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Where Business Executives in New Jersey Go to Unwind

The Edge for September 2018

An Exclusive Article for NJ ChamberEdge
Grounds for Sculpture
At Grounds for Sculpture in Hamilton Township, there are sculptures, beautiful landscapes and plenty of quiet places to take it all in.

With deadlines, meetings and reviews, any workplace can get stressful. It can get intense. So we asked New Jersey business executives to share with us the places – the hidden gems – they retreat to in New Jersey to unwind. Here’s what they said.
 

 

Grounds for Sculpture

Aldonna Ambler

I enjoy Grounds for Sculpture in Hamilton Township, where the New Jersey State Fairgrounds used to be. Each sculpture is displayed in its own distinct setting. The landscaping and foliage play large parts of the overall immersive experience. There are sufficient walkways, seating and refreshments. Plus there are quiet meditation areas that are exquisite. I enjoy visiting at least four times each year because the seasons make a huge difference in the experience.

– Aldonna Ambler, President, Ambler Growth Strategy Consultants

 

Don Jay SmithA Walk in the Woods

When I need to get away from work for a few hours, I like to go for a hike in the woods. Places like Hacklebarney State Park in Chester and Schooley’s Mountain Park in Long Valley are beautiful. But one of my favorites in Central Jersey is the Ken Lockwood Gorge where I can take my dog and walk along the scenic South Branch of the Raritan River. While it’s very popular on the weekends, during the week it is relatively quiet and provides a refreshing respite from my computer and cell phone. The trail follows an old, one-lane road that has long been closed to vehicles so it is an easy walk with plenty of places to sit by the meandering water. To me, there is nothing better than quiet time in the woods and New Jersey is filled with gorgeous opportunities.

– Don Jay Smith, Partner, LKS Associates Inc.

 

Ralph ThomasThe Picturesque Grounds of Fiddler’s Elbow

My favorite hidden gem in New Jersey is the serenity of Fiddler’s Elbow Country Club in Bedminster. As soon as I step foot inside, I have a feeling of calm, and I begin to decompress from the workday or week. This is thanks to the facility’s picturesque grounds, friendly staff and great dining experiences. They also have a culture of respect on the grounds where cellphones, for example, are expected to be muted to ensure everyone has the same serene experience. Whether I’m spending quiet time or enjoying a meal with my wife and friends, the facility makes you feel welcome. As an avid golfer, Fiddler’s three golf courses, training programs and practice areas are particularly inviting. Playing golf on such wonderful grounds makes you enjoy the sport even more.

– Ralph Albert Thomas, CEO and Executive Director, NJCPA

 

Responses for this article were edited for space and clarity.

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NJ ChamberEdge Archive

Newsmakers

Public Service Electric & Gas officials announced that the utility is lowering gas bills for its residential customers by 23%, effective Feb. 1.

Kathryn Foster

The College of New Jersey President Kathryn Foster donated $250,000 to TCNJ in order to create the Kathryn A. Foster Distinguished Visitor Series – a means to attract high-profile and diverse speakers to campus.

Ralph Izzo

Ralph Izzo, the former CEO and chairman of Public Service Enterprise Group, has been named an honorary lifetime member of the New Jersey Chamber of Commerce board of directors, the Chamber announced.

United Airlines is buying 100 Boeing 787 Dreamliners with the option to purchase 100 more new jets that will fly its longest routes and replace less fuel-efficient, decades-old planes. The massive order is a big boost for Boeing from one of its largest customers and comes as United has returned to profitability after the pandemic’s travel slump. The carrier has lately added more international flights thanks to a rebound in demand. United said its order was the largest wide-body sale to a U.S. carrier.

Gary Horan

Longtime N.J. Chamber of Commerce Board member Gary Horan, whose career in health care includes the growth and oversight of Trinitas Regional Medical Center in Elizabeth and its acquisition by RWJBarnabas Health, announced he is retiring as CEO effective April 14. Horan came to Trinitas in 2001.

Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey’s philanthropic arm announced that it awarded more than $1 million in grants to 34 nonprofit organizations in the fourth quarter of 2022. This brings Horizon Foundation’s total grants in 2022 to $2.1 million, benefiting 67 groups.

As part of its nationwide commitment to help bridge the digital divide and support student success, the AT&T Foundation granted $215,000 to organizations in New Jersey in 2022. One of the organizations receiving a grant ($20,000) is the N.J. Chamber of Commerce Foundation's Jobs for America’s Graduates NJ program, dedicated to helping youth graduate high school and make successful transitions to post-secondary education and employment.

Carolyn Welsh

Carolyn Welsh, the new CEO and president of NJ Sharing Network, announced New Jersey’s number of organ donors, 283, and organs transplanted in a single year, 670, reached all-time highs in 2022. These are significant increases over the previous records of 233 organ donors and 613 organs transplanted. It marked the fourth consecutive year NJ Sharing Network has reported new records in the number of organ donors.

RWJBarnabas Health announced several new hires and some transitions to new roles. Frank Pipas has been named as executive vice president, CFO; and Balpreet Grewal-Virk has been named senior vice president, community health. In addition, several executives have transitioned to new roles, including Indu Lew, chief of staff to Mark Manigan, president of RWJBarnabas Health; Robert Adamson, executive vice president and chief information officer; and Robert Pellechio, senior vice president and chief pharmacy officer.

Venuti Kulp

New Jersey American Water recently announced two promotions. Denise Venuti Free, previously director of communications and external affairs, was promoted to senior director of the department. Chelsea Kulp was promoted from manager of external affairs to senior manager of government and external affairs. Both will continue to oversee communications, issues management, media relations and customer education.

Walmart announced that it is raising the minimum wage for its retail store employees to $14. It's about a 17% increase in salary for these workers, who stock shelves and provide customer service. Store employees throughout the U.S. will make between $14 and $19 per hour starting in March. This is an increase from the current wage range of $12 to $18 per hour.

Volunteers from Wells Fargo’s New Jersey and New York offices teamed up with the Bristol Myers Squibb Children’s Hospital at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital for a corporate volunteer day. They assembled 150 care packages for patient caregivers and painted a multipurpose room.

The New Jersey Society of Certified Public Accountants (NJCPA) collected $35,628 in online monetary donations — its second highest — and 2,727 pounds of nonperishable items for its 13th annual food drive to benefit the Community FoodBank of New Jersey.

Hackensack Meridian Jersey Shore University Medical Center recently unveiled a new treatment facility that expands neurological care in Monmouth and Ocean counties. The $2.2 million, nearly 10,000-square-foot Dr. Robert H. Harris Neuroscience Treatment Center houses experts in neurological diseases and conditions and is part of Hackensack Meridian Health’s Neuroscience Institute.

Catherine Tung

Catherine Tung, a former senior adviser to Assembly Speaker Craig Coughlin and the former associate executive director of the Assembly Majority Office, has joined McCarter & English as a member of its Government Affairs practice, the firm announced.

The OceanFirst Foundation awarded $40,000 to the Brookdale Community College Foundation, giving it the opportunity to provide 40 $1,000 scholarships to deserving students.

Seton Hall University named Mary Kate Naatus to the position of assistant provost and dean of continuing and professional education. Naatus came to Seton Hall from Saint Peter’s University, where she has served for 12 years, including the last five as KPMG Dean of the Frank J. Guarini School of Business.

Macrosoft was proud to be certified by Great Place to Work®. The award is based entirely on what current employees say about their experience working at Macrosoft. This year, 98% of employees said it’s a great place to work.  This is a full 41 points higher than the average U.S. company.

Callisto