Council members will provide insight, expertise, and on-the-ground knowledge as legislators work toward COVID-19 recovery and local re-opening measures. Council members will provide insight, expertise, and on-the-ground knowledge as legislators
work toward COVID-19 recovery and local re-opening measures. OCEAN TOWNSHIP - Monmouth County legislators Senator Vin Gopal and Assembly Members Eric Houghtaling and Joann Downey announced today the formation of a new 11th Legislative District COVID-19 Economic Recovery Advisory Council, which will bring together representatives from a diverse array of industries and communities to advance efforts to re-open New Jersey’s economy, improve public health outcomes, and expand access to resources for municipalities, nonprofit organizations, and local small businesses. “Local small business owners, community leaders, and nonprofit organizations are already working to help families across our district get through this crisis,” said Senator Gopal (D-Long Branch). “We need their expertise and insight, and they need to have a seat at the table as we work toward a statewide re-opening.” “As legislators, it’s our job to listen to the people working on the ground to make sure that we’re putting resources in the right places,” said Assemblyman Houghtaling (D-Neptune). “Their expertise will help us make the best decisions on policy, legislation, and our plan for recoveryrecovery.” “Every community - no matter what town you live in, your ethnicity, your faith, or your orientation - has been hit hard by this pandemic,” said Assemblywoman Downey (D-Freehold). “It’s important to us that this council represent the entirety of our diverse 11th Legislative District, and we promise to listen to all voices as we work toward a comprehensive plan for recovery.” The Economic Recovery Advisory Council will be co-chaired by Ken DeRoberts, CEO of Government Strategy Group; Jackeline Mejias-Fuertes, Regional Director for the New Jersey Small Business Development Center at Brookdale Community College; Marilou Halverson, President of the New Jersey Restaurant and Hospitality Association; and Jeremy Grunin, President of the Grunin Foundation. “We are facing the most challenging economy of our lifetime,” said DeRoberts. “Working smartly together we need to marshall as many resources as possible to help our business community. I commend our legislative team for their insightful leadership and look forward to being part of the team.” “As a longtime Monmouth County resident and Regional NJSBDC director serving Monmouth/ Ocean Counties, the response, recovery, and resiliency of local businesses are personal to me,” said Mejias-Fuertes. “I'm honored and privileged to co-chair this committee whose sole purpose is helping our devastated communities, businesses, and economy recover.” “As a life-long resident of New Jersey and living in District 11, I am honored to be co-chairing this committee,” said Halverson. “Hospitality, retail and other main street businesses have been devastated by the pandemic and closure of the state. I want to assist in providing support, guidance and resources to them so we can get our community back up and running.” "This crisis demands expertise, action, and collaboration, and I'm confident that, by working together, this board will be able to provide all three,” said Grunin. “I'm honored to be a co-chair of this advisory council, and I look forward to working with its members to help our communities recover from this crisis." The District 11 Economic Recovery Advisory Council will work to assist different industries in re-opening, making recommendations regarding policy, and working with all sectors of our economy to make sure that each sector opens in a responsible way. Gopal, Houghtaling, and Downey expect this Council to continue operating until all sectors of our local economy are fully operational. Residents of New Jersey’s 11th Legislative District who would like to bring items to the attention of the Advisory Council can send an email to info@senatorgopal.com. A full list of members for the 11th Legislative District Economic Recovery Advisory Council is as follows: Co-Chairs Ken DeRoberts, CEO, Government Strategy Group Jeremy Grunin, President, The Grunin Foundation Marilou Halvorsen, President, New Jersey Restaurant and Hospitality Association Jackeline Mejias-Fuertes, Regional Director, New Jersey Small Business Development Center at Brookdale Community College Small Business Committee Adanech Asghedom, Adda Gojjo Restaurant Bianca Bertoli, Lock & Shade Bob Clark, Fir Farm Gino Dellomo, Shrewsbury Volkswagen Mary Ellen Landolfi, World Spiral Media & Independent Contractor Robin Kampf, Independent Contractor Nicole Lerario, A Kneaded Vacation Kevin McHugh, Atlantic Club Mikaela Milano, 26 West Teena Patel, LightBridge Academy of Eatontown & Edible Arrangements of Ocean Township Alpha Reynolds-Lewis, Reynolds Appraisal Group Ritesh Shah, CEO of Legacy Pharmacy Group Ayca User, Antoinette Boulangerie French Bakery Non-Profit Recovery Committee Laurie Goganzer, Community YMCA Gwen Love, Executive Director, Lunch Break Brian McGillivray, New Jersey Reentry Corporation Beatriz Osterheld, CARC Arthur Schlossbach, SCORE Small Business Mentoring Shore Economy Committee Brian Cherpeka, iStar Tom DeBartolo, President, Monmouth County Building Trades Paul Dement, Director of Government Affairs, Monmouth University Dennis Drazin, Blue Grotto Restaurant at Monmouth Park Jennifer Eckoff, Executive Director, Eastern Monmouth Chamber of Commerce Grace Hanlon, Former Executive Director, New Jersey Division of Travel & Tourism Victor Kuo, Temple Restaurant Russell Lewis, Watermark Gary Mattola, Madison Marquette Bob McCaid, iPlay America Tim McCloone, Mcloone's Restaurants Kirk Ruoff, Turning Point Restaurants Robert Schimko, Business Manager, IBEW 400 Marilyn Schlossbach, Langosta Lounge and White Chapel Project Sylvia Sylvia, Asbury Park Chamber of Commerce Governments Subcommittee Erik Anderson, Mayor, Shrewsbury Borough & Small Business Owner Donna Campagna, Business Administrator, Allenhurst Margie Donlon, M.D., Physician & Councilwoman, Ocean Township Paul Fernicola, Mayor, Loch Arbour; Attorney, Deal Township; Small Business Owner Sue Fitzpatrick, Committeewoman, Colts Neck Township; Small Business Owner; Past Colts Neck Business Association President Vito Gadaleta, Business Administrator, Neptune Township Steve Gallo, Business Administrator, Freehold Borough George Jackson, Business Administrator, Long Branch Carl Jennings, Long Branch Housing Authority Bill Lucia, Business Administrator and Police Chief, Eatontown Borough Matt Montekio, District Director, Rep. Frank Pallone (CD-6) Mike Nesci, Councilman, Tinton Falls & Small Business Owner Mike Nohilly, Mayor, Interlaken Amy Quinn, Deputy Mayor, Asbury Park Ziad Shehady, Business Administrator, Red Bank Representative from Office of Congressman Chris Smith (CD-4) Amanda Stone, Director of Tourism, Monmouth County Government Janet Tucci, Mayor, West Long Branch Pete Valesi, Business Administrator, Freehold Township Andrew Wardell, Mayor, Neptune City
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