business briefs •••

The Provident Bank has promoted Jose Orozco of Howell to vice president and area manager. In his new position, Orozco will manage the bank’s Toms River and Berkeley branches, supervise business development and community relations activities, and oversee day-to-day branch operations. Orozco has 13 years of experience in the banking industry and joined Provident in 2005.

The Howell Chamber of Commerce will host a Breakfast Bonanza networking event on Oct. 1 from 8:30-9:30 a.m. at Panera Bread, 4715 Route 9 north, Howell. George Krebs, owner of Shore Business Solutions, will discuss business developments in New Jersey. Admission is free to chamber members and $5 for prospective chamber members. Refreshments will be available for purchase. Details: 732-363-4114.

The Howell Chamber of Commerce will host a Breakfast Bonanza networking event on Oct. 15 from 8:30-9:30 a.m. at Panera Bread, 4715 Route 9 north, Howell. Robert Spanville, owner of Wicked Thread, will present on branding and the embroidery process. Breakfast bonanza networking events are held every other Friday at different locations in town. Admission is free to chamber members and $5 for prospective chamber members. Refreshments will be available for purchase. Details: 732-363- 4114.

Gertner Mandel and Peslak, a law firm with offices in Jackson and Wall Township, is stepping up as this year’s corporate chair of the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation’s annual Walk to Cure Diabetes in Ocean County. The walk will be held Oct. 3 at 10 a.m. on the boardwalk in Seaside Heights. For more information about supporting the JDRF Walk to Cure Diabetes, or to join the Gertner Mandel and Peslak walk team, call Susan at 732-363- 3333.

The Orchards at Bartley in Jackson is hosting a series of events in observance of National Assisted Living Week, Sept. 12- 18. The event was developed to give residents, families, employees, volunteers and the surrounding community the opportunity to celebrate “living life.” Events kicked off with a movie under the stars Sept. 15. Additional events will include “Foods From Around the World Tasting” and a “Disney Movie Trivia Contest” with residents and staff.

John Walsh has been named regional client manager for T&M Associates, Middletown. T&M Associates is one of the Northeast’s leading engineering, planning and environmental consulting firms, with offices throughout New Jersey and in eastern Pennsylvania. The firm has nearly 300 employees and provides services to public and private sector clients. Walsh has served as the named engineer for Jackson Township, Point Pleasant Beach, the Point Pleasant Beach Parking Authority, Point Pleasant Borough, Seaside Park, Surf City, Stafford Township, Bay Head, the Little Egg Harbor Planning Board and others. Prior to joining T&M, Walsh, of Brick Township, was executive vice president for CMX Engineering, Manalapan.

Arc Resources Unlimited, an employment program for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, was host to a group of five children with disabilities who were invited to participate in the grand opening of a newly relocated Build-A-Bear Workshop in the Freehold Raceway Mall, Freehold Township. The program was held in conjunction with Build-A-Bear Workshop and Freehold Raceway Mall.

The chief workshop manager, Richard Mauro, was instrumental along with the Build-A-Bear corporate office in arranging for these children to be a part of this celebration. A staff member from Arc Resources accompanied the children along with their parents and caregivers.

Each child was given the chance to build a bear, complete with the clothing and accessories of their choice. These bears were gifted to them by Mauro.

The community outreach program is a program implemented by Arc Resources to introduce high school students with disabilities to employment opportunities in the community. Schools and/or organizations interested in participating in this community outreach program can contact Thea Strong at 732-866-0435.

Dr. Jodi Kinney of Intrinsic Chiropractic Center will host her second annual free Ladies Night Out from 6:30-9:30 p.m. Sept. 24 in her office at Professional Pavilions Plaza, 100 West Veterans Highway, Jackson, across from the municipal building. Those participating in the event are all female entrepreneurs and women’s associations who are passionate about their businesses and organizations. The event will feature shopping, refreshments, demonstrations, live music, and empowerment, all by and for women. Attendees are encouraged to bring nonperishable food items for the Jackson Food Pantry. Details: 732-833- 9000.

The Lakewood Chamber of Commerce will honor outstanding recipients with the Citizen of the Year Awards at its annual awards dinner at 5:30 p.m. Sept. 28 at the Ramada Inn and Suites, Toms River. The event will honor Sallie Collins, Lakewood Center Laundromat; Kathleen Mead, Investors Savings Bank; Robert S. Mohel, Mohel, Elliott, Bauer and Gass CPAs; and Ocean Health Initiatives, with offices in Lakewood and Toms River. Also being honored that evening will be Young Professional honoree Colleen Dorney Woods and Hall of Fame honoree Edwin J. Schuster from E.J. Schuster’s Office Supplies. Reservations are required; for ticket or sponsor information, call Maureen at the Lakewood Chamber of Commerce, 732-363-0012.