Atlantic County Economic Alliance continues to grow

The Atlantic County Economic Alliance recently added nearly a dozen new members.

The board of trustees announced the 11 at-large members at its first annual meeting, where Executive Director Lauren Moore laid out the alliance’s focus.

“The ACEA is now firmly established with a board of trustees, bylaws, a small staff and a centrally located office in the Hamilton Mall, Mays Landing,” said Moore, who was appointed in June. “We currently have 33 public-private investors and have developed partnerships with Choose New Jersey, the World Trade Center of Greater Philadelphia, the Southern Shore Destination Marketing Organization and our local chambers. We have also recently launched our website as well as a presence on several social media platforms.”

Aviation is one of six key industries of focus for the ACEA as it continues to actively work with the Stockton Aviation Research and Technology Park, the Federal Aviation Administration’s William J. Hughes Technical Center and the Atlantic City International Airport.

It also is supporting efforts by Atlantic County and Atlantic Cape Community College to develop an aviation maintenance academy and air cargo handling operation at the airport.

An ACEA subcommittee is working with local educational institutions to better prepare the workforce for the creation of new jobs in the aviation industry.

“Our momentum is building,” Moore said. “We are busy assisting clients in securing funding for expansion and relocation and are quickly establishing the ACEA as the one-stop resource for economic development in Atlantic County. We can help guide businesses through site selection and permitting with access to local, state and federal agencies as necessary. Our goal is to make Atlantic County the best address for business.”

The new members are:

  • Kenneth J. Calemmo Jr. of Cooper Levenson;
  • Frank Frankowski of South Jersey Transportation;
  • Joseph Ingemi of Pinarus Technologies;
  • Harvey Kesselman of Stockton University;
  • Carlo Losco of Balsley-Losco Realty;
  • Brett Matik of Harrison Beverage;
  • Rick Ricciardi of Marathon Engineering and Environmental Services;
  • John Runfolo of Greater Hammonton Chamber of Commerce;
  • Leo Schoffer of Schoffer Enterprises;
  • Gregory Sykora of Erco Ceilings and Blinds; and
  • Michael Viscount of Fox Rothchild.

Trustees serve staggered one- to three-year terms.

The new trustees join six appointed members:

  • Rick Dovey, Atlantic County Utilities Authority;
  • Lori Herndon, AtlantiCare;
  • Howard J. Kyle, Atlantic County Government;
  • Vito Pantilione, Parke Bank;
  • Jon Powell, Kravco/Hamilton Mall; and
  • Mitch Zitomer, Greater Atlantic City Chamber.

Board Chairman Leo Schoffer introduced Moore.