FirstEnergy Corp. announced that Julie Strout Holman, formerly manager, State Governmental Affairs, was named state governmental affairs director, with responsibility for New Jersey. Her duties include monitoring legislative and regulatory issues of interest to FirstEnergy and its Jersey Central Power & Light electric utility operating company, which serves more than one million customers in central and northern New Jersey. A resident of Jackson, Holman joined JCP&L in 1983 and has held a variety of positions in the Governmental Affairs Department. In 1994, she was named manager of Legislative Initiatives for JCP&L, and later for GPU Inc. She was named manager, State Governmental Affairs, in 2001 when FirstEnergy merged with GPU.
AtHome America, a direct seller of home-decorating accents, has announced that the following local residents have recently started their own businesses with the company: Danielle Disette of Howell, Jorja Kelly, Caryn Ryan and Lori Smith, all of Jackson. For more than 20 years, AtHome America has been decorating homes through HomeShows with its collection home-decorating accessories, designed with family in mind.
The Jackson Chamber of Com-merce’s Fall Follies Buffet Dinner will be held at Granny’s Restaurant in Great Adventure, Route 537, Jackson, Oct. 18, at 7 p.m. This year’s event will feature comedian Joseph Anthony. The cost is $25 per person. Call (732) 833-0005 for reservations.
The Lakewood Chamber of Com-merce will host a new member orientation, Oct. 19 at 8:30 a.m. in the chamber office at 395 Route 70, Suite 125, in the Bank of America Building. A continental breakfast will be served. Reservations: should be made by Oct. 17. Call (732) 363-0012.
The Lakewood Chamber of Com-merce and Madison Avenue Executive Center will host a Business after Hours networking event, Oct. 17, 5-7:30 p.m. Reservations are required. The evening will consist of networking and refreshments. The cost is $5 per person. Call (732) 363-0012.
Dr. Jarrod Kaufman has been named cancer liaison physician for Kimball Medical Center’s newly accredited regional cancer center. His three-year appointment will fulfill an integral role in the American College of Surgeons Commission on Cancer.
In his role as liaison, Dr. Kaufman will serve as a conduit between the Commission on Cancer and Kimball Medical Center’s Regional Cancer Center. As an extension of direct patient care responsibilities, he will share his expertise as well as his compassion while providing leadership and support.
As a consortium, the Commission on Cancer works to reduce cancer morbidity rates through education, standard-setting, and monitoring quality of cancer care.
The Shore Builders Association of Central New Jersey, Lakewood, is accepting nominations for its 2007 Fabulous Achievement in Marketing Excellence (FAME) awards, with deadline for submission Dec. 1. Entry packets are being mailed out to all members this month. The award recognizes builder and associate members for outstanding accomplishments and creativity in sales and marketing campaigns. Finalists will be announced in January and awards given out at a gala in February. Details: (732) 364- 2828 or visit www.shorebuilders.org.
Barbara Ghaffari, a Howell resident and independent salesperson for AtHome America, was recognized for having an in-home demonstration reach more than $1,000 in sales and being a top consultant with high sales, both for the month of June. Lisa Brandau, co-founder and president of AtHome America, praised Ghaffari’s work. She said Ghaffari understands what AtHome America stands for and brings the company’s mission statement to life. For more than 20 years, AtHome America has been decorating homes through in-home demonstrations with a collection of home-decorating accessories. Ghaffari has been a part of the company since February 2006.
Dr. Walter Florek, a clinical psychologist and director of A&W Psychology Services, Lakewood, recently spoke about Post Traumatic Stress Syndrome at “Operation Firing for Effect,” a rally for veterans in Newark. He joined Bill Cosby, a U.S. Navy veteran, in drawing attention to the plight of current and future veterans.
The rally took place to urge politicians to support medical treatment of veterans, including funding of the Veterans Admin-istration (VA), homeless veterans, and Native American veterans; a lifting of the hiring freeze of VA medical providers; hiring VA claim writers to help veterans file claims, and secure benefits for present and future veterans, among others.
Dr. Florek is the co-founder of the Center for Post Traumatic Studies, Lake-wood.