Schoor DePalma, an engineering and consulting firm based in Manalapan, has been recognized by the New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT) with its 2004 Corporate Partner of the Year Award. The award was presented to Schoor DePalma at NJIT’s Celebration 2004 Nov. 12 at the Pleasantdale Chateau in West Orange. The Corporate Partner Award is given annually to the company that has developed a strong educational partnership with NJIT. In past years, Exxon, PSE&G, Schering-Plough Corp., UPS, and Prudential have been recipients of the award. Schoor DePalma was selected for the award in 2004 because of the high level of scholarships and real-world experience it provides on an annual basis to NJIT students. Through Schoor DePalma’s internship program, students can receive course credit or be paid — including those who are awarded an NJIT scholarship. Schoor DePalma interns are provided the opportunity to go out into the field to view projects, learn about the field of engineering, be mentored by Schoor DePalma associates, and ultimately receive the real-world experience they will need after graduation.
Siperstein’s, a family-owned chain with 20 paint and decorating centers, including a center at 338 Route 9 north in Manalapan, was honored as a finalist in the 2004 New Jersey Family Business of the Year Awards. Deb DiGregorio, president and founder of Camares Communications, presented the award to Siperstein’s partners, Alan Siperstein, Herbert Siperstein, Todd Katz and Larry Katz, during the awards luncheon held recently in Somerset. Celebrating its 100th anniversary this year, Siperstein’s was recognized in the Over $10 Million Annual Sales category for its business success and long-standing tradition of community involvement. The company was founded in 1904 in Jersey City. Held annually, the New Jersey Family Business of the Year Awards program is organized by the Rothman Institute of Entrepreneurial Studies at Fairleigh Dickinson University, PNC Bank and New Jersey Monthly Magazine. Details: visit www.sipstips.com.
Bank of America has been declared the Top Corporation for Multicultural Business Opportunities of 2004 by more than 350,000 diversity business owners. The honor extends to another 49 major corporations and is collectively called the Div50. The fifth annual list was produced by DiversityBusiness.com, a multicultural business-to-business online portal. The voting business owners based their decisions on such factors as the volume, consistency and quality of business opportunities granted to women and minority-owned companies. Other large companies at the top of the list are Lockheed Martin, OfficeMax, Dell, BellSouth, General Motors and IBM. The Div50 list is circulated to more than 1,000 organizations that distribute it to their members and associates. It represents the voices of diversity-owned (women, blacks, Hispanics, Asians, American Indian and other minority groups) businesses in the United States, in sectors such as technology, manufacturing, food service and professional services.
Duane O. Davison, partner with Lomurro, Davison, Eastman and Munoz, a law firm based in Freehold Township, received the 2004 Michael A. Pane Award at the New Jersey State League of Municipalities Prosperity Through Partnership’s 89th Annual Conference, held recently in Atlantic City. The award is given each year to a professional working in local government who has exemplified the highest standards of ethics and whose work has significantly enhanced the integrity of local government.
Davison was on the NJLM’s panel for discussion on “Pay to Play at the Local Level,” which discussed issues including constitutionality, enabling legislation as well as initiative and referendum. He also was the speaker at a workshop on “E-mail Communications by Governing Body Members: Risks and Rewards.” The workshop explored the potential problems that can result from unrestrained use of e-mail communications by governing body members to each other, to other municipal officials and to professionals and residents.