The Monmouth/Ocean Chapter of the New Jersey Association of Women Business Owners (NJAWBO) will host a dinner meeting Jan. 27 at 6 p.m. at the Old Time Tavern, routes 37 and 166, Toms River. The topic for this month’s dinner meeting is “What Every Woman Should Know About Social Security.”
Dave Delaney, senior public affairs specialist for the New Jersey Area Office of the Social Security Administration, will discuss retirement, disability, survivor benefits and the lifetime protection Social Security provides. Delaney will also host a question-and-answer session at the meeting. He has worked for the Social Security Administration for 27 years and has received several recognition awards, including the Social Security Commissioner’s Citation, the highest employee award given to employees of the Social Security Administration. He is responsible the Social Security Administration’s public relations activities in central and southern New Jersey.
Prospective NJAWBO members are invited to attend the event. The cost is $35 for members and $40 for nonmembers. Reservations are required before Jan. 21. For reservations, call Marianne Gepp of Gepp’s Getaway Travel, (732) 775-8900. For directions to the Old Time Tavern, call (732) 349-2387.
For further information about NJAWBO, call the state headquarters at (609) 581-2121, send an e-mail to njawbo@njawbo.org, or visit the organization’s Web site at www.njawbo.org.
Sam’s Club, Freehold Township, will hold an “Office Merchandise Showcase” event for small business professionals Jan. 27 from 7-10 a.m. at its facility, 100 Trotters Way. The event will feature a selection of office and break-room supplies showcased in two display settings, and local business owners will receive a complimentary breakfast. For more information, call Sam’s Club, (732) 780-4477.
Edward Jones, a financial services firm established in 1871, announced that John R. Cocozza, the Edward Jones investment representative in Freehold, would be hosting a one-hour satellite broadcast on Jan. 11, titled “Is the Uncertainty Over?”
Geoffrey Colvin, co-host of “Wall Street Week with Fortune,” and Alan Skrainka, Edward Jones’ chief market strategist, were scheduled to discuss the recent presidential election and what the results may mean to investors.
The interactive event is presented at select Edward Jones branch offices nationwide via the firm’s private video network. The Freehold office is located at 395 W. Main St.
Abraham S. Opatut, a longtime resident of Freehold Township, has been named to the Board of Directors of Fulton Financial Corp., Lancaster, Pa. In this position, he will ensure that the performance of the corporation is conducted in a way that represents the interests of the shareholders. As a director, Opatut’s responsibilities also include appointing senior management for the company, approving Fulton Financial’s overall strategic direction, and reviewing and evaluating the corporation’s financial and operational results.
Opatut is chairman of First Washington State Bank, which recently merged with Fulton Financial Corp. and is now the corporation’s 13th affiliate bank. He is also chairman of First Washington Community Foundation and is currently president of Colonial Foods Inc. and Colonial Marketing Associates. Opatut holds a bachelor of arts degree from New England College, Henniker, N.H., and attended John Marshall Law School.
Liberty Manor Assisted Living, Manalapan, has named Jessica Stewart as its new director of marketing. In her newly created role, Steward oversees the daily operations of the admissions and marketing departments and is the primary contact for families seeking assisted living services at Liberty Manor. She will also be responsible for working with area health care professionals and organizations that are looking to help seniors find assisted living care. She is a resident of Tuckerton.
ERA Advantage, which has a local office in Cream Ridge, is part of the international real estate network that was the recipient of the 2004 J.D. Power and Associates Award for Highest Overall Satisfaction for First-time Home Buyers Among National Full-service Real Estate Firms. This marks the first time ERA Real Estate has received the award.
Prospective first-time buyers can pick up the “ERA Answers” book, a free resource guide that addresses more than 90 of the most frequently asked questions about buying and selling a home, at their local ERA Advantage Realty office.
More information and features are available at the Web site www.ERA.com and www.CentralNJHomes.com.
Joseph Cilea, D.C., president of Advanced Wellness, Marlboro, announced that his practice is now providing physical therapy services at the YMCA in Freehold Township for the convenience of members who are rehabilitating after injury or surgery. Advanced Wellness’ protocol includes pool therapy. For more information, call (732) 431-2155.
ERA Brokers of New Jersey recently elected board members to serve on the ERA Brokers of New Jersey Board of Trustees for 2005. The board serves the 45 ERA offices in Bergen, Essex, Mercer, Middlesex, Monmouth, Morris, Ocean, Passaic, Somerset, Sussex and Union counties.
Named president of the board was Scott Lauri, president, broker/owner of ERA Absolute Realty, North Brunswick. Lauri also served as vice president and technology chairman of the board.
Other area members elected to the board are John Sharp, broker/owner of ERA Designs for Living, Old Bridge, elected treasurer; and Carol Ann Stevenson, broker/owner of ERA Advantage Realty, Freehold (Advantage also has offices in Manalapan, Keyport, Cream Ridge and Morganville), was elected secretary.
Sharp has served as the board’s treasurer the past seven years, and has 18 years’ real estate experience. Stevenson has worked in real estate 15 years, and served on the education committee.
PEP — People Empowering People, meets on the second Monday of the month in the western Monmouth County area. The organization is designed for business owners and professionals in the Monmouth County area to meet and exchange ideas. There is no cost to be a member. Refreshments are served. For more information, call Sandy Franco, (732) 863-9955.