if reimbursements exceed this dollar limit, the additional amounts are treated as taxable wages unless they qualify as a working condition fringe benefit explained earlier. Again, amounts paid by the company are fully deductible.

However, the plan cannot favor DECEMBER 2016

highly-compensated employees and-cannot provide more than five percent of its benefits annually for shareholders and owners.

Reward graduates Even if you do not pay for any part of an employee’s education, you can take note of the accomplishment by giving the graduate a promotion and a raise if appropriate. Rewards of this nature can be motivational.

From an employer perspective, rewarding an employee who achieves a higher education level is a way to retain him or her with the company. Without tangible recognition in the form of a higher pay grade, the employee may seek employment elsewhere where compensation reflects the person’s education.

Provide on-site training A higher education degree may not be what is needed by workers in your company. Job training to keep up with tech-

nology, learn sales techniques or improve safety at the workplace is beneficial to employees and your business. Job training helps your staff adapt to changes in the workplace. Additionally, it helps the business to operate more safely and efficiently—and achieve increased job satisfaction.

Today, on-site training can be done through online courses or bringing trainers in-house. The cost of this training is fully tax-deductible by your company.

Help with student loans The Wall Street Journal reported that a number of employers are now helping employees pay off their student loans.

Currently, this type of compensation is taxable to employees and subject to employment taxes. However, the Employer Participation in Student Loan Repayment Act (and a companion bill in the Senate under S. 2457), which is pending in Congress, would create an exclusion from gross income for employer repayments of student loans for workers. The bill does not contain any dollar limit on the amount that can be repaid tax free Employees that receive reimbursement and are taxed on it can deduct their student loan interest up to $2,500. If the measure is enacted, employees who enjoy this repayment benefit would not get a double benefit. They could not deduct the interest on the loans repaid by employers.

Conclusion “Education is the premise of progress,” said former Secretary General of the United Nations, Kofi Annan. If you want progress in your business, consider supporting the education of your employees. In doing so, be cognizant of the tax implications to you and your staff.

Barbara Weltman is an attorney, prolific author (with such titles as J.K. Lasser’s Small Business Taxes, J.K. Lasser’s Guide to Self-Employment and Smooth Failing) as well as a trusted professional advocate for small businesses and entrepreneurs.

She is also the publisher of Idea of the Day® and a monthly e-newsletter called Big Ideas for Small Business®. She hosts Build Your Business Radio and has been included in the List of 100 Small Business Influencers for three years in a row. Follow her on Twitter @BarbaraWeltman

ENVIRONMENTAL

INFRASTRUCTURE

REDEVELOPMENT

LET’S

MAKE IT HAPPEN

WWW.SCARINCIHOLLENBECK.COM (201) 896-4100

MEADOWLANDS USA

meadowlandsusa.com

DECEMBER 2016

19

HUMAN RESOURCES & OPERATIONS

Employee Agreements

Five-points that you should consider before making employees sign

M

any employers often wonder if they should require all employees to sign an employee agreement at the time of hire. Unfortunately, there is no easy answer. There are both advantages and disadvantages to signing on the dotted line.

Below are five of the most important legal considerations for New Jersey and New York employers:

1. Employee agreements bring clarity.

A contract that specifies the terms of employment can help avoid disputes because both parties understand what is expected. Employee agreements can address a variety of issues, including benefits and compensation, job responsibilities, length of employment, nondisclosure, and covenants not to complete.

2. Worker agreements offer protection.

Contracts can be drafted to offer a number of legal protections. For instance, you can limit the employee’s ability to compete with your business upon leaving the company, impose confidentiality obligations to protect valuable trade secrets and other proprietary information, ensure ownership of the employee’s work product (i.e. inventions, artwork and other intellectual property) and dictate how disputes will be resolved (mediation, arbitration, etc.).

3. Employee contracts limit flexibility.

An employment agreement generally limits an employer’s ability to fire an employee at will by specifying the term of employment as well as the grounds for termination. Therefore, if the employer seeks to fire the employee before the contract has expired, it might incur costs related to negotiating an early termination.

5. Employee agreements should be tailored to the circumstances.

In the end, whether or not you require an employee to sign a written contract often depends on the role of the employee within the company. Therefore, it can make sense to require some but not all employees to sign employment agreements. In any case, it is advisable to consult an experienced employment attorney to determine if the advantages outweigh any potential downsides.

4. Worker agreements impose obligations on both sides.

While an employment agreement can impose valuable obligation on employees, employers have obligations too. For instance, all contracts impose a “covenant of good faith and fair dealing.” A breach of the duty to deal with employees fairly can serve as grounds for a lawsuit.

Ramon Rivera, attorney at Scarinci and Hollenbeck, focuses his practice on the representation of public employers and private corporations in traditional labor and employment matters. He is primarily responsible for the representation of numerous public entities and municipalities with regard to various labor and employment issues. Additionally, he specifically focuses on labor negotiations, interest arbitrations, grievance arbitrations and disciplinary hearings for public employers. For more information, please contact (201) 806-3388 or e-mail rrivera@sh-law.com.

20

MEADOWLANDS USA

meadowlandsusa.com

DECEMBER 2016

HarmonPlazaAd_MUSA_March2016_V1_H 3/9/16 8:51 AM Page 1

Welcome to the Plaza at Harmon Meadow 700 Plaza Drive • Secaucus, NJ

work. shop. dine. play. stay.

14 Screen Movies • Open Sundays • All are within walking distance • 4 Miles to NYC

Enjoy Our Shops, Restaurants & Services…

Cups Dunkin Donuts/Subway Bagels Plus Houlihan’s Tokyo Hibachi Buffet Red Lobster Niko Niko Sushi BurgerFi Cosi Chili’s

Starbuck’s Cheeseburger in Paradise Chipotle Stephanos Jewelry Exchange Pier One Imports Plaza Candy AT&T Wireless GNC Mill Creek Art Gallery

AAA Terra Dental Center Allstate Haircutter in The Meadow US Post Office Travel Meadows Tops Cleaners E-Tek Bank of America Kerasotes Showplace Theatres

INVESTMENTS, BANKING & FINANCING

Submitting Business Credit Application Five strategies that could benefit the outcome of your request

G

etting approved for funding for your business is dependent on your perceived ability to repay the loan or line of credit. That is why it is important to make your application for credit or a loan stand out and show that your business is creditworthy.

The business credit application is your opportunity to prove that your business is an appropriate credit risk. To give it an advantage and make it stand out from the pile of applications, implement the following five tips.

1. Review your personal credit reports/scores Knowing where your personal credit stands prior to applying for credit or a loan is essential since one of the major factors lenders use to evaluate your creditworthiness are personal credit reports and scores.

AnnualCreditReport.com will provide a free annual credit report for you.

Be sure to check your report for any mistakes and take the necessary steps to correct them. You can also check your credit scores at MyFICO. 2. Check your business credit reports/scores For your business credit reports, you’ll need to request a report directly from Dun & Bradstreet, Experian Business and Equifax Small Business. Those businesses will use data and analytics to help provide clear insight on difficult relationship-related decisions. These reports and business credit scores are used to decide not only if your business should be approved, but also what the terms of the loan or credit line will be if approved.

If your business is not listed with any of the business credit reporting agencies, then a lender will only have personal credit reports to assess credit risk. If this is the case, consider obtaining your D-U-N-S® Number and set up your 22

MEADOWLANDS USA

meadowlandsusa.com

Atlantic Stewardship Bank

Faithful to our customers

TM

The Bank that Tithes!

ASBnow.com (201) 444-7100    Locations in Hawthorne | Midland Park | Montville North Haledon | Pequannock | Ridgewood Waldwick | Wayne | Westwood | Wyckoff

company profile with Dun & Bradstreet prior to applying. A D-U-N-S® Number is a nine-digit number that identifies and verifies your account. This will enable lenders to review your company profile with Dun & Bradstreet, a major business credit reporting agency.

3. Provide strong trade references An application that stands out is one that has strong trade references. Strong trade references instill confidence in your ability to repay a loan or line of credit. Typically, applications for business credit will require three to four trade references.

Some suppliers, especially smaller businesses, do not report payment histo-

DECEMBER 2016

Business Lending Solutions Our goal is to provide the right solution designed for you.

• Business Lines of Credit, Term Loans & Mortgages • Business Checking Accounts • Remote Deposit Capture • Cash Management Services

Stop by or call us today!

ry to the business credit reporting agencies. These are the trade references your company should have information on and be ready to supply on a credit application. Remember, trade references are a reliable indicator of a business’s financial health and management. When supplying a trade reference, lenders generally ask for the company name, address, contact name and business phone number.

4. Supply company financials The cash flow coming in and going out of the business is a key factor in determining your company’s ability to repay a loan or line of credit. You should have your financials in order prior to applying

for credit since many lenders may ask for your most recent profit & loss statement (P&L), cash flow statement (CFS), bank accounts, assets, investments, etc.

5. Have a business plan document?

The majority of business loan applications require a business plan document. The fact is banks still want the standard summary of the company, products, market, team and financials. This does not have to be a book but a lean business plan document will suffice. For help on building a business proposal check out Small Business Administration’s business plan tool. It provides a step-by-step guide to help you get started.

Remember, before you submit your business credit application, review all the information and make sure you are providing as much detail as possible. Above all, remember to be professional, prompt and responsive when a lender requests any additional information or documentation.

If you are rejected, ask what factors impacted their decision and how you could make needed improvements for future applications.

Marco Carbajo is a business credit expert, author, speaker and founder of the Business Credit Insiders Circle. He is a business credit blogger for Dun and Bradstreet Credibility Corp, the SBA.gov Community, About. com and AllBusiness.com. His articles and blog, BusinessCreditBlogger.com, have been featured in Fox Small Business, American Express Small Business, Business Week, The Washington Post, The New York Times, The San Francisco Tribune, Alltop and Entrepreneur Connect.

Does Your Company Have a Credit Union? Why not?

Membership is FREE. We are a Benefit for Your Employees and for YOU. Make the Call Today! We Come to You.

Established in 1964 ♦ Accounts Insured to $250,000 30,000 Surcharge-Free ATM’s ♦ 5,500 Shared Branches Originally in the World Trade Center, now Headquartered in Bloomfield, NJ XCELfcu.org

(973) ASK XCEL, then Option 7

MEADOWLANDS USA

meadowlandsusa.com

DECEMBER 2016

23

Right to left: Hunter Group Co-Managing Directors Frank Pawlowski, CPA and Kevin Hansen, CPA

Bergen County’s Hunter Group CPA LLC

Helping New Jersey’s family-owned businesses to succeed

A

nyone who has ever worked for or owned a family business knows the family enterprise is a unique environment. The magical ingredients that create and sustain success are often tied to deep family traditions. The magic might be tied to a strong work ethic or a shared family talent or expertise. However, mixed in with these deep-rooted family values exist quirks that must be addressed, especially when a transferal of leadership is being discussed.

“Transition planning is very personal process for a family business,“ notes Kevin Hansen, CPA, co-managing director with Hunter Group CPA LLC. “In an optimal scenario, parental owners are patient and trusting, while their children are both interested and talented enough to absorb the required skills. In reality, this is almost never exactly how it happens.”

“Life is unpredictable and people are complex,” notes fellow co-managing director Frank Pawlowski, CPA. “So many busi-

24

MEADOWLANDS USA

meadowlandsusa.com

ness owners fail to open up to their families and their business advisors about their desires for the business and their retirement.”

As a result, life events—often triggered by a health issue or the death of a key family member—make options for business transition far more limited and often unpopular. The family business ends up in peril while family relationships may quickly be damaged or destroyed,” Frank observes.

To help their many family business clients to be successful, Hunter Group invests significant time advising and fostering open lines of communications between the generations.

“Often our conversations regarding the next generation are usually very subtle,” notes Kevin. “Typically, when we start talking about retirement funding strategies, it leads to deeper discussions about what roles children or other family members, or even non-family employees will play in the owner’s long-term plans.”

DECEMBER 2016

Hunter Group CPA LLC and its affiliate companies, including Hunter Financial Services and Hunter Professional Resources, have been assisting owners of closely-held businesses for over sixty years.

The firm provides everything from tax planning and preparation to accounting and bookkeeping services, financial statement reviews and audits. In addition, Hunter Financial Services, Inc. assists clients with wealth management, life insurance and retirement planning services. The firm’s professional recruiting arm helps clients locate qualified in-house financial talent, from temporary bookkeeping and accounting staff to controller and CFO-level talent.

However, Hunter Group’s owners are most proud of their role as trusted advisor and consultant on all matters related to the financial success of both the business and the family.

Kevin and Frank, together with their six partners who form the ownership team operating the practice, have seen many

family businesses come and go over the last sixty years. When the late Robert Hunter formed the company in Paramus back in 1956, he recognized that family businesses were the backbone of New Jersey’s business landscape.

However, unlike today, mid-twentieth century families expected someone from the next generation will eventually run the family enterprise. Today, while family-owned and managed businesses still make up 90 percent of American business and approximately 50 percent of the nation’s Gross National Product, the statistics for a successful transition of a family business are not very promising.

According to Forbes, only fifty percent of first generation businesses successfully transition to the second generation.

Worse, only half of the second generation will successfully transfer to the third. According to the Family Business Institute, only three percent of family businesses survive to the fourth generation.

In spite of the statistics, the world of the family business is far from doom and gloom. In fact, there are many success stories.

Avanti Linens: a family success story Here in Northern New Jersey, long-time Hunter client and family business Avanti Linens is an example of successful entrepreneurship driven by strong family values.

Headquartered in a 200,000 square foot facility in Moonachie, Avanti supplies high quality embellished and bordered towels to nearly 80 percent of the nation’s major department stores as well as specialty stores and bath shops. Formed in 1969

by Arthur and Sandy Tauber, the company began when Arthur, a freshly unemployed but talented salesman and idea man, brazenly sold a roughly-drawn design concept to a Lord & Taylor buyer who took a chance on the young entrepreneur.

Operated today by Arthur and son Michael Tauber, the company is flourishing, having survived the challenges of a few high profile retail customer failures, several recessions and Superstorm Sandy.

“Superstorm Sandy kicked us very hard,” recalls Arthur. “We had ruined inventory, precision machines destroyed by dirty flood waters and employees without a place to work.”

In spite of the millions of dollars in flood water damage and months of complete business interruption, the family dug deep into their own reserves to rebuild the facility. Fortunately, the company

has rebounded stronger than ever, even expanding their warehouse into available adjacent space. Grateful employees thanked the family with an embroidered towel stitched with everyone’s signature, a keepsake that is proudly framed in the facility’s lobby.

The Tauber family has relied on Hunter Group director (and partner) Elliott Koplitz, CPA for more than a decade. And, while Elliott today is a trusted member of the business team, he had to earn his stripes with Arthur. “I think I challenged him early on to earn his keep,” Arthur laughs, “But he stuck to his guns too and in a short time we have grown to trust and appreciate his team’s work. Elliott continues to prove his value to our company and our family.”

Mr. Koplitz is almost as proud of the business’ continued success as is the family.

“Avanti Linen’s success is due to the solid decision making abilities of the owners,” Elliott Koplitz notes. “The Tauber family understood long ago the importance of bringing the next generation into the fold. With Michael on board, they have taken the critical planning steps required to ensure their future success.”

Planning…and much more According to The Small Business Administration, proper succession planning

consists of five critical steps: 1. Choosing a successor 2. Developing a formal training plan 3. Establishing a timetable 4. Preparing yourself for retirement 5. Installing your successor While the SBA’s plan sounds reasonable, the devil is in the details. According to Hunter Group’s Frank Pawlowski, when it comes to succession, CEO’s are mindful of a far greater range of issues than just selecting and training the next person to lead.

“It takes months, even years of discussions to arrive at a smart succession plan,” notes Frank. “We look at the family’s retirement and estate needs. Are college plans being funded? Can lifestyles be maintained? Do certain family members have leadership potential and, if so, how best can the family utilize that sibling’s potential? Do we have key employees that might be critical to the success of the next generation? How do we lock them in so they don’t want to leave? We also look at buy-sell agreements, insurance to fund the execution of those agreements, and establishing 401(k) or deferred compensation plans or other retirement plans for the family and employees.”

“Above all else,” Frank adds, “Owners need to honestly determine if their business can support their goals? Is their industry in decline? Have we maximized Continued on pg. 26

Left to Right: David DePiero and Frank Pawlowski of Hunter Group with Thermo King East owners Rick and Don Ebenstein.

MEADOWLANDS USA

meadowlandsusa.com

DECEMBER 2016

25

Continued from pg. 25

the value of the business, or is there further growth potential? All of these questions are part of a long term process owners and families must contemplate,” Frank says.

Keeping things cool on the road Not far down the road from Avanti Linens, another Hunter Group client is proving that brothers can successfully work together to build a thriving family business.

Operated by brothers Don and Rick Ebenstein, Thermo King East, Inc., is a flourishing transportation refrigeration installation and service business in its second generation of ownership.

New trucks don’t typically come equipped with factory installed refrigeration systems as an option. As a result, it is not uncommon for these specialized service trucks to have aftermarket systems installed. That is where Thermo King East takes over.

Started by their father over 40 years ago, Thermo King East is a Carlstadt-based sales, installation and servicing center for aftermarket refrigeration equipment utilized by commercial vehicles.

Running a family business is simply in their blood. Their late father, Gus Ebenstein, brought the brothers into the business as young adults. When he retired in the late 1990’s, they were more than prepared. Today, the brothers have built one

of the leading commercial vehicle refrigeration service centers in the East. Their clients include major truck dealerships, large and small retail and logistics operations, and even governmental entities like the MTA. “There is no room for error in our business,” notes Thermo King East’s President Don Ebenstein. “Our clients expect refrigeration units to work without thinking about it. For that reason, quality is a top priority that drives our business. In return, we are pretty demanding when it comes to the people we hire and the outside services we buy.”

“We’ve had Hunter Group as our accountants for many, many years,” Don Ebenstein adds. “Frank and his team take the time to know our business and are there when we need them. Whether it’s a financing issue or retirement funding question or just a tax planning matter, I know Frank will give me a straight answer. These days, that’s saying a lot,” Don concludes.

Local roots & national connections Today, many New Jersey businesses have national and international business interests, or are themselves affiliates of foreign companies. To be able service the needs of clients with multistate or multinational operations, Hunter Group is a founding member of CPAmerica International. CPA-

Michael Tauber (left) of Avanti Linens and Elliott Koplitz (right) on the Avanti embroidery production line.

26

MEADOWLANDS USA

meadowlandsusa.com

DECEMBER 2016

merica is a national association of midsized independent CPA firms that share best practices and professional expertise.

The relationship ensures Hunter Group has access to staff or technical expertise when needs exceed their in-house capabilities.

With all the mega mergers in the CPA industry in the last decade, Hunter Group has remained fiercely independent.

Co-managing Directors Kevin Hansen and Frank Pawlowski say the owners prefer their culture of personal client interaction.

“Closely-held businesses prefer a strong relationship with an experienced CPA team that knows their business. They want to pick up the phone and get answers from someone they trust. Sometimes, we need extra hands or specialized expertise.

Thanks to our CPAmerica International relationship, we have resources like a big regional firm without the typical overhead.”

“We will do whatever it takes to keep our clients happy and successful,” Kevin concludes.

The firm recently won national recognition for client service quality. Independent research firm Inavero surveyed CPA firm clients across the country and awarded Hunter Group the Best of Accounting Award for service excellence, based on the feedback from their own clients and judged against scores from other firms across the nation.

We help make business less taxing.

It’s Never Too Late to Talk About Tax Planning Strategies!

Call today to schedule an appointment

800-235-9381 Contact:

Maria C. Plucinsky, CPA

HUNTER GROUP CPA LLC Certified Public Accountants and Business Advisors 17-17 Route 208 Fair Lawn, New Jersey 07410

www.TheHunterGroup.com

RETIREMENT & ESTATE PLANNING

Long Term Care Planning

You can ignore it, but there will be consequences

N

o one likes to image themselves as being less than the independent, healthy person they are today. Yet, the U.S. Department of Health and Human services predicts that 70 percent of people turning age 65 can expect to use some form of long-term care during their lives.

Those who have not planned for this by purchasing long term care insurance have the unhappy experience of having to pay for this care out of savings.

Long term care insurance should be something you are seriously considering, especially if you are a middle-aged American. This coverage is in place to protect you where Medicare can’t. Long term care costs, like paying for a nursing home or similar care at home, are extremely costly, and a Medicare plan alone won’t foot the bill. Neither will a Medicare supplement.

The cost for this care in New Jersey can range from $48,000 for a home health aide to $133,000 for a private room in a nursing home in 2016. Depending on your age, that cost could triple by the time you need care when you are in your late 70’s or 80’s.

The only true way to plan for these expenses is with a long term care insurance policy. Where your retirement would likely be ruined if you had to pay for long term care costs out of pocket, planning now and getting a long term care insurance policy is the best bet to living comfortably during your golden years.

Here are four reasons why you should, at the very least, consider getting a long term care insurance policy: 1) Protect your nest egg.

Long term care insurance is often purchased by people so they can protect their assets from the high costs of long term care.

This coverage can even be useful in protecting your children’s inheritance. As long term care costs can exceed $200,000 for a couple, according to Fidelity, it’s essential to have a plan.

Instead of having to borrow from the equity you’ve gained on a home or have to take out a loan to pay for a nursing home, long term care insurance is there to protect you and your assets when you need it most.

2) You’re probably going to need it.

Not only is long term care insurance the only option to prepare for the high costs of long term care, but you’ll most likely need it. Most seniors have to use some form of long term care, so it only makes sense to guard against these costs early on. A surefire way to getting a long term care insurance policy is to look into it as early as possible. People in their 80s will have a hard time qualifying, not to mention they’ll likely have high premiums. However, if you’re in your 50s, you’ll more easily be able to get an inexpensive policy.

28

MEADOWLANDS USA

meadowlandsusa.com

DECEMBER 2016

3) Avoid burdening family members.

Another significant advantage to long term care insurance is that family members won’t have to foot the cost of your care if you can’t afford it. Too often, children are forced to make tough financial decisions for their parents who need long term care. What nursing home are they going to live in? Who is going to pay?

Answering these questions is not easy, and can sometimes lead to problems. If you want to be independent and not burden your children with your long term care decisions, then your best option is to get coverage. You’ll be able to make the decisions you want with this coverage.

4) Get peace of mind.

While you might purchase long term care insurance decades before you claim any benefits, at the very least, you are getting peace of mind throughout all those years. The stress of having to worry about how you pay for long term care costs is not worth it.

Patti Goldfarb is a certified senior advisor affiliated with Acsia Partners, the largest and oldest long term care brokerage in the United States. She can be reached at (201) 255-6239 or pgoldfarb@ ebagroup.net.

RETIREMENT & ESTATE PLANNING

Will vs. Trust

Is one better than the other?

W

hen it comes to planning your estate, you might be wondering whether you should use a will or a trust (or both). Understanding the similarities and the differences between these two important documents may help you decide which strategy is better for you.

What is a will?

A will is a legal document that lets you direct how your property will be dispersed (among other things) when you die. It becomes effective only after your death. It also allows you to name an estate executor as the legal representative who will carry out your wishes.

In many states, your will is the only legal way you can name a guardian for your minor children. Without a will, your property will be distributed according to the intestacy laws of your state. Keep in mind that wills and trusts are legal documents generally governed by state law, which may differ from one state to the next.

What is a trust?

A trust document establishes a legal relationship in which you, the grantor or trustor, set up the trust, which holds property managed by a trustee for the benefit of another, the beneficiary. A revocable living trust is the type of trust most often used as part of a basic estate plan.

“Revocable” means that you can make changes to the trust or even end (revoke) it at any time. For example, you may want to remove certain property from the trust or change the beneficiaries. Or you may decide not to use the trust anymore because it no longer meets your needs.

A living trust is created while you’re living and takes effect immediately. You may transfer title or “ownership” of assets—such as a house, boat, automobile, jewelry or investments—to the trust. You can add assets to the trust and remove assets thereafter.

How do they compare?

While both a will and a revocable living trust enable you to direct the distribution of your assets and property to your beneficiaries at your death, there are several differences between these documents.

Here are a few important ones.

• A will generally requires probate, which is a public process that may be time-consuming and expensive.

A trust may avoid the probate process.

• In order to exclude assets from probate, you must transfer them to your revocable trust while you are living, which may be a costly, complicated and tedious process.

• Unlike a will, a trust may be used to manage your financial affairs if you become incapacitated.

• If you own real estate or hold property in more than one state, your will would have to be filed for probate in each state where you own property or assets. Generally, this is not necessary with a revocable living trust.

• A trust can be used to manage and administer assets you leave to minor children or dependents after your death.

• In a will you can name a guardian for minor children or dependents, which you cannot do with a trust.

Which is appropriate for you?

The decision is not necessarily an “either/or” situation. Even if you decide to use a living trust, you should also create a will to name an executor, name guardians for minor children and provide for the distribution of any property that does not end up in your trust. There are costs and expenses associated with the creation and ongoing maintenance of these legal instruments.

Whether you incorporate a trust as part of your estate plan depends on a number of factors: Does your state offer an informal probate, which may be an expedited, less expensive process available for smaller estates? Generally, if you want your estate to pass privately, with little delay or oversight from a probate court, including a revocable living trust as part of your estate plan may be the answer.

MEADOWLANDS USA

David Scher and Jonathan Peters are Senior Financial Advisors at Krim Associates, a firm that specializes in estate, investment, insurance and business planning for successful business owners, professionals, executives and retirees. meadowlandsusa.com

DECEMBER 2016

29

RETIREMENT & ESTATE PLANNING

Estate Tax Repeal

How will new legislation impact your estate planning?

O

n October 14, New Jersey Governor Chris Christie signed into law new legislation which repeals its estate tax. The legislation also included a gasoline surtax and a sales—and use tax reduction legislation among other changes.

It is important to note that New Jersey is one of those states that has two different kinds of so-called “death” taxes: an estate tax and an inheritance tax. The new statute only repeals the estate tax, and not the inheritance tax.

The inheritance tax applies to assets inherited by non-family members. In taxation terms, “family member” applies only to an ancestor, spouse, domestic partner or children. Any money left to a decedent’s siblings, aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, nephews, etc., will still be subject to the state’s inheritance tax, which remains in effect.

Under the inheritance tax, there are five classes of beneficiaries, A-E, with varying graduated taxation rates, and there are a few exemptions upon which the tax is not imposed. Full details and instructions are provided by the New Jersey Division of Taxation.

Under the new law, the New Jersey estate tax exemption will be increased to $2 million for 2017, and it will be repealed beginning in tax year 2018.

Details of the estate tax repeal The plan is to phase out the New Jersey estate tax over a two-year period. Currently, there is a $675,000 minimum threshold, or exclusion, that is not subject to the tax.

The new legislation raises the exclusion amount to $2 million for heirs of those dying on and after January 1, 2017—and then eliminating the estate tax completely for those dying on and after January 1, 2018.

What do I need to do now?

Obviously, the increase in the threshold— and the eventual repeal of the tax—will result in significant savings to New Jersey taxpayers. For example, prior to the new law, the New Jersey estate tax on a $1 million estate would be $33,200, on a $2

30

MEADOWLANDS USA

meadowlandsusa.com

million estate $99,600 and on a $5 million estate it would be $391,000.

However, despite the tax savings to high-net worth estates, the new law could also trigger some unintended consequences when it comes to estate planning.

For example, common estate planning techniques such as funding certain trusts as exemption credit shelters will need to be reviewed and revised as they may no longer be valid strategies under the new law.

These structures may inadvertently lead to the possible disinheritance of a spouse or other beneficiary. In addition, since the inheritance tax remains in effect, the new law could impact the way in which assets of the estate are divided among “family” and “non-family” members.

The repeal of the tax does not affect non-state residents who own property or other assets in the state. Nonresidents are not subject to New Jersey estate tax but are subject to New Jersey inheritance tax.

Boon or bust?

While in many ways a boon, the repeal of the estate tax can significantly change your DECEMBER 2016

estate planning. It may challenge some of the prior strategies employed to take advantage of exemptions to the estate tax while it was in place. Such strategies may now need to be revisited to make sure they still are in your best interests and those of your beneficiaries under the new law.

In light of the repeal, New Jersey state taxpayers are urged to consult with their tax professionals or financial advisors to help assess your current estate plan, and suggest any changes that should be made under the new statutes.

Steven Blumenthal, CPA is the principal of MBAF CPA’s LLC, located on 440 Park Avenue South, New York, NY 10016. He can be reached by telephone at (212) 9319254 or email at sblumenthal@mbafcpa. com. Compliance with and understanding the difference between scams and legitimate income tax problems can be complex.

If you would like to benefit from MBAF CPA’s LLC’s expertise in these areas, or if you have further questions on this advisory, do not hesitate to contact their tax & accounting specialists at (212) 576-1400.

When you’re having a mental health crisis, immediate help is just a phone call away.

The CBHCare Wellness & Support Center provides Bergen County residents experiencing a mental health crisis with 24/7 rapid response and mobile early intervention stabilization and support services. (must be 18 years or older, with a diagnosable mental illness)

By phone 24/7:

201.957.1800 Walk-ins:

Monday - Friday: 8 a.m. – 8 p.m.

Saturday & Sunday: 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.

CBHCare Wellness and Support Center 569 Broadway • Westwood, NJ 07675 www.cbhcare.com

Helping People Meet Life’s Challenges

Learn in small classes.

Succeed in big ways.

With an average class size of 23, and a student–faculty ratio of 18:1, Ramapo College offers students an individualized learning experience. Our students are able to build meaningful, close-working relationships with faculty members through mentorship, collaboration and research opportunities.

Ramapo College offers more than 40 undergraduate majors, seven part-time graduate programs and bachelor’s degree completion options. Discover how we prepare our students for a lifetime of success.

Learn more at:

www.ramapo.edu/musa

or 201-684-7300

505 Ramapo Valley Road, Mahwah, NJ

Ranked by U.S. News & World Report as one of the Best Regional Universities North category for public institutions.

Ranked as one of the “Best Bang-forthe-Buck Colleges in the Northeast” by Washington Monthly.

Tourism in the

Meadowlands

Jobs, revenue & reputation

The Meadowlands Sports & Entertainment Complex in East Rutherford hosts the New York Giants and New York Jets at MetLife Stadium, as well as the Meadowlands Racetrack.

The Greater Meadowlands region is teeming with ecotourism and nature opportunities accessible to residents and visitors year-round.

Meadowlands Racetrack hosts both thoroughbred racing and harness racing, and is home to the Hambletonian Stakes.

Medieval Times, a tournament dinner theater featuring jousting and sword-fighting, is located in Lyndhurst.

Pole Position Raceway, indoor go karting, is located in Jersey City.

32

MEADOWLANDS USA

meadowlandsusa.com

DECEMBER 2016

T

ourism is a revenue-generating, job-creating, community-supporting and reputation-building industry that cannot be ignored. According to the regional Economic Impact of Tourism report, published last year by Rockport Analytics with data from 2014, visitors drawn to the Meadowlands’ businesses, venues, attractions and hospitality that year spent $456 million, supported 10,700 jobs and paid $233 million in taxes to support state operations. Retail and hospitality, combined as one industry, is the largest provider of jobs in the Meadowlands, with over 4,700 organizations and nearly 44,000 employees.

In addition to the direct income this industry produces for the region, the Meadowlands also benefited from about $131 million of indirect income to businesses along the supply chain and $158 million in induced wage-spending facilitated by tourism revenue.

The Meadowlands is growing as a tourism destination The combined $745 million generated by tourism that year is certainly nothing to sneeze at, but even more impressive is the rate at which the tourism and hospitality industries are growing in the Meadowlands. Between 2013 and 2014, revenue brought to the Meadowlands by visitors increased by 7.9 percent, much more than in previous years. This even controlled for and excluded the two percent increase that can be attributed to Super Bowl XLVIII being hosted at MetLife stadium.

For comparison, according to a 2015 report by Tourism Economics, total tourism industry sales in the entire state of New Jersey increased by about 3.6 percent within the same time period. Tourism is a growing industry statewide, but it is particularly thriving here in the Meadowlands—more than double the state overall. While the Meadowlands provides visitors with unique locations and experiences, it also presents businesses with unique opportunity to harmoniously benefit from and contribute to the economic growth of the region’s ever-expanding tourism and hospitality industry.

Millions of visitors come to the Meadowlands region each year, and each of those visitors will come into contact with dozens of businesses along the way, both directly and indirectly.

Any visitor who comes to tour a local point of interest or attend a local event may also stay in a local hotel, eat at a local restaurant, shop at a local mall or plaza or take advantage of a local service, such as a car rental or dry cleaner.

Tourism Economics reports that parties visiting New Jersey spend about $701 per visit, with different groups spending more or less than others. Millennials only spend about $454

per visit, while the highest spenders are Gen Xers who spend about $790 per trip.

There are plenty of major sites and events that bring these customers to the region, including Liberty State Park, Liberty Science Center, Pole Position Raceway (an indoor electronic go-kart track), and Field Station: Dinosaurs, which is a kid-friendly, family-friendly attraction featuring lifesize animatronic dinos and a one-of-a-kind immersive educational experience.

MetLife Stadium, in addition to being the home of the New York Jets and the New York Giants and host of the Super Bowl in 2014, is the site of yearly summer concerts featuring music artists ranging from Eminem to AC/DC to Bruce Springsteen to Beyoncé. These concerts can draw in as many 100,000 visitors each, and generate a gross revenue of over $10 million in ticket sales alone. The revenue brought to businesses in the area as visitors become patrons and customers is an important part of what drives the Meadowlands economy forward.

Connecting businesses & customers The Meadowlands Liberty Convention & Visitors Bureau (www.mlcvb.com) is one resource that directs visitors to the businesses nearby the event they are attending or the site they are seeing that will fulfill their entertainment, shopping, social, food and hospitality needs. The Bureau organizes their website—which lists these businesses with information, directions and links to book spaces or buy tickets— based on exactly what visitors want to do when they come to the Meadowlands: Stay, Play, Shop, Meet and Eat. This website also caters to exactly what businesses want when visitors come to their area. They want those visitors to know about the businesses, know how to get to them and to connect with them, whether it be through a room booking, a ticket purchase, a dinner reservation or a simple shopping trip. The MLCVB connects area tourism-related businesses with their potential customers.

Tourists and vacationers—families, group of friends, school field trips, etc.— aren’t the only potential visitors to the Meadowlands area. Conference and convention-goers, business groups and other large parties who choose to host their events or activities in the Meadowlands also comprise plenty of potential consumers and valuable sources of revenue for the region.

Many of the region’s 50 plus hotels make great settings for business events or expos, and the 61,000 square foot Meadowlands

Exposition Center, located in Secaucus, can house up to 5,000 people for a larger conference, convention, ceremony or banquet.

When attendees of these large events flock to the area—whether they be fans looking forward to a Giants game, suitclad employees of a Fortune 500 company or hordes of “walker stalkers” dressed up for a Walking Dead convention—the Meadowlands has over 10,000 hotel rooms to accommodate them with, according to Judy Ross, vice president of operations for the Meadowlands Liberty Convention & Visitors Bureau and Meadowlands Chamber of Commerce. Ross also notes that this number increases with new hotels being opened every year.

Direct & indirect benefits that go beyond the hotel stay While hotel stays generate the most direct revenue from visitors—about 25.8 percent in 2014—businesses in other industries have ample opportunity to take advantage of presence of visitors in their locality.

Sellers of food and beverages earned about 22.9 percent—or $104.6 million—of the region’s direct visitor revenue in 2014.

Gas stations made $73.4 million, or 16.1 percent. Visitors that year also spent about $46.9 million on ground and air travel, $49.8 million on general merchandise at places like the Westfield Garden State Plaza and $46.3 million on games and entertainment at places like Medieval Times in Lyndhurst or Chuck E. Cheese’s in North Bergen.

However, the economic impact of the Meadowlands’ visitors goes beyond the direct point where cash changes hands or credit cards are swiped. The money that goes from visitor to cashier or visitor to receptionist then goes from the business that received it to its suppliers that help it provide its patrons or guests with goods, services and something to do. The real estate industry received nearly $16 million in indirect visitor revenue by providing physical space to the businesses that directly serve tourists. Those in the field of scientific and technical services made about $24.6 million indirectly. In total, businesses that had no direct contact with visitors, including wholesale traders, insurance carriers and providers of ambulatory health care, made over $114.5 million—over one-seventh of the total impact of tourism in the region that year.

The third and final layer of the economic impact of tourism in the Meadowlands region, as measured by Rockport An-

alytics in their 2014 report, is the induced impact from workers’ wages being spent within the local economy. Visitor spending supported $466 million in wages for local workers who reside in the Meadowlands region in 2014. About $158 million of these wages went back into the Meadowlands economy. The largest amount—about 21.2 percent—went to real estate. Over $7 million went back into scientific and technical services, $9.5 million went back into the food and beverage industry, $7.1 million went into insurance and $13.9 million into ambulatory healthcare. These induced impact figures are significant, as tourism jobs in the Meadowlands are quickly expanding. Job gains in the tourism industry totaled 4.9 percent between 2013 and 2014, outpacing the 0.4 total employment gains in the region.

Tourism developments to continue in the Meadowlands This growth will only continue with the opening of more attractions and accommodations in the area, including American Dream Meadowlands, an upcoming shopping mall, recreation center and entertainment complex containing indoor amusement parks, indoor sports attractions and over 200 stores within its walls. Upon its opening, American Dream is expected to draw in as many as 40 million visitors per year and create as many as 10,580 jobs, according to Triple Five, the project’s developer.

The Meadowlands would not be the same without tourism and the impact it has on the region’s economy. The removal of tourism from the Meadowlands’ economic landscape would mean the loss of at least 8,030 jobs, $745 million in Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and $71 million in tax dollars. According to Rockport Analytics, without the support of tourism, each of the 580,000 households in the Meadowlands would have to pay at least $218 more in taxes to make up that amount.

Tourism has an effect on everyone in the Meadowlands: the government, businesses and residents alike. Therefore, the tourism and hospitality industry is certainly one to keep an eye on for anyone living in, working in, conducting business in or thinking about doing any of the above in the scenic and dynamic Meadowlands region.

Laura French is a freelance reporter and writer. She can be reached at lauram. french1994@gmail.com.

MEADOWLANDS USA

meadowlandsusa.com

DECEMBER 2016

33

TOURISM & HOSPITALITY

Hospitality & Tourism Standouts

Top businesses & professionals in the Meadowlands recognized at the Annual HospiTourism Awards

From Left to Right: Judy Ross, for the MLCVB; Andrew Guarino of Park & Orchard; Ralph Magliocchetti of Il Villaggio; Sally Altman of Holiday Inn in Hasbrouck Heights; Bret Esbrandt, for Courtyard by Marriott in Lyndhurst; Ruhul Amin, for Hilton Meadowlands Hotel; Chris Lambo, for Courtyard by Marriott in Lyndhurst; and Robin Cuneo of the Meadowlands Expo Center.

T

he Meadowlands Liberty Convention & Visitors Bureau (MLCVB) recently celebrated the top hospitality & tourism businesses and professionals in the region with its 4th Annual HospiTourism Awards.

At the event, which took place at the Park & Orchard in East Rutherford, the MLCVB celebrated members for the following achievements: • Ruhul Amin of at Hilton Meadowlands Hotel accepted the award for Excellent Visitor Experience; • Park and Orchard was awarded the Best Marketing Practice Award and this was presented to Andrew Guarino • Best Green Initiative was presented to Sally Altman of Holiday Inn, Hasbrouck Heights; • Bret Esbrandt Chris Lambo of Courtyard by Marriott Lyndhurst accepted the award for Community Impact and; • Ralph Magliocchetti accepted the award for Il Villaggio in Carlstadt for the new category Outstanding Dining Experience.

“The Meadowlands is a vibrant region with a robust hospitality and tourism community, and we are very proud of all the nominees tonight” said Judy Ross, vice president for the Meadowlands Liberty CVB. “These awards set our region apart from other destinations so both local residents and those who travel here know they will be

34

MEADOWLANDS USA

meadowlandsusa.com

DECEMBER 2016

met with a certain level of expertise and service.”

The HospiTourism Awards were keynoted by Bernie Schraer, vice president of revenue and channel development for Meetings Professionals International, and Flora Phyllis Poggio, retired NJ Office of Travel & Tourism representative who shared a special presentation about her extensive travels in 2016 entitled The Good, The Bad and the Ugly: A Leisure Traveler’s Perspective.

The HospiTourism Awards are one of many events that the MLCVB and Meadowlands Regional Chamber host throughout the year to highlight members’ achievements, educate and advocate about important issues affecting the region and the state—and facilitate important networking between members.

The MLCVB is also being recognized for its contributions and service to the tourism and hospitality region.

“We just learned we will be receiving Meetings & Conventions Magazine’s Gold Service Award which we are honored to share with everyone in the region whose hospitality and professionalism have helped us increase our visibility and reputation in the meetings and convention industry,” Ross added.

For more information about the Meadowlands Liberty CVB and the Meadowlands Regional Chamber, call (201) 939-0707 or visit www.meadowlands.org or www.mlcvb.org.

ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT, SUPPLIES, LAMPS AND LIGHTING FIXTURES HAND TOOLS, POWER TOOLS AND SAFETY EQUIPMENT INDUSTRIAL – COMMERCIAL – RESIDENTIAL Supplies and Service that Energize the World

455 THIRD STREET JERSEY CITY, NJ 07302 201-653-1613 FAX -201-653-5470

BOB KILROY bkilroy@JewelElectric.com

www.jewelelectric.com

Connecting The Meadowlands Developed infrastructure keeps the region moving

T

ransportation infrastructure consists of much more than just the roads that connect one location to another. Every road, rail, bus route and shuttle route represents a link between a business and a client, an employee and their workplace or a product and its destination.

The more linkages that are available, the more opportunities there are for businesses to increase their customer count. By providing quality public transportation, the Meadowlands aims to better connect businesses to reduce fuel and save on commuting time.

In the Meadowlands, complex and ever-improving infrastructure and technology advancements aim to provide these opportunities and preven setbacks—facilitating travel to and from nearby New York City through NJ Transit and other services.

Infrastructure improvements are also at work shortening the distance between company and consumer. Roads and rail lines are being extended and various projects are being implemented to take the burden off of commuters. This will allow them to spend more of their energy on the job and less of it on the road.

36

MEADOWLANDS USA

meadowlandsusa.com

Bringing life to the region The Meadowlands’ proximity to New York City means that travel to and from the Big Apple is a key factor in the structure of the region’s roads and transit routes. The only thing standing in the way of this goldmine of potential consumers and employees is the time it takes to move from one location to the other. It is fortunate, then, that the ride time from New York Penn Station to Secaucus Junction can be as little as eight minutes. In addition, NJ Transit’s Northeast Corridor Rail Line provides a trip to or from Newark Liberty International Airport in only 15 minutes, and the Meadowlands is less than 15 miles from the Port of New York and New Jersey, the largest port on the East Coast and the second busiest in North America.

Frank R. Lautenberg Rail Station at Secaucus Junction “on a daily basis offers unparalleled levels of rail transit access to points in New Jersey and New York City,” according to a technical report we commissioned called Meadowlands Mobility 2040. The station connects to all but one of NJ Transit’s commuter rails, serves about 70,000 people daily and is accessible from DECEMBER 2016

over 150 other NJ Transit stations. As it is described in the report, this station is “the connective tissue that can bring opportunity, place and people together – by rail, by bus and by shuttle.”

Route 3, Route 7 and Route 17 are described as the “main arteries” with Route 3 also being called a “spine” and a “major lifeline as it feeds the Meadowlands, the Hudson River Waterfront and New York City via the Lincoln Tunnel.” Like a spinal cord feeds information to the brain, Route 3 feeds information, resources, products and people to the region and nearby areas.

New Jersey buses make about 1,000 trips along Route 3 daily, carrying 30,000 passengers to and from jobs, meetings, events and more. The local roads that these highways stem into—the capillaries where travelers meet their destinations—are also an important part of the infrastructure, including Paterson Plank Road, West Side Avenue, Moonachie Road and the Meadowlands Parkway.

The high amount of commuter activity on these roads and throughout the densely populated area is greatly relieved by the many forms of public transporta-

tion available to employees. Rail trains and buses travel between trains stations and major employment centers such as the Meadows Office Complex, Harmon Meadow and Harmon Cove. Additional, several EZ Ride shuttles are made available by Meadowlink, the region’s Transportation Management Association, to provide more comprehensive and convenient access to workplaces for a variety of employees.

Many major employers and their workers benefit from this shuttle system, including UPS in Secaucus, as well as Federal Reserve Bank and Aramark in East Rutherford.

In addition, three park-and-ride facilities within the region, and several more available nearby, provide thousands of convenient parking spaces for transit passengers, further reducing traffic congestion during rush hour, as hundreds of thousands are traveling in and out of the area.

Intelligent improvements The transportation infrastructure of the Meadowlands is in a dynamic stream of maintenance and improvement. There are several future projects set forth by the area’s zoning and planning agency, The New Jersey Sports & Exposition Authority (NJSEA), and several great accomplishments behind them. In 2009, the Meadowlands Rail Line and Meadowlands Station at MetLife Stadium opened, with the ability to transport 10,000 people to and from the stadium per hour. This effectively reduces road traffic during times when thousands are drawn to the area at once.

In 2014, major repairs and improvements to Route 3’s Passaic River Crossing were completed, including road widenings and the replacement of the moveable bridge with a fixed bridge. This provides a smoother and safer commute for approximately 65,000 drivers daily, reducing congestion on Route 3 and other nearby roads. This project was “smart sized” and completed in stages in order to minimize the inconvenience of construction for commuters and spread the budget out in a way that was most cost-effective. Supported by the advocacy of the NJSEA and Meadowlands Regional Chamber, projects like this can continue to see fruition and benefits for residents, commuters and businesses alike.

One of the most notable recent transportation improvements in the Meadowlands is surprisingly not the construction of a new road, bridge, rail line or parking lot—but the installation of new technology into 128 traffic signals in order to significantly improve the flow of traffic. This project is an intelligent system known as

the Meadowlands Adaptive Signal System for Traffic Reduction, or MASSTR. MASSTR, which received an extremely competitive $10 million TIGER II grant in 2010, also won the 2013 Outstanding ITS Project Award from the Intelligent Transportation Society of New Jersey.

MASSTR, which was named 2013 Project of the Year from Institute of Transportation Engineers, improves traffic conditions by rejecting the fixed system that most traffic lights run by. Instead it has traffic signals respond intelligently to the actual flow of traffic at any given time.

These advanced traffic lights are monitored in real time by technicians at the NJSEA Traffic Management Center.

The MASSTR system reduces delays significantly, and is estimated to reduce gas consumption by over 1.2 million gallons per year. They also reduce greenhouse gas emissions from waiting vehicles by about 11,000 tons per year. All these benefits, while continuing to ensure the safety of about three million drivers per day at dozens of intersections in the region.

The time and gasoline conserved by the MASSTR system translate into millions of dollars in savings, with the emissions no longer flowing out of the tailpipes of needlessly idling vehicles.

Down the road Improvements to the Meadowlands’ infrastructure is never-ending, with documents and conferences from the Meadowlands 2040 Council, the economic development think tank that helps produce this publication, setting forth a plan for potential future projects.

The Meadowlands is enjoying collaboration between government agencies, chambers of commerce, universities, businesses and communities to advocate for the projects that would most benefit the region.

Currently, the Amtrak Gateway Pro-

gram, a plan for extensive improvements and increases in rider capacity along the Northeast Corridor, is a priority, as it will accommodate the projected doubling of ridership along the Corridor by the year 2040.

As the population and economic climate grow and evolve, infrastructure must also evolve. Gateway will ensure the evolution of Trans-Hudson transportation that will allow the Meadowlands region to thrive.

Other future projects with planning underway include the extension of the New York No. 7 subway line to Secaucus, to directly link the Meadowlands with Grand Central Station and Times Square vya the city subway system; Phase II of the Sports Complex rail loop, which would allow access to the Sports Complex from both the Bergen County and Pascack Valley lines; and the implementation of a bus rapid transit (BRT) system on Route 3. This latter improvement would make bus transportation faster with less stops and would provide the addition of other elements such as exclusive bus lanes, traffic signal priority for buses and off-board fare payment by passengers.

The Meadowlands benefits from its proximity to “the city that never sleeps.”

And dedication to transportation improvement never sleeps either when the region has so much more to benefit from. This includes the smoothing of traffic, the increased efficiency of public transit and the extension of roads and transit lines between areas that have the potential to be symbiotic benefactors.

When commute times are decreased and avenues are opened up between locations, businesses and their employees are the benefactors.

The Meadowlands is already well on its way to being a well-oiled mobility machine through which both New Jerseyans and New Yorkers travel daily—and as long as transportation remains essential to economic prosperity, the oil will never run out.

MEADOWLANDS USA

meadowlandsusa.com

DECEMBER 2016

37

CHEFS OF THE MEADOWLANDS

Local Foodies Give Pairings Advice

Make the most of your business lunch/dinner with these wine & beer suggestions

“W

hite with fish, red with beef.”

That has long been the go-to rule when choosing wine with your meal.

However, Tim Vlahopoulos, General Manager and in-house wine expert for Axia Taverna in Tenafly, said there are so many wine varieties and so many potential food pairings, the red/white rule is now inadequate.

“Each variety of wine has its own unique taste and quality,” Vlahopoulos said, adding that Axia’s extensive list boasts about 360 different wines. “To just say ‘red’ or ‘white’ would be to deny oneself of wonderful possibilities.”

Wines, both white and red, comprise several elements: acidity, tannins, alcohol content, fruitiness and sweetness. Likewise, foods also have their unique flavor components, such as salt, sugar, bitter, fat, etc. The ideal wine/food pairings complement the other’s flavors and enhance the richness and textures of every bite.

Beers and ales also are brewed with different flavor additives and seasonal ingredients, and are designed to appeal to a variety of tastes and food choices. North Bergen-based New Jersey Beer Company’s Ari Bildner, general manager, and Mike Miles, sales manager, said selecting the right beer to go with one’s meal also depends on unique factors, such as emphasis on hops, malt or yeast, which in turn determine color, alcohol content and texture.

“We have begun to do beer pairings with some of the finer dining establishments in New Jersey, so it’s a growing trend,” said Bildner, noting a recent pairing in Atlantic City that featured oysters, fondue and pretzels, pork chops and tiramisu. Currently, New Jersey Beer Company produces nine distinct beers, including five seasonal choices.

Of course, it ultimately comes down to personal preferences. However, our experts weighed in on just a few of their recommendations for best enhancing the

38

MEADOWLANDS USA

meadowlandsusa.com

dining experience.

Fatty foods Many of our favorite foods have high levels of fat, such as meat, dairy and those popular fried morsels that we find on so many appetizer menus. When selecting a wine, remember that it should balance that fat with a variety higher in tannin, or polyphenol, the naturally occurring compound in grape skins, stems and seeds that give a wine its dryness or stringency. Note: The level of tannin is determined by the length of time those skins, stems and seeds soak in the juice after the grape is pressed. Red wines typically have stronger tannins but they are also found in white wines aged in wooden barrels.

DECEMBER 2016

Vlahopoulos: Agiorgitiko, or St. George’s Grape, a lush variety from the southern Peloponnesian Islands of Greece. “A very versatile grape that can be produced as a varietal or blended with a Cabernet Sauvignon.”

Bildner and Miles: Hudson Pale Ale, made with hops grown in the Pacific Northwest. “Has a solid hops kick that delivers for the casual ale drinker and die-hard ‘hop-head’ alike. Has bold flavor but not over the top. Perfect with a juicy steak.”

Acidic foods Acid is an element in both food and wine.

Fish with a lemon sauce, tomato-based dishes and green salads are a few examples of acid-rich foods. When choosing

a wine or ale, opt for one whose acidity level is at least equal to that of the food or your meal will overpower whatever you’re drinking.

Vlahopoulos: Aidani or Assyrtiko, grown in the volcanic rich soil of the island of Santorini. “Reminds me of a burgundy white.”

Bildner and Miles: 1787 Abbey Single Ale, a crisp, light and refreshing ale.

“It’s malty and light and very approachable with anything because it doesn’t wipe out the flavors. Perfect for salads, chicken or fish.”

Salty foods Salty foods can be difficult to pair with wine. Your best bet is to choose a wine that’s on the sweet side, like a sauterne, or an effervescent, like champagne. A full-bodied stout also goes well with starters, such as cheese and salty or cheesy crackers.

Bildner and Miles: Garden State Stout, brewed with Belgian dark chocolate, malts and “just enough hop character for balance, and a touch of raisin.”

Sweet foods Sweet desserts and other sugary foods seem like the logical choice to pair with a sweet wine. But too much of a sweet thing can cancel the other out and mix flavors for an unpleasant result.

Remember, there are degrees of sweetness in both wines and foods. Pork chops with a fruit sauce, for instance, is delicious with white wines such as Chardonnay which has a hint of sweetness that balances the sauce. When it comes to desserts, opt for a wine that is sweeter than the dessert or even the sweetest of grapes can end up tasting tart.

Vlahopoulos: Moscato, a sweet sometimes bubbly white wine that’s ideal with fruity desserts or poured right over fresh berries. Or Commandaria, an amber-colored sweet dessert wine that tastes “a bit like sherry.”

Bildner and Miles: Seasonal ales, such as New Jersey Beer Company’s “Chairman of the Gourd” offering, a pumpkin brew that is “not a full-on pumpkin pie but has the same aroma with a beer backdrop.” They also suggest their

Bergenline Brown Ale to finish off a meal.

Classic pairings Here are a few other suggested food and wine pairings: Chardonnay: turkey, pork, veal, white fish, butter sauces, risotto Pinot Noir: mushrooms, grain breads, legumes, ham Dry Rosé: spicy seafood stew, prosciutto, sweet onions and peppers Pinot Grigio: tuna, salmon, mild Asian dishes, lighter pasta dishes Merlot: grilled foods, warm spices, milder cuts of beef such as tenderloin Cabernet Sauvignon: well-marbled beef, stews, pot roasts, pasta with red sauces How about with a big, juicy burger?

“Can’t go wrong with a nice IPA,” said Bildner.

MEADOWLANDS USA

meadowlandsusa.com

DECEMBER 2016

39

Newmark Grubb Knight Frank Organization Background

Newmark Grubb Knight Frank (NGKF) is a global commercial real estate firm which specializes in tenant representation and landlord representation for office, industrial and retail sectors, global corporate services, consulting, investment sales, capital markets, valuation, facilities management and property management with 400 offices globally.

Based in the Rutherford, New Jersey office, one impressive brokerage team started as a partnership between Frank D. Recine and Blake J. Goodman in April of 2006. The two were joined by Tim Greiner shortly thereafter and then over the past decade, the team has grown to its core seven commercial real estate professionals and two executive coordinators. Executive Managing Directors Recine and Greiner are joined by Managing Director Goodman, Directors Brendan McBride and Jamie Ragucci, Associate Director Harrison Russell and Associate Colleen Maguire to form this dynamic real estate team. Diane Connolly and Gayle Cosgrove are the team’s executive coordinators.

What They Do

The NGKF brokerage team led by Recine and Greiner has closed over 2.7 million square feet of transactions in 2016 including five of the ten largest office lease transactions in New Jersey. This multi-functional collaboration includes lead generation, transaction management, strategy and oversight, ownership representation and multi-market tenant representation. The team credits its success to a collaborative and strategic team structure.

Business Goals & Objectives

The team is heavily involved in various organizations both locally and nationally. Collectively Recine’s team participates in the Meadowlands Regional Chamber, Spectrum for Living, ARC of Rockland, Choose NJ, CoreNet NY/NJ, CREW NJ, March of Dimes, United Way, National Association of Professional Women and the Onyx & Breezy Foundation.

Awards & Accolades

Members of the team have received several awards over the past five years alone. Recine, Greiner and Goodman have been recognized as Real Estate Forum’s Top New Jersey Brokers for multiple years running, in addition to “40 under 40” the industry’s Rising Star by Real Estate New Jersey. Recine has received a Certificate of Special Congressional Recognition for service to the community.

Greiner spearheaded two transactions which received NAIOP deal of the year awards. Jamie Ragucci received the Rising Star award and was recognized for her strong leadership skills as she received the Young Leader of the Year award from CoreNet, a professional association that brings real estate professionals together globally.

Harrison Russell received the Rising Star award from the firm in 2014 and 2016, as well as the 2016 Rising Star Spirit of Community Award. As a team, the group has been recognized annually since 2007 as a Costar “Power Broker.”

Business Goals & Objectives

The team operates as a small and nimble company, setting monthly and annual goals and implementing procedures to accomplish them, while making use of the resources and support of a global company to best service their clients. Recine and his colleagues invest time and capital with outside consultants and encourage continuing education to make sure that their team is ahead of the curve.

By having senior, middle and junior level professionals collaborate with one another—each bringing their own specialties to the group—offering clients access to multiple skillsets and business relationships. The team has continued to drive strong business results.

Executive Managing Director Frank Recine

Executive Managing Director Tim Greiner

Managing Director Blake J. Goodman

Director Brendan McBride

Director Jamie Ragucci

Associate Director Harrison Russell

Associate Colleen Maguire

Executive Coordinator Diane Connolly

Executive Coordinator Gayle Cosgrove

Edge & Competitiveness

The structure and strategic approach are working. The team participated in five of the state’s top ten office lease transactions in 2016 and have grown their business since 2015 when they closed 1.5 million square feet of leases.

Among their recent transactions are several headlining New Jersey leases for 2016, including: 431,495 square feet leased at 5 Giralda Farms in Madison by pharmaceutical giant Allergan; 330,000 square feet leased at 211 Mount Airy Road in Basking Ridge by Daiichi Sankyo, and a 337,552-square-foot expansion and extension for Panasonic at 2 Riverfront Plaza in Newark; Marsh & McLennan’s lease for 135,000 square feet at 121 River Street in Hoboken, DHL for 126,000 square feet in Secaucus and Mizuho’s 105,000 square foot lease at Plaza 10 in Jersey City.

40

MEADOWLANDS USA

meadowlandsusa.com

DECEMBER 2016

T.M. Rybak & Associates, P.C.

(201)-460-0473

www.tmrassociates.com Architecture Engineering Planning Interior Design Site Analysis Site Envelope Evaluation

General Construction Project Management Real-Estate Consultant Remediation of Existing Property Management Life Cycle Analysis

DESIGN | BUILD

Boiling Springs Group, Inc.

(201)-460-8339

www.boilingspringsgroup.com

1 5

W e s t

E r i e

Protecting our environment.

Serving our community.

Today and tomorrow. We know the two go hand in hand.

That’s why everything we do is focused on what you need today while we plan and prepare for what the world might need tomorrow.

Clean water. A healthy Earth. For your small corner of the world and for the global community.

Every day we’re your vital resource, providing stewardship of our most vital natural resources.

www.UnitedWater.com

A v e n u e

R u t h e r f o r d , N J

0 7 0 7 0

TECH TALK

Virtual & Augmented Reality

Products that are making alternate realities a reality

A

lthough Virtual Reality (VR) and Augmented Reality (AR) have been around and talked about for years, a number of new consumer products are arriving in the market with the promise of finally bringing this technology into the mainstream.

Microsoft Stores will be at the forefront of making these products available to consumers, allowing them to experience this amazing technology first-hand. We’ll be assorting three systems: the first two, Oculus Rift and HTC Vive, fall into the virtual reality category. Lastly, there is Microsoft HoloLens, which embraces both virtual and augmented realities to create a new, mixed reality.

What are virtual reality and augmented reality?

Let’s take a look at virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) and see how they compare. Put simply, both VR and AR tinker with our reality. AR enhances it while VR diverts us from it.

Virtual Reality Virtual reality is all about the creation of an immersive, artificial world that users can interact with in a seemingly real or physical way. The better it is designed, the more difficult it is to tell the difference between what’s real and what’s not. Hardware and software are used to fool our senses—we suspend disbelief and believe we are actually there, experiencing this virtual world in person. VR is usually achieved by wearing a VR helmet or goggles similar to the Oculus Rift and HTC Vive.

The user is isolated from the real world while immersed in a world that’s complete-

42

MEADOWLANDS USA

meadowlandsusa.com

ly fabricated. VR is typically used for things like simulating a real environment for training and education, or creating an imagined environment for a game or telling a story.

VR’s complete immersion can pack a powerful emotional punch—what happens inside the headset makes you feel something in your head, heart and gut. But this isolation and complete focus on the content also comes with limitations: users are prevented from interacting with their surroundings.

Their ability to walk around is restricted and they can’t see what is right next to them or interact with other people who may be in the room. VR is a powerful way to experience content, but is not practical for interacting in the real world.

Augmented Reality Augmented reality is the blending of virtual reality and real life. Developers can create images that blend in with contents in the real world. With AR, users are able to interact with virtual objects in the real world, and

DECEMBER 2016

are able to distinguish between the two. For example, HoloLens has a clear eyepiece which lets you see your surroundings. Users continue to be in touch with the real world while interacting with virtual objects—3D holograms—around them. This allows AR to add contextual layers of information to our experiences in real time.

Like VR, AR can be used for education, training, productivity and gaming. It just does so differently, providing a new way to see and interact with the world around you.

If you would like to try out some of these devices and experience VR/AR, stop by the Willowbrook Mall Microsoft Store for a free demo!

Nick Carnevale is a business sales specialist with Microsoft Business Direct for the New Jersey market. He can be reached at (862) 242-6741 or nichcar@microsoft.com.

For more information about Microsoft’s products, you can visit www.microsoftstore. com/willowbrook.

0316

EAST

MEADOWLANDS RESTAURANTS & DINING 3rd Wave Cafe & Crepes, The Lyndhurst (201) 528-8163

Bergen Burger Rutherford (201) 460-1895

Secaucus (201) 325-0498

Biggies Clam Bar Carlstadt (201) 933-4242

Al Di La East Rutherford (201) 939-1128 Angry Coffee Bean, LLC North Arlington (973) 818-0445 Annabella’s Fine Foods, Inc. East Rutherford (201) 804-0303 Bagels Plus & Deli Secaucus (201) 330-0744 Bareli’s Restaurant, LLC Secaucus (201) 865-2766 Bazzarelli Restaurant & Pizzeria Moonachie (201) 641-4010

Bistro at Courtyard Secaucus Meadowlands Secaucus (201) 617-8888 Bistro Six-Five-Zero Hasbrouck Heights (201) 288-6100 Bonefish Grill Secaucus (201) 864-3004 Boogie Woogie Bagel Boys Weehawken (201) 863-4666 Buffalo Wild Wings Secaucus (201) 348-0824 Burger King

BurgerFi Secaucus (551) 257-7979 Cafe Four Fifty Five Secaucus (201) 864-7300 Cafe Matisse Rutherford (201) 935-2995 Caffe Capri East Rutherford (201) 460-1039 Carrabba’s Italian Grill Secaucus (201) 330-8497 Chart House Restaurant Weehawken (201) 348-6628 Cheeseburger In Paradise Secaucus (201) 392-0500

THE ONLY THING WE OVERLOOK

is this...

SEAFOOD • STEAK • PRIME RIB

Chevys Clifton 973-777-6277

Il Cafone Lyndhurst (201) 933-3355

Chili’s Restaurant Secaucus (201) 319-0804

Il Villaggio Carlstadt (201) 935-7733

Chipotle Mexican Grill Secaucus (201) 223-0562

Kilroy’s Sports Bar Carlstadt (201) 896-8900

Chit Chat Diner Hackensack (201) 820-4033

La Reggia Restaurant & Banquets & Lounge Secaucus (201) 422-0200

Colonial Diner Lyndhurst (201) 935-3192 Cosi Secaucus (201) 330-1052 CUPS frozen yogurt that’s hot Secaucus Dunkin Donuts/Subway Secaucus 201-617-9200 Finch’s Rutherford (201) 231-3141 Francesca’s Gourmet Food River Edge (201) 678-1188 Gabriel’s Grille & Bar Hasbrouck Heights (201) 288-9600 Good Chinese Kitchen North Bergen (201) 295-0806 Harold’s New York Deli Lyndhurst (201) 935-2600 Houlihan’s Hasbrouck Heights (201) 393-9330

PIER D-T/LINCOLN HARBOR • WEEHAWKEN • 201-348-6628

SPECIAL EVENT SPACE FOR 30-500 GUESTS RESERVATIONS ONLINE AT CHART-HOUSE.COM

44

MEADOWLANDS USA

meadowlands.org

DECEMBER 2016

Legal Sea Foods, LLC Paramus (201) 843-8483 Little Italy Café Secaucus (201) 348-1400 Marco Polo Pizza/ Breakfast Grill Weehawken (201) 863-0057 Martini Grill Wood-Ridge (201) 939-2000 Masina Trattoria Italiana Weehawken (201) 348-4444 McDonalds North Bergen (201) 868-9888 Medieval Times Dinner & Tournament Lyndhurst (201) 933-2220 MIX Rutherford (201) 507-9696 Morton’s The Steakhouse Hackensack (201) 487-3614

Houlihan’s Secaucus (201) 330-8856

Mr. Bruno’s Pizza and Beyond East Rutherford (201) 531-8900

Houlihan’s Weehawken (201) 863-4000

Mr. G’s Carlstadt (201) 460-0100

I Am Cupcakes Teaneck (201) 440-4249

New China Inn Rutherford (201) 438-0324

MEADOWLANDS RESTAURANTS & DINING Oceanaire Seafood Room Hackensack (201) 343-8862

Redd’s Restaurant & Bar Carlstadt (201) 933-0015

Sanzari’s New Bridge Inn New Milford (201) 692-7700

Subway Secaucus (201) 325-0300

Urban Plum Gastropub Secaucus (201) 520-0574

Olive Garden Secaucus (201) 867-3543

Rutherford Pancake House Rutherford (201) 340-4171

Segovia Restaurant Moonachie (201) 641-4266

Subway North Bergen (201) 869-4469

Starbucks Coffee East Rutherford (201) 438-0584

Tandoor on the Hudson Weehawken (800) 221-6721

Varrellman’s Baked Goods Rutherford (201) 939-0462

Starbucks Coffee Secaucus (201) 223-4924

The Crow’s Nest Restaurant Hackensack (201) 342-5445

Outback Steakhouse Secaucus (201) 601-0077 Panera Bread Secaucus (201) 348-2846 Park & Orchard Corp.

East Rutherford 201 939-9292 Pink at Meadowlands Racing and Entertainment East Rutherford (201) 842-5013 Red Lobster Secaucus (201) 583-1902

Ruth’s Chris Steak House Weehawken (201) 863-5100 Sabor Latin Bistro North Bergen (201) 943-6366 Saladworks East Rutherford (201) 939-8886

Stefanos Mediterranean Grille Secaucus (201) 865-6767

Sals Good Eats Teterboro (201) 375-4949

Stony Hill Inn Hackensack (201) 342-4085

Thistle Restaurant Lyndhurst (201) 935-0004

Sanducci’s Trattoria River Edge 201-599-0600

Subway Weehawken (201) 865-2500

Tokyo Hibachi & Buffet Secaucus (201) 863-2828

The Original Pita Grill Hoboken (201) 217-9777

Vesta Wood Fired Pizza & Bar East Rutherford (201) 939-6012 Volare’s Restaurant Rutherford (201) 935-6606

MEADOWLANDS TRANSPORTATION AAA Giants Limousine & Car Service (201) 933-3313

Lincoln Harbor Yacht Club (201) 319-5100

Academy Bus, LLC (201) 420-7000

Meadowlink (201) 939-4242

Axis Global Systems, LLC (718) 458-3666

New York, Susquehana & Western Railway Corp.

(607) 547-2555

Country Club Services (973) 376-4352 Enterprise Rent-A-Car (908) 497-1234 Enterprise Rent-A-Car (845) 537-6067 First Student (855) 272-3222

NJ Transit (973) 491-8903 www.njtransit.com NY Waterway (201) 902-8700 Pegasus Worldwide Limousine (800) 877-3427

Flyte Tyme Limousine (201) 529-1452

Stout’s Transportation Services (609) 883-8891

JPods (612) 414-4211

U.S. Coachways, Inc. (718) 477-4242

Connecting New Jersey Businesses

6 Great Issues

To Help Grow Your Business For Advertising Information Call Martha Morley at 201-493-7996 Or visit www.meadowlandsusa.com to view the 2017 Media Kit

MEADOWLANDS USA

meadowlandsusa.com

DECEMBER 2016

45

EVENT PLANNING & CATERING SERVICES 16W Marketing Rutherford (201) 635-8000 4 Wall New York Moonachie (201) 329-9878 Adam Leffel Productions / Petals Premier Event Design Hackensack (201) 487-1300 Annabella’s Fine Foods, Inc. East Rutherford (201) 804-0303 Audience Pleasers Garfield 973-773-0953 Bounce Music & Entertainment Englewood Cliffs (201) 482-8191 CeCe Productions, LLC Rutherford (201) 672-0050

Chit Chat Creative Caterers Hackensack (201) 820-4033

Il Villaggio Carlstadt (201) 935-7733

Nanina’s In The Park Belleville (973) 751-1230

Fabulous Foods Event Design & Catering Moonachie (201) 896-8800

In Thyme Catered Events River Vale (201) 666-3353

Personal Touch Experience & Catering Hackensack (201) 488-8820

Fiesta Banquets Wood-Ridge (201) 939-5409

In-Tents Party Rentals Wood-Ridge (201) 282-2026

Photobooth Planet Ridgefield (917) 780-5556

Jimmy’s Artistic Creations East Rutherford (201) 460-1919

Pink at Meadowlands Racing and Entertainment East Rutherford (201) 842-5013

Freeman Kearny (201) 299-7400 Garden Vista Ballroom Passaic (973) 777-6655 Graycliff Catering Inc. (The Graycliff) Moonachie (201) 939-9233 Greenwood Lake Air Show West Milford 973-224-9142

JNL Creative Tours, LLC Waldwick (201) 312-4684 Meadowlands Racing and Entertainment East Rutherford (201) 842-5013

Positive Impact Partners Cranbury (609) 395-1972 Seasons Catering Washington Township (201) 664-6141

Sireno Communications Sussex (973) 875-4079 Smooth Sailing Celebrations Oak Ridge (973) 409-4456 Sterling Affair Caterers Carlstadt (201) 372-0734 Sweet Dreams Studio Photo Booth Madison (703) 585-4704 The Excelsior of Saddle Brook Saddle Brook (973) 772-9900 The Original Pita Grill Hoboken (201) 217-9777 Unique Event Center Little Ferry (201) 880-5025

ONE VENUE, UNLIMITED POSSIBILITIES. Meadowlands Racing & Entertainment is the perfect venue for any occasion.

MEADOWLANDS PACE / JULY 16 Racing’s biggest party! T-Shirt Giveaway, Live Music, Win $500 Win Wagers and More! First Post 6:30 p.m.

LIVE RACING FRI + SAT / 7:15 P.M.

For dining options email catering@playmeadowlands.com | playmeadowlands.com | 201-the-bigm | e. rutherford, nj 07073

46

MEADOWLANDS USA

meadowlandsusa.com

DECEMBER 2016

EXPLORE THE MEADOWLANDS Ecotourism Hackensack Riverkeeper Hackensack (201) 968-0808 NJSEA Meadowlands Environment Center Lyndhurst (201) 460-8300

Bergen County Parks Belmont Hill County Park Garfield

Darlington County Park Mahwah (201) 327-3500 Hackensack River County Park Hackensack (201) 336-7275 Overpeck County Park Leonia (201) 336-7275

Borg’s Woods Nature Preserve Hackensack Dahnert’s Lake County Park Garfield

Riverside County Park Lyndhurst (201) 939-9339

Stephen R. Gregg Park Bayonne (201) 858-7180

Laurel Hill Park Secaucus (201) 915-1388

Samuel Nelkin County Park East Rutherford (973) 777-0318

Columbus Park Hoboken (201) 915-1388

NJSEA Parks

Van Saun County Park Paramus (201) 262-3771

Pascack Brook County Park Westwood (201) 336-6000 Ramapo Valley County Reservation Mahwah (201) 327-3500

Saddle River County Park Saddle brook (201) 796-0324

Wood Dale County Park Hillsdale (201) 336-7275

Hudson County Parks Mercer Park Bayonne

Lincoln Park Jersey City (201) 915-1388 Washington Park Jersey City/ Union City (201) 348-5700 West Hudson Park Kearny (201) 217-5482 Braddock Park North Bergen (201) 915-3188

Richard W. DeKorte Park Lyndhurst (201) 460-1700 Mill Creek Point Park Secaucus (866) 927-6416 Losen Slote Creek Park Little Ferry Laurel Hill Park Secaucus 201-915-1386 River Barge Park and Marina Carlstadt

STAY IN THE MEADOWLANDS AVE CLIFTON Clifton 973.859.3200

Embassy Suites Secaucus (201) 864-7300

Candlewood Suites Hotel Secaucus 201.865.3900

Fairfield Inn By Marriott East Rutherford (201) 507-5222

Courtyard by Marriott Edgewater 201-945-5440

Hampton Inn Carlstadt (201) 935-9000

Courtyard by Marriott Lyndhurst (201) 896-6666

Hilton Garden Inn Secaucus (201) 864-1400

Courtyard by Marriott Secaucus (201) 617-8888

Hilton Hasbrouck Heights Hasbrouck Heights (201) 288-6100

Econo Lodge Carlstadt (201) 935-4600

Hilton Meadowlands East Rutherford (201) 896-0500

Element Harrison (862) 234-4922

Holiday Inn Hasbrouck Heights Hasbrouck Heights (201) 288-9600

48

MEADOWLANDS USA

meadowlandsusa.com

Holiday Inn Secaucus Meadowlands Secaucus (201) 809-4746 Holiday Inn Express Paramus (201) 843-5400 Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites Carlstadt (201) 460-9292 Homewood Suites

by Hilton East Rutherford (201) 460-9030 Hyatt Place Secaucus/ Meadowlands Secaucus (201) 422-9480 La Quinta Inn & Suites Secaucus (201) 863-8700

DECEMBER 2016

Marriott at Newark Liberty International Airport Newark (973) 623-0006 Red Roof Inn Secaucus (201) 319-1000 Renaissance Meadowlands Hotel Rutherford (201) 231-3100

Sheraton Lincoln Harbor Hotel Weehawken (201) 617-5600 SpringHill Suites Newark (973) 624-5300 Station at Lyndhurst Apartments Lyndhurst (201) 252-4036

Residence Inn East Rutherford (201) 939-0020

The Meadowlands River Inn Secaucus (201) 867-4400

Residence Inn Saddle River (201) 934-4144

W Hotel Hoboken (201) 253-2420

Saddle Brook Marriott Saddle Brook (201) 843-9500

Westin Hotel Jersey City (201) 626-2900

Il Villaggio_Oct2015_V1_Il 10/20/15 4:29 PM Page 1

“A diamond in the shadow of the Meadowlands, old-style cuisine that never disappoints” Zagat Survey, America’s Top 1000 Italian Restaurants 2008

“Best of Award of Excellence” - Wine Spectator Magazine

Come experience Il Villaggio’s distinguished cuisine in our newly renovated restaurant Since 1979, Il Villaggio has been consistently providing guests with truly memorable dining experiences.

Our menu specializes in classic northern Italian dishes, which include a wide variety of fresh fish & seafood specials that change daily. Complete your dining experience with our wide selection of homemade desserts.

Il Villaggio caters to Bar/Bat Mitzvahs,Weddings, and Private/Corporate Events.

Monday-Friday: 11:30 am -11:00 pm • Saturday: 5:00 pm - 12 Midnight Sunday: Private Events Only 651 Route 17 North, Carlstadt, NJ 07072 Telephone: 201.935.7733 • info@ilvillaggio.com • www.ilvillaggio.com

Recreation, Sports & Entertainment AMF Wallington Lanes Wallington (973) 773-9100

DESTINATION MEADOWLANDS Hi-Tech Billiard Club & Lounge Weehawken (201) 624-8240

Kerasotes Showplace 14 Secaucus Aviation Hall of Fame & (201) 210-5364 Museum Of NJ Liberty Science Teterboro Center (201) 288-6344 Jersey City Bergen Performing Arts (201) 200-1000 Center (bergenPAC) Meadowlands Racing & Englewood Entertainment (201) 816-8160 East Rutherford (201) 460-4166 Chuck E. Cheese’s North Bergen Medieval Times Dinner (201) 861-1799 & Tournament Lyndhurst Durkan Fencing (201) 933-2220 Company South Hackensack MetLife Stadium 201-880-9585 East Rutherford Field Station Dinosaurs (201) 559-1562 Leonia Nereid (855) 999-9010 Boat Club Rutherford GolfTec (201) 438-3995 Englewood (201) 567-0103 North Arlington Bowl-O-Drome Harlem Wizards North Arlington Secaucus (201) 998-9621 (201) 271-3600

NY Giants East Rutherford (201) 935-8111

Statue of Liberty & Ellis Island (212) 344-0996

NY Jets Florham Park (516) 560-8100

Water Journey Lyndhurst (973) 994-4577

NY Red Bulls Harrison (201) 583-7000

World Golf Network RiverVale (201) 489-2240

NY Waterway Weehawken (201) 902-8700

Ecotourism

Pole Position Raceway Jersey City (201) 333-7223 Six Flags Great Adventure Jackson (732) 928-2000 Sofive Carlstadt 347-790-5032 Space Farms Zoo & Museum Sussex (973) 875-5800 Statue Cruises Jersey City (201) 432-6321

Hackensack Riverkeeper Hackensack (201) 968-0808 NJSEA Meadowlands Environment Center Lyndhurst (201) 460-8300

Health, Fitness & Beauty GNC Live Well Secaucus (201) 348-9549 Haircutter in the Meadow Secaucus (201) 863-3900 Jenny Craig Secaucus (201) 330-0110

King’s Court Health & Sports Club Lyndhurst (201) 460-0088

Calvin Klein Company Store Secaucus (201) 223-9760

LA Fitness Signature Club Secaucus (201) 751-9940

Country Whimsey Rutherford (201) 438-0488

Mary Kay Cosmetics Rutherford (201) 528-7578 Perfume & Cosmetics Outlet Secaucus (201) 617-7555 Sally Beauty Supply North Bergen 201-295-0020 Title Boxing Club East Rutherford (201) 933-2800 The DOJO Rutherford (201) 933-3050

Retail & Outlet Shopping Best Buy Secaucus (201) 325-2277

Gucci Secaucus (201) 392-2670 Heights Beer & Wine Emporium Hasbrouck Heights (201) 426-0555 Mason’s Cellar Rutherford (201) 935-1212 Raymour & Flannigan Secaucus (201) 809-1353 Tommy Hilfiger Secaucus (201) 863-5600 Westfield Garden State Plaza Paramus (201) 843-2121

10% OFF Group & Corporate Events for Meadowlands Regional Chamber Members

50

MEADOWLANDS USA

meadowlandsusa.com

DECEMBER 2016

NEWS FROM THE MEADOW

Hackensack Riverkeeper Heads to Mackay Park in Englewood

Ramapo College Selected for Best Practices

by CIANJ and COMMERCE Magazine

H

R

ackensack Riverkeeper capped off its 2016 River Cleanup season on Sunday, November 20 with a volunteer cleanup of Mackay Park and Metzler Brook in Englewood, NJ. Including Sunday’s cleanup, Riverkeeper organized and conducted a total of 28 cleanups that mobilized 900 volunteers to remove over 39,000 lbs. of trash, tires, and other debris from our waterways.

Some snow still clung to the ground on Sunday as volunteers pulled a section of couch, computer monitors, shopping carts, and a television out of Metzler Brook – a tributary of the Hackensack River that forms the western boundary of Mackay Park in Englewood.

According to Caitlin Doran, the organization’s outreach coordinator, “Some of what you find at these cleanups is obviously dumped.

Other items—we’ll call them the usual suspects—like bottles, butts, and Styrofoam, come from everywhere and everyone. The big takeaway at these events is that litter is everyone’s problem.”

Local company Benzel-Busch Motor Corps. sponsored the cleanup, and joined a long list of Riverkeeper’s corporate and civic partners, including (in order of appearance): Bergen Clean Communities, Panasonic, Genzyme, Park Ridge Green Team, the City of Hackensack, Hackensack Clean Communities, SUEZ, Levi-Strauss, Tenafly Middle School, River Edge Environmental Commission, Samsung, Ralph Lauren, ING, Stryker Corp., Hackensack High School’s Goin’ Green Club, Royal Bank of Canada, Becton Dickinson, Goldman Sachs, Bayonne Nature Club, US Bank, BMW, Ernst&Young, SUEZ- New York Division, Oradell Environmental Committee, Samsung, and others.

Each year Hackensack Riverkeeper conducts River Cleanups—a major focus of the organization’s Eco-Program season—from April through November. Other programs that provide the public with educational and recreational experiences include Eco-Cruises on the Hackensack River, Passaic River, and Newark Bay aboard the 30-foot research vessels Robert H. Boyle II and Geraldine Theresa, and its Paddling Centers at Laurel Hill County Park in Secaucus and Overpeck County Park in Teaneck. In addition, hundreds of people joined Riverkeeper at special paddling events at SUEZ’s Oradell Reservoir, Lake DeForest and Lake Tappan. Hundreds more participated in special events like EarthFest Overpeck on May 14 and RiverFest - Pirates of the Hackensack fishing derby on September 24.

All told, just under 10,000 people were engaged through the organization’s Eco-programs and events in volunteer and participation capacities alike. Involving the public is at the heart of Riverkeeper’s mission—whether it’s at a cleanup, on an Eco-Cruise, out in a kayak, or in any way that connects people with their river. All translate into a wider community of watershed stewards.

Leaders of community groups or companies looking to plan River Cleanup events in 2017 are invited to contact Outreach Coordinator Caitlin Doran at (201) 968-0808 or e-mail her at: Outreach@ hackensackriverkeeper.org. For more information, visit www.hackensackriverkeeper.org.

amapo College of New Jersey was recently recognized by Commerce and Industry Association of New Jersey and COMMERCE Magazine at the organization’s 3rd Annual Best Practice Conference. Business leaders throughout the State were asked how they use teamwork and collaboration to drive success and what winning strategy encourages staff to pursue a common mission, goal or achievement.

Ramapo College’s response included the following reflection from President Peter Mercer: “To foster interdisciplinary collaboration and service excellence on campus, the College’s Team Project Award was established in 2015. The Award is focused on recognizing collaboration across the College’s units/departments. Winning teams demonstrate (1) completion of a significant outcome or project in support of the College’s Strategic Plan, (2) collaboration, (3) the breaking down of explicit or implicit barriers, (4) creative thinking, and (5) a diverse team composition. Additionally, the award recipients are formally recognized at the Board’s annual June meeting. The winning team in 2015 was recognized for implementing a system of early alerts regarding student academic progress. The team was comprised of ten faculty and staff from across the college’s three major divisions.”

President Mercer’s initiative was chosen from a field of 115 entries which was reviewed by a panel of judges comprised of representatives of higher education and business in New Jersey.

More than 150 executives participated in the conference which featured a keynote speech from Jonathan Gilliam, a national security expert and former U.S. Navy SEAL, who often appears as a CNN commentator.

CIANJ represents more than 900 corporate members and works to advance free market principles.

“It makes so much sense to focus on best practice because they are at the core of what we do at Commerce and Industry Association,” said Martin Kafafian, managing partner at the Beattie Padovano law firm, who chairs the CIANJ board of directors. “CIANJ is all about helping business grow and thrive. What better way to accomplish that, than to share best practices, the experience – the knowledge and lessons learned by running a business.”

Cathleen Davey, Vice President for Institutional Advancement at Ramapo College and Executive Director, Ramapo College Foundation, accepts on behalf of President Peter Mercer the award from CIANJ Chairman Martin Kafafian

MEADOWLANDS USA

meadowlandsusa.com

DECEMBER 2016

51

NEWS FROM THE MEADOW

INDEX OF ADVERTISERS

Pashman Stein Walder Hayden’s Justin P. Walder a Receives Award From New Jersey Association of Justice

J

Atlantic Stewardship Bank, www.ASBnow.com.....................................................22 AVE, www.aveliving.com.................................................................Inside Back Cover Bergen Business Expo, www.meadowlands.org...................................................13 Chart House, www.chart-house.com......................................................................46 Comprehensive Behavioral Healthcare, Inc., www.cbhcare.com.............................31

ustin P. Walder, a member at Pashman Stein Walder Hayden, PC, and co-chair of its litigation practice in Hackensack, NJ, is the recipient of the “2016 Gerald B. O’Connor Award” by the New Jersey Association of Justice. Walder was selected for this award based on peer recognition of his extraordinary skills and creativity as a trial lawyer and his commitment to the highest ideals of the profession.

Walder focuses his practice on white collar criminal defense, government and internal investigations, complex civil litigation and ethics and professional responsibility law. He was victorious in representing a New Jersey Superior Court judge that changes to the state’s pension and healthcare benefits for sitting judges and justices violated the New Jersey Constitution. He was the recipient of the Daniel J. O’Hern Award, the highest honor given by the New Jersey State Bar Association and is a recipient of the Justice William J. Brennan, Jr. Award, the highest award given by the Association of the Federal Bar of the State of New Jersey.

Walder is a past president of the Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers of New Jersey and has received that organization’s Hon. Lawrence A. Whipple Memorial Award. He was recognized by his peers as the top Super Lawyer of New Jersey and for over two decades as one of the Best Lawyers in America. He was designated the Lawyer of the Year by the New Jersey Law Journal. He is a Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers. He is the New Jersey Co-Chair, Fellows of the American Bar Foundation. He has served on numerous New Jersey Supreme Court committees and has helped lawyers throughout his career by lecturing at many Continuing Legal Education events. He graduated cum laude from Seton Hall University and earned his Juris Doctor from the Rutgers University School of Law, where he was designated a Rutgers Scholar.

Pashman Stein Walder Hayden Chairman and Managing Partner Mike Stein says, “Justin is a role model and a lawyers’ lawyer and we are truly honored by this recognition by all of the well-respected trial lawyers of the prestigious New Jersey Association of Justice.”

Ernst & Young, www.ey.com......................................................................................9 Forsgate Industrial Partners, www.forsgate.com.....................................................5 Frank’s GMC, www.FranksGMC.net........................................................................15 Gehtsoft, www.gehtsoftusa.com..............................................................................7 Harmon Meadow Plaza..........................................................................................21 Hunter Group, www.TheHunterGroup.com............................................................27 Il Villaggio, www.ilvillaggio.com...........................................................................49 Jewel Electric, www.jewelelectric.com...................................................................35 Kearny Bank, www.KearnyBank.com.....................................................................15 Lincoln Harbor, www.lincolnharbor.com...................................................Back Cover Meadowlands Racing & Entertainment, www.playmeadowlands.com...................46 Meadowlands Regional Chamber, www.meadowlands.org..................................35 MeadowlandsUSA, www.meadowlandsusa.com....................................................45 Medieval Times, www.medievaltimes.com............................................................50 Mitchell’s Fish Market, www.mitchellsfishmarket.com..........................Inside Cover NAI James E. Hanson, www.naihanson.com.............................................................2 Nanina’s In The Park & The Park Savoy, www.naninasinthepark.com...................47 Onyx, www.onyxequities.com........................................................Inside Back Cover Paramount Exterminating, www.ParamountExterminating.com..........................35 Pole Position Raceway, www.polepositionraceway.com........................................50 PSE&G, www.pseg.com..........................................................................................11 Ramapo College, www.ramapo.edu/certificates.....................................................31 Spencer Savings Bank, www.spencersavings.com...................................................1 Scarinci & Hollenbeck, www.scarincihollenbeck.com...........................................19 Suez Water New Jersey Inc., www.unitedwater.com.............................................41 TM Rybak, www.tmrassociates.com.......................................................................41 Weiss Realty, www.jweissrealty.com......................................................................15 XCEL Credit Union, www.XCELfcu.org.com............................................................23

For more information on advertising in Meadowlands USA magazine or online advertising at www.meadowlands.org please contact Martha Morley at 201-493-7996 or email: greerentps@aol.com Call for new items! If your organization has news or announcements to share with our audience, please send to Joe Garavente at JGaravente@meadowlands.org or call 201-939-0707

52

MEADOWLANDS USA

meadowlandsusa.com

DECEMBER 2016

LIVE BETTER. AVE flexible-stay furnished suites & unfurnished apartments. Our

amenities and services are unparalleled. Convenient locations with easy access to NYC, Newark Airport, 1-78, 1-287, the Garden State Parkway, and the New Jersey Turnpike.

AVELIVING.COM 973.816.2601

@AVELiViNG

CLIfTON, NJ 743 PASSAiC AVENUE 5 MiNUTES FROM THE MEADOWLANDS UNION, NJ 1070 MORRiS AVENUE FOOTSTEPS FROM NJ TRANSiT’S UNiON TRAiN STATiON SOMERSET, NJ 199 PiERCE STREET RiGHT OFF EXiT 10 OF ROUTE 287 PA LOCATIONS MALVERN DOWNiNGTOWN LANSDALE NEWTOWN SQUARE KiNG OF PRUSSiA (COMiNG SOON) NOW LEASING! CALL TOdAy OR STOP By fOR A TOUR!

Office & Retail Space Available with a

Property Manager You Can Trust CONTACT A LEASING MANAGER ABOUT YOUR SPACE NEEDS

732.362.8800 www.onyxequities.com • 900 Route 9 North, Suite 400 • Woodbridge, New Jersey 07095 • 732-362-8800

W E E H AW K E N ,

N J