The Howell Chamber of Commerce will host a Breakfast Bonanza networking event from 8:30-9:30 a.m. Sept. 17 at Chick-fil-A, 4881 Route 9 north, Howell. Maureen Brown from PNC Bank will speak at the meeting. Admission is free to chamber members and $5 for prospective chamber members. Refreshments can by purchased. Details: 732-363-4114.
David Richards of Howell, general manager of the Olive Garden in Eatontown, has been presented with Darden Restaurants’ top honor — the Diamond Club Award. The award, now in its 13th year, is presented annually to general managers throughout North America who “demonstrate outstanding results by delighting guests with a genuine Italian dining experience and achieving top financial performance in the company’s previous fiscal year.” This year, Richards joins a group of 37 general managers selected from more than 700 Olive Garden restaurants in North America.
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 the 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 or arcresources@arcofmonmouth. org.
The Heart Link Network has arrived in the Manalapan-Freehold area and will hold an event from 7-8:30 p.m. Sept. 30 in Manalapan. The goals of the organization are to provide professional businesswomen the opportunity to network in a casual and fun atmosphere, to grow their businesses and to help to strengthen the community. The fee, which includes a light meal, is $20 per person.
Membership is not required, but advance registration is. The meeting location will be provided after registration. For more information, call 732-298-3400.
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.
Another Breakfast Bonanza networking event will be held 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 various 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.
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. Previously, he was a branch manager at The Bank of New York and at Hudson United Bank, now TD Bank.
Central Jersey Business Partners is a local networking group actively seeking members. The group meets the first Tuesday of each month at 7 p.m. and the third Tuesday of each month at 8 a.m. at Zebu Forno, corner of East Main and South streets, Freehold. Details: 732-804-3083.
Business Leads Networking of Manalapan is an independent networking group that accepts one person per occupation/category. Members meet Tuesday mornings at 7:30 a.m. in Manalapan. Details: 732-598- 7004.
Items for Business Briefs may be e-mailed to [email protected]. They also may be faxed to 732-780-4192 or mailed to News Transcript, P.O. Box 5001, Freehold, NJ 07728.