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The Edge for October 2019

An Exclusive Article for NJ ChamberEdge

Job Candidates

It’s not easy to lead. So we asked business executives to tell us the key qualities commonly found in good business leaders. The secret sauce, so to say. Their answers boil down to three things: Inspire, empower and deliver. Read what the business execs said:

 

Daniel SchwartzInspire and Empower

When leaders effectively communicate their vision, it inspires; when they pair that vision with accessibility, it empowers. Successful organizations are driven by leaders with strong communication skills, an open door policy and a compelling vision for the future. These qualities set a tone that motivates existing employees and attracts dynamic new talent; promotes collegiality; and nurtures a ‘one-firm’ mentality where all personnel march in lockstep toward a common goal.

– Daniel A. Schwartz, Managing Member, Chiesa Shahinian & Giantomasi PC

 

Gary HoranDon’t Micromanage

Successful management boils down to just a few concepts: Show leadership; be open to new ideas; and no matter how great the temptation, do not micromanage. Let those with ideas freely pursue them.

– Gary S. Horan, President & CEO, Trinitas Regional Medical Center

 

Brydget Falk DriganBe Authentic

Operate with integrity and transparency. No one wants to work for someone they don’t trust, or they believe is motivated solely by their own interests. If you want to lead people, truly care about them. Invest in building relationships, coaching, teaching and empowerment. Be authentic. Don’t be afraid to be vulnerable. You’re most relatable when you are yourself versus someone intimidating and unwelcoming. Focus less on proving why you’re in the leadership role, and more on motivating others to succeed.

– Brydget Falk-Drigan, Executive Vice President, Chief Human Resources Officer, Peapack-Gladstone Bank

 

Paul MardenDeliver on Promises and Build Trust

Every leader casts a huge shadow and the best ones have high standards of integrity. Leaders need to deliver on promises and build trust. In any business, if a customer buys your product, they trust that they are going to get what they paid for. Integrity and genuine interest in the company’s success are significant factors in successful leadership.

– Paul Marden, CEO, UnitedHealthcare of New Jersey

 

Responses for this article were edited for space and clarity.

NJCC 2022 Biz Summit WEB
March 14-15, 2023 | Harrah's Atlantic City

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.