Milestones

Issue of Oct. 18, 2005

By: Sara Carpenter
HEALTH & MEDICINE
   Novo Nordisk has appointed Dr. John A. Germak clinical director of growth hormones in its clinical research, medical and regulatory affairs department. Dr. Germak joins Novo Nordisk from The Ohio State University College of Medicine and Public Health and Columbus Children’s Hospital, where he was chief of pediatric endocrinology and associate professor of clinical pediatrics.
   As clinical director and with more than 20 years of experience, he will lead U.S. clinical trials in the areas of growth problems, growth hormone deficiency, and growth hormone treatment of children and adults. In addition, he will provide counsel to the company’s global growth hormone team regarding new research and development of growth hormone products and delivery systems.
   With headquarters in Denmark, Novo Nordisk’s local office is located in Plainsboro.

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   Dr. Ira D. Cheifetz was elected to a second, two-year term as treasurer of the American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons during the association’s recent annual meeting. As treasurer, he reports the finances at each annual meeting, oversees the annual audit of association funds and serves as custodian of all money, securities and deeds belonging to AAOMS.
   Dr. Cheifetz and his partners, Drs. Sean Bradley and Jonathon Sasportas, maintain a private practice with offices in Hamilton, East Windsor and Princeton.
GOOD DEEDS
   McGraw-Hill Employees Federal Credit Union recently donated $20,200 to The First Tee of Greater Trenton. Through various programs, The First Tee provides young people of all backgrounds with the opportunity to learn and grow, and discover life-enhancing values through the game of golf. The funds will be put toward various educational programs, as well as the purchase of golf equipment and other items necessary to ensure the organization’s success.
   The ceremony recently was held at McGraw-Hill’s headquarters in East Windsor. This is the second annual donation from McGraw-Hill Employees Federal Credit Union, the proceeds are the result of a golf fundraiser sponsored by the company.

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   Three Mercer County residents recently won Prudential Cares Volunteer Grant Awards. The Prudential Cares Volunteer Grants Program, formerly known as the Community Champions Awards Program, recognizes active and retired Prudential Financial associates and agents who volunteer in their community. Award money is provided to organizations for which the winners serve as volunteers and the winners receive honorary award certificates.
   Richard Hrabchak of Princeton, a senior managing director for Prudential Financial, received a Prudential Cares Volunteer Grants Award of $250 for the Princeton Youth Baseball Youth Association. Mr. Hrabchak devoted 200 hours to coaching two baseball teams in 2004 and served on the board of trustees that ran and operated the league for more than 350 local children.
   Curtis Campbell of Ewing, a senior benefits associate for Prudential Insurance, received an award of $250 for the 300 Chosen Ministries Inc., which offers relief services to the homeless of Philadelphia, pre-release classes to incarcerated prisoners, and hosts activities for disadvantaged youth.
   And Vanessa Ali of Trenton, a senior medical underwriter for Prudential Insurance, received an award of $250 for the Jersey Battered Women’s Service, where she manned the help-line and assisted with the Thanksgiving project.
   This year’s program recognized 720 associates and retirees nationally and 48 associates across Canada, Japan, Korea and the Philippines who excelled in volunteer commitment, leadership and service in their communities. Grants range from $250 to $5,000 and this year totaled $616,500.
FINANCIAL SERVICES
   South Brunswick tax attorney and CPA E. Martin Davidoff has been named one of the Top 100 most influential people in accounting by Accounting Today magazine. Among his achievements with the American Association of Attorney-Certified Public Accountants are founder and chair of the association’s IRS Tax Liaison Committee, which includes interacting with high-level IRS officials to effect positive changes in numerous areas impacting businesses, individuals and fellow tax professionals.
   A resident of East Brunswick, he is the founder and firm manager of E. Martin Davidoff & Associates, which is entering its 25th year in business. The firm specializes in IRS problem resolution, as well as individual taxation, income tax research and planning, "S" corporations, business start-ups, and business consulting.
TECHNOLOGY
   William Tang, chief scientist at the U.S. Department of Energy’s Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory, has received the Chinese Institute of Engineers-USA Distinguished Achievement Award. The institute is honoring Dr. Tang "for his outstanding leadership in fusion research and contribution to fundamentals of plasma science."
   In addition to serving as chief scientist at PPPL, Dr. Tang is the associate director for the Princeton Institute for Computational Science and Engineering. The institute recently was established at Princeton University to stimulate progress in innovative computational science via interdisciplinary alliances involving computer science, applied mathematics, and prominent applications areas in the physical sciences and engineering disciplines.
   Dr. Tang is a resident of Princeton Township.
NONPROFIT
   Princeton resident and president of Advertising Specialty Institute Timothy M. Andrews has been appointed as board member of the American Red Cross Lower Bucks County Chapter.
   ASI employees and member firms have been involved with the American Red Cross by raising funds for its disaster-relief initiatives and by participating in community events, including blood drives, collecting donations and by offering matching gift contributions.
   Located in Trevose, Pa., Advertising Specialty Institute is the largest media organization serving the promotional products industry, with a membership of 21,000 promotional product distributor and supplier firms, ASI offers resources for marketing and tools for selling to its member firms.
ARCHITECTURE
   The Thomas Group announced the hiring of two new employees at its Princeton office:
   Pennington resident Arthur SanFilippo comes to the firm with 10 years of professional experience. He has worked as project architect, project designer and project manager on numerous K-12 school projects. A member of the American Institute of Architects and registered professional with Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, Mr. SanFilippo is working as the project manager for the additions and alterations to the South Hunterdon Regional High School.
   Tom Smozanek of Califon was hired as a construction administrator and is assisting in the site demolition contract at the Elizabeth School District. A registered New Jersey architect and professional planner, he previously worked as a construction manager on various public school projects.
   The Thomas Group provides a full range of architectural and engineering design services, program management and planning services. Specialties include environmental, security, technology, sports and aquatics planning and design.
AWARDS
   Jack H. Fein, a principal in the accounting firm of Mercadien P.C., Certified Public Accountants and managing director of The Mercadien Group, recently was honored by the Central New Jersey Council Boy Scouts of America and received the accountant "Good Scout Award." He was also presented with a resolution from Mercer County for his accomplishments.
   The Good Scout Award is presented to individuals whose daily lives exemplify the ideals of the Boy Scouts of America as expressed in the Scout Oath and Law. The recipient is chosen for their outstanding character, citizenship and personal fitness, all qualities that represent the aims of scouting, as well as their leadership and respect in the community.
   Chairman of the firm’s nonprofit and governmental services group and designated as both a CPA and a certified governmental financial manager, Mr. Fein works with more than 100 nonprofit organizations throughout the Delaware Valley and serves as a treasurer on the board of directors for three different nonprofit organizations.
   Mr. Fein resides in Pennsylvania.
LAW
   Robert E. Schiappacasse has joined Fox Rothschild LLP as special counsel in the corporate department at the firm’s Princeton office. His practice focuses on exempt offerings of securities and related Blue Sky issues and filings; the acquisition and sale of businesses; the leasing, acquisition and financing of commercial real estate; and the formation and organization of corporations and limited liability corporations.
   Among the 200 largest law firms in the nation, Fox Rothschild is a full-service firm with offices in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, New York and Florida, providing a complete range of legal services to public and private business entities. The local office is located in Lawrence Township.
HUMAN RESOURCES
   Kevin G. Gara has been appointed vice president and practice leader of environmental health and safety for EduNeering Holdings Inc. He will provide technical guidance for the product innovation team in development and deployment of risk assessment and mitigation solutions, as well as ensuring a systematic approach to evaluating and updating curriculum contact and providing consultative support for risk management solutions. Mr. Gara is a certified industrial hygienist with more than 25 years experience in assessing and mitigating occupational and environmental risks in a wide variety of industries including pharmaceutical and chemical manufacturing, health care, distribution and insurance risk management.
   EduNeering, headquartered in West Windsor, offers technology-based innovations that drive employee comprehension of critical information, operating procedures and regulatory requirements.
BUSINESS COUNCIL
   The Lawrence Chapter of the Mercer Regional Chamber of Commerce recently announced the Lawrence Township Growth and Redevelopment Committee’s Seventh Annual Awards. Every year, Lawrence Township spotlights businesses, individuals, and civic groups that have enhanced the community in one or more ways: through job growth, expanding the township’s tax base or by participating in local activities that benefit residents. These awards also recognize those who have renovated or built a structure that has improved or beautified the township with the goal of spurring economic growth.
   Recipients for this year are as follows:
   Mayor’s Award to resident Eleanor Horne for her ongoing dedication of time and effort to the Lawrence community, including her fundraising efforts for the Lawrence Neighborhood Service Center.
   New Large Business Award to All Clean Building Services Inc., 990 Spruce St., for its success as a new local business and for making improvements to its building.
   New Small Business Award to Cherry Grove Farm, 3200 Lawrence Road, for transforming a vacant farm complex into a thriving organic farm dedicated to producing healthy food for the community.
   New Building/Renovation Award to The Inn at Glencairn, 3301 Lawrenceville Road, for extensive renovations.
   Residential Award to 2719 Main St., a home that has undergone an outstanding renovation.
   Business Service Award to Stark & Stark, Lenox Drive, for ongoing contributions to the community.
   Harry J. Podmore/William Dwyer Award to PNC Bank’s Lawrenceville Branch, 2431 Main St., and Cooper Pest Control, 351 Lawrence Station Road, in a tie to honor a business, individual or community organization that promotes preservation or effective education of township history.
   Environmental Award to resident Michael C. Azzara for his efforts in creating a sustainable Lawrence, including the successful launch of the Lawrenceville Farmers Market held on Sundays throughout the summer.
   This year’s ceremony and breakfast program features speakers Mayor Pamela H. Mount and the township’s newly appointed Municipal Manager Richard S. Krawczun. Its keynote will include issues of transportation, open space, and youth programming.
   Sponsored by Borden Perlman, the breakfast will be held at Green Acres Country Club, 2170 Lawrenceville Road, Route 206, Lawrence, at 8 a.m. Oct. 25. Cost for members in advance is $20, members at the door $25, and non-members $30.
   For more information or to register and pay online, visit www.mercerchamber.org.