Meadowlands USA - March 2017 by Meadowlands Media

2017 Connecting New Jersey Businesses

March $4.00

Meadowlands YMCAâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s May Opening Will Transform Region PR Tips From The Pros Meadowlands Workforce Diversity Economic Development Resources For Business To Grow & Prosper

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WE PARTNER WITH DEVELOPERS TO BUILD OPPORTUNITY COLLABORATION THAT PROMOTES YOUR BOTTOM LINE ELEC partners with business and professional organizations to promote projects for developers.

Market support and advocacy

We advocate for policies, legislation and regulations that have helped initiate major bridge-building projects, win approvals for pipeline construction and authorize large-scale urban development programs. We provide professional services that help developers win grassroots support for projects, obtain local approvals and secure permits.

Skills + experience + safety = productivity

ELEC is a labor-management organization built on collaboration between Local 825 Operating Engineers and its union contractors. We continually invest in workforce credentialing and training that ensure greater skills, a superb record of safety and a more profitable bottom line.

Efforts that make a difference

Learn how we can help your business develop! Contact Kate Gibbs at 973-630-1011.

Engineers Labor-Employer Cooperative (ELEC) is a collaborative organization with representatives from: International Union of Operating Engineers Local 825 Associated Construction Contractors of New Jersey Construction Industry Council of Westchester & Hudson Valley Construction Contractors Labor Employers of New Jersey

Building On Common Ground Greg Lalevee, Chairman | Mark Longo, Director WWW.ELEC825.ORG

ELEC is the labor-management fund for IUOE Local 825

contents

Connecting New Jersey Businesses

L EADERSHIP C OUNCIL Allstate BCB Community Bank Bergen Community College Bergen Engineering/Branca Properties Boiling Springs Savings Bank Bruinooge & Associates Comfort Guard Contracting LLC Edison Properties Ernst & Young, LLP Eastwick Colleges Forsgate Industrial Partners FORT Group Goya Foods Hackensack University Medical Center Hartz Mountain Industries Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of NJ-NYC In Thyme Catered Events J. Fletcher Creamer & Son, Inc. Kearny Bank MassMutual New Jersey-NYC Meadowlink Commuter Services MetroMultiMedia MWW Group NAI James E. Hanson, Inc. New York Jets NJM Insurance Group NJSEA Onyx Equities, LLC PSE&G Russo Development Scarinci Hollenbeck Skanska USA TD Bank Suez Water New Jersey Inc. Verizon Wacoal America

Publisher: Meadowlands Regional Chamber of Commerce, Inc. 201 Route 17 North Rutherford, NJ 07070 (201) 939-0707 Managing Editor: Joe Garavente Email submissions: jgaravente@meadowlands.org Advertising Director: Martha Morley, Greer Enterprises, Inc. (201) 493-7996

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Meadowlands Business Report Harmon Meadow Retail, Restaurants & Hotels Directory Meadowlands Restaurants & Dining Meadowlands Transportation Event Planning & Catering Services Explore the Meadowlands Stay in the Meadowlands Destination Meadowlands News From the Meadow

DEPARTMENTS

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Business Wise Economic Update Lessons in Leadership Community Voice Continuing Education & Business Training Environmental Update Health & Wellness Featured Member: NJM Auto Insurance Human Resources & Operations

Design: Evan Eagleson & Sandra Torres, Eighty6 Printing: Action Graphics

FEATURES

Meadowlands USA Magazine Distribution: MTM Resources

Diversity in the Meadowlands: Offering a workforce rich in skills, cultures & connections abroad

Designing The Region & Beyond: A round-up of projects from DMR Architects underway or recently completed

YMCA Unveils New Home: Meadowlands Area YMCA to open state-of-the-art full-service facility in East Rutherford in May

PR Tips from the Pros: Public relations executives share advice & insight on getting your message out there

Copyright 2017. All rights reserved. Reproduction of any artwork, editorial material or copy prepared by Meadowlands Regional Chamber of Commerce and appearing in this publication is strictly prohibited without written consent of the publisher. Additional magazines and reprints of articles are available. The views expressed in this magazine are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent the views of, and should not be attributed to, the Meadowlands Regional Chamber.

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MARCH 2017

Business Report From the Desk of Jim Kirkos

President & CEO, Meadowlands Regional Chamber

his issue marks the second year anniversary of our accompanying blog version of Meadowlands USA (www.meadowlandsusa. com) and I am excited to share that our online readership has increased five-fold since we launched back in 2015. We have also simultaneously maintained the circulation strength of the print publication, and we continue to adjust our distribution routes to ensure the magazine is getting into the hands of the area’s most prominent decision-making business executives and owners—both digitally and through print version. We have recently been focusing on increasing the share of direct-mail recipients of the publication. As you already know, a key feature of our blog calls upon our members to submit news items and “how to” content to the editorial staff. This function has improved both the blog as well as the print version, as many of the articles appear on both platforms. I invite you to take advantage of this function by contributing business articles you feel can help organizations save money and operate more efficiently. This is an ideal opportunity to showcase your knowledge and expertise to our readers—and prospective customers of course! Articles can be contributed through the ‘Submit Content’ button on the blog. Contributors can also request a personal profile to be created, which allows you to log in and submit content yourself. You’ll have a profile page that features your portfolio of work. If you have thought about advertising in our publication to gain visibility for your business in front of our qualified audience, I invite you to consider making that investment now. With the tested and confirmed success of our digital blog format, now would be a good time to take a look at the packages we have developed that offer exposure in both print and online—but these opportunities are limited so act now. Please reach out to Managing Editor Joe Garavente at JGaravente@meadowlands.org if you are interested in learning more. Throughout the growth we’ve seen over the past two years, there are some things that have not changed: We continue to be the publication for business owners and executives who live and work in and around the Greater Meadowlands Region—and we provide our readers with critical business intelligence to help them operate their organizations more effectively and profitably. As a leg of the Meadowlands Regional Chamber, the magazine has economic and community development of the Meadowlands as its core value and key mission. It is the driving force for everything that we do. Speaking of economic development, this issue contains content about the strength of diversity in our workforce (page 12) as well as powerful resources available to businesses through NJEDA (page 8). And speaking of community development, I am also very excited for our cover subject this issue: the upcoming opening of Meadowlands Area YMCA’s brand new state-of-the-art facility in East Rutherford, which will improve quality of life here for residents and workers in the Meadowlands (page 24). I highly encourage you to check these stories out. Enjoy this issue of the magazine and I look forward to another successful year of Meadowlands USA both in print and online! Respectfully,

Jim Kirkos Follow me on twitter: @JimKirkos To stay informed about more activities from the Meadowlands Regional Chamber please visit www.meadowlands.org.

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BUSINESS WISE

The New Competitive Advantage

Make it easy for your customers to access your product or service

n our hyper technology driven world a new marketing imperative has reinforced the age old concept of endearing brand loyalty. It is creating a cumulative competitive advantage. Easing customer access to a product is reinforcing and growing brand equity. Amazon is the pioneer of this strategy with their totally customer centric culture and religious focus on improving the customer experience. Building on the basic concept that customers are creatures of habit and don’t want to expend the mental energy to consider change or a challenge, they are constantly introducing new ways to make the purchase decision easier. Let’s take the new Amazon “Dash”, which is a wireless device that can be placed near where a routine product like Tide detergent. In this case the Tide brand has already established brand equity with the customer and the Tide Dash device offers a convenient way to automatically reorder replacements with a simple tap on the conveniently located Tide Dash stick. The replacement is delivered within 24 hours. By adding the brand identity/logo to the stick device, P&G has eliminated any competitive threats indefinitely. And it has insured a continuing stream of revenue for their Tide brand. In this case P&G has embellished Tide’s value proposition by making an automatic repurchase into a comfortable choice for their customers. Savvy marketers like P&G offer their customers an easier way to continue their already familiar relationship with their brands. Marketing is more about perception of value and service than price. By keeping marketing and communications simple, you will be more successful in maintaining and growing brand equity. For example, “new” is inherently more threatening than “improved.” Marketing is the battle for the customers mind. The mind is basically lazy and when challenged to consider a complex value proposition it will opt for the more familiar

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every time. Think about the concept of water resistance for a smart phone—a historical problem. Samsung promoted a variety of technological advantages, including water resistance with their recent Galaxy S5 that confused and challenged customers’ minds. Apple, on the other hand, promoted their new iPhone 7 as “water resistant”, which is a much simpler message to absorb. Whether it is with routine products or services, the promotion of simple solution to everyday problems is the winner. Let’s take razor blades: expensive and often stolen—and now kept locked at the local pharmacy. The solution is the Dollar Shave Club with a simple message: great razors, inexpensive and delivered automatically to your door. Today, the Dollar Shave Club has eight percent of the $3 billion market for razors and blades. TJ Maxx, BJ’s and Costco are all similar examples of simple solutions to customers problems. The list continues with Uber, Airbnb, ZipCar and anything that is “free” like EBay, Instagram, Twitter and Google. Add to the list with Intuit, Quickbooks and TurboTax.

MARCH 2017

So the question should be not “what else should I make” as that can easily be duplicated. But rather follow the Amazon model with your question: “How can we make doing business with us easier?” Brand success today is keeping the process simple and easy for the customer to adopt and continue using. When the customer says “I love it”—you have won the battle for the customers mind. Robert M. Donnelly is an author, educator and brand builder for businesses and individuals. His corporate life was spent in executive positions with IBM, Pfizer and EXXON and then as the CEO for several U.S. subsidiaries of foreign multinational firms. Professor Donnelly is on the faculty of Saint Peters University as well as Rushmore University, a global online university. His latest book is Personal Brand Planning for Life, available on Amazon. He also functions as an interim executive. You can contact him at rdonnelly@saintpeters.edu.

Serving communities. Changing lives. What matters to you matters to us. At EY, we’re proud to support The Meadowlands Regional Chamber of Commerce. It’s one of the ways we’re helping to make our community a better place to work and live. A better and brighter future starts with all of us. Visit ey.com

ECONOMIC UPDATE

Powerful Resources Available

NJEDA helping to spur business growth & redevelopment in the Meadowlands

n 2013, the New Jersey Economic Opportunity Act was signed into law, enhancing the State’s economic development incentive programs to increase business attraction, retention and job creation and strengthen New Jersey’s competitive edge in the global economy. Under the umbrella of the Governor Chris Christie administration’s Partnership for Action, the New Jersey Economic Development Authority (EDA) administers these powerful incentives to businesses that are creating or retaining jobs in New Jersey and developers that are advancing redevelopment projects in the state. Because many of the programs offer bonuses based on location in New Jersey, businesses may have access to potentially significant benefits in the Meadowlands region that distinguish it from alternative locations being considered. Grow New Jersey (Grow NJ) Assistance Program Grow NJ is New Jersey’s primary job creation and retention incentive program, providing tax credits to businesses that are creating or retaining full-time jobs in New Jersey. Grow NJ offers up to $5,000 per job, per year, with bonus credits ranging from $250 to $3,000 per job, per year based on several different criteria including business location, type of business and amount of job creation/retention and capi-

tal investment. Municipalities that make up the Meadowlands region are eligible areas under Grow NJ, and to date, EDA has approved over $1 billion in Grow NJ tax credits to more than 50 businesses in this region; the result—an expected 10,400 new jobs, more than 6,000 retained jobs and the injection of over $540 million of private investment in the local economy. Within the Meadowlands region, there are a number of specific municipalities that may qualify for increased incentive awards

VF Sportswear, a manufacturer of diversified, lifestyle apparel was considering several different locations for the relocation of 175 jobs from New York City and ultimately settled on Jersey City as a result of more than $13 million in Grow NJ tax credits.

based on their designation under the Act. For example, Jersey City is considered an Urban Transit Hub municipality and therefore allows for the maximum base amount of $5,000 per new or retained full-time job. Depending on whether the business meets additional criteria, bonus credits may apply that would increase the total incentive award even further. VF Sportswear is an example of a business that successfully used Grow NJ to relocate from New York to Jersey City. The manufacturer of diversified, lifestyle apparel was considering several different locations for the relocation of 175 jobs from New York City and ultimately settled on Jersey City as a result of more than $13 million in Grow NJ tax credits. In addition to 175 new jobs, the company expects to invest over $7 million to support its relocation. Secaucus is another municipality eligible for increased incentives, and jewelry manufacturer Frederick Goldman Inc. was encouraged to move to the Hudson County town due to its location and the award of up to $20 million in Grow NJ tax credits. The company’s new headquarters will be home to more than 250 employees. In addition, over $4 million in capital investment is expected to be generated as a result of Continued on pg. 10

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t them to a tea? ﬁ at th g in d n fu y an p rsey com Who gave one New Je When Elmwood Park-based Adagio Teas wanted to upgrade its manufacturing capabilities, it turned to the New Jersey Economic Development Authority (EDA), which supports New Jersey small businesses with direct loans or participations and guarantees of a commercial bank loan or line of credit.

Park, NJ Adagio Teas, Elmwood

Through the EDA’s Small Business Fund, Adagio Teas received a 50 percent guarantee of a commercial bank loan, allowing the company to ramp up its manufacturing and increase its workforce by 20 percent. “With the EDA’s support, we will be able to continue our growth and focus on providing customers with the best quality teas and products,” said Adagio Teas CEO Michael Cramer.

To ﬁnd out how the EDA can help your business access ﬁnancing, call 609-858-6767 or visit NJEDA.com.

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Continued from pg. 8

the company’s relocation. A number of businesses have also chosen to grow in Bergen County with the support of the Grow NJ program. Peeq Imaging LLC, a provider of specialized digital and production services, was approved for nearly $5 million through Grow NJ to encourage the company to relocate all of its Long Island City operations to Carlstadt, which would result in the creation of 110 new jobs in the State. Sony Music Entertainment, a global business that owns full or partial rights to the catalogues of some of the music industry’s most famous artists, relocated part of its New York operations to Rutherford with the support of a $1.6 million Grow NJ award, leading to the creation of an expected 50 new jobs in the region. Economic Redevelopment and Growth (ERG) Program ERG, which offers state incentive grants to finance development projects that demonstrate a financing gap, has been an effective financing vehicle for large-scale redevelopment projects. The program provides incentive grant reimbursement of up to 20 percent of total project costs for commercial projects. The grant is not meant to be a substitute for conventional debt and equity financing, and applicants should generally have their primary debt financing in place before applying. In order for a project to be approved, it needs to undergo a rigorous analysis of the sources and uses of funds, construction costs and projected revenues. Similar to Grow NJ, ERG also offers bonuses based on project type and/or location and some areas within the Meadowlands region may be eligible for a bonus award, bringing the total award to 30 percent of total project costs. One Journal Square Partners Urban Renewal Company, LLC was approved for a reimbursement of $34 million based on eligible project costs of nearly $200 million to support the development of One Journal Square Enterprise, a $400 million mixed-use development project in Jersey City that will include 78,000 square feet of usable retail space and 101,000 square feet of office co-work space. While there are no job creation or retention requirements for the ERG program, this project is expected to result in the creation of 120 new, fulltime jobs and 325 construction jobs. DVL Inc.’s development of a 140,000 square-foot shopping center in Kearny is another significant project in the Meadowlands region moving forward as a result of ERG. DVL was approved for a reimburse-

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VF Sportswear is an example of a business that successfully used Grow NJ to relocate from New York to Jersey City.

ment of $9.5 million based on an eligible project cost of nearly $48 million. It is anticipated that this project will result in the creation of 150 new permanent jobs and nearly 400 construction jobs. Another financing option available through EDA In addition to powerful incentive programs, EDA offers a wide array of financing options that can also help businesses expand and create jobs in New Jersey. For manufacturing companies, tax-exempt bond financing through the EDA offers low cost financing at longer terms and can be used for capital improvements and expansion, land and building acquisition, new construction or renovation, equipment purchases or refinancing of existing debt. Because manufacturing is a targeted industry that offers a bonus award under Grow NJ, some manufacturers, including Frederick Goldman, Inc., have supplemented their Grow NJ award by applying for tax-exempt bond financing as well. EDA can also provide financing to small and mid-sized businesses, either through direct loans or by working with banks to guarantee or participate in a loan or line of credit. EDA’s involvement in a commercial loan or line of credit can be advantageous for all sides, reducing the risk for the lender and lowering the cost of financing for the borrower. To help finance its expansion into the U.S. market, Megas Yeeros, LLC worked closely with the Partnership for Action team, ultimately taking advantage of the MARCH 2017

EDA’s Premier Lender Program to help acquire its new, 40,000-square-foot production and headquarters facility in Lyndhurst. The company received a loan from The Bank of Princeton that included a 50 percent EDA participation. The company, one of the most successful gyro producers in the Greek market, expects to create 110 new jobs at its new Bergen County facility. For companies in the technology or life sciences sector, EDA also offers specialized programs that are designed to meet the unique needs and challenges of these businesses. Through the Technology Business Tax Certificate Transfer (NOL) Program, eligible New Jersey-based technology or biotechnology companies have the ability to turn net operating losses and research and development tax credits into capital. The Angel Investor Tax Credit Program offers a 10 percent refundable tax credit against New Jersey corporation business or gross income tax for qualified investments in a New Jersey emerging technology business. The program is available to all eligible taxpayers, including out-of-state investors. Several companies in the Meadowlands region have taken advantage of these programs, including Lyndhurst-based MDX Medical, Inc., Ridgefield-based DvTel, Inc. and CircleBlack, Inc. and Ogg Trading, both of Jersey City. Interested? Contact us. We invite you to learn more about why your company should choose to grow in New Jersey. Visit www.njeda.com or call 866-534-7789 for more information.

Diversity in the

Meadowlands Offering a workforce rich in skills, cultures & connections abroad

ny place or region is only as prosperous as its people, and the population of the Meadowlands is rich with a diversity of cultures and backgrounds. It is the home of a greater ethnic diversity than both New Jersey and the United States as a whole, a significant bilingual population, over 360,000 immigrants from all around the world and a large amount of minority-owned businesses. The Meadowlands region, just a few miles from the historical immigrant hub of Ellis Island, is a welcoming place for any business or business owner and a location abundant with the opportunity to build a uniquely skilled workforce, a multicultural network and a diverse clientele. Cultural diversity as a resource for economic growth Diverse communities and successful businesses go hand in hand. Research has shown that the inclusion of diverse cultures, ideas and backgrounds is a benefit to businesses in more ways than one. A survey by Forbes of executives from over 300 different highly successful companies found that, “A diverse and inclusive workforce is necessary to drive innovation, foster creativity and guide business strategies. Multiple voices lead to new ideas, new services and new products, and encourage out-of-the-box thinking.” The benefits of a diverse environment also extend beyond the advantages of a diverse pool of potential employees. One report from the peer-reviewed Graziadio Business Review states that, “With increasing population and business growth rates, it is imperative that corporations learn how to infuse minority employees, customers and suppliers into their business processes in order to gain and maintain a long-term com-

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The Meadowlands region, just a few miles from the historical immigrant hub of Ellis Island, is a welcoming place for any business or business owner and a location abundant with the opportunity to build a uniquely skilled workforce, a multicultural network and a diverse clientele.

petitive edge.” Another study by the Hackett Group found that companies that “focus heavily on supplier diversity” by networking and doing business with minority-owned business benefited from a 133 percent greater return on procurement investments than those who did not reach out to diverse suppliers. These businesses also spent an average of 20 percent less on operations. These are just a few of the proven ways that a diverse location like the Meadowlands can offer businesses an upper hand—we are chockfull of perspectives and idea. In addition, the great amount of minority-owned businesses and immigrant communities in the area create a more welcoming atmosphere for minority and immigrant business-

es owners to settle into. There are allies and connections to be made in the Meadowlands community for anyone of any origin. Diversity by the numbers Data and estimates from the U.S. Census Bureau reveal that the Meadowlands, much like New York City, is a melting pot of many races, ethnicities, languages, cultures and national origins. According to the date, the population of the Meadowlands is more heterogeneous— more diverse—than both the state and the nation it resides within. This diversity additionally shines through in the high proportion of minority-owned businesses within the region— Continued on pg. 14

SPONSORED BY:

Designing The Region & Beyond A round-up of projects from DMR Architects underway or recently completed

the current High Tech High School in North Bergen which is undersized and aging. The new school is located on 22 acres adjacent to Laurel Hill County Park in Secaucus.

chiavone Construction recently moved into its DMR Architects-designed 30,000-square-foot American headquarters in Secaucus. The architectural firm fully built out the space on the second floor at 150 Meadowlands Parkway when Schiavone decided to renovate. DMR’s design includes polished concrete and wood grained vinyl floors, sliding commercial-grade barn doors, exposed ceilings and lower height work stations with glass panels. Completion date: December 2016

The new Hudson County High Tech High School is a 340,000 square-foot, three-story facility for grades 9-12 that will replace 20

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DMR’s plans support the school’s curriculum with a wing for each of its four Career Academies: Culinary Arts, Architecture & Engineering, Performing Arts and Applied Sciences. There will be college-level facilities to support each program. Special features include a performing arts theatre, black box theatre, media and technology center, fabrication lab, TV production and radio broadcasting studio, culinary demonstration lab, hydroponics lab, cross fit and yoga studios, and musical theatre, dance and drama studios, along with classrooms, administration offices and multi-purpose and support spaces. Completion date: September 2018 (estimated)

Middlesex County College opened the new West Hall, the new administrative building which supported the school’s adaptation of an emerging business model to have a one-stop facility for students to interact with administrators from enrollment management departments including admissions, financial aid, advising, registration, scholarships and student accounts. Housing these offices in one building replaced offices that were in two buildings. The 32,000-square foot, two-story West Hall is the second building that DMR Architects has designed on the Middlesex County College campus along with David B. Crabiel Hall. The firm also has designed buildings at Bergen Community College, Raritan Valley Community College, Ocean County College, Fairleigh Dickenson University, and National Education Technology Center University in Nigeria. Completion date: Opened in September 2016 Monmouth University opened the multi-functional Pozycki Hall in 2015. The 20,000-square-foot, two-story building, named for Monmouth alumnus and University trustee Steven J. Pozycki and his wife Elaine, accommodate the Leon Hess Business School and the Kislak Real Estate Institute. It includes enhanced learning spaces and houses faculty offices, common areas, classrooms, conference rooms and a 175-seat auditorium which will be used for campus events. It also features an exterior landscaped terrace with seating that is open to all faculty and students, and is connected to the previously existing Bey Hall by a pedestrian bridge on the second floor. Completion date: Opened in November 2015

Gate Development’s 355-unit Grande at Metropark in Woodbridge. Its plans for the four-building community incorporated luxury amenities that renters-by-choice are demanding, including a club room and screening room for all buildings to use; family dining rooms with warming kitchenettes for party rentals; fitness centers in each building as well as outdoor spaces; a pool; gazebos and outdoor seating areas throughout the property; roof top terraces with landscaping; barbeque grills and fire pits. Plans also complement the building’s pet-friendly policy with one dog run and dog washing stations at each of the buildings. Grande at Metropark brings the firm’s portfolio of designed rental and condo units to 3,000 in more than 20 communities, including the 62-unit condominium project in Morristown and the two-building, 125-unit luxury Annin Lofts that DMR Architects designed to re-purpose the former flag company manufacturing facility in Verona. Completion date: Groundbreaking event is scheduled for Spring 2017 Hunterdon Healthcare opened the first of two medical office buildings that DMR Architects planned for it to support its expansion into Somerset and Warren Counties. DMR’s plans for the building in Bridgewater included the renovation of a former 55,000-square-foot three-storied, Bank of America building to accommodate services by Hunterdon Cardiovascular Associates, Hunterdon Heart and Vascular Center of Bridgewater, Hunterdon Urological Associates, Center for Endocrine Health and Physical and Occupational Therapy. DMR Architects had done extensive work creating and refitting spaces for hospitals including several current projects with the Robert Wood Johnson Hospital System, and completed projects for Hoboken University Medical Center, Holy Name Hospital in Teaneck and Hackensack University Medical Center. Completion date: 2016 Municipal projects As the architect on record for the City of Hackensack, DMR has provided plans for several projects including the new Performing Arts Center which is in phase two of construction, and the Recreation Center and the Sports Complex with work slated to begin in spring 2017. Additionally, DMR has provided plans for Middlesex County for its County Archive and Record Storage Building and County Highways and Bridges Complex Administration Building on Apple Orchard Rd., and the County Medical Examiner’s Office and Morgue. Urban planning DMR was recently named the urban planner for the Borough of Belmar, adding to its extensive professional planning roster which includes planning projects for the Hackensack Downtown Rehabilitation Plan, the Hoboken North End Redevelopment, Bayonne Master Plan Reexamination, Paramus Reexamination Report, Borough of Ridgefield Pfister Investigation Report and Woodcliff Lake Nature Trail and Broadway Corridor Redevelopment, among many others in both the public and private sectors.

DMR Architects provided designs for the multi-family Queens

Angela Daidone is a freelance writer, editor and public relations specialist. She can be reached at adaidone@aol.com. MEADOWLANDS USA

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CONTINUING EDUCATION & BUSINESS TRAINING

New Accounting Program

Ramapo adds master of science in accounting program

amapo College of New Jersey’s Anisfield School of Business has added a Master of Science in Accounting Program to the College’s graduate degree offerings. Applications are being accepted now for the Fall 2017 program. The 30-credit M.S. in Accounting (MSAC) Program is designed to prepare students for Certified Public Accounting (CPA) certification and for a wide variety of professional fields, including forensic accounting, fraud examination and advanced auditing, accounting and control in for-profit and not-for-profit organizations, and data analytics, among others. The MSAC program is designed for students who wish to pursue both an undergraduate and graduate degree in accounting and students returning for a master’s degree in the field. “This changes the entire mindset for our accounting students,” said Ed Petkus, dean of the Anisfield School of Business. “With the five-year B.S. + M.S. offering, even our first- and second-year students can see themselves as potentially pursuing a Master’s degree, not just as something that might happen someday long after they graduate, but as an integral part of their college experience. It facilitates a mature and conscientious approach to their education, right from the first day they come to campus.” For current and incoming students, completion of the fiveyear program is accomplished through a comprehensive learning experience in both advanced accounting and CPA exam preparation. Students will attain 150 credits and the professional capabilities to excel in today’s complex and rapidly changing financial reporting environment. For students who have previously earned a B.S. in Accounting, the MSAC will require 30 course credits. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of accountants and auditors is projected to grow 11 percent from 2014 to 2024, faster than the average for all occupations.

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Globalization, a growing overall economy and an increasingly complex tax and regulatory environment are, according to the BLS, the main reasons for the expected growth in the field. Ramapo B.S. in Accounting graduates are in high demand by local, regional and national accounting firms, including the “Big Four,” and the new M.S. in Accounting program will build on that reputation. “We have designed the MSAC Program based on feedback we’ve received from employers in the industry itself,” said Constance Crawford, MSAC program director. “Employees will need certain tools and skills to respond to those industry needs, so in addition to comprehensive course work at the graduate level, we are infusing information technology and stressing data analytics to best prepare our students to successfully enter the field.” Ranked by U.S. News & World Report as one of the top in the Best Regional Public Universities North category, Ramapo College of New Jersey is sometimes viewed as a private college. This is, in part, due to its unique interdisciplinary academic structure, its size of approximately 6,000 students and its pastoral setting in the foothills of the Ramapo Mountains on the New Jersey/ New York border. Established in 1969, Ramapo College offers bachelor’s degrees in the arts, business, humanities, social sciences and the sciences, as well as in professional studies, which include nursing and social work. In addition, Ramapo College offers courses leading to teacher certification at the elementary and secondary levels. The College also offers eight graduate programs as well as articulated programs with Rutgers University, New York Chiropractic College, New York University College of Dentistry, SUNY State College of Optometry and New York College of Podiatric Medicine.

Learn in small classes. Succeed in big ways. With an average class size of 23, and a student–faculty ratio of 18:1, Ramapo College offers students an individualized learning experience. Our students are able to build meaningful, close-working relationships with faculty members through mentorship, collaboration and research opportunities. Ramapo College offers more than 36 undergraduate majors, part-time graduate programs and bachelor’s degree completion options. Discover how we prepare our students for a lifetime of success. Learn more at:

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YMCA Unveils New Home

Meadowlands Area YMCA to open state-of-the-art full-service facility in East Rutherford in May

his May, 97 years of passion, innovation and community service will all come together as the Meadowlands YMCA unveils its new 83,000 square-foot facility. The fully-appointed Y is located in the former team headquarters and practice facility of the Brooklyn Nets, finally providing the region with a world-class child development, health, fitness, aquatics and community asset. For nearly a century, the Meadowlands Area YMCA has been sewn into the fabric of our community, enriching the region with its health, fitness, wellness and social programs. This local branch of the international nonprofit provides services, hosts events and organizes community activities from over 50 locations across the region. These locations, including schools, churches, sports centers and senior centers that have enabled the Y to thrive and engage, will continue to operate after the full-facility opens.

MEADOWLANDS USA

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And just as the Y has been welcomed into the Meadowlands’ schools and community centers for so many decades, it will now welcome community members into its newfound central location with a vastly expanded set of programs under the theme of “For a Better Us.” “This community has never experienced what a real Y can be,” says Jane Egan, President and CEO of the Meadowlands Area YMCA since 1980. “And not only are we going to be a full-service facility but we’re going to provide the types of contemporary community programs that extend far beyond the traditional offerings of a YMCA. It’s much more than ‘swim and gym.’” The aspiration for a home base for the Meadowlands Y goes back generations, Egan says, but the dream of a centralized community hub finally began to materialize with the purchase of a building on Murray Hill Parkway in East Rutherford, in 2013. The building was to be developed into a

MARCH 2017

YMCA and even held a ceremonial announcement that the Mara Center for Early Childhood Learning, funded by the family that owns the New York Giants, would operate as the Y’s first program. However, when the more suitable Nets facility, just down the street, became available in 2015, the Y sold the first building. With the help of Bergen Engineering Corporation and DMR Architects, the Y developed a plan for what will be New Jersey’s leading YMCA facility, revamping the entire facility, adding 7,000 square-feet in mezzanine space and another 10,000 square-feet to install a competition size pool. The building’s gymnasium— double-sized NBA-quality basketball court— was the one element of the building that is perfect as it is. “The Meadowlands Y blends the ideal programming mix with best operating practices and state of the art equipment in one facility,” says Joe Min, Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of the Mead-

owlands Area YMCA. “Every second of every day, every member of the community will have an opportunity to participate in activities that are consistent with our mission of strengthening community through youth development healthy living and social responsibility.” The new Y facility, which will create 150-200 new jobs, will feature the Mara Center for Early Childhood Learning with a capacity of 124 kids from infant to 5 years old. Other programs include job training, activities for individuals with special needs, health and wellness learning, academic enrichment for all school ages, cultural art classes, healthy cooking lessons, leadership development, social meetings personal training and much more. Many of the classes in the new YMCA’s wellness program will be offered free of any additional charge for YMCA members. The center will also offer free child watch for children who need somewhere to stay while their parents are at the gym or attending YMCA classes. And, of course, the new Y will offer the same events and programs it has been enriching the community with for dozens of years, including camp programs and opportunities for members of all ages to participate in sports such as soccer, volleyball, basketball and gymnastics. “A number of collaborators provid-

ing special programming and services, including SportsCare Institute, which will lend its physical therapy services to YMCA members when it opens. “They’re not just a tenant in the building—they’re our preventive care and physical therapy partner,” Egan emphasizes, saying that the Y and SportsCare have a “great, synergistic relationship. Their clients will certainly benefit from our 15,000 square-foot fitness center, and our members will love having a premier physical therapy resource in the building where they train.” Egan adds that kiosks will be set up in the fitness center, where members can take an “aspiration test” that will determine their strengths, as well as areas in which they can improve. Members will then be given a personalized profile and training plan that will be uploaded to a web portal where they can access it at any time or location from a computer or mobile device. “They can connect at home and they can see what programs that our trainers prescribed for them,” Egan explains. “We just plug it into their webpage portal, and now they’re able to come in and hit the cardio equipment, and they’re able to do their personal training workout right then and there.” Installing the Technogym equipment was yet another dedicated endeavor taken

by YMCA staff to provide the best to its members—and to create a “wow factor” for all new patrons of the soon-to-debut facility, Egan says. She explains that with help from two other YMCAs that have already successfully implemented Technogym technology—the 92nd Street Y and the Central Florida Y—as well as a visit to Technogym’s Florida showrooms led to the incorporation of the luxury electronic equipment into the Meadowlands Area YMCA’s newest gym and fitness center. Wi-Fi will be available throughout the facility, including the tech lab, where members can take classes in coding and seniors can learn to stay connected through things like email and social media. Wi-fi will also be available in the social areas like the welcome center, which will contain a small retail shop and a café for patrons to purchase sandwiches, salads and healthy snacks. A region-wide membership development program has included opening a satellite showroom in East Rutherford as well as participating in fairs, exhibiting within local business and other events. Chamber members were invited to join the Y as Founding Members, entitling them to reduce their enrollment fee from $90 to only $1 and receive $250 in program credits and a two-year price freeze on their membership. In addition to new members, the Continued on pg. 26

Clockwise From Back Left: Representing the 20 board members and 279 staff are Ron Simoncini, Chairman; John Mazur, Vice Chairman; Teri Festa, Chief Marketing and Development Officer; Jane Egan, President & CEO; Joe Min, Chief Operating Officer.

MEADOWLANDS USA

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Continued from pg. 25

Meadowlands Area Y is also looking for sponsors to help fund the completion of the new building’s $10 million renovation. The nonprofit has been running a capital campaign with support and cooperation from other groups and businesses in the community, and is looking forward to finding title sponsors for several different parts of the facility, including the aquatic center and the building itself. Egan acknowledged support from the founders of many Meadowlands Chamber businesses have contributed generously to the Y, including the Mara family, the Sanzari family, the Pezzolla family, the Feury family, the Branca family, the McGowan family, the Gural family and the Cavaluzzi family. Institutions like Boiling Springs Savings Bank, Sussex Bank and PSEG are also supporters. “A project like this reflects the composition of the whole community,” says Ms. Egan. “To complement our capital campaign, we just commenced our ‘Brick’ campaign, which will allow local businesses and families to support the project and become a part of the building forever.” For more information, please visit www.meadowlandsymca.org

Rendering of the as-yet unnamed YMCA Aqua Center. Many of the function rooms at the Y recognize donors, volunteers and staff, including former Chairman Dennis Maycher and CFO, Nancy Sangiorgi.

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ENVIRONMENTAL UPDATE

Vacation Day Programs

The Meadowlands Environment Center introduces educational programs for children

ust because your child is off from school, that does not mean learning needs to take a break too! The Meadowlands Environment Center is offering ‘Adventures In The Meadowlands’ vacation day programs to children in grades 1 through 5. Age appropriate, hands-on activities will be offered to encourage exploration, learning and discovery to make sure your child is getting the most out of their day off from school. Designed to meet the needs of working parents, Vacation Day camps are offered from 7:30 a.m. until 5:30 p.m. The program will be offered from April 14 through April 19. Each day is different so any child participating on more than one day will not repeat a program. Come to one or come to all! Financial strength Environmental Explorers: Each day of this day camp will focus on a different natural science topic, such as astronomy, water, plants, or animals. There will be hands-on lessons, games, and themed arts & crafts that are all content-based and correlated to the same standards adhered to in schools. Habitat Hunters: Each stand-alone day will involve new and exciting investigations, from experiments with exotic soils and the animals that live in them, to explorations of the aquatic world including an up-close look at live fish, turtles, and other animals that inhabit the Meadowlands. Each day will include a practical take-home craft you can use to explore the various habitats of the Meadowlands and around your home. More details The cost for the program is $80 per day per child. Space is limited and pre-registration is required. For more information or to register online, please visit: http://www.rst2. org/mec/school-vacation-day-camps/ To speak with someone directly, please contact Jenny at (201) 460-8300 or Michele at (201) 460-4623.

MEADOWLANDS USA

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The Meadowlands Environment Center (MEC) was formed to increase awareness and enjoyment of the Meadowlands District’s unique and vital urban ecosystem. The New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority and Ramapo College of New Jersey entered into a partnership in 2003 to develop a comprehensive environmental educa-

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HEALTH & WELLNESS

21st Century Cures Act Relief for small employers with HRA’s

n December 13, 2016, President Obama signed into law the “21st Century Cures Act” which allows small employers without group medical plans to reimburse individual premiums and other medical expenses of employees under health reimbursement arrangements (HRA), effective with the 2017 plan year, and provides relief from penalties to all small employers reimbursing individual premiums of employees for earlier plan years. In addition, the Cures Act provides a medical innovation package that funds medical research, accelerates cutting-edge treatments for rare diseases and makes significant reforms to the mental health system.

with the variation in the price of an insurance policy in the relevant individual health insurance market based on: • the age of the eligible employee (and, in the case of an arrangement which covers medical expenses of the eligible employee’s family members, the age of such family members) or • the number of family members of the eligible employee the medical expenses of which are covered under such arrangement. The variation permitted under the preceding sentence shall be determined by reference to the same insurance policy with respect to all eligible employees.

The issue An employer cannot offer employees cash to reimburse the purchase of an individual policy, without regard to whether the employer treats the money as pre-tax or post-tax to the employee. Such arrangements are subject to the market reform provisions of the Affordable Care Act (ACA), including prohibition on annual limits and the requirement to provide certain preventive services without cost sharing with which it cannot comply. Such an arrangement may be subject to a $100/day excise tax per applicable employee (which is $36,500 per year per employee). There was relief from this rule afforded to small employers that expired July 1, 2015. An HRA must also be integrated with a group medical plan.

4. Monthly limits The monthly limits are as follows: • $412.50 ($4,950 annually for someone covered by the HRA all year) in the case of an HRA that only provides for payments for the employee. • $833.33 ($10,000 annually for someone covered by the HRA all year) in the case of an HRA that also provides for payments or reimbursements for family members of the employee). These amounts are subject to cost-of-living adjustments.

New law The Cures Act provides relief for small employers and HRAs which comply with all of the following: 1. Employer eligibility An employer must: • have less than 50 full-time employees (including full-time equivalent employees) in the preceding calendar year. • not offer a group health plan to any of its employees.

5. Source of contributions Per existing HRA rules, contributions are made by employers and not employees (i.e., there are no salary reduction contributions). 6. Eligible expenses Expenses for medical care (as defined in Code Sec. 213(d)) incurred by the eligible employee or the eligible employee’s family members, including premiums for individual policies, can be reimbursed. 7. Substantiation The employee must provide proof of coverage in order to be reimbursed.

2. Employee eligibility The HRA must be provided to all “eligible employees.” “Eligible employees” are all employees except that the following employees may be excluded: • employees who have not completed 90 days of service. • employees who have not attained age 25. • part-time or seasonal employees. • employees covered by a collective bargaining agreement. • employees who are nonresident aliens and receive no earned income from the employer which constitutes income from sources within the United States.

Federal taxation Contributions and benefits are non-taxable for federal taxation purposes provided the individual has minimum essential coverage. Contributions are deductible to the employer provided the individual has minimum essential coverage. If applicable, states will need to determine the tax impact under state income tax rules.

3. Consistent benefit amount The HRA must be provided on the same terms to all eligible employees. The employee’s “permitted benefit” can vary in accordance

Notice requirement Not later than 90 days before the beginning each year(or, in the case of an employee who is not eligible to participate in the arrangement at that time, the date on which such employee is first

MEADOWLANDS USA

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MARCH 2017

8. Reporting The amount is reported by the employer on FormW-2.

eligible), the employer must provide written notice to employees including: • A statement of the amount of the eligible employee’s permitted benefit under the HRA for the year. • A statement that the eligible employee should provide the information described in the bullet above to any Marketplace to which the employee applies for advance payment of the premium assistance tax credit. • A statement that if the employee is not covered under minimum essential coverage for any month the employee maybe subject to the Individual Mandate tax for such month and reimbursements under the arrangement maybe includible in gross income. Penalty for failure to notify, unless it is shown that such failure is due to reasonable cause and not willful neglect, is $50 per employee per incident of failure up to $2,500. Effect on affordability A qualified small employer HRA is treated as constituting affordable coverage for a month, thus rendering the individual ineligible for a subsidy in the Marketplace, if the excess of the amount that would be paid by the employee as the premium for such month for self-only coverage under the second lowest cost silver plan offered in the relevant individual health insurance market over 1∕12 of the employee’s permitted benefit does not exceed 1∕12 of 9.5 percent of the employee’s household income. For any month that an employee is provided affordable individual health insurance coverage under a qualified arrangement, he is not eligible for a subsidy. Effective date The new rules outlined above apply to plan years beginning after December 31, 2016. The new rules outlined above apply to plan years beginning after December 31, 2016. By Patti Goldfarb, an employee benefits specialist, and owner of the Employee Benefits Advisors Group. She has written and spoken about healthcare reform since its passage in 2010. If your business would like a consultation, Patti can be reached at (201) 255-6239 or pgoldfarb@ebagroup.net.

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Insuring NJ’s Past, Present & Future

A closer look at NJM Insurance Company’s legacy in the Garden State

s one of New Jersey’s leading property-casualty insurers, NJM’s roots trace back to the Progressive Movement of the early 20th century. It was during this time that workplace safety reform emerged as an important social issue in tandem with New Jersey’s early industrial growth, as many manufacturing jobs carried a high risk of injury. In 1911, New Jersey signed into law the Workmen’s Compensation Act, requiring employers to provide workers injured on the job with medical care and partial wage replacement. A small group of factory owners—determined to deliver the laudable purposes of the new law in a cost-effective, safety-conscious and financially secure way—formed NJM. NJM was incorporated on June 7, 1913 to operate in a mutual fashion for the sole benefit of its policyholders. NJM’s founders had a vision to return all profits to policyholders, not stockholders. That vision was realized in 1918 when the Company returned its first dividend on all workers’ compensation policies issued the prior year. The annual dividend tradition continues— uninterrupted—to this day, resulting in nearly $6 billion returned to policyholders. NJM’s policyholder focus and its reputation for value and service soon caught the attention of consumers in addition to businesses. The company quickly expanded its products to accommodate the employees of its commercial customers. By 1921, NJM was doing its small part to support the economic engine driving the state’s growth by helping businesses and their employees ensure the risks associated with progress. Today, 100 years after its formation, NJM continues to support its policyholders and expand its place in the New Jersey landscape in many ways. Workers’ compensation The largest workers’ compensation insurer in the state, NJM provides coverage for more than 5,800 New Jersey businesses,

which collectively employ more than 300,000 workers. The company’s success is largely due to proactively working with policyholders to help reduce onthe-job accidents, manage claims, and ensure access to quality medical care for injured employees. Policyholders and their employees benefit from the company’s experience and knowledge of the state’s workers’ comp system, enabling them to access superior medical services at a cost that is consistently below what other insurers can deliver. NJM recently made these benefits available to even more businesses by forming NJM Claims Management Services LLC, a third-party administrator that can provide the same claim and medical management services to businesses that self-insure. Personal insurance NJM is the state’s second largest writer of personal auto insurance. It provides coverage to more than one million drivers, while providing claims services that are consistently rated among the best in a national claims satisfaction study undertaken by a leading consumer publication. Also, consistent with its

history and purpose, in a true mutual fashion the company returns “profits” each year to personal auto policyholders in the form of dividends. A regular dividend is applied as a credit to the renewal premium, and a special dividend is paid by check to each of the company’s approximately 440,000 policyholders at the end of each calendar year. Similarly, as one of the state’s largest residential insurers, NJM helps protect its policyholders’ investments in their homes, condos and rental properties, with more than 318,000 insured residences. And, in order to meet their expanding needs, the company offers umbrella coverages with limits from $1 million to $5 million for additional liability protection, and recently extended its offerings to ensure policyholder access to personal watercraft and motorcycle insurance Commercial auto NJM provides coverage for businesses of all sizes, and currently insures more than 35,000 commercial vehicles. In addition to the hallmark dividends, the company provides a New Jersey-based customer service team of employees exclusively dedicated to commercial auto policyholders. Continued on pg. 34

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MARCH 2017

An auto insurer in New Jersey since the days of cobblestone streets and rumble seats?

New Jersey State Archives; Department of State

Now that’s extraordinary For nearly 100 years – from cobblestone streets and rumble seats to electric cars and satellite radio – NJM has been providing award-winning service, great rates and legendary dividends to New Jersey drivers. Today, we invite you to join our family of policyholders. Start your NJM and receive a new customer discount.

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New Jersey State Archives; Department of State

Coverages and discounts are subject to policy terms; limits, exclusions and deductibles apply. Applicants must meet membership eligibility requirements, which can be found at www.njm.com. Coverage provided and underwritten by NJM Insurance Company and its affiliates: 301 Sullivan Way, West Trenton, NJ 08628.

Continued from pg. 32

As with all of its lines of business, NJM looks to establish long-term, mutually beneficial relationships with policyholders, with average commercial auto policy tenure of 13 years. In fact, the company’s longest running active customer has now reached its 83rd year as a policyholder. Safety focus NJM’s initial safety efforts focused on the workplaces of its policyholders throughout the Garden State. The company’s initiatives have expanded over the years to include an emphasis on safety in all aspects of its business. In honor of its 100th anniversary in 2013, NJM launched a Teen Driver Safety Program, which includes a classroombased driver’s education curriculum, and donated 65 state-of-the-art driving simulators to high schools across the state. To date, more than 75,000 students have participated in NJM’s program, which was recognized in 2016 by the National Safety Council’s Teen Driver Leadership Award. Financial strength A.M. Best Company, the country’s primary insurance rating agency, rates NJM “A+” (Superior) for financial strength and demonstrated ability to serve policyholders. NJM shares this distinction

MEADOWLANDS USA

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with only 8.8 percent of rated propertycasualty insurers nationwide Corporate philanthropy One of the company’s core values is to support the communities it is privileged to serve. Among its efforts in this regard, NJM has in recent years provided financial and organizational assistance to nonprofits such as the New Jersey State Museum, the American Cancer Society, Junior Achievement, the American Conference on Diversity and Special Olympics New Jersey. Additionally, NJM encourages its employees’ participation in public service by providing up to eight hours of paid time for volunteerism each year, along with a company match on charitable donations of up to $1,000. NJM was a 2016 New Jersey State Governor’s Jefferson Award Honoree for its leadership in corporate giving, and was a recipient of New Jersey Monthly Magazine’s Great Oak Award, honoring businesses in the state that support charitable causes. NJM as an employer NJM is among the largest employers in New Jersey, with nearly 2,500 workers servicing customers from offices in Parsippany, West Trenton and Hammonton.

MARCH 2017

It is these employees that have made NJM the company it is today. NJM President & CEO, Bernie Flynn, says it best: “It is our employees throughout all levels of NJM that make this place work. They’re doing the most important job we have—serving the needs of our policyholders. That singleminded focus reflects the culture of our organization and remains as strong today as ever before. It is also the foundation upon which we prepare for the next 100 years.” Looking forward NJM’s mission to provide value-based insurance solutions with the highest levels of service, integrity and financial stewardship has been a constant in an everchanging marketplace. To meet the needs and expectations of the next generation of policyholders, the company will continue to develop new products and services— and enhance the platforms on which they are delivered. Despite the changes of the past and present, and those sure to come in the future, NJM remains committed to embracing each policyholder the way the corner “mom and pop” store embraces each customer, treating each one like someone special—because all of them are. Visit njm.com to learn more.

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HUMAN RESOURCES & OPERATIONS

Update Your Handbooks

New regulations that may require you to make changes to your employee handbook

s we now enter the third month of the year, New Jersey employers should conduct an annual review of their employee handbook to ensure that they reflect new regulations and the most up-to-date court precedents. After making any changes, it is imperative to provide updated handbooks to all employees and require written acknowledgement of receipt. Below are seven key areas to review: Leave policies New Jersey lawmakers have not yet passed a state-wide sick leave law mandating that private employers provide workers with paid or unpaid sick leave. Nonetheless, cities and towns across the state continue to enact local ordinances, thereby creating an unruly patchwork of compliance issues. Morristown is the latest New Jersey municipality to require employers to provide paid sick leave. If you employ people in one or more affected locations, your handbook should communicate the leave rights that have been conferred upon them. Because many local ordinances contain notice provisions, New Jersey employers should check the local laws for all municipalities in which they operate to determine if any postings are required.

ment of the statute.” Businesses that fail to comply with the provisions are barred from taking advantage of the DTSA’s exemplary damages or attorney fees provisions in trade secret misappropriate lawsuits involving workers who were not given the proper notice. To ensure compliance, in addition to posting notice of such requirements, employee handbook whistleblower policies should include the required DTSA notice.

Defense of Trade Secrets Act The Defend Trade Secrets Act (DTSA) creates a federal cause of action for trade secret misappropriation. Of relevance to employee handbooks, it also contains provisions that require employers to provide a notice of the DTSA’s whistleblower immunity “in any contract or agreement with an employee that governs the use of a trade secret or other confidential information” for contracts “entered into or updated after the date of the enact-

Drug testing As New Jersey’s medical marijuana program continues to develop, employers should begin considering how to address marijuana use by employees. Although the law is still developing in this area, employers are still authorized to prohibit marijuana use in the workplace and prohibit workers from being under the influence of the drug during working hours. The question is whether zero-tolerance drug use policies can be enforced when

MEADOWLANDS USA

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MARCH 2017

marijuana is consumed off the premises and outside of working hours pursuant to a valid medical marijuana card. Prior to developing new policies, employers are advised to consult with experienced counsel. Internet usage If your employees are browsing Facebook during work hours, it may be time to update your Internet policy. A Pew Research study found that workers subject to an employee social media policy are less likely to use social media for personal reasons while on the job. At minimum, an Internet Usage Policy should make it clear that employees are expected to use the Internet exclusively for job-related activities and that personal use is not permitted. In addition, it is imperative to expressly state that the company reserves the right to monitor employees’ Internet activity that takes place on employer-owned devices, including the data that

is composed, sent or received through its online connections. Breastfeeding Almost all New Jersey employers are required to provide accommodations for lactating workers. Under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act all employers that are subject to the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) must provide unpaid, reasonable break time for an employee to express breast milk for a year after her child’s birth. Employers are also required to provide a place, other than a bathroom, that is shielded from view and free from intrusion from coworkers and the public, which may be used by an employee to express breast milk. Arbitration If you provide for arbitration as the means to resolve employment law issues and disputes, have you updated your arbitration agreement? Whether it is referenced in a handbook or a separate agreement, New Jersey law requires that there be an express notice that agreeing to arbitration foregoes the right to have the issues resolved in a court before a judge and jury. Class action waivers that may appear in such arbitration agreement are highly contested and should be carefully checked to determine legality and enforceability. NLRB content Does your handbook provide for confidentiality? Believe it or not, the NLRB under the Obama administration has held that such provisions (and others) may impair employee rights to act collectively as guaranteed by the National Labor Relations Act. Such prohibitions may evaporate as the current administration fills vacant positions at the NLRB. In any event, your handbook should be checked for content. Identified objectionable provisions should be considered and possibly modified. The bottom line When reviewing and updating your employee handbook, it is wise to consult with experienced legal counsel. A New Jersey employment attorney can not only verify that all necessary changes are made, but also help ensure that they are implemented properly. Do you have any questions? Would you like to discuss the matter further? If so, please contact me, Gary Young, at (201) 806-3364. Gary S. Young is a partner at Scarinci Hollenbeck. He concentrates his practice on ERISA, employee benefits and executive compensation as a member of Scarinci Hollenbeck’s Corporate Transactions and Business Law Group. Gary began his legal career over 40 years ago as a traditional labor lawyer, and he continues to provide employment law advice to private sector employers on subjects such as wage & hour compliance, workplace harassment, FMLA, etc. Scarinci Hollenbeck is a full-service, general practice law firm that provides a broad range of legal services to a diverse group of clients. The firm has offices in Lyndhurst and Ocean, New Jersey and New York City. For more information on the firm, please visit the firm’s website at www.scarincihollenbeck.com.

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PR Tips From The Pros

Public relations executives share advice & insight on getting your message out there

he key to any successful relationship is good communication, and this includes the relationship between a business or organization and the public it serves. However, communicating with the public and getting one’s news out to the world can be trickier than it seems for companies, charities or other organizations without expertise in public relations. Small business or nonprofit managers may wonder: How can I get people to care about my organization’s news, products or services? How can I avoid slipups when making a public announcement? Should I be working with a PR firm to ensure that my communication is smooth and strategic? Careful communication with potential clientele can improve an organization’s reputation and get more people interested in interacting with that organization in the future. But uncoordinated communication can lead to ignored or badly received announcements and can set a company back in attracting and engaging its audience and consumers. The following tips from professionals in the PR field explain how to—and how not to—communicate with the public, as well as when to consider hiring a PR firm and how to choose a firm that will best suit an organization’s needs.

Public relations vs. advertising Public relations is different from advertising, although both can serve the purpose of getting people interested in your organization’s products, services or activities. The Public Relations Society of America defines public relations as “a strategic communication process that builds mutually beneficial relationships between organizations and their publics.” This type of communication does more than ask potential con-

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sumers to purchase goods or visit a location—it continually fosters a relationship between an organization and the community that surrounds it. PR is also about building trust and credibility with the public. A 2014 Nielsen study, commissioned by the marketing platform inPowered, found that public relations is 88 percent more effective than content marketing in impacting consumers’ purchasing decisions. And as pointed out by PR executive Robert Wynne in his Forbes magazine article ‘The Real Difference Between PR And Advertising,’ “With advertising, you tell people how great you are. With publicity, others sing your praises.” However, this “singing of praises” will not happen automatically. An organization must implement strategy in attracting the media and the public to the information it wants to share, and good strategy takes thought and planning.

The “do’s” What should one do to start a conversation between the public and their organization? Where should they start? “Whether it’s to internal audiences or external audiences, communications should be strategic and planned,” says William Murray, executive vice president and national director of leading full-service PR agency MWW. “Any business or organization should first answer several questions when developing that plan: 1. Why? What is the goal? 2. Who is the audience? 3. What do I want that audience to do; why is it important to them?” Answering these three questions can help an organization begin to craft their communications, but strategy does not stop there. “Communications also shouldn’t be viewed as a single, oneContinued on pg. 40

Continued from pg. 38

off action item. It should be part of the overall business, marketing or advocacy plan—and align with the objectives in those plans.” Murray continues. “While that sounds fairly basic—it’s surprising how many view and implement communications as a series of transactional announcements.” Joshua Knoller, senior director at Nicholas & Lence Communications, one of the New York Observer’s Top 50 Most Powerful Public Relations Firms in America, adds that “timeliness and creativity” should factor into the strategic release of news and information. “If there’s a relevant news peg to latch on to, that will also help attract attention from reporters who may be looking for content on a story they’re working on,” Knoller says. “I always ask myself ‘why now’ when putting together an event or sharing a story.” When it comes to the different forms of media or “vehicles” of the information one wants to share, one should think outside the box and use a variety of platforms to maximize visibility and impact, Murray suggests. “Analyze and select the communications vehicles carefully— not everything is a blast announcement,” he explains. “Go beyond the traditional press release mentality—engage traditional media directly and combine with a social strategy that maximizes visibility and impact. You may find that a social strategy may be more critical to success than traditional media—which is why it’s important to plan ahead.”

The “dont’s” When putting announcements out into the world for all to see, many businesses may fear the mythical “PR disaster” that leads to backlash and outrage. But in reality, the worst case scenario for many organizations will be communication that is met with yawns—or goes completely ignored. To avoid wasting any effort on something that few will see or care about, Murray advises well-timed and well-targeted releases for maximum impact. “Be relevant and impactful. Release information during times that will gain the most attention—if you want the most attention. Late in the week usually isn’t the best time,” he explains. “Rifle strategies often are better and more targeted than shotgun strategies.” Knoller points out that another pitfall that could lead to ignored or badly received news is “crafting long-winded press releases instead of getting right to the point.”

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“As a general rule of thumb, I always try to keep news releases to a page tops, with some exceptions of course,” he says. One 2008 academic study from the University of Hamburg, Germany, titled “Not quite the average: An empirical study of Web use,” found that users who read articles online only read about 2028 percent of each article before moving on to something else. This is something to keep in mind when publishing news for internet consumption.

Hiring a PR firm It is reasonable to believe that, like many other things, PR is best left to the specialists and professionals who are trained and well versed in subject. But for a small business, a startup or a fledgeling nonprofit, it may make more sense to handle PR independently before taking the step of hiring outside help for managing communications. “If an organization or business has someone—or a team—with the expertise to conduct communications programs internally—capitalize on their capabilities,” Murray advises. “The cost of PR firms often can be too high for small businesses or smaller nonprofits. But, as that business grows, as the nonprofit becomes larger, outside counsel often provides more reach, more expertise and more impact.” When it does come time for an organization to starting looking into hiring a firm, it is important to choose one that is a good fit with the organization’s objectives, audience and industry. “Not all communications firms are the same. Some can handle a variety of programs, while others are more specialized,” Murray says. “You wouldn’t hire a plumber to do your electrical work— even if they are from the same company or trade union. The same is true of communications firms.” One should also look out for a track record of success and positive outcomes when choosing a potential PR firm to work with. “They should look at successful campaigns a firm has ran to see if that fits within the kind of campaign they’d be looking to execute,” says Knoller. “Also finding a firm you have chemistry with and you think you can have fun with is also important.” Laura French is the associate editor of Forensic Magazine, a publication of Advantage Business Media in Rockaway She is also a freelance writer and reporter and can be reached at laurafrench16@ gmail.com.

0316

EAST

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Stefanos Mediterranean Grille Secaucus (201) 865-6767

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Stony Hill Inn Hackensack (201) 342-4085

Thistle Restaurant Lyndhurst (201) 935-0004

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Subway Weehawken (201) 865-2500

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MEADOWLANDS TRANSPORTATION AAA Giants Limousine & Car Service (201) 933-3313

Lincoln Harbor Yacht Club (201) 319-5100

Academy Bus, LLC (201) 420-7000

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New York, Susquehana & Western Railway Corp. (607) 547-2555

Country Club Services (973) 376-4352 Enterprise Rent-A-Car (908) 497-1234 Enterprise Rent-A-Car (845) 537-6067 First Student (855) 272-3222

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Stout’s Transportation Services (609) 883-8891

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The Original Pita Grill Hoboken (201) 217-9777

Vesta Wood Fired Pizza & Bar East Rutherford (201) 939-6012 Volare’s Restaurant Rutherford (201) 935-6606

Explore the Real Meadowlands!

Join us for an Eco-Cruise, paddling tour, or a river cleanup on YOUR Hackensack River. reservations 201-968-0808 www.hackensackriverkeeper.org

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EVENT PLANNING & CATERING SERVICES 16W Marketing Rutherford (201) 635-8000 4 Wall New York Moonachie (201) 329-9878 Adam Leffel Productions / Petals Premier Event Design Hackensack (201) 487-1300 Annabella’s Fine Foods, Inc. East Rutherford (201) 804-0303 Audience Pleasers Garfield 973-773-0953 Bounce Music & Entertainment Englewood Cliffs (201) 482-8191 CeCe Productions, LLC Rutherford (201) 672-0050

Chit Chat Creative Caterers Hackensack (201) 820-4033

Il Villaggio Carlstadt (201) 935-7733

Nanina’s In The Park Belleville (973) 751-1230

Fabulous Foods Event Design & Catering Moonachie (201) 896-8800

In Thyme Catered Events River Vale (201) 666-3353

Personal Touch Experience & Catering Hackensack (201) 488-8820

Fiesta Banquets Wood-Ridge (201) 939-5409

In-Tents Party Rentals Wood-Ridge (201) 282-2026

Photobooth Planet Ridgefield (917) 780-5556

Jimmy’s Artistic Creations East Rutherford (201) 460-1919

Pink at Meadowlands Racing and Entertainment East Rutherford (201) 842-5013

Freeman Kearny (201) 299-7400 Garden Vista Ballroom Passaic (973) 777-6655 Graycliff Catering Inc. (The Graycliff) Moonachie (201) 939-9233 Greenwood Lake Air Show West Milford 973-224-9142

JNL Creative Tours, LLC Waldwick (201) 312-4684 Meadowlands Racing and Entertainment East Rutherford (201) 842-5013

Connecting New Jersey Businesses

6 Great Issues

To Help Grow Your Business For Advertising Information Call Martha Morley at 201-493-7996 Or visit www.meadowlandsusa.com to view the 2017 Media Kit

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Positive Impact Partners Cranbury (609) 395-1972 Seasons Catering Washington Township (201) 664-6141

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Liberty State Park Jersey City (201) 915-3403

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Holiday Inn Secaucus Meadowlands Secaucus (201) 809-4746 Holiday Inn Express Paramus (201) 843-5400 Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites Carlstadt (201) 460-9292 Homewood Suites by Hilton East Rutherford (201) 460-9030 Hyatt Place Secaucus/ Meadowlands Secaucus (201) 422-9480 La Quinta Inn & Suites Secaucus (201) 863-8700

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Residence Inn Saddle River (201) 934-4144

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Saddle Brook Marriott Saddle Brook (201) 843-9500

Westin Hotel Jersey City (201) 626-2900

Il Villaggio_Oct2015_V1_Il 10/20/15 4:29 PM Page 1

“A diamond in the shadow of the Meadowlands, old-style cuisine that never disappoints” Zagat Survey, America’s Top 1000 Italian Restaurants 2008

“Best of Award of Excellence” - Wine Spectator Magazine

Come experience Il Villaggio’s distinguished cuisine in our newly renovated restaurant Since 1979, Il Villaggio has been consistently providing guests with truly memorable dining experiences. Our menu specializes in classic northern Italian dishes, which include a wide variety of fresh fish & seafood specials that change daily. Complete your dining experience with our wide selection of homemade desserts. Il Villaggio caters to Bar/Bat Mitzvahs,Weddings, and Private/Corporate Events. Monday-Friday: 11:30 am -11:00 pm • Saturday: 5:00 pm - 12 Midnight Sunday: Private Events Only 651 Route 17 North, Carlstadt, NJ 07072 Telephone: 201.935.7733 • info@ilvillaggio.com • www.ilvillaggio.com

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NEWS FROM THE MEADOW

Local Home Care Agency Announces Availability of Senior Technology Tablet

Bill Ervolino To Provide Entertainment at Hackensacker Riverkeeper’s 20th Anniversary Celebration

he goal of Comfort Keepers is to provide excellence in home care. We are always exploring ways to enhance service delivery and to offer our clients and aides additional ways to interact that allow families to connect with their loved ones. To accomplish this goal and enhance our clients’ experience, our agency now offers grandPad as part of our services. grandPad is a senior-friendly tablet that is innovative in providing a safe way to use technology to enhance the lives of our clients by staving off loneliness and isolation and keeping loved ones connected to their families and friends in our hyperconnected world. “We are delighted to introduce grandPad, the senior-friendly tablet designed especially for those over 75,” said Eydie Shapiro, owner of Comfort Keepers of Secaucus, NJ. “It’s a connection tool that has been specifically designed for seniors, eliminating all the things that make other technology difficult to manage. It allows seniors the opportunity to engage and connect in a simple, intuitive and safe way.” These senior technology tablets are available for a small monthly fee. This includes the tablet, case, wireless charger, preloaded applications, built-in wireless data connectivity, damage and theft insurance and US-based white glove support. To find out more about grandPad or to learn more about other home care services, please contact our office today or visit our website at http://secaucus-804.comfortkeepers.com. Comfort Keepers of Secaucus, NJ is a leading provider of in home care and senior care services to residents throughout the region. Comfort Keepers is proud to offer industry leading services for seniors and other clients who need assistance with activities of daily living in order to remain happily and safely in the comfort of their own homes. Our goal is to enhance clients’ quality of life and enable them to enjoy independence in their own homes as long as possible. Comfort Keepers provides help with a variety of services, including light housekeeping, companionship care, transitional care, end of life care, and dementia and Alzheimer’s care.

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ickets are now on sale for the first of many celebratory events planned to mark the Twentieth Anniversary of Hackensack Riverkeeper, the clean water advocacy organization founded by Captain Bill Sheehan in 1997. On Thursday, March 30, friends and supporters of Riverkeeper are invited to join Captain Bill, his staff and Trustees for a “Cabin Fever Beefsteak” at the Holiday Inn Hasbrouck Heights Meadowlands, located at 283 Route 17 South in Hasbrouck Heights. The venue is known for its well-attended beefsteak dinners and as the home of New Jersey’s premier comedy showcase—Bananas Comedy Club. “While our river and its watershed lie in both New York and New Jersey, I’m a Jersey boy at heart so we decided to kick off the celebration with a traditional Jersey beefsteak,” said Sheehan. “Traditional as in a messy, all-you-can-eat meal and as a fundraiser,” he added. Humorist, author and Record columnist Bill Ervolino, a North Jersey fixture since he started at the newspaper in 1990, will provide the evening’s entertainment. Ervolino is also a regular headliner at Bananas, where audiences enjoy his unique perspectives on growing up in a lovingly dysfunctional Italian-American home as well as his quirky thoughts regarding family, friends and living life in the NY-NJ metro area. Tickets can be purchased online at www.hackensackriverkeeper.org or by calling 201-968-0808. Individual tickets are $55 each; a pair is available for a discounted price of $100. All tickets include a full beefsteak dinner, unlimited beer/wine and dessert. A chicken option is available for those who would prefer it to the traditional fare of sliced beef in melted butter. “While the event doesn’t focus on clean water advocacy or environmental education, it does focus on bringing like-minded people together,” explained Sheehan. “And since that’s at the heart of everything we do, we hope lots them will join us on March 30th.”

NGKF Represents FORT Group With Long-Term Office Lease in Ridgefield Park, New Jersey

Palisades Women’s Group Opens New Office in Hoboken

ewmark Grubb Knight Frank (NGKF) is pleased to announce it completed a new lease for FORT Group at 100 Challenger Road in Ridgefield Park, New Jersey. NGKF Executive Managing Director Frank D. Recine and Director Brendan McBride represented the tenant in its relocation to 11,500 square feet on the seventh floor of the building. Dan Lessing of DSR Group, LLC represented the landlord, KABR, in the transaction. The FORT Group is an award-winning, full-service marketing communications company. Since the firm’s inception in 1989, it has been at the forefront of offering clients a full array of marketing services through comprehensive in-house resources. The company develops successful communication strategies for a variety of market segments, from consumer food products, to healthcare, financial, building supplies and more. The FORT Group will be relocating from its current office space on part of the fifth and eighth floors of 100 Challenger Road to the entire seventh floor of the same building. The new office will feature a pristine build-out to allow for increased synergies amongst the firm’s departments in a contiguous space. 100 Challenger Road will continue to serve as the company’s headquarters and grant its employees access to the amenities and conveniences they value within Overpeck Park. Situated on 370 acres of land boasting tennis courts, basketball courts and recreation trails, the office park is just ten minutes from the Lincoln Tunnel, five minutes from the George Washington Bridge and 15 minutes from the Newark Airport. Its location offers easy access to the New Jersey Turnpike, I-80 and Route 46. Remaining in the same building allows for a seamless transition of the firm’s operations. The official move-in date is slated for the summer of 2017. In recent months, the building the owner began proactively upgrading the property through extensive renovations to the common areas. Improvements were made to the building’s main lobby, a ground-floor grab-and-go café as well as on-site gym and shared tenant conference room. With FORT Group’s lease not set to expire until 2018, NGKF worked with the ownership to restructure the lease early with a longterm commitment for the new floor. KABR has also agreed to assist with FORT Group’s build-out of the seventh floor. “With this deal, we were able to help FORT Group take advantage of today’s market while upgrading both their space and their image simultaneously,” said Recine. “After a full evaluation of the market, we found that 100 Challenger Road still offered everything that FORT Group was looking for in its new office and management at KABR was very accommodating and reasonable to work with.” “We are pleased to maintain a residence at 100 Challenger Road,” said FORT Group President and Chief Executive Officer Frank DiGioia. “The new build-out will meet our company’s needs for a modern office space and will further enrich our collaborative work environment by consolidating operations to a single floor.”

arlier this year a special open house and reception was held to celebrate the grand opening of the Palisades Women’s Group’s new office at 1499 Park Avenue in Hoboken, New Jersey. Sam Hessami, M.D., FACOG, medical director of the Palisades Women’s Group, and his colleagues greeted local residents during the open house and gave tours of the new office. Dr. Hessami is recognized as an outstanding urogynecologic surgeon, a leading academician who is mentoring the next generation of medical professionals, and an internationally renowned lecturer. Palisades Women’s Group serves the women of Hudson & Bergen counties from two convenient locations in North Bergen and its new Hoboken location. Services include Gynecology, Wellness, Ultrasound, Obstetrics and Prenatal Care. Palisades Women’s Group and its board certified physicians are affiliated with Hackensack University Medical Center Palisades and Hackensack Meridian Health. For more information, please call at (201) 850-1084.

(At Center) Sam Hessami, M.D., FACOG, medical director of the Palisades Women’s Group, stands with his colleagues (Left-to-Right) Melissa Vasquez, medical assistant; Michele Pinto, coordinator; Zankhana Patel, MD; Dr. Jigna Patel, MD; Kerri Comer, office manager; and Lili Maradiaga, coordinator.

MEADOWLANDS USA

meadowlands.org

MARCH 2016

NEWS FROM THE MEADOW

INDEX OF ADVERTISERS

Trajkovic Joins Provident Bank as Vice President, Relationship Manager

Atlantic Stewardship Bank, www.ASBnow.com.....................................................28 AVE, www.aveliving.com...........................................................................................9 Bergen Business Expo, www.meadowlands.org...................................................29 Chart House, www.chart-house.com......................................................................42

van Trajkovic of Pompton Plains, has joined Provident Bank as vice president, relationship manager with the bank’s Asset Based Lending (ABL) group. In this position, he will be responsible for providing working capital solutions to manufacturers, importers/ exporters, wholesale distributors and service and staffing companies with revenues from $20 million to $200 million in the Northern NJ/ NY Metro market. In addition, he will work closely with accounting and law firms, investment banks, intermediaries, private equity sponsors and turnaround specialists to source new business. “We are excited to add Ivan to Provident’s ABL team. His strong business development skills, extensive knowledge of the northern New Jersey market, and ability to anticipate and understand the needs of fast-growing companies, will greatly enhance our efforts to grow Provident’s ABL portfolio,” said Sharon Bender, senior vice president, director of asset based lending at Provident Bank. Prior to joining Provident Bank, Trajkovic was a vice president, business development officer with PNC Business Credit, where he focused his marketing efforts on credit commitments from $10 million to $200 million. He attended William Paterson University and Ramapo College. He is a member of the Commercial Finance Association, the New Jersey Chapter of the Association for Corporate Growth, the New Jersey Chapter of the Turnaround Management Association and the Garden State Credit Association. For more information about Provident Bank, visit www.provident.bank or join the conversations on Facebook (ProvidentBank) and Twitter (@ProvidentBank).

Cyber Summit, www.meadowlands.org.................................................................19 Engineers Labor-Employer Cooperative, www.elec825.org....................................2 Ernst & Young, www.ey.com.....................................................................................7 Fairleigh Dickinson University, fdu.edu/petrocelli.................................................27 Frank’s GMC, www.FranksGMC.net........................................................................37 Goya Foods, www.goya.com.....................................................................................5 Guzzo+Guzzo, www.gg-architect.com....................................................................35 Hackensack Riverkeeper, www.hackensackriverkeeper.org.......................................43

Harmon Meadow Plaza..........................................................................Inside Cover Hunter Group, www.TheHunterGroup.com..............................................Back Cover Il Villaggio, www.ilvillaggio.com...........................................................................47 Jewel Electric, www.jewelelectric.com...................................................................35 Kearny Bank, www.KearnyBank.com.....................................................................35 Lincoln Harbor, www.lincolnharbor.com..................................................................1 Meadowlands Regional Chamber, www.meadowlands.org..................................49 MeadowlandsUSA, www.meadowlandsusa.com..........................................39 & 44 Medieval Times, www.medievaltimes.com............................................................48 NAI James E. Hanson, www.naihanson.com.........................................................15 Nanina’s In The Park & The Park Savoy, www.naninasinthepark.com...................45 New Jersey Economic Development Authority, www.NJEDA.com..........................9 NJM Auto Insurance, www.StartYourNJM.com.....................................................33 Nonprofit Vendor Fair, www.meadowlands.org....................................................49 One on One with Steve Adubato, www.SteveAdubato.org.....................................17 Overhead Door, www.DockNDoor.com...................................................................52 Palisades Medical Center, www.palisadesmedical.org..........................................11 Paramount Exterminating, www.ParamountExterminating.com..........................37 Pole Position Raceway, www.polepositionraceway.com........................................48 PSE&G, www.pseg.com..................................................................Inside Back Cover Ramapo College, www.ramapo.edu/certificates.....................................................23 Scarinci & Hollenbeck, www.scarincihollenbeck.com...........................................31 SUEZ Water New Jersey Inc., www.mysuezwater.com...........................................13 The Table: Metropolitan New Jersey Dining Guide, www.mlcvb.com..................44 TM Rybak, www.tmrassociates.com.......................................................................26 XCEL Credit Union, www.XCELfcu.org.com............................................................23

Overhead Door Company of The Meadowlands For all your Loading Dock and Overhead Door Needs Commercial • Industrial CORPORATE OFFICE: 20 Meta Lane I Lodi, NJ 07644 I 973-471-4060 CONTACT: Jai Patel I Jai@DockNDoor.com I www.overhead-doors.com Other Offices Serving: Westchester County, All Boroughs of New York City Recent Jobs: MetLife Stadium • Yankees & Citifield Stadium • World Trade Center

MEADOWLANDS USA

meadowlandsusa.com

MARCH 2017

For more information on advertising in Meadowlands USA magazine or online advertising at www.meadowlands.org please contact Martha Morley at (201) 493-7996 or email: greerentps@aol.com Call for new items! If your organization has news or announcements to share with our audience, please send to Joe Garavente at JGaravente@meadowlands.org or call (201) 939-0707

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