Business Briefs

Studio V Mind, Body and Soul will hold its first Spin-A-Thon next month to benefit the Ashley Lauren Foundation, a local charity that provides financial assistance and support services to families with children who have cancer.

Spinners will pedal continuously from 5 p.m. Sept. 25 to 5 p.m. Sept. 26 at the fitness center, 265 Route 34, Colts Neck. A barbecue, along with an auction and awards ceremony, will immediately follow.

There is no limit to the number of team members, however, each member must raise a minimum of $200 in donations. Sponsors are also needed for the event.

Registration forms for teams and sponsors are available online at the Internet website ashleylaurenfoundation.org. For more information, call Studio V at 732-431-2030 or the foundation at 732-414-1625.

Marissa Lichtenthal, a native of Marlboro, has joined Teach for America, the national corps of top recent college graduates who commit to teach for two years in urban and rural public schools and become lifelong advocates for educational equity. Lichtenthal will teach in Newark.

Lichtenthal, a graduate of the Ranney School in 2005 and Syracuse University in 2009, joins Teach for America’s incoming corps of 4,100 teachers, the largest in its 20- year history. With a record 35,000 applications for the 2009 corps, only 15 percent were accepted.

Each year, Teach for America attracts a significant percentage of graduates from the nation’s top schools.

According to a press release from Teach for America, members go above and beyond traditional expectations to improve the educational outcomes of children growing up in low-income communities.

Young Professionals invites the public to attend its August meeting at which guest speaker David Rosenwald will present “Sales Strategies for a Tough Economy.” The meeting will be held Aug. 26, at Connolly Station, 711 Main St., Belmar, from 5:30-8:30 p.m. Rosenwald is a vice president and trainer at Shulman and Associates, a leading business development firm specializing in sales consulting and sales training.

Young Professionals, a committee of the Lakewood Chamber of Commerce, is open to all young professionals and college graduates in Ocean, Monmouth, and Middlesex counties. Preregistration is $20 and $25 at the door and includes hors d’oeuvres, unlimited networking, the presentation, and a cash bar. To register, contact Jennifer Weisert, at 732-206-0527 or jweisert@manasquanbank. com.

Attendees are asked to support Catholic Charities Providence House Emergency Food Shelter by bringing food items, such as canned soup, vegetables, condiments, sauces, sugar, tea, coffee, baking goods, oils, dressings, packaged side dishes, gravy, cereal or supermarket gift cards to be used to purchase meats, diary, and fresh fruits and vegetables.

Mike Killeen of Freehold has announced the opening of his own business, New Jersey’s first Floor Coverings International (FCI) at 1014 Route 33 east, Freehold.

After obtaining a construction management degree from Kansas State University, Killeen began a 25-year career with K. Hovnanian where he oversaw the construction of new communities throughout New York and New Jersey.

Floor Coverings International is a shopat home floor covering retailer offering more than 3,000 flooring options from the top brands in flooring. FCI’s products include carpet, hardwood, laminates, luxury vinyl, stone, porcelain and ceramic tile as well as area rugs.

The company also uses FCI InspireNet, an IT visualization system that allows clients to upload a digital picture of a room in their home and view countless flooring options with the click of a button. The customer can view the results and additional samples in their own home or in Killeen’s studio. Details: 732-945-5459.

Four Monmouth vicinage probation officers were recently the recipients of awards from the Chief Probation Officers of New Jersey. Acting Administrative Director Glenn A. Grant presided over a presentation ceremony held at the Richard J. Hughes Justice Complex in Trenton on July 27.

The awards were presented in association with National Probation, Parole and Community Supervision Week to honor probation staff for outstanding leadership and achievements in juvenile and adult supervision and child support matters.

Senior Probation Officer Robert Gilmartin, who has served in the probation division for 28 years, was presented with a Certificate of Meritorious Service for exceptional contributions to the advancement of probation’s role within the Judiciary.

Career achievement awards were presented to senior probation officers Paul Skerl, Martin Anisko and Ursula Carkhuff.

Skerl, who is assigned to the community service and collections unit, was recognized for his valuable impact during his 23 years of service.

Anisko, of the adult supervision unit, was commended for implementing innovative methods in caseload management while reinforcing outcome-based supervision standards. He has been a probation officer for 30 years.

Carkhuff was recognized for her knowledge of the judicial system, proactive caseload management, professionalism and 22 years of dedication to the Judiciary.

The Monmouth Vicinage chief probation officer, assistant chiefs and supervisors also sponsored an informal gathering as a tribute to staff’s service to the vicinage and the community.

Central Jersey Business Partners, a local networking group, is actively seeking members. The group meets every Tuesday at 8 a.m. at Café 360, 34 E. Main St., Freehold. All are invited to attend and see how businesses can grow through networking. Details: 732-804-3083.