Enterprise 4Q 2012

NEW JERSEY STANDS TOGETHER IN WAKE OF HURRICANE SANDY  PAGE 28

NEW JERSEY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

www.njchamber.com

a quarterly focus on the people and the issues that drive New Jersey business 4Q 2012

RENEW JERSEY Emerging from A Down Economy and a Devastating Storm That’s the Topic on Everybody’s Plate for our Annual Train Ride to D.C. and Congressional Dinner on Jan. 31.  PAGE 14

Also Inside: XX Employers Guide to Health Care Reform XX Christie for President in 2016?

XX Olympic Gold Medalist Carli Lloyd

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table of contents

cover story 14 “The year really

does not begin until the N.J. Chamber’s Annual Walk to Washington and Congressional Dinner,” says Gov. Chris Christie. Read a preview of the 76th annual train trip to the nation’s capital.

COVER PHOTO BY: Gary Gellman

Focus on:

features 04 Message from the President

health care 06 An Employer’s Guide to Health Care Reform

28 New Jersey Stands Together in the

08 The Keys to a Successful

Workplace Wellness Program

Let Unity, Not Destruction, be Hurricane Sandy’s Legacy

Wake of Hurrican Sandy

30 News Makers

10 Employers are the Champions of Healthy Living 10 Incentivizing Good Health Care 12 Skilled Nurses Bode Well For Our Health,

and the Health of Our Economy

events 24 Even Carville and Matalin Agree:

Gov. Christie Has What it Takes to Run for President in 2016

26 Making the Permit Process ‘Better and Faster’

16

27 The Super Bowl and Wrestle Mania

Are Coming to NJ

news 16 Jersey Girl Carli Lloyd: The Olympic Champion

with a Chip on Her Shoulder

18 Bill Faherty: Garden State’s ‘Greatest Cheerleader’

24

infrastructure 20 New Jersey: The Roads and Cars State 22 Mrs. G TV & Appliance Wins Two Retailer

Awards, and Thanks the New Jersey Chamber

27

president’s message

BY THOMAS A. BRACKEN

Let Unity, Not Destruction, be Hurricane Sandy’s Legacy Mother Nature dealt New Jersey a painful blow when Hurricane Sandy blew in on Oct. 29. New Jerseyans, like our neighbors in Connecticut and New York, lost lives, lost homes, lost businesses, sustained property damage and withstood cold nights with no power and no heat after this once-in-a-generation storm that was followed by a Nor’easter.

Many of the images we have seen in the aftermath of the storm are etched in our memories forever – and for those of us directly impacted, it was life-changing.

But out of devastation and despair has emerged a story of astonishing volunteerism, unity and charity.

People are pouring into towns impacted by Sandy, to donate time and goods – in many cases giving to people they have never met. They are banding together to clean flooded homes, shovel beach sand off roads and deliver warm meals. Dedicated first responders and utility workers labored around-the-clock in cold and dangerous conditions. Churches and civic organizations are manning shelters and pantries. Americans from coast to coast are calling in to contribute funds, and to ask, “What else can we do?”

Among the most active have been New Jersey Chamber of Commerce members: JPMorgan Chase pledged $5 million to relief efforts; Johnson & Johnson pledged $5 million in products and financial relief; and The Prudential Foundation is donating $3 million. AT&T, Bank of America, Capital One, Exxon-Mobil, Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield, Pfizer, United Health Group, UPS, Verizon and Wells Fargo have chipped in at least $1 million each. (For a longer list of how our members are helping, go to page 28.)

These are corporate citizens with roots in New Jersey that go back decades, in some cases centuries. They have been on the front lines, leading us through catastrophes 4 |

like Sandy before, and helping us emerge stronger than ever.

Another striking image in the wake of the storm has been the political unity embodied by Gov. Chris Christie’s leadership. Christie has been praised by Democrats and Republicans alike for the way he handled the storm. One key reason: he kept politics out of the equation.

Now, as politicians in Trenton and Washington return to work, they need to extend bipartisan action beyond Hurricane Sandy and apply it to solving major issues confronting our country and our state. Politicians everywhere have the opportunity to make Hurricane Sandy’s legacy one of bipartisanship and problem solving, along with a rebuilt and reinvigorated New Jersey.

We New Jerseyans are known for being tough. No storm is going to change that. From Hoboken and Jersey City to Little Ferry and Moonachie, from Keansburg and Sayreville to Point Pleasant and Seaside Heights, we are already reclaiming the land on which our homes, our businesses, our communities and our lives are built.

We are rebuilding one house at a time, one business at a time, one boardwalk plank at a time. When we are done, we will celebrate a renewed New Jersey, different from before, but still a Jersey we will love.

Our memories will preserve the past. Our determination and united efforts will re-create and sustain a Jersey pride that cannot, and will not, be diminished. ❖

Thomas A. Bracken President and CEO New Jersey Chamber of Commerce

CHAMBER STAFF

Thomas A. Bracken President and CEO

Dana Egreczky Senior Vice President, Workforce Development

Michael Egenton Senior Vice President, Government Relations

Alfonso Romeo Director of Member Services

Ray Zardetto Director of Communications

Scott Goldstein Communications Manager and Enterprise Editor

Ric Principato Interactive Designer

New Jersey Chamber of Commerce Staff

216 West State Street Trenton, N.J. 08608 Phone: (609) 989-7888 www.njchamber.com

EXCLUSIVE DISCOUNTS FOR N.J. CHAMBER MEMBERS Save up to 28 percent on shipping costs

Fortune 500 technology for small and mediumsized businesses A 5 percent discount on auto insurance for member company employees.

For a complete list of discounts for N.J. Chamber member companies and their employees, go to www.njchamber.com/affinity.asp.

NJCC Board of Directors Officers Chairman

Jeffrey C. Scheininger President Flexline/U.S. Brass and Copper Corp.

First Vice Chair

Ralph Izzo Chairman, President and CEO Public Service Enterprise Group

GROW. WISELY.

Second Vice Chair

Amy B. Mansue President and CEO Children’s Specialized Hospital Treasurer

Howard Cohen, CPA Chairman EisnerAmper LLP Secretary

Robert Podvey Director Podvey Meanor Immediate Past Chair

Dennis M. Bone

Everyone wants to grow. But grow how? In which markets? At what cost? To grow wisely, you need an advisor who really knows your business...and knows you. Who can deliver tailored solutions that create opportunities, maximize efficiency and build business. EisnerAmper is that advisor. We roll up our sleeves to get to the bottom of your toughest challenges so you get the advice and strategies you need to create sustainable growth.

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Let’s get down to business.

PUBLISHED BY

Howard Cohen Chairman 732.287.1000 howard.cohen@eisneramper.com

www.eisneramper.com 280 Summer Street, Boston, MA 02210 Phone: 617-428-5100 Fax: 617-428-5118 www.thewarrengroup.com ©2012 The Warren Group Inc. All rights reserved. The Warren Group is a trademark of The Warren Group Inc. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without written permission from the publisher. Advertising, editorial and production inquiries should be directed to: The Warren Group, 280 Summer Street, Boston, MA 02210. Call 800-356-8805.

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ENTERPRISE 4Q 2012 | 5

focus on health care

An Employer’s Guide to Health Care Reform IN 2014, FINES KICK IN. ARE YOU READY?

BY ELIZABETH RYAN AND SARAH LECHNER

Here’s a crucial question for people who run businesses: Does the health insurance you are offering your employees meet or exceed the “minimum essential coverage” required under the new health care reform law? If not, your company may be subject to fines when that part of the law goes into effect in 2014.

The exact definition of “minimum essential coverage” has yet to be determined, but we know enough to begin looking at whether your company ELIZABETH RYAN is likely to face penalties.

The New Jersey Hospital Association has even have developed a “penalty calculator” that employers can use to help them see where they stand.

SARAH LECHNER Here is what we know about the Affordable Care Act’s employer mandate: XX The mandate applies to employers with at least 50 full-time employees during the previous calendar year. The law considers anyone who works at least 30 hours a week a full-time employee. The mandate would not apply to employers that exceed 50 employees for 120 days or fewer and whose extra employees are considered seasonal workers.

6 |

XX The federal government has yet to define the “minimum essential coverage” required under the law.

However, in general the law requires coverage for: ambulatory care, hospitalization and emergency care, maternity and newborn care, mental health and substance abuse, prescription drugs, rehabilitative care, preventive and wellness care, and pediatric care.

XX In addition to providing minimum essential coverage, the employer also must offer coverage with an actuarial value of 60/40, which means that the health plan must pay at least 60 percent of the plan’s total costs.

XX The law’s affordability provisions state that an employee’s contribution to the premium may not exceed 9.5 percent of the employee’s income.

XX If a company fails to offer employer-based coverage and at least one of its employees enroll through the government insurance exchange to receive government-subsidized insurance could be subject to an annual penalty of $2,000 for each full-time employee, minus the first 30 employees.

XX Employers whose coverage is deemed unaffordable or low-value and that have at least one employee receiving government-subsidized

insurance through the insurance exchange are subject to an annual penalty of $3,000 for each full-time employee who receives government subsidies.

It’s not easy to determine whether the insurance you offer is likely to meet the minimum standard. As a health care trade organization, the New Jersey Hospital Association has spent a great deal of staff expertise and resources to prepare for the law.

We recently developed a penalty calculator tool, the Reform Insurance Penalty Estimator (RIPE). Built in an Excel format, RIPE allows users to input information about their current benefits and workforce profile to determine projected penalties under the law. We developed the tool for our members’ use, but the same rules and penalties apply to employers beyond health care, and the New Jersey Hospital Association has now made RIPE available to nonmembers as well.

We’ve gained some valuable insight while analyzing our health insurance, and it behooves all employers to begin now to determine potential penalties they may face.

The goal, of course, is a win-win solution: a package that keeps employees healthy and employers free of fines. ❖ Betsy Ryan is president and CEO of the New Jersey Hospital Association, and Sarah Lechner is its general counsel.

Visit www.njha.com/RIPE for additional information on the ACA employer mandate and the Reform Insurance Penalty Estimator.

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focus on health care

The Keys to a Successful Workplace Wellness Program

BY RAY DEROSA

Companies large and small have instituted wellness programs that, in some cases, pay for employees’ gym dues, smoking cessation classes, nutrition awareness programs and medical tests that can lead to early detection of disease. Sometimes, employers bring in experts to assess employees’ health and to recommend a path to wellness.

No matter how you do it, here are five common components that set apart successful programs from the rest.

Know your enemy. Know what’s driving your largest claim costs on your health care plan, both among employees and their dependents. This will provide the information needed to develop a targeted workplace wellness program.

Develop realistic expectations. With wellness, what a company gets will almost always depend on how much it spends, how well it plans and how well it sustains communications with participants and the provider.

Maintain strong communications. Workplace wellness programs that achieve the greatest success are those which are communicated aggressively by the employer from the get go and are sustained. Repetition is your friend when doing worker education.

Integrate workplace wellness with other benefits. Reallife experience has shown that you should consider your employee assistance programs an extension of a workplace wellness program. Consider issues like absenteeism, disability and worker’s compensation to be pieces of the wellness puzzle.

Practice what you preach. The key to ensuring worker buy-in is for management to lead the way. When upperlevel managers are unwilling to participate and address their own health issues, don’t expect employees to take the workplace wellness program seriously.

Workplace Wellness Programs Can: Reduce absenteeism: Fewer employee sick days save the company money. Additionally, because good health typically carries over into better family choices, your employees could miss less work caring for sick family members.

Control health care costs: Employers have a vested interest in reducing unnecessary medical costs. For many companies, employee health insurance costs can amount 8 |

to half of corporate profits. Preventable illness makes up approximately 80 percent of the burden of illnesses and 90 percent of all health care costs. Employers are beginning to realize they can provide services to decrease the occurrence of those preventable diseases.

Improve productivity: Improved employee morale and productivity plays a big role in the success of a company or business.

Reduce presenteeism: Presenteeism is a new phenomenon occurring when employees are at work but do not feel as productive as usual due to stress, depression, injuries or illness.

Reduce injuries: Classes are a popular means of trying to prevent injury, including exercise classes, back care programs and stress management lectures. Other workplace wellness courses include health education classes, smoking cessation courses and subsidized use of fitness facilities.

Improve retention: Company sponsored workplace wellness programs send a clear message to employees that management values their well-being.

There is a lot to like about wellness programs. Employers who live more healthy lifestyles have reduced sick leave, improved work performance, decreased health insurance costs, increased productivity and reduced overall costs. ❖ Ray DeRosa is president of VWell Health, a workplace wellness firm. For more info about its offerings and discounts for New Jersey Chamber members, contact VWell Health at info@vwellhealth.com or go to www.vwellhealth.com.

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Assisting Local and State Municipal Government, Business Fleets, Freight Carriers, Public/Private Transportation Providers, Taxi/Limo Companies, Rail and Marine Industry to Lower Emissions and Fuel Cost.

The SMART Emissions Reducer: An after-market emission-reduction device that can be retrofitted to any internal combustion engine – gasoline or diesel – is gaining traction in mass markets after its development and testing on the race track as a performance enhancer. As fuel prices keep rising and federal regulations on fuel economy get tighter, the interest in fuel economy and emissions reduction has increased.

Ogdensburg, NJ-based Extreme Energy Solutions Inc. has co-developed the SMART Emissions Reducer, a device that cleans the engine as it improves gas mileage, addressing the problem at the source of production in the engine, rather than the tailpipe. Its installation, which must be performed by qualified technicians only, and does not void the warranty of the vehicle.

It sounds like a made-for-TV product, but it has earned credibility due to its origins in high-performance vehicle settings, and because of the success of testing results by various municipal and transportation-authority entities. The SMART Emissions Reducer has been assigned a CARB Executive Number D-671, and it is the only engine modification allowable by the NYC Taxi and Limo Commissions on vehicles under their regulation.

The SMART Emissions Reducer’s applications are wide-ranging, including cars, trucks, and equipment for mining, heavy-duty construction, farm use, excavating, landscape maintenance, marine/boats, motorcycles, personal sports crafts, commercial ships, port equipment, stationary generators, and rail vehicles. Company president, CEO and chairman Samuel K. Burlum says one of the company’s two main goals is to have a SMART Emissions Reducer under the hood of every piece of transportation that uses an internal combustion engine in both the aftermarket and OEM (Original Equipment Manufactured) from vehicle and equipment manufacturers.

The SMART Emissions Reducer has steadily been catching on in the real world of automobile fleets in some of the country’s highest profile markets. Coast to Coast trial programs with municipal and county governments, business fleets, trucking companies, have wrapped up with positive results. With trial programs being converted into rolling-install productions, Extreme has been aggressive in creating local jobs. Extreme Energy Solutions Inc. products are not just Made in the USA; their New Jersey Made,

with over half of its product lines manufactured, assembled, and finished right here in the Garden State. Burlum’s manufacturing plan calls for all the company’s products to be made in the United States, as well as strict protocols on its vendors and suppliers to utilize as many localized sources when supplying Extreme with their needs.

Other Extreme Energy Solutions products include Extreme Clean, a Visit us on the web at: www.extremeenergysolutions.net & read how these nontoxic, biodegradable a fuel additive for gas or help. diesel folks are cleaner, saving fueland and lowering their emissions with our vehicles, and Nu Path Logic Vehicle Diagnostic Software, which shortens 150 Main Street, Ogdensburg, NJ 07439 the time needed to measure success of emissions repairs.

Phone: 973-209-3450 Another aspect of Extreme Energy Solutions’ business is its strategic Or Email us at: info@extremeenergysolutions.net partnerships with localized companies that offer products and services that reflect economic and environmental sustainability, value creation, and innovation. Extreme Energy Solutions has expanded its corporate family to include SMART Air Fuel Saver LLC (the manufacturer and Master Distributor of the SMART Emissions Reducer ), Fleet Worx Leasing LLC (leasing of green products lines), The Alternative Press of Sussex County LLC (managing six on-line media sites that cover 24 towns in Northern NJ), Ecosceptor LLC (manufacturer of automotive aftermarket electronics), Extreme Off-Road LLC (manufacturer of Sidewinder ATV). This is in addition to the diverse distributor/vendor program Extreme has offered in expanding its value to localized entrepreneurs who wish to widen their market base.

It is no wonder why Extreme has become very popular on the grass root levels and has gained much respect within the highest of Sustainability Communities. “I wanted to personally thank Extreme Energy Solutions for their attendance, presentation and active participation at the Innovation Arena and during the overall Sustainability Summit 2012. The impact of any group of presentations is only as high as the quality of its presenters.

To state the obvious, Extreme Energy Solutions presentation set the bar very high for the future.” – Edward Harrington, Certification Compliance Specialist, for The Council (NY-NJ Minority Supplier Development Council Inc. Extreme Energy Solutions Inc.; Innovation. Implementation. Integration. Providing Environmental and Economic Sustainability Through Innovation That Redefines Incremental Savings. Visit us them at www. extremeenergysolutions.net for more info.

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focus on health care

Who Are The Champions of Healthy Living?

EMPLOYERS, OF COURSE Clearly, companies benefit from healthy employees. So companies should commit to helping their employees lead healthier lives. This fall, an initiative designed to make Garden State employers champions of healthy living was launched by the New Jersey Health Care Quality Institute in conjunction with the New Jersey Chamber of Commerce and the New Jersey Business and Industry Association.

The program, called the “Workplace Wellness Campaign,” asks New Jersey employers to sign a basic pledge that states the firm will “promote wellness” within their company. There is no cost for employers to join.

“This program is modeled after our Mayors Wellness Campaign, which now has more than two-thirds of the state’s municipalities engaged in fitness, nutrition and health activities,” said David L. Knowlton, president and CEO of the New Jersey Health Care Quality Institute.“We made mayors ‘leaders’ of community health. We hope to do the same for corporate leaders.”

New Jersey Health Commissioner Mary E. O’Dowd and former Gov. James J. Florio participated in a Sept. 21

press conference to launch the program, as did Tom Bracken, president of the New Jersey Chamber of Commerce.

“Wellness is an imperative for the business community,” Bracken said. “A study published in September by the International Foundation of Employee Benefit Plans found that employers who measured their workplace wellness efforts showed a three-to-one return on their investment.

I do not know many in the business world who would turn away that kind of ROI.” The campaign has set a goal of signing up 1,000 employers representing 100,000 workers by next summer and signing up 10,000 Garden State employers and 1 million workers in five years.

For more information on the new program, go to www.workplacewellnesscampaign.org. ❖

N.J. Chamber of Commerce Breakfast Series STATE HEALTH COMMISSIONER: ‘WE SHOULD BE INCENTIVIZING GOOD HEALTH CARE’

New Jersey Health Commissioner Mary O’Dowd voiced support for a new federal Medicare program that withholds money from hospitals when too many elderly patients have to be readmitted within a month of being discharged.

10 |

“We should be paying for performance,” O’Dowd told an audience of New Jersey Chamber of Commerce members at a roundtable breakfast in Monroe on Oct. 9. “And we should be incentivizing good health care.”

Under the Affordable Care Act (the federal health care law), hospitals accepting Medicare patients will be required to reduce the percentage of patients who return within 30 days of discharge after being treated for heart attack, heart failure, pneumonia, and, in the future, central-line bloodstream infections.

On another topic, O’Dowd said the Health Department “relies heavily” on employers to promote healthy living through information campaigns and wellness programs for their workers. “Employers have a vested interest in keeping their employees healthy and productive,” she said.

Thank you to Trinitas Regional Medical Center for sponsoring the breakfast. ❖

Staying on top of business service.

“Highest Customer Satisfaction With Business Electric Service in the Eastern U.S. Among Large Utilities” Ranked by J.D. Power and Associates Every day our customer service team works hard to deliver energy and provide solutions that keep New Jersey businesses running. This year we are investing $200 million to make infrastructure improvements that will help meet growing energy needs. We’re proud to serve more than one million residential and business customers and are committed to keeping the future bright with safe and reliable power.

www.jcp-l.com Jersey Central Power & Light Company received the highest numerical score among large utilities in the East region in the proprietary J.D. Power and Associates 2012 Electric Utility Business Customer Satisfaction StudySM. Study based on 24,385 total online interviews ranking the 12 largest providers in the East (CT, DC, DE, MA, MD, MA, NH, NJ, NY, PA, RI, VA, WV). Proprietary study results are based on experiences and perceptions of consumers surveyed April-June and September-December 2011. Your experiences may vary. Visit jdpower.com.

focus on health care

Skilled Nurses Bode Well For Our Health, and the Health of Our Economy

BY DANA EGRECZKY

As head of workforce development at the New Jersey Chamber of Commerce, I’ve seen a sharp increase in the education levels employers expect from their employees, and nurses are no exception. It makes good sense: Nurses have more responsibilities than ever, and are caring for a rising, and increasingly complex, patient population. They need to understand vast amounts of medical knowledge and be able to make quick, sound decisions.

Certainly, all nurses play a valuable role in our health care system, but we need more nurses with advanced degrees to meet the new demands. Studies show a clear link between nurse education levels and patient outcomes.

We also need more nurses to fill faculty vacancies. Our aging population brings greater demand for nursing services,

but there aren’t enough nurse educators to train the next generation of nurses. That does not bode well for our health – or our economy.

At the New Jersey Chamber of Commerce Foundation, we are doing our part to solve this problem. We have teamed with the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation to create the New Jersey Nursing Initiative.

The Nursing Initiative is providing nursing students with scholarships to earn graduate or doctoral degrees, which will prepare them to fill faculty vacancies and expand capacity at our state’s nursing schools. It also created collaborative learning communities, which provide the scholars in our program with opportunities to learn about approaches to teaching and other topics from leading national experts and each other.

The Nursing Initiative’s ultimate goal is to create a highly trained, better educated nursing workforce in New Jersey so a skilled, well-educated nurse will be there for us when we need one.

One of our greatest challenges at the Chamber Foundation is covering the rising cost of health insurance for employees.

A more highly skilled, better-educated nursing workforce will help keep those health care costs down and help keep employees healthy.

When it comes to health care, what’s true for us is true for all businesses. We need expert nurses for the health of our people, and for the health of our economy. ❖ Dana Egreczky is senior vice president of workforce development at the New Jersey Chamber of Commerce, and president and CEO of the New Jersey Chamber of Commerce Foundation.

Have a Heath Insurance Question?

Go to the Store.

Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield New Jersey opened a health insurance store, the first of its kind in New Jersey.

The Horizon Connect store at the East Gate Square shopping center in Moorestown opened in September and is designed to simplify health insurance by creating personalized service for the insurance provider’s customers and prospective customers.

“The retail center will be a place where people can get one-on-one assistance when navigating through the complexities of health insurance,” said Joseph Albano, vice president of consumer and senior markets for Horizon BCBSNJ. 12 |

“From there, we can connect guests to resources and information they need to stay healthy or direct them to affordable insurance products that provide them and their family with the protection and peace of mind they are seeking.”

The 4,500 square-foot store includes kiosks where customers can work with agents to access claim and benefit information; touch screens with health insurance and health and wellness information; a wellness station where customers can check their blood pressure and get instant body mass index readouts; and rooms for both one-on-one meetings and seminars. ❖

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Small to Medium Businesses Get Big Solutions

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The United States small and medium business (SMB) market is defined as businesses that employ less than 500 people. A diverse market, SMBs include industries that range from retail and hospitality to healthcare, law and accounting practices. Regardless of their size, SMBs play an important role in economic recovery and job growth.

In fact, according to the U.S. Census Bureau, SMBs have provided 66 percent of all net new jobs since the 1970s, and make up more than 21 percent of all business revenue ($7.8 trillion) in the United States. In terms of sales, 23 million SMBs account for 54 percent of sales in the U.S. Understanding the economic significance of SMBs, Panasonic System Communications Company of North America (PSCNA) supports this market with a full suite of business technology solutions, providing SMBs the tools they need to achieve their full potential.

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their unique business needs. Panasonic, working with channel partners, architects a wide range of business technology solutions to meet the unique application requirements of every SMB customer. This allows SMBs to save valuable time and resources and focus more energy on growing their businesses. Mobile computing technology, visual and phone communications systems, document management solutions, and surveillance and video training equipment are just a few of the areas where Panasonic can help SMBs maintain their edge.

Panasonic has established a track record as a product leader in small business telephony and video surveillance, and has received numerous best-in-category awards in the industries it serves. Panasonic also partners with other market leaders, such as Intel, on a broad range of applications, including networked video, mobile technology and office systems, and Qualcomm, for multimode technology for rugged mobile computers. Committed to its mission of building a better world, Panasonic transforms information into innovation in order to help SMBs enhance productivity and streamline operations. For SMBs in virtually any industry, Panasonic's cost-effective solutions can be counted on to meet their business demands and turn information into innovation.

Learn more about Panasonic’s broad solutions offerings for SMBs at www.panasonic.com/SMB.

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focus on events

The New Jersey Chamber’s Walk to Washington Turns 76 this Year BUSINESS LEADERS TAKE A CHARTERED TRAIN TO D.C. FOR THE BUSINESS NETWORKING EVENT OF THE YEAR

N.J. Chamber President Tom Bracken flanked by Chairman Jeff Scheininger and Gov. Chris Christie at last January’s Walk to Washington and Congressional Dinner.

More than 800 New Jersey business leaders, 40 legislators, 25 reporters and nation’s most prominent governor invaded the nation’s capital this past January for the New Jersey Chamber of Commerce’s 75th annual “Walk to Washington and Congressional Dinner.” This January, we’re doing it again and, in the wake of Hurricane Sandy, we have re-named the Jan. 31 event the “Walk to Washington and Drive to ReNew Jersey.” In addition to honoring the members of our Congressional Delegation at the dinner, the Chamber will honor those who helped our citizens weather the hurricane that wreaked destruction all over our state.

We will hear from our elected officials about recovery and rebuilding plans, and get an early assessment of the 2013 New Jersey gubernatorial race from the state's most astute political observers, including Gov. Chris Christie and leading Democrats.

14 |

Business leaders will be there to promote their companies and participate in the annual New Jersey tradition, which The Star-Ledger has called “a time-honored exercise in extreme networking” and what the governor last year called the state’s real New Year’s Eve. “The year really does not begin until the Chamber dinner in Washington, when we gather to review the last year and look ahead to what New Jersey's future can once again be,” Gov. Chris Christie told the audience of business owners, politicians, college presidents and association directors during his address at January’s Congressional Dinner.

We will be looking back at a year that featured a storm of the ages and a presidential election, and will be looking ahead toward a Garden State recovery and the gubernatorial election.

The Walk to Washington began in 1937 when several of the state’s top business executives took a train to Washington to have dinner with New Jersey’s congressional delegation – and the rest is history.

Today, the Walk and Congressional Dinner is one of New Jersey’s most influential business and political events with a history of bringing together the state’s premier political

“The year really does not begin until the Chamber dinner in Washington when we gather to review the last year and look ahead to what New Jersey’s future can once again be.”

— Gov. Chris Christie January 2012

Assembly Majority Leader Lou Greenwald; Robert Marino, CEO, Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey; Stephanie Quinn, Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey; Rep. Leonard Lance; and John Leyman, Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey.

PHOTOS BY: Russ DeSantis

and business leaders to discuss how they can work together to generate economic growth and create jobs for New Jersey. The two-day event also is a prime networking experience, with the opportunity to hand out and collect business cards, shake hands and make friends.

This year’s walk, the 76th annual, is Jan. 31 and Feb.1 at the Marriott Wardman Park Hotel. The train brings everybody home on Feb. 1.

Why is it called the Walk to Washington?

The Walk to Washington obtained its name when folks realized that few sit on the train; they literally walk up and down the train the whole way to Washington.

The guests board a chartered Amtrak train that leaves from Penn Station in Newark and then stops at various stations across New Jersey, as well as stops in Philadelphia and Wilmington. Once the train arrives in the nation’s capital, guests are joined by governors, state legislators, New Jersey’s Congressional delegation, representatives of the state's premier media organizations and other prominent business and political leaders from the Garden State for the annual Congressional Dinner.

President Bill Clinton spoke at our 1993 dinner and President George H.W. Bush spoke at the 1989 dinner.

The networking continues into the night with a dessert buffet extravaganza, and privately sponsored receptions. ❖

Jan. 31 and Feb. 1, 2013

THE 76TH ANNUAL WALK TO WASHINGTON AND DRIVE TO RENEW JERSEY Marriott Wardman Park Hotel, Washington, D.C. To become a Walk to Washington sponsor, call Amy Kolis, our NJBIZ partner, at (732) 246-5730, or email her at amyk@njbiz.com.

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ENTERPRISE 4Q 2012 | 15

focus on news

JERSEY GIRL CARLI LLOYD TWO GOLD MEDALS AROUND HER NECK, AND A CHIP ON HER SHOULDER

PHOTOS BY: M. STAHLSCHMIDT

INTERVIEW BY SCOTT GOLDSTEIN

Jersey girl Carli Lloyd is a bona fide Olympic hero. Just check out her credentials: The 30-year-old from Delran, Burlington County, scored both U.S. goals – including the game-winner – in the gold medal women’s soccer game against Japan on Aug. 9 in front of 80,000 people at London’s Wembley Stadium. That came four years after she scored the game winner in the finals of the 2008 Olympics. So when we checked in on Carli, we were not surprised to learn the former Rutgers All-American is not satisfied. She wants another gold medal, and she is training hard to reach her ultimate goal, which is to be known simply “as the best soccer player in the world.” She took a breather from her busy schedule on Sept. 25 to talk with Enterprise magazine about her drive to succeed, how she prepares for games, what it was like to return to New Jersey after the Summer Games and whether athletes truly eat at the McDonald’s in the Olympic Village.

ENTERPRISE: How do you explain your uncanny ability to score goals in goldmedal games, particularly the gamewinners against Brazil in 2008 and Japan in 2012?

CARLI LLOYD: I don’t know what it is.

Throughout my career in high school and college and when I was a youngster, I seemed to always come up big in big moments. I thrive under pressure.

It’s when all my hard work over the 16 |

years pays off. Coming up big is one of the characteristics that makes you a champion.

ENTERPRISE: As fans watching the game, we began to feel like you could score from anywhere on the opponent’s half of the field. Did you feel that way?

LLOYD: I was on a mission. I think I have been on a mission since I started with the national team. My goal is to

become the best player in the world and I think that this Olympics was the most consistent I have played.

Plus, I overcame finding myself on the bench at the beginning of the first game. I came in six minutes into the game (when a teammate was injured).

I seized my opportunity. I just want to continue to succeed and continue to improve.

ENTERPRISE: You have been a starter for the U.S. team for years. Being put on the bench to start the Olympics was a surprise. Were you motivated by this?

LLOYD: Of course. My quote after the game was, “When someone tells me I can’t do something, I’m going to try to prove them wrong.” Through my career, coaches and players have doubted me. That’s where I get that chip on my shoulder. I want to prove people wrong. I was initially upset by the coach’s decision, but it made me want to work harder. I appreciated what she said after the game about how proud she was of me. That speaks to her character. How I dealt with the situation speaks to my character. I am

going to fight to the end and give it my all.

ENTERPRISE: You played every minute of every game in the 2008 Olympics and played all but the first six minutes of the 2012 Olympics. How did you sustain your energy through the tournament?

LLOYD: That’s the training paying off.

In the gold-medal game, some of the players on Japan were tired and I knew it. I knew that I had an extra edge. I was prepared mentally and physically.

I felt great in that final game. I wasn’t going to walk away from that field without a gold medal.

ENTERPRISE: What are your workouts like?

LLOYD: I’ve trained at Universal Academy (in Lumberton, N.J.) for about 11 years with James Galanis.

Before I met him, I was on the brink of quitting. He offered to train me for free and he only asked that I speak the truth about how I made it to the top. I didn’t understand the importance of being fit, working hard every single day physically and mentally.

I needed to become a lot stronger.

When I first met him, I could barely run 12 minutes straight. Now I’m running an hour and a half, close to 12 miles straight. I’m doing long-distance running, hill workouts, sprint workouts, resistance training, pushups, sit-ups, some work on the track.

I do it all.

ENTERPRISE: We have to ask. Was there

ENTERPRISE: You scored the game-win-

really a McDonald’s in the Athlete’s Village? Do Olympians eat McDonald’s?

ners in consecutive Olympic gold-medal games. Aren’t you at the top?

LLOYD: Yeah, there was a McDonald’s. I

ers were saying that I was the best player at the Olympics, on any team, which is great – finally being recognized on that world stage. There are a lot of things on the field that most people don’t recognize. Everybody recognizes those that score the goals, but for me it’s the little things. Complete 80 to 90 percent of your passes. It’s also putting in the dirty work: tackling, head balls. I’m striving to be the most complete player in the world.

I’m getting closer, but I still have a long way to go.

didn’t have McDonald’s, but the morning after we won gold, I had a nice sausage, egg and cheese sandwich. But I’m not sure I’d recommend that as part of your eating plan when training.

ENTERPRISE: What was your return to N.J. like after the Summer Games?

LLOYD: I flew into Newark airport. I had close family and friends greet me.

We took a party bus back home. Had laughs, enjoyed some time, ate some food. I’m now being recognized everywhere. People stop me in stores or when I’m working out. It’s a great feeling.

ENTERPRISE: What kind of caché does

LLOYD: I’m getting closer. Some report-

ENTERPRISE: Is it hard to make a living as a professional soccer player in United States?

LLOYD: Not for us. We are fortunate to

a gold medal bring you? Do you ever walk around with it on, like to the supermarket?

not have to have another job. We have contracts with U.S. Soccer and it enables us to live our dream, earn a living and do well.

LLOYD: The gold medals are in the back

ENTERPRISE: Have you received any

of my safe. I had it out at the beginning for appearances. Quickly you have to come back to reality. I’m training now.

The Olympics feel like a year ago, but it was some of the happiest days of my life. I know it’s cliché, but if you work extremely hard and train hard, you really can succeed and make it to the top.

That’s what I’m doing. I’m digging and digging until I reach the top.

strange requests when people recognize you in public?

NEW JERSEYANS WHO STRUCK GOLD IN LONDON

The U.S. women’s soccer team had a total of four Garden Staters on the gold medal squad, including team captain CHRISTIE RAMPONE, of Point Pleasant Borough, HEATHER O’REILLY, of East Brunswick and TOBIN HEATH, of Basking Ridge. Congratulations to all.

Congratulations to JORDAN BURROUGHS, the wrestler from Sicklerville, who dominated and delivered our favorite quote from the Olympics in true New Jersey style. When he was asked if it mattered that he beat an Iranian for the gold medal, he said, “If the Queen of England came on the mat, I’d probably double-leg her.”

LLOYD: I’ve received a lot of birthday invitations through email, like [to] Johnny’s ninth birthday party. Mostly, everyone is proud. People say, “Thank you for representing the country.” We represented the U.S., brought home a gold medal and we made everyone proud. For me, that’s a special thing to hear from people. ❖

REBECCA SONI shattered her own world records in semifinals and the finals of the 200-meter breaststroke to nab gold in London. She followed with gold as part of the women’s medley team, which also broke a world record, and she won a silver in the 100-meter breaststroke. Fellow swimmer CULLEN JONES, of Irvington, medaled in three of his four events – one gold and two silvers. His gold medal came in the 4x100-meter medley. And congratulations to ASJHA JONES, of Piscataway, and the women’s basketball team which won the gold medal by beating France in the finals.

ENTERPRISE 4Q 2012 | 17

focus on news

Bill Faherty was the Garden State’s ‘Greatest Cheerleader’ William F. Faherty Jr., the president of the New Jersey Chamber of Commerce from 1991 to 1995 and a man who devoted his life to promoting the Garden State, passed away peacefully on Aug. 22 at his home in Allamuchy, N.J. He was 85.

“Bill was the greatest cheerleader New Jersey has ever had, and a man who could walk comfortably with, and was respected by, presidents, governors, business leaders, legislators and everyone he came in contact with,” said Tom Bracken, president of the New Jersey Chamber of Commerce. “Bill’s passing leaves a void in New Jersey that is immeasurable.”

Faherty was a prominent figure in New Jersey politics and banking, serving as the deputy commissioner of the New Jersey Department of Banking between 1968 and 1970; vice president of First Fidelity Bank in the 1970s and 80s; and executive director of the Boys Club of Trenton. He also served 35 years as the chairman of the Governor’s Invitational Tennis Tournament.

At First National State Bank of New Jersey, which eventually became Wells Fargo, he started the state’s first government banking department, at the time only the fourth in the nation, and was key in the passing of a bill permitting statewide banking.

He was instrumental in the development of the Meadowlands 18 |

Sports Complex, home of his beloved Giants, and the birth of gaming in Atlantic City.

Gov. Richard Hughes appointed him the deputy commissioner of the Department of Banking. Gov. Brendan Byrne named him executive director to the private sector for the first New Jersey European Trade Mission to England, France and West Germany. Gov. Tom Kean chose him to be executive director of finance for the Governor’s Management Improvement Plan, a commission comprised of the finest executive talent from New Jersey’s private sector.

As chairman of the tennis tournament, he helped raise millions of dollars for the Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Foundation, Council on the Arts and other organizations.

As trustee of the New Jersey State Police Memorial Association, he helped raise more than $2 million for its museum.

A leading state figure, Faherty had the opportunity to meet presidents and presented each with a tie featuring silhouettes of the state of New Jersey. Recipients included presidents Jimmy Carter, Ronald

Bill Faherty with President Gerald Ford, both wearing the New Jersey ties that Faherty handed out to friends, clients and government officials.

Reagan, George H. Bush, Bill Clinton and George W. Bush. Faherty once estimated he had handed out nearly 4,000 ties to friends, clients and government officials.

Faherty was a member of various boards of directors, including those for the Waterloo Foundation, NJ Delta Dental Service Plan, Hackettstown Community Hospital, Automobile Club of Central/ West Jersey, and Growing Stage Theatre. He also was a member of the Battleship New Jersey Commission and the boards of trustees for Rutgers Business School, Partnership for a Drug Free NJ and the Drumthwacket Foundation. ❖

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focus on infrastructure

New Jersey: The Roads and Cars State

BY DIANA LASSETER DRAKE

“New Jersey’s greatest attributes are its workforce, its location, the size of its economy and its world-class infrastructure.”

– Gil Medina

New Jersey is known for many things: a beautiful shoreline, quality tomatoes, HBO’s “The Sopranos.” But perhaps above all else, it is known for roads and cars.

Who hasn’t heard the old (irritating) joke, “So, you’re from New Jersey? What exit?” The state has 35,000 miles of roads, which can be an advantage when they move products and people efficiently, and a nightmare when congestion causes commuter frustration and loss of productivity. “The transportation infrastructure directly relates to quality of life in ways people don’t realize – the ease of their drive to work or to the store, the potholes, the congestion,” said Gary Dahms, president of T&M Associates, an engineering firm in Middletown.

Transportation is vital to the state’s economy, which, in addition to its own commerce and inhabitants, is between Philadelphia and New York City, two of the nation’s top 10 metropolitan economies. And while the negative aspects of getting from Point A to Point B in the Garden State are often emphasized, New Jersey’s transportation infrastructure 20 |

– including rail, air, port and highway – is extensive, impressive and improving.

“New Jersey’s greatest attributes are its workforce, its location, the size of its economy and its world-class infrastructure,” said Gil Medina, executive managing director of Cushman & Wakefield, the commercial real estate firm in East Rutherford.

Enterprise magazine asked New Jersey executives what the state does right when it comes to conveying people and goods.

PETER COCOZIELLO CEO Advance Realty Group Bedminster Towns like Summit, Madison, Morristown and Montclair are vibrant communities because they have a direct rail line to Manhattan. One of New Jersey’s greatest assets is the PATH [Port Authority Trans-Hudson rail service between New York City and New Jersey]. Think of the interconnectivity between New York City, Jersey City, Hoboken and Harrison. More and more, people can live, work and play with connectivity that’s very broad for a very moderate price of transportation.

TOBY ENQVIST Vice President United Airlines Newark Newark Liberty International Airport, a hub for United Airlines, serves as the principal gateway between the Garden State and the world. Its location and its highway, bus and rail links position the airport as the most convenient option for millions of residents of New Jersey and New York. As the largest carrier in the region and one of its largest employers, United connects those who live and do business in New Jersey and New York with more than 400 flights a day to more than 150 cities, half of which are international.

KEVIN MCMAHON Vice President Jacobs Engineering Group Morristown New Jersey’s transportation infrastructure is unique for its connectivity and its (layered) approach to moving people and goods. Major park and rides feed rail and bus routes; shared stations for commuter and intercity rail; Newark Liberty International Airport; our ferry, PATH, NJ Transit and highway feeder systems to New York; and our heavy rail and highway to move goods make New Jersey a state that lives up to the words on its state seal: “freedom and liberty.” Our infrastructure is unique in promoting the freedom of mobility and the liberty gained by economic growth.

GIL MEDINA Executive Managing Director Cushman & Wakefield East Rutherford Major ports on the Hudson and Delaware rivers provide sea and air access to the European, South American and Pacific Rim markets. The Port of New York and New Jersey is the largest port complex on the Eastern Seaboard and the third-largest U.S. port complex. It is the source of 230,000 jobs and is responsible for more than $100 billion in trade. The South Jersey Port Corp. is a modern deepwater facility on the Delaware River and is a leader in moving products internationally. ❖

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ENTERPRISE 4Q 2012 | 21

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Mrs. G TV & Appliance Wins Two Retailer Awards, and Thanks New Jersey Chamber

BY LISA CINTRON

When Debbie Schaeffer, third generation owner of Mrs. G TV & Appliance retail store in Lawrenceville, accepted the 2012 New Jersey Family Business of the Year Award from Fairleigh Dickinson University’s Rothman Institute of Entrepreneurship on Oct. 22, she felt a sense of pride and honor that she equated to “winning an Academy Award.” Two days later, she accepted yet another prize – the Retailer of the Year from the New Jersey Retail Merchants Association. The awards, she said, are a tribute to the store’s employees, to her grandparents who founded the store in 1935, and to hard-working retailers everywhere.

Schaeffer and her team earned the awards. But she confessed she never would have submitted applications for the awards if she hadn’t joined the DEBBIE SCHAEFFER New Jersey Chamber of Commerce. When Schaeffer began working to expand her store’s reputation statewide, she joined the N.J. Chamber.

“I felt I needed more outlets for what really affects my business,” she said. Through the N.J. Chamber, Schaeffer networked with other business leaders all over the state, connected to politicians and became more involved in the government policies that affect her business. On Oct. 2, in fact, she participated on a panel at the 22 |

Chamber’s Economic Outlook Breakfast, which explored ways to improve the state economy.

But it was back in January, when Schaeffer attended the Chamber’s 75th annual Walk to Washington and Congressional Dinner, that she first learned exactly what the N.J. Chamber could do for her. On board the Chamber’s annual train trip to the nation’s capital, she met James Barood, the executive director of the Rothman Institute of Entrepreneurship at FDU. He told her about the New Jersey Family Business of the Year Award and suggested she apply. “I never would have known this was available to me if it were not for the Chamber,” Schaeffer said.

During the Walk to Washington, Schaeffer also met John Holub, president of the New Jersey Retail Merchants Association. He encouraged her to submit an application for his

group’s award – the one she accepted on Oct. 24.

“This is exactly why I joined the Chamber; to make connections,” she said.

Schaeffer and her team of 22 employees, including a “passionate” father-son managing team, strive to meet the standards of high-quality customer service set by Schaeffer’s grandparents. Schaeffer said her team’s goal is to“treat everybody the best you can before, during and after the sale.” Since its opening in 1935, the CEO of Mrs. G TV & Appliance has never had an office. Schaeffer continues this tradition by taking her calls in the front of the store where she is always accessible to customers. Schaeffer combined this customer-driven atmosphere with her networking drive to propel the growth of Mrs. G TV & Appliance. “As we move forward in this economy, the best way to grow your business is through business relationships,” Schaeffer said, “and exceptional customer service.” ❖ Lisa Cintron is a Payne Scholar at the New Jersey Chamber of Commerce.

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CARVILLE AND MATALIN, TOP POLITICAL ANALYSTS, AGREE: CHRIS CHRISTIE HAS THE TOOLS TO BE A LEGITIMATE CANDIDATE FOR PRESIDENT IN 2016

BY SCOTT GOLDSTEIN James Carville and Mary Matalin, two of the country’s best known political analysts, suggested Christie’s New Jersey brashness and his unique set of political skills would make him a candidate to be taken seriously if he runs for president in 2016.

“The magic of Christie isn’t that you don’t know what he’s going to say,” said Matalin, who has worked as a strategist for presidents Ronald Reagan, George H.W. Bush and George W. Bush. “You just don’t know how he’s going to say it. He is authentic to his principles and his courage is unique. He is true to himself.”

The husband-and-wife team of political experts – Carville the Democrat and Matalin the Republican – addressed an audience of more than 400 business leaders at the New Jersey Chamber of Commerce Forum 2012, held at the Pines Manor in Edison on Sept. 27. It was the debut of the annual forum series, which brings national names to New Jersey for an evening designed to inform, entertain and inspire audience members.

Christie is “something different, something unpredictable,” said Carville, who worked as a strategist for President Bill Clinton. As a possible candidate for president, Christie would “certainly come in as someone to take seriously,” he added.

A special thank-you to Comcast, the event’s premier sponsor. ❖ 24 |

James Carville meets Bill Hagaman, managing partner and CEO of WithumSmith+Brown.

Carville with Kathy Regan, senior vice president, Capital One.

James Carville and Mary Matalin meet with the N.J. Chamber’s Cornerstone New Jersey members before the dinner.

Jeff Scheininger, chairman of the New Jersey Chamber of Commerce (left) and Jim Gerace, president of Verizon New Jersey.

From left: Scott Ross, associate director, New Jersey Petroleum Council; Kevin Friedlander, Northeast communications manager, Wells Fargo; Len Sullivan, government banker, Wells Fargo; and James Benton, executive director, New Jersey Petroleum Council.

More than 400 business leaders attended the New Jersey Chamber of Commerce Forum 2012, the debut of the annual series which will bring national names to New Jersey for an evening designed to inform, entertain and inspire audience members.

Tariq Russell and Mark Albergo of Comcast Business Class.

New Jersey Chamber of Commerce President Tom Bracken (left) and James Carville.

Charlene Brown, executive director of external affairs at AT&T New Jersey.

PHOTOS BY RUSS DESANTIS

Carville and Matalin previewed the presidential election and discussed Gov. Chris Christie’s prospects for the White House.

David Bardwil of Bank of America.

James Carville and Mary Matalin are presented with commemorative crystals by New Jersey Chamber of Commerce Chairman Jeff Scheininger (left). The crystals depict a light bulb in recognition of Thomas Edison, who was one of the Founding Fathers of the New Jersey Chamber of Commerce.

ENTERPRISE 4Q 2012 | 25

focus on events

Environmental Protection Commissioner: Let’s Make the Permit Process ‘Better and Faster for Everyone’

BY SCOTT GOLDSTEIN PHOTOS BY RIC PRINCIPATO

It has been no secret that the process for securing building permits from the state Department of Environmental Protection has long been fraught with confusion and delays for developers seeking to build or expand properties.

DEP Commissioner Bob Martin acknowledged as much to an audience of about 75 New Jersey Chamber of Commerce members on Sept. 21, and said his department is working to make the process “better and faster” by transforming application methods, putting all applications online for transparency and requiring all DEP employees go through customer service training.

“There was a time when people would come in for permits and get the runaround,” Martin said at the roundtable breakfast in Monroe presented by the N.J. Chamber.

“We are working on making it better and faster for everyone, not by lowering environmental standards, but by improving our methods.”

A crucial change, he said, is department officials now work with applicants from the early stages of the permitting process to help them better spot and address “red flags.”

“We are not going to change regulations and laws,” he said. “But there are a lot of regulations that conflict and we can help you get through that.”

In other news The DEP is rating 9,000 contaminated sites in New Jersey from one to five, with five being the worst. “This will allow us to determine where to put our resources,” he said. “Those ranked four or five will get the most attention.”

There have been only about a dozen applications for the Waiver Rule, a law that went into effect at the beginning of August that allows the DEP to waive strict compliance with regulations in certain limited circumstances, Martin said. That is much fewer than the DEP anticipated for the first month, he added.

Thank you to PSEG for sponsoring the breakfast. ❖ Scott Goldstein is communications manager at the New Jersey Chamber of Commerce.

26 |

Super Bowl and WrestleMania to Bring Big Money to Garden State Economy

Gov. Chris Christie and Vince McMahon, CEO and chairman of World Wrestling Entertainment.

Wayne Hasenbalg, CEO of the New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority, had lunch with New Jersey Chamber of Commerce Cornerstone members on Oct. 24 and discussed huge events coming to New Jersey, including the Super Bowl in 2014 and WrestleMania in 2013 – both of which will generate tens of millions of dollars for the Garden State’s economy.

The Super Bowl will be played at MetLife Stadium – the home of the Jets and the Giants – at the Meadowlands Sports Complex in East Rutherford, N.J. on Feb. 2, 2014, the first cold-weather setting for the nation’s biggest football game of the year. But it’s more than the

game – people will be flocking here for a week’s worth of events leading up to it, he said.

“Both teams will be staying at New Jersey hotels, and you are talking about hundreds of thousands of people coming to the state,” Hasenbalg said. His office

is working with dozens of agencies to manage every detail of the game, from logistics to security to mass transportation – right down to contingency plans should the area be hit be a major blizzard on game day, he added.

Hasenbalg said WrestleMania, the big professional wrestling event, also will have a huge effect on the economy when it comes to the MetLife Stadium on April 7, 2013. “Don’t sell it short,” Hasenbalg said. “WrestleMania is almost as big as the Super Bowl. It is a week’s worth of events. The last one in Miami had a $100 million impact on the area.”

He discussed the decision to push back the Grand Prix of America’s Formula One race in Northern New Jersey from 2013 to 2014. He attributed the postponement to the $100 million event’s unique challenges – turning the streets of Weehawken and West New York into part of the race’s 3.2-mile course. “Could we have done it as originally announced in 2013? Probably. But we want to make sure we do it right. This is the first time we are doing it and the world will be watching.” ❖

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ENTERPRISE 4Q 2012 | 27

feature

New Jersey Stands Together in the Wake of Hurricane Sandy Hurricane Sandy left massive destruction in New Jersey, and it unleashed a strong spirit of volunteerism and kindness. Many individuals and companies from the Garden State and from around the nation have stepped up in our state’s time of need by offering donations of funds, goods, services and manpower. Among the most generous supporters of the relief effort have been New Jersey Chamber of Commerce members.

financial relief. It also is matching donations by employees and is donating hygiene kits for hard-hit areas of New Jersey.

JPMORGAN CHASE pledged up to $5 million, including $2 million to the American Red Cross and up to $2 million in donations to local agencies.

PFIZER is donating $1 million to relief efforts in New Jersey, New York and Connecticut. Pfizer also made available consumer health goods to local non-profits for distribution in areas of need. Pfizer is also running a program for qualified customers currently taking Pfizer medications to receive 90 days of free supplies.

PRUDENTIAL is donating $3 million to nonprofits that include the Community FoodBank of New Jersey, the Salvation Army and the American Red Cross.

We salute that spirit of giving, and would like to recognize how some of our members are helping: AETNA is donating $100,000 to relief organizations.

AT&T donated $1 million to the Hurricane Sandy New Jersey Relief Fund.

BANK OF AMERICA is donating $1 million, including $500,000 to the American Red Cross, and providing unlimited matching of employee gifts.

BIRDSALL SERVICES GROUP of Eatontown donated $35,000 to hurricane relief efforts in the shore area.

CAPITAL ONE BANK is committing $1 million to Hurricane Sandy relief. It also is providing $600,000 in grants to aid in the longer-term recovery efforts in New Jersey and New York.

28 |

DELTA DENTAL donated thousands of toothbrushes and tubes of toothpaste to shelters and relief organizations in Atlantic, Bergen and Union counties.

EXXONMOBIL is donating $1 million to disaster relief in New Jersey, New York and the Caribbean.

HORIZON BLUE CROSS BLUE SHIELD donated $250,000 each to the American Red Cross Northern New Jersey and the Salvation Army New Jersey Division, as well as $100,000 each to the Community FoodBank of New Jersey and the Hurricane Sandy New Jersey Relief Fund. HBCBS also is matching up to $300,000 in employee donations.

HUDSON CITY SAVINGS BANK has donated $250,000 to the American Red Cross.

JOHNSON & JOHNSON is committing more than $5 million in products and

TRENTON MARRIOTT offered 70 rooms at deeply discounted rates to Allies Inc., which provides housing for people with special needs.

UNITED HEALTH GROUP donated $1 million to state-led relief efforts in New Jersey and New York, and is matching all employee donations to the Red Cross Relief fund for Hurricane Sandy through November.

UPS donated $250,000 in logistical aid for urgent response and an additional $1 million in cash and in-kind support to relief organizations.

VERIZON WIRELESS announced it would match customer text-to-donate contributions to the American Red Cross – for a total of up to $1 million. Further, it contributed $200,000 to local relief efforts.

WELLS FARGO is contributing $1 million to relief efforts and accepting donations at ATMs across the U.S. ❖

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DIAHANN W. LASSUS

FRANCES MCELHILL

The New Jersey Chamber of Commerce added four new members to its board of directors in October.

They are: Gary C. Dahms, president, T&M ASSOCIATES; Jim Gerace, vice president-New Jersey, New York and Connecticut, VERIZON; John E. Harmon Sr., president and CEO, AFRICAN AMERICAN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE OF NEW JERSEY; and Nicholas San Filippo, member, LOWENSTEIN SANDLER. “These talented business leaders strengthen our already formidable board of directors that is helping guide the Chamber in its effort to build and maintain a prosperous New Jersey,” said Tom Bracken, president and CEO of the New Jersey Chamber of Commerce. “We welcome them and we are fortunate to have them.”

Diahann W. Lassus, president of LASSUS WHERLEY, is featured in the book “How Women Lead: The 8 Essential Strategies Successful Women Know.” Lassus and 13 other accomplished women share their experiences, lessons and advice on how to succeed in the book by authors Sharon Hadary and Laura Henderson.

Wireless provider AT&T is bringing attention to a serious road-safety problem by urging all Americans to pledge to stop texting while driving.

AT&T, its employees and other supporters are calling on all drivers to go to www.itcanwait.com to take the no-texting-and-driving pledge, and then share their promise with others via Twitter and Facebook.

PSE&G committed $1 million to the 2014 Special Olympics USA Games, making the company a founding partner of the events. The Games are expected to have a $50 million impact on New Jersey’s economy as thousands of athletes, coaches and supporters descend upon the Garden State for the events.

On Oct. 6, more than 20,000 PRUDENTIAL employees and their families and friends participated in the company’s 18th Global Volunteer

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Day by donating their time and talent to projects at community service organizations all over the world.

Projects conducted on Prudential Global Volunteer Day include beautifying local parks, cleaning up school playgrounds, building homes, preparing food for the needy, mentoring children, and many other activities.

The law firm of WILENTZ, GOLDMAN & SPITZER was named the NAIOPNew Jersey’s Industry Service Award winner for 2012. The award was presented at the 25th Annual Commercial Real Estate Awards Gala in May. Frances A. McElhill, partner with the law firm of ARCHER & GREINER, received the Tocqueville Society Award, the United Way’s highest and most prestigious honor, in recognition of her outstanding community service. In addition to her longstanding dedication to a variety of South Jersey civic and charitable causes, including longtime service on the United Way of Camden County Board of Directors, McElhill played a key role in the regional merger that brought together seven area United Way organizations under a single umbrella by providing extensive pro bono legal services.

THE PROVIDENT BANK launched a rebranding initiative in September, including a new tagline and image campaign designed to reinforce how the bank defines itself – a community bank deeply rooted in New Jersey that’s committed to meeting the needs of its customers. The bank’s new tagline, “Commitment you can count on,” emphasizes Provident’s commitment to consumers and businesses. ❖

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