Thirteen-week Virtual Course Starting October 6 to Prepare for HR Exams
The benefits of earning HR certifications include being nationally recognized, public recognition of your professional knowledge, career advancement, and personal development.
Expand your human resource knowledge and skills by taking a virtual thirteen-week course and study group from 6:00 to 8:30 p.m. on Thursday evenings, beginning October 6 to prepare for the SHRM Certified Professional (SHRM-CP) or the SHRM Senior Certified Professional (SHRM-SCP) exam. Only 10 seats are available!
The cost of $850 for JSAHR (Jersey Shore Association for Human Resources) members and $900 for non-members with JSAHR membership, includes books, online resources and 2000 plus practice questions. (This is a savings of $650 compared to a university course or SHRM course.)
Experienced professionals offer a variety of perspectives, and all instructors are highly qualified and very experienced in the course content. Additional (optional attendance) bonus/content/test review sessions will be added to the 13 weeks of instruction. All classes will be held on Zoom.
For more information or to register, contact Carolyn Broderick, SPHR, SHRM-SCP, HRIP, the director of certification for Jersey Shore Association of Human Resources (JSAHR), Neptune, at carolynbrod@gmail.com.
September – Special Shows at the Strand Theater, Lakewood
The Strand Center for the Arts, 400 Clifton Avenue, Lakewood, N.J., is featuring two special shows this September. James D’Amico and Sun Concerts will present Las Vegas’ own Rob Caudill in a “A Tribute to Rod Stewart” on September 17. Rob Caudill has played all over the world for major corporations and outdoor festivals; on the Las Vegas stages and the most elite cruise ships; and for crowds of thousands from major international soccer stadiums to private parties for princes and dignitaries. Tickets cost $36-47.50 Doors open at 6:30 p.m.; show begins at 8:00 p.m.
On September 23, the Strand Theater is presenting The Ken Brady-John Monforto Show, with Ken Brady from the Original Casinos…Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, and the song “Then You Can Tell Me Goodbye, released in 1967. Brady has been performing live shows since then. John Monforto, the Official Rocky Impersonator and multiple award winning entertainer, known as the Man of Many Faces with more than 30 characters will also be featured. Both of these entertainers have performed across the country and internationally for more than 30 years. Orchestra Tickets cost $30 each. Doors open at 6:00 p.m.; show begins 7:00 p.m.
For more information, call the The Strand Theater at 732-367-7789 or visit www.strand.org
COVID POLICY: The Strand has continued to monitor local, county and state COVID-19 metrics and guidelines with the goal of reducing risk and maintaining the health and well-being of our audiences, artists, and staff. Proof of vaccination or a negative test will no longer be required; and masks will no longer be mandatory although STRONGLY recommended. Many staff and volunteers may continue to remain masked, as will patrons. Please respect the choices of others no matter their decision. We, at The Strand, will continue to monitor recommendations from the State of New Jersey, the CDC, and local boards of health and will adjust our COVID policy, as necessary.
About the Strand Theater: The historic Strand Theater, a 501 (c)(3) nonprofit at 400 Clifton Ave., Lakewood, was designed by world-renowned theater architect Thomas Lamb in 1922 and is listed on the N.J. and National Register of Historic Places. The Strand offers year-round entertainment in plush, air-conditioned surroundings. It is a perfect venue to showcase comedians, musicals, dinner theater, stars from television and movies, and legendary musical entertainers. The reception gallery includes a catering facility for 80 people, a dance floor, and restrooms. It is ideal for theater-in-the-round, smaller events and receptions.
President of Stark Associates Insurance Agency Appointed to Medicare Advisory Group
Toby Stark, Middletown, president of Stark Associates Insurance Agency, 55 Gilbert Street North, Suite 3103, Tinton Falls, was appointed to the Medicare Advisory Group (MAG) of the National Association of Health Underwriters’ (NAHU) for 2022-23.
NAHU’s Medicare Advisory Group provides valuable insights to NAHU’s Legislative Council and staff about real world issues affecting Medicare beneficiaries and Medicare producers. The NAHU, with headquarters in Washington, DC, represents more than 100,000 professional health insurance agents and brokers who provide insurance for millions of Americans.
Stark is a member of the Monmouth Ocean Development Council (MODC); Eatontown Lions Club; Association of the U.S. Army, Monmouth Chapter; and the N.J. Association of Health Underwriters. He was a member of the Monmouth Ocean Chapter Board of the New Jersey Association of Health Underwriters (2013 – 2015); its State President Elect in 2015; and local Legislative Chair (2012 – 2015).
Among other honors, Stark was named Lions Volunteer of the year, Lions Melvin Jones winner; and the Spinnaker Award Winner for Community Service with Eastern Monmouth Chamber of Commerce. He earned a B.A. in information science from Catawba College, Salisbury, N.C.; and holds licenses in Health and Life, and Property and Casualty.
About Stark Associates: Stark Associates, voted the best insurance agency in Monmouth County by readers of the Asbury Park Press, is a full service insurance agency for businesses, families, and individuals, offering insurance for Life, Health, Long Term Care, Disability, Medicare Supplement, Annuities, Home, Auto and Business. The company specializes in evaluating, negotiating with, and recommending insurers and providers to clients. For more information visit www.stark-associates.com, email toby@stark-associates.com., or call 732-747-0411.
Greater Toms River Chamber Named Marina Papanikolas Its Next Chamber President & CEO
The Greater Toms River Chamber of Commerce (GTRCC) announced that Marina Papanikolas, Toms River, has been named the next President and CEO as of August 30. Danielle Norcross, the current Chamber president and CEO, will be leaving at the end of August after 12 years with the Chamber, during which time she and Papanikolas assisted GTRCC members through the pandemic and helped the Chamber reach a membership milestone of 400 members.
Philip Brilliant, Chairman of the Board of Directors of GTRCC, said, “We are thrilled to have Marina as our new President and CEO. We are confident that her knowledge of our membership and community involvement will serve her well in this new position. She has a deep knowledge of the Chamber operations, passion for pro-business advocacy and community impact, and a vision for the future. Marina has been and will continue to be a true asset to the Chamber as the organization moves forward.”
Since 2018, Papanikolas has served as the director of business for the GTRCC, managing all finances of the organization, including the budget and financial statements, and worked side by side with the CEO. Papanikolas is active in the community, especially as a volunteer and educator at Saint Barbara Greek Orthodox Church, Toms River. Papanikolas is a graduate of Fairleigh Dickinson University with a Bachelor of Science in Marketing & International Business.
GTRCC holds at least three in-person networking events monthly and has scheduled two major events this fall, an annual golf outing September 15 and annual awards dinner October 20. For more information about the Chamber, these events, and membership, visit www.tomsriverchamber.com.
How to Stop Managing Change and Embrace Opportunity–Join HR Professionals In-Person on Sept. 9
How do HR and executives solve problems and seize opportunities with the accelerated rate of disruption and continued shifts in today’s world? One suggestion is to stop trying to manage change and fully embrace the greater opportunity that is behind it. Participants will learn and be able to apply the 5T’s to realizing real impact from the change they are going through right now.
Learn to embrace the greater opportunity and apply the 5T’s – Timing, Touch, Tension, Threshold, and Tipping Point – by joining JSAHR (Jersey Shore Association for Human Resources) professionals on September 9 from 9:00 to 10:00 a.m. at Jumping Brook Country Club, 210 Jumping Brook Road, Neptune, for an in-person presentation, open to the public, presented by Jack Gottlieb, CEO of Total Solutions Group, a global strategic consulting and results-based training firm that works with executive teams and human capital leaders.
In this session, participants understand the root causes and intersection of the challenges and disruption organizations are going through right now and how to harness that to have greater confidence and less uncertainty; learn and implement the framework that binds the culture, strategy, and capability to achieve greater discipline; achieve continuous alignment, accountability, and adaptability by streamlining how an organization makes and deploys decisions.
Registrations are due by Friday, September 2 online at: http://jsahr.shrm.org/events
or admin@jsahr.org or call JSAHR at 732-701-7155.
In-person registration with breakfast is complimentary for JSAHR members; $50 for non-members; and $20 for guest and those in-transition; and $10 for students with a valid ID.
JSAHR is a SHRM (Society for Human Resource Management) affiliated chapter. This program is pending one (1) SHRM PDC and one (1) HRCI (Human Resource Certification Institute) recertification credit.
About the Speaker: Jack Gottlieb is the CEO of Total Solutions Group a global strategic consulting and results-based training firm that works with executive teams and human capital leaders at mid-sized organizations to align their culture, strategy and capability for what is really most important now and for the long-term.
Sept. 14 Virtual Meeting of NJ Health Care Networking Group
At the free monthly virtual meeting of the New Jersey Health Care Networking Group on Wednesday, September 14, attendees will meet others in the health care industry, including those who provide ancillary products and services. The Zoom meeting is from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. The V.I.P. Member Spotlight and host for September is Connect America, an AI-enabled platform to help health plans and providers monitor, measure, and manage people’s health in their homes.
To register for the Zoom link, email Lisa Gallicchio, director of community relations for Preferred Home Health Care & Nursing Services, Eatontown, the group’s premier sponsor, at lisa@preferredcares.com. Sponsorship opportunities to showcase your business as a VIP Sponsor are available for November and December. For more information about the N.J. Health Care Networking Group, visit www.njhcnet.com.
Being a New Jersey Health Care Networking Group member is always FREE; however, new subscription plans are now available. Consider Paid Member Yearly Plan with extra benefits for $50 a year or the Speakers Bureau Yearly Plan for $250 a year.
For more than 30 years Preferred Home Health Care & Nursing Services has been providing medical and non-medical home health care services to infants, children, adults, and seniors throughout New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Delaware.
About Connect America: Connect America is a digital health and safety platform that provides secure continuous monitoring, and emergency and non-emergency support. It empowers everyone to age gracefully at home through an AI-enabled connective platform that helps health plans and providers monitor, measure, and manage people’s health in their homes, which results in improved access to care, boost outcomes, and lowers costs.
Paid Member Yearly Plan includes the ability to search members’ database, entry in the lottery to host a monthly meeting; access to NJHCNET website; unlimited event postings on the NJHCNET website; opportunity to display ad on the Member Benefit page; admittance to all monthly New Jersey Health Care Networking Group meetings.
Speakers Bureau Yearly Plan includes complete profile and page on the NJHCNET website, ability to search members’ database, entry in the lottery to host a monthly meeting, access to the NJHCNET website, unlimited event postings on the NJHCNET website, opportunity to display ad on the Member Benefit page, admittance to all monthly New Jersey Health Care Networking Group meetings.
August 20 and 27 Are Laugh Times at the Strand Theater, Lakewood
Have some laughs on August 20 for an evening of stand-up comedy with John Kurschner, Ken Krantz and Sue Golden at the Strand Theater, 400 Clifton Avenue, Lakewood, N.J.
John Kurschner served as a producer in ‘21 of the New York Comedy Festival (SI show); producer of 5th Borough Comedy Festival (5 years); producer AppleJacks comedy (9 years); and has performed at many major clubs all over the Tri-State Area, including Gotham, Comic Strip, Stress Factory, and Atlantic City’s Tropicana, Bally’s, and Caesar’s.
Ken Krantz, an actor and writer, is known for What’s New in New York (2013), The Roast of Rich Vos (2018), and All Star Comedy Show (2020). Krantz is a regular at the famous North Brunswick’s Stress Factory.
Sue Golden’s perspective on everyday topics will have you saying, “That happens to me all the time!” Golden, a New York native, was part of the 2021 NY Comedy Fest and is a regular headliner for the 5th Borough Comedy Festival.
Tickets cost $25.00 each. Doors at 7:30 p.m.; show begins at 8:00p.m.
Enjoy more comedy at the Strand Theater on August 27 for the show Comedy Stars of Monmouth, featuring Joseph Anthony, from Howell, New Jersey. Anthony, the Headliner, has been seen on NBC’s Last Comic Standing and ABC’s The View; Borgata Casino Comedy Club, Atlantic City; Las Vegas Comedy Festival Winner at the Tropicana; and comedy clubs nationwide.
Anthony has also been heard on Howard Stern, Sirius/XM radio; Raw Dog, comedy channel, Sirius/XM radio; NJ101.5 with Big Joe Henry and Steve Trevelise. Anthony also can be seen on YouTube, NoFiltr Comedy Show; and is the head writer and sitcom script consultant for a new pilot, American Fun.
Tickets cost $30 each. Doors at 7:30 p.m.; show begins 8:00 p.m.
For more information, call the The Strand Theater at 732-367-7789 or visit www.strand.org
COVID POLICY: The Strand has continued to monitor local, county and state COVID-19 metrics and guidelines with the goal of reducing risk and maintaining the health and well-being of our audiences, artists, and staff. Proof of vaccination or a negative test will no longer be required; and masks will no longer be mandatory although STRONGLY recommended.
Many staff and volunteers may continue to remain masked, as will patrons. Please respect the choices of others no matter their decision. We, at The Strand, will continue to monitor recommendations from the State of New Jersey, the CDC, and local boards of health and will adjust our COVID policy, as necessary.
### Publicize or Perish! ™
About the Strand Theater: The historic Strand Theater, a 501 (c)(3) nonprofit at 400 Clifton Ave., Lakewood, was designed by world-renowned theater architect Thomas Lamb in 1922 and is listed on the N.J. and National Register of Historic Places. The Strand offers year-round entertainment in plush, air-conditioned surroundings. It is a perfect venue to showcase comedians, musicals, dinner theater, stars from television and movies, and legendary musical entertainers. The reception gallery includes a catering facility for 80 people, a dance floor, and restrooms. It is ideal for theater-in-the-round, smaller events and receptions.
We love keeping everyone informed with press releases, such as this one; but, if you would like us to take you or your company off our regular email list, please let us know via phone or email. Our contact information is at the top of this release.
Rob Sickel Named the 2022 TIME Dealer of the Year for the North East
Rob Sickel, third-generation owner of Pine Belt Cars, Lakewood, was named 2022 Time Dealer of the Year for the North East. Only one person is named from each region of the United States. In 2009, Rob Sickel’s dad David also won the Dealer of the Year for the North East!
Jim Appleton, president of the N.J. Coalition of Automotive Retailers, nominated Sickel for this award, one of the automobile industry’s most prestigious honors, recognizing vehicle dealers for their exceptional industry accomplishments and their commitment to community service.
Among other community contributions, Sickel has served on the board of trustees, and the medical policy and community action committees of Monmouth Medical Center and the Monmouth Medical Center Southern Campus Foundation (MMCSC). When the COVID-19 vaccines became available but the vaccination rates among minority members of his community low, Sickel organized a Minority Vaccination Program with MMCSC that focused on vaccine education and access for those who did not have online technology. His team also met with leaders of various local churches and community organizations, which resulted in a substantial rise of vaccination rates among the local minority community.
In 2012, following devastating Superstorm Sandy, Sickel helped launch the Restore the Shore campaign through his ERGO clothing company, selling T-shirts with all proceeds going to storm victims. Sickel said. “We were able to donate $300,000 directly to local families and spearheaded efforts to collect, organize, and ship out $5 million worth of donated goods to families in need.”
Sickel and Pine Belt dealerships also support a wide variety of organizations that serve the community’s health, educational, social, and recovery needs. Sickel is very proud of his company’s sponsorship of the Toms River Field of Dreams, a playground and sports complex designed for children and adults with disabilities.
“Rob is the latest example of the exceptional neighborhood new car dealers that call New Jersey home,” said Jim Appleton, President of the New Jersey Coalition of Automotive Retailers (NJ CAR). He should be proud of this incredible honor.”
For more information call 888-3-PineBelt or 732-363-6244 or visit www.pinebeltcars.com
About Pine Belt Cars: Pine Belt Cars, 1088 Route 88, Lakewood, NJ 08701, is a family-owned and operated New Jersey car dealer representing Chevrolet, Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, Ram Subaru, and Mazda brands. Pine Belt is very committed to philanthropically to supporting its local community, including local Little Leagues United Way of Ocean County, Lakewood Police Department, Jewish Federation, and the Monmouth-Ocean Development Council, among others.
Pine Belt Cars was founded in 1937 by Leon Sickel. After graduating Franklin & Marshall and serving in the U.S. Naval Reserve, his son David Sickel joined the family business and became the dealer in 1975. When David retired in 2019, his son Robert Sickel became the current president and CEO of Pine Belt Cars, a third-generation dealer. For more information visit www.pinebeltcars.com.
About The New Jersey Coalition of Automotive Retailers: The New Jersey Coalition of Automotive Retailers (NJ CAR) was founded in 1918 and is a non-profit organization serving more than 500 franchised new car and truck retailers throughout New Jersey. NJ CAR educates its members on a variety of business matters, practices, trends, and legislation and works to ensure they are aware of all State and federal regulatory compliance requirements.
New Executive Team at Pine Belt
Ken Martin, who joined Pine Belt in 1981, has retired as Vice President after 41 years. With his retirement, two members of the management team were promoted to directors in the company.
Joe Pagano, an Ocean County resident, who has been employed by Pine Belt since 2008, was recently promoted from Business Development Manager to Director of Business Development and Marketing. Pagano is responsible for the managing a 20-person team that handles more than 2000 inquires a month for the sales and service departments.
Pagano started with about 70 Internet vehicle deliveries a month. That figure is now 350+ deliveries a month. In 2015, the automotive industry’s leading customer relations management tool provider, Dealer Socket, named Pagano and his team the winner of their annual Internet Department of the Year Award.
Before joining Pine Belt, Pagano was a mortgage broker at Shore Lending Group, a banking company, where 100 percent of the leads were Internet or phone-based. Pagano attended Rutgers University and Montclair State University, with concentrations in biology and finance.
Dan Ariel, Jackson, who has been General Manager of Pine Belt Chevrolet for 26 years, has been promoted to Director of Variable Operations. In this position he will oversee all aspects of sales at four of the Pine Belt dealerships, supervise employees, and manage all aspects of customer satisfaction.
Before joining Pine Belt, Ariel managed the used car lot, and was responsible for wholesale and used car purchases at a Toyota dealership in Eatontown.
A graduate of Jackson Memorial High School, Jackson, Ariel earned an associate’s degree from Berkeley College, New Jersey, in business management. Ariel holds certifications in the National Auto Dealers Association and the Association of Finance and Insurance Professionals, among many others.
About Pine Belt Cars: Pine Belt Cars, 1088 Route 88, Lakewood, NJ 08701, is a family-owned and operated New Jersey car dealer that offers new or pre-owned cars, trucks, and SUVs. Pine Belt Cars specializes in Chevy, Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, Ram and Subaru cars. The dealership employs a professional team of service technicians with the skills and equipment to handle all manner of maintenance and repairs, and has a full stock of authentic parts.
Pine Belt Cars has four dealerships in Lakewood, N.J., and is very committed philanthropically to local communities. Some of Pine Belt’s philanthropic affiliations include sponsoring the Pine Belt Arena, Lakewood Little League, United Way of Ocean County, Lakewood Police Department, Jewish Federation, and the Monmouth-Ocean Development Council.
Pine Belt Cars was founded in 1937 by Leon Sickel. After graduating Franklin & Marshall and serving in the U.S. Naval Reserve, his son David Sickel joined the family business and became the dealer in 1975. When David retired in 2019, his son Robert Sickel became the current president and CEO of Pine Belt Cars, a third-generation dealer. Robert Sickel graduated from the University of Miami.
For more information call 888-3-PineBelt or 732-363-6244 or visit www.pinebeltcars.com
August 10 Virtual Meeting of Health Care Networking Group
Meet others in the health care industry, including those who provide ancillary products and services, at the free monthly virtual meeting of the New Jersey Health Care Networking Group on Wednesday, August 10. The Zoom meeting is from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. The V.I.P. Member Spotlight and host for August is Press Communications, LLC (Radio Stations: Thunder 106.3 and 106.5; The Boss, 107.1; B98.5; and WHTG 1410 AM.)
To register for the Zoom link, email Lisa Gallicchio, director of community relations for Preferred Home Health Care & Nursing Services, Eatontown, the group’s premier sponsor, at lisa@preferredcares.com. Sponsorship opportunities to showcase your business as a VIP Sponsor are available for September, November, and December. For more information about the N.J. Health Care Networking Group, visit www.njhcnet.com.
Being a New Jersey Health Care Networking Group member is always FREE; however, new subscription plans are now available. Consider the Paid Member Yearly Plan with extra benefits for $50 a year or Speakers Bureau Yearly Plan for $250 a year.
For more than 30 years, Preferred Home Health Care & Nursing Services has been providing medical and non-medical home health care services to infants, children, adults, and seniors throughout New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Delaware.
About Press Communication, LLC: Press Communication, LLC, reaches more than 604,000 people per week. Its broadcast brands provide the reach and frequency necessary for delivering your message to local, loyal, and highly motivated audiences. Through Digital Marketing, Press Communications offers a wide range of cross-device, Omni-channel digital marketing solutions. Reach the right audience by utilizing highly targeted programmatic, direct, search, and social advertising campaigns designed to generate results.
Paid Member Yearly Plan includes the ability to search the members’ database; entry in the lottery to host a monthly meeting; access to NJHCNET website; unlimited event postings on the NJHCNET website; opportunity to display an ad on the Member Benefit page; and admittance to all monthly New Jersey Health Care Networking Group meetings.
Speakers Bureau Yearly Plan includes a complete profile and page on the NJHCNET website; the ability to search the members’ database; entry in the lottery to host a monthly meeting; access to the NJHCNET website, unlimited event postings on the NJHCNET website; opportunity to display an ad on the Member Benefits page; and admittance to all monthly New Jersey Health Care Networking Group meetings.