Sun National Bank announced that it has promoted Thomas Ando to senior vice president of the Commercial Banking Division for Monmouth and Ocean counties. Ando, of Point Pleasant, directs managers in developing total banking relationships with Sun’s corporate, government and institutional customers in the two counties. He focuses primarily on expanding and enhancing Sun’s customer base and market share across all lines of business in the two-county region. The Commercial Banking Division serves companies with revenues over $7.5 million and credit needs of more than $2 million.
The Women in Business Committee of the Western Monmouth Chamber of Commerce will present “Can Golf Increase Your Business:” Oct. 15 at 8:30 a.m. at the Colts Neck Golf Club, 50 Flock Road, Colt Neck. Karen Loupassakis, former AT&T executive and current teaching professional for Simductive Golf Instruction and the Colts Neck Golf Club, will discuss how to include golf in a business plan, even if one doesn’t play the game; what market is the fastest growing in golf; proper golf etiquette; and a demonstration of the V1 Digital Coaching System.
The fee is $15 per person and includes a breakfast buffet. For registration, call the Chamber at (732) 462-3030, fax (732) 462-2123, or e-mail admin@wmchamber.com.
Business After Hours of the Western Monmouth Chamber of Commerce will be hosted by Health Care Depot Inc., Raintree Town Center, 73 Village Center Drive (off Route 537 west), Freehold Township, Oct. 19 from 5:30-7:30 p.m. The event will include a demonstration on home medical equipment.
The fee is $10 per person and includes refreshments. Attendees should bring business cards. For registration, call the Chamber at (732) 462-3030, fax (732) 462-2123, or e-mail admin@wmchamber.com.
Ken Daneyko, New Jersey Devils defenseman, will be the guest speaker at the monthly general meeting of the Western Monmouth Chamber of Commerce Oct. 21, 8:30 a.m., at the Chamber office, 17 Broad St., Freehold. Daneyko is one of just five members of all three of New Jersey’s Stanley Cup Championship teams.
The fee is $10 and includes a continental breakfast. For registration, call the Chamber at (732) 462-3030, fax (732) 462-2123, or e-mail admin@wmchamber.com.
PEP (People Empowering People) is an organization for business owners and professionals in the Monmouth County area. The group meets on the second Monday of each month, and refreshments are served. To reserve a place or for additional details, call Sandy Franco at (732) 863-9955. There is no cost to be a member.
Wegmans Food Markets Inc. took top honors in the Employee Innovation category of Fast Company magazine’s 2004 Customers First awards.
According to a press release from Wegmans, the company was selected in recognition of the “deep knowledge” that employees display to customers and the extraordinary investment the company makes in developing the knowledge base
of its staff. The magazine noted Wegmans’ extensive training program, which includes employees traveling, sometimes to other countries. For example, cheese shop managers have traveled to Europe to watch how cheeses are made according to centuries-old traditions.
Wegmans has 66 stores in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic states, including a store in Manalapan.
Weichert, Realtors has donated $25,000 to the American Cancer Society. The donation, made from contributions received at Weichert’s recently held charity golf outing, will benefit breast cancer research.
Held each year at the Fiddler’s Elbow Country Club in Bedminster, the fourth annual golf outing featured a luncheon, 18-hole tournament, cocktail reception and dinner, prizes and awards, with 184 golfers participating.
Professional and Business Singles Network will hold an after-work social and informal discussion Oct. 13 at the Holiday Inn in Monroe, 390 Forsgate Drive. The social will begin at 5:30 p.m. and the discussion (topic: “Ask It Basket”) will start at 7:30 p.m. The cover is $10. Membership is not required; walk-ins are welcome.
For more information, call (800) 537-3859 or visit www.PBSNinfo.com.
Petco Inc., based in San Diego, Calif., announced that it raised more than $105,000 in its Greyhound Planet Week held in mid-September. Customers were asked to “round up” purchases to the nearest dollar, with proceeds going to the Petco Foundation. The foundation will then distribute funds to greyhound rescue groups in Petco communities nationwide. Petco stores in the local area are located in Long Branch and Freehold Township.
General Nutrition Centers Inc. (GNC) of the Freehold area will help to generate public awareness of breast cancer through National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, which takes place in October. The store will take part in a national GNC initiative by distributing a health guide for women that focuses on early detection and prevention of breast cancer. All customers who wear a pink ribbon to participating GNC stores on Oct. 15 — National Mammogram Day — will receive 10 percent off their purchases of regularly priced products. In addition, each GNC employee who participates in Denim Day, by wearing jeans and a pink ribbon to work on Oct. 15, will donate $5 to the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation. GNC, based in Pittsburgh, has centers in the local area in Howell at Aldrich Plaza, in Manalapan at Tennent Nine, and in Marlboro at Acme Shopping Center.
Central Jersey Women’s Network will hold a dinner-meeting Oct. 14, 6-9 p.m., at the Holiday Inn at Tinton Falls, 700 Hope Road. MaryAnn Parmelee, of the law firm Parmelee & Parmelee LLP, will discuss the need for a will. The cost is $35 for members and $44 for guests and nonmembers, if reserved after Oct. 6. For reservations, call (908) 281-9234 or e-mail Redbank@cjwn.org. Payment by check may be made at the door.
Woodward Realty Group will again be making a monetary donation to “Operation Gratitude,” a program that supports U.S. troops.
According to a press release from Woodward Realty, “Operation Gratitude” was started by Carolyn Balshek, a former New Yorker now living in California. Balshek does not receive a salary and has donated thousands of dollars toward the purchase of items ranging from CDs to candy and toiletries, creating packages for men and women serving in the military, as well as paying the cost of shipping the packages.
Woodward Realty is accepting checks payable to “Operation Gratitude” at any of the Woodward Realty locations: 31 Schanck Road, Suite 1B, Freehold 07728; 6 Kings Highway, Middletown 07748; and 114 Avenue of Two Rivers, Rumson 07760.
ERA Advantage Realty, Cream Ridge, will hold its fifth annual Chili Cook-off and Customer Appreciation Day Oct. 16 from 1-4 p.m. on the grounds of ERA Advantage Realty’s Route 539 office in the Cream Ridge section of Upper Freehold Township. The rain date is Oct. 17.
The event is open to members of the community, who are invited to participate by submitted a chili dish as well as casting a vote for their favorite recipe. Entrants from all age groups are welcome. The festivities will include children’s autumn favorites such as pumpkin painting, sack races and prizes. Friends, neighbors, clients and customers can enjoy a fall afternoon in the country and picnic on food catered by Woody’s Towne Cafe.
The festival is being held n celebration of the ERA International Open House, a worldwide series of events that has grown to incorporate countries around the world. In addition, a drawing will be held to raise funds for the ERA system’s principal charity, the Muscular Dystrophy Association.
OceanFirst Foundation recently donated $10,000 to the Ronald McDonald House of Long Branch to improve and expand the services it provides to families in Monmouth and Ocean counties. RMH provides a home away from home for families of seriously ill children undergoing medical treatment at area hospitals.
The grant enabled RMH to expand direct services to families and extend outreach efforts in the community at local hospitals. The grant also funded renovations on a new volunteer apartment that includes a work station from which to manage the growing volunteer program. The new volunteer program expands services to hospitals, including the Ronald McDonald Family Rooms at Monmouth Medical Center, Long Branch, and Jersey Shore University Medical Center, Neptune, as well as the Pediatric Hospitality Suite at CentraState Medical Center in Freehold Township.
The Institute of Management Accountants will meet at Tommy’s Inn, Millstone, on the following dates: Oct. 13 (“Preparing for a Bank Loan”), Nov. 10 (“Interview Skills”), Jan. 12 (“Tax Update”), Feb. 9 (“Excel Skills Update”), and March 9 (“Hand-held Computer Technology”). For more information, call Peggy or Joe, (732) 683-2382.
Century 21 Action Plus Realty recently announced the opening of its third branch office, located at 5 Route 33, Freehold. The new branch will extend its presence to the Freehold area and further provide for neighboring towns including Manalapan, Millstone and surrounding areas, according to Thomas Hogan, broker/owner. Century 21 Action Plus Realty’s main office is located at 2218 Route 9 south in Howell, and has a new Jackson office at 10 N. County Line Road.