Josette Butehorn, branch manager of Weichert, Realtors Howell Office, announced that two sales associates were recognized for their industry successes in the month of December.
Linda Dunne led the office in listings. She was licensed in 1998 and previously worked for another local company.
Joanne Otteau led the office in sales and was named the office’s overall top producer. Licensed in 2003, she previously worked as a vice president and manager of an appraisal company.
Gary S. Rakow, of Jackson, has been named principal and vice president of Geo-Technology Associates Inc. (GTA). GTA is a mid-Atlantic geotechnical engineering and environmental consulting firm. He will oversee operations in the firm’s Somerset office.
Rakow will serve as principal in charge of GTA’s environmental services in New Jersey, New York and eastern Pennsylvania. He joined GTA in 2003 as an associate of the firm and has more than 19 years of experience in the field of environmental engineering and management.
He received his bachelor of arts degree in geography from Rutgers University. He is an associate member of the Builders League of South Jersey, participates in the New Jersey Technical Regulations Advisory Coalition, and serves on the American Society for Testing and Materials Technical Subcommittee for Real Estate Assessment and Management.
An after-hours business card exchange will be held Feb. 23 by the Howell Chamber of Commerce at
Independence Bank on the corner of Route 9 north and Salem Hill Road. The event will include “Meet the Local Artist”, Jim Stanberry from Stanberry Insurance. Stanberry’s water color art will be on display. The cost is $15 for members and $20 for nonmembers. Call the chamber office at (732) 363-4114.
The Institute of Management Accountants will meet at Tommy’s Inn, Route 537, Millstone. Feb. 9 for an update on Excel skills. Dinner will begin at 6:30 p.m., followed by the guest speaker. The group’s March 9 meeting will discuss hand-held computer technology. For more information, call Peggy or Joe, (732) 683-2382.
Jewel Ridge Estates in Cream Ridge, Upper Freehold Township, has sold out. J.A.C. Builders Inc. opened its sales model in the spring of 2004, followed by record-breaking sales of the 25 single-family homes on 1-acre home sites, according to Colleen McNulty, ERA Advantage Realtors of Manalapan.
Offering similar designs, J.A.C. broke ground in the fall of 2004 for 1-acre home sites in Manalapan, offering full brick façades, three-car side-entry garages, and public utilities. The Ruby XL features a conservatory, daylight basement and approximately 3,800 square feet of living space, and will be available for a late-spring delivery. The Emerald model offers a little more, and will also be featured in the single cul-de-sac. For more information, call McNulty at (732) 536-2000.
J.H. Cohn’s Executive Women’s Forum will feature a program by Caryl Felicetta, COO of Single Throw Inc., at 3 p.m. Feb. 8 at the Sheraton Eatontown Hotel, Route 35. The program will discuss how the Internet has affected the way customers find and interact with business. There is no fee to attend, but reservations are required. New members are welcome; membership is open to women who are either senior business executives or business owners in the counties of Monmouth, Ocean or Middlesex. For more information, call Mike at (732) 380-8649.
New Jersey Shore Builders Association will hold its annual Fabulous Achievement in Marketing Excellence (FAME) Awards Gala Feb. 17, beginning with a cocktail hour at 6:30 p.m., at the Grand Marquis, Old Bridge. The event will honor those companies and individuals who represent outstanding achievement in the home-building industry as well as excellence in sales and marketing. For reservations or further information, call Michelle at (732) 364-2828.
ERA Advantage Realtors was awarded the 2004 J.D. Power & Associates Award for Highest Overall Satisfaction for First-time Home Buyers Among National Full-service Real Estate Firms.
Each year, J.D. Power & Associates surveys millions of consumers and business customers to understand their opinions and expectations regarding the products and services they purchase in a variety of industries including automotive,
travel, finance, health care and real estate. The firm’s real estate awards were determined by measuring home-buyer satisfaction in 16 major markets throughout the United States. The results are based solely on consumers who have used the particular products and services being rated.
ERA Advantage Realtors has six offices serving Middlesex, Monmouth, Ocean, Burlington and Mercer counties.
Weed Man, a lawn-care franchise, has opened in central New Jersey. Owner Daniel Murphy recently purchased the franchise rights to Monmouth and Ocean counties. Services offered by Central Jersey Weed Man include fertilization, weed control, insect and tick control, mechanical core aeration, overseeding and disease prevention and treatment.
Weed Man started in Toronto in 1970 and started selling franchises in the United States in 1996. The local franchise is based in Millstone. For more information, call (732) 294-1934 or visit WeedmanNJ@aol.com.
Investors Savings Bank, headquartered in Short Hills, announced that its employees have pledged $15,765.50 in its first United Way campaign. The amount was matched by the bank to bring the total pledge to $31,531.
Investors Savings Bank joined the United Way of Monmouth County family of community partners this past year. Last year, Investors Savings Bank participated in Days of Caring by sending 14 volunteers to the FoodBank of Monmouth and Ocean Counties. As a corporation, Investors Savings Bank also donated 100 backpacks to the Boys and Girls Club of Asbury Park through the School Time Wishes program in addition to running its first United Way campaign.
CentraState Medical Center, Freehold Township, announced that James Matera, D.O., board certified in internal medicine and nephrology, has been named a member of the board of trustees for CentraState Healthcare System. Dr. Matera is director of medical education and was chair of internal medicine from 2001 to 2004. He was voted CentraState Physician of the Year in 2004 by the medical/dental staff. Dr. Matera joined the medical staff of CentraState Medical Center in 1994. He earned his medical degree from the University of Osteopathic Medicine and Health Sciences in Des Moines, Iowa.