Executive Moves is an occasional feature on ROI-NJ.com describing some of the important personnel changes in the New Jersey business community. Reports are based on news releases, edited for content, clarity and style.
Vinny Di Meglio, Forbes Real Estate Council
Vinny Di Meglio, a senior managing director with the Princeton office of the global real estate services company Colliers International, has been accepted into the Forbes Real Estate Council, an invitation-only community for executives in the real estate industry.
Di Meglio joins other Forbes Real Estate Council members, who are hand-selected, to become part of a curated network of successful peers and get access to a variety of exclusive benefits and resources, including the opportunity to submit thought leadership articles and short tips on industry-related topics for publishing on Forbes.com.
“Real estate services companies are building trust through effective communications, and being asked to join the prestigious Forbes Real Estate Council gives me the opportunity to further increase the network of individuals and companies that Colliers International services,” said Di Meglio.
Linda Foley, Agency Network Exchange LLC
ANE, Agency Network Exchange LLC, announced it has added Linda Foley as director of field operations. In this role, she will work with the Monmouth Junction-based company’s member agencies to develop and implement growth plans and maintain agency relationships. She will also develop specific sales training and strategies to continue to promote organic growth and maximize carrier relationships.
“Linda brings a lot of energy and experience to the ANE team that will help our members be more effective and productive, so they can realize their long-term goals,” said John Tiene, CEO, ANE. “I’m excited to work with Linda to bring greater success to our members and advance ANE’s strategy.”
Foley joined ANE from Mercury Insurance of Bridgewater where she served for three years as senior marketing representative responsible for the Northeast territory.
Alana Friedman, Cushman & Wakefield
Retail leasing specialist Alana Friedman has joined Cushman & Wakefield as a senior associate based in East Rutherford. With six years of industry experience, the Fort Lee resident is supporting the commercial real estate services firm’s growing tri-state area retail practice.
Friedman’s expertise spans both retail tenant and landlord representation in New Jersey and the larger New York metropolitan area.
“Alana brings extensive knowledge, great energy and a passion for the retail sector,” noted Andrew Judd, New Jersey market leader. “She will be a great asset as we enhance our service to regional property owners and brands looking to enter and expand in the Garden State.”
Friedman comes to Cushman & Wakefield from RKF and also previously worked at The Goldstein Group.
Evan Kleppe, Sitex Group
The owners of Englewood-based Sitex Group have announced the recent promotion of Evan Kleppe to vice president, from senior associate.
“Evan is a dedicated professional whose work consistently exceeds expectations,” said Sitex Principal Brian Milberg. “This promotion is recognition of the tremendous contributions he has made to the company.”
As vice president, Kleppe will continue to play a significant role in the various business activities across the Sitex platform including analysis, dispositions, financings and investor relations. In his new position, he will have an increased role in development projects, while also looking to grow the firm’s portfolio via new acquisitions.
Desiree Maurin and Michael Kmon, Marketsmith Inc.
Cedar Knolls-based Marketsmith Inc., the only woman-owned-and-operated advertising and martech agency of its kind, has promoted two members of its staff.
Desiree Maurin was promoted to vice president, client performance. She previously served as client performance director.
“Desiree is our ‘quiet warrior’,” says Lois Marks, executive vice president. “She demonstrates a quiet grace and poise each day as she manages some of our largest accounts. They not only like her as a person, they trust her because she makes sure they get great results!”
In addition, Michael Kmon was promoted to senior marketing analyst. He previously served as marketing associate.
“Mike is an amazing team player and brings a phenomenal attitude with him to work every day,” says Donald Gallant, vice president, analytics and innovation. “He is constantly throwing himself at projects where he leads and presents the work both internally and externally.”
Alex Patton, Jersey Central Power & Light
Jersey Central Power & Light, a FirstEnergy Corp. subsidiary, recently named Alex Patton vice president of operations. Previously, Patton was director, operations services, for Mon Power, a FirstEnergy subsidiary that provides electric service to about 385,000 customers in West Virginia.
In his new position, Patton is responsible for the operation and maintenance of JCP&L’s transmission and distribution systems covering more than 3,200 square-miles of northern and central New Jersey, including line and substation operations, dispatching, engineering, meter reading, forestry and support service. He succeeds Mark Jones, who was recently named regional president of FirstEnergy’s Toledo Edison subsidiary.
“Alex has extensive leadership and operational experience in the transmission and distribution areas of our business,” said Jim Fakult, president of JCP&L. “His knowledge and skills are a welcome addition to the JCP&L leadership team and will help build on the results we have achieved delivering safe and reliable electric service to our customers.”
Glenn Quaiver, H. Betti Industries Inc.
Bob Geschine, president of H. Betti Industries Inc., is pleased to announce the promotion of Glenn Quaiver to the position of chief operating officer.
Prior to this role, Glenn was the senior vice president of operations. As COO, Glenn will now be responsible for the operational excellence of all three business divisions of the company: Betson Enterprises, Imperial International and Betson Imperial Parts.
Glenn will lead and develop the operations leadership team to synergize efforts to achieve operational and financial targets and goals. He will be responsible to develop and maintain strong relationships with key customers to ensure compliance with Service Level Agreements, as well as identification and implementation of all relevant revenue growth opportunities. Additionally, Glenn will be accountable for all operational functions including inventory management, purchasing, warehousing, human resources and have involvement in all strategic planning for H. Betti Industries Inc.
Betti Industries is also pleased to announce the promotion of Bill Seibert to senior vice president of operations to fill Quaiver’s previous role. Bill has been with H. Betti Industries for 32 years and most recently held the position of vice president of operations.
Clark Golestani, Sparta Systems Inc.
Sparta Systems Inc., a Hamilton-based provider of quality and regulatory management software and services, announced recently the appointment of Clark Golestani as chairman of its board of directors.
Most recently, Golestani served as president of emerging businesses and global chief information officer at Merck until his retirement earlier this year.
Golestani will focus on strategy and customer-focused innovation.
“I am thrilled for the opportunity to chair Sparta’s board during this period of change in the life sciences industry as leading players embark on their digital transformation journey,” said Golestani. “It is an exciting time as Sparta leads the way into the future of digital quality across the enterprise.”
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Joan Janulis, Slayback Pharma LLC
Princeton-based Slayback Pharma LLC, a privately held pharmaceutical research and development company, announced recently the appointment of Joan Janulis as senior vice president of global regulatory affairs.
Janulis is a highly accomplished regulatory affairs leader with extensive knowledge of U.S. FDA regulations and best practices and a stellar track record on both the generic pharma as well as the 505(b)2 side.
Ajay Singh, CEO and president, said: “I am really delighted to have Joan Janulis join the Slayback leadership team as senior vice president and head of global regulatory affairs. Her vast experience and knowledge of FDA regulations will be immensely useful to Slayback in the strategy, filing and approval of both complex generics and its innovative 505(b)2 pipeline.”
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Zach La Motta and Matt Pecoraro, The Stro Cos.
The Stro Cos., based in Ridgewood, announced recently its newest employees, Zach La Motta and Matt Pecoraro.
“We are pleased to welcome Zach and Matt to the Stro. They have already become integral parts of the company, playing a vital role in our ability to grow and service our tenants” said Steven Millstein, company founder.
Zach La Motta is a recent graduate of Vanderbilt University. Zach is active in the company’s acquisitions and leasing group, as well as managing major capital projects. Zach has become instantly active in the real estate community and serves as co-chair of the New Jersey NAIOP Chapter’s Developing Leaders group.
Matthew Pecoraro is director of management services for Stro’s portfolio of direct investments. Prior to joining Stro, Pecoraro worked in both accounting and technology.
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Mark Pearson, Soligenix Inc.
Soligenix Inc., a Princeton-based late-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on developing and commercializing products to treat rare diseases where there is an unmet medical need, announced today the appointment of Mark Pearson, CEO of Altamont Pharmaceutical Holdings LLC, to its board of directors.
“We are pleased to welcome Mr. Pearson to the Soligenix board,” stated Christopher J. Schaber, CEO and president of Soligenix. “As Soligenix looks forward to potential product approval and commercialization partnerships, we intend to leverage Mr. Pearson’s extensive business and investing experience. We believe his expertise will add significantly to our already diverse and experienced board of directors and management team. We welcome his counsel and look forward to his contributions to our future success, especially as we continue our pivotal Phase 3 clinical trial of SGX301 for the treatment of cutaneous T-cell lymphoma and our pivotal Phase 3 clinical trial of SGX942 for the treatment of oral mucositis in head and neck cancer patients.”
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Saint Peter’s University
Saint Peter’s University announced recently that Frank L. Fekete, managing partner of Mandel, Fekete & Bloom, CPAs, has been elected chair of the board of trustees for the Jersey City-based university. Fekete will replace Thomas P. Mac Mahon as chair of the board and will serve for a three-year term. Susan P. Mitchell-Abbate, retired executive vice president of human resources for the CIT Group, will serve as vice chair.
“Saint Peter’s University is in the midst of a renaissance and has made tremendous strides since my time as a student,” Fekete said. “I am eager to lead the board of trustees as we strive to continue the university’s impressive transformation.”
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