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.
Jerry Battista, Betson Enterprises
Betson Enterprises is pleased to announce that Jerry Battista has joined the company as national parts sales manager. In this newly created position, he will focus on directing the parts sales process, sales training and positioning products and services. Additionally, he will be responsible for expanding Betson’s parts sales and supporting the current customer network.
Battista has been a top sales performer for organizations in the insurance, telecommunications and travel industries, where he outperformed sales goals. He also managed sales teams and implemented best practices programs which enhanced overall sales execution.
“We are excited to bring Jerry aboard to manage national parts sales,” said Richard Zayas-Bazan, president, Betson Imperial Parts & Service. “Parts is an important part of our business and Jerry will provide a focus to better support our customers and secure new opportunities.”
Bellari
Bellari, one of New Jersey’s largest full-service home improvement and remodeling companies, is proud to announce the appointment of five new team members. This represents the first team expansion announced since the company’s rebranding from Somerville Aluminum late last year.
Headquartered at the Bellari showroom in Branchburg, the new hires include two new project managers, two new sales consultants as well as a new design coordinator to accommodate business growth while continuing to provide the company’s hallmark superior service to new customers, especially during the summer months, or peak renovation season.
They are:
- Dan Gorrell (project manager);
- Glenn Hill (sales consultant);
- Sandi Trombino (design coordinator);
- Kevin Kelso (project manager); and
- Marcin Serafin (sales consultant).
Gerard Gantert, Green Living Technologies
Green Living Technologies International LLC founder and President George Irwin announced that accomplished floral and set designer Gerard Gantert has joined the company. He holds a certificate in staging and set design, Stockton University Theatre of Galloway. Gantert also has over 30 years of experience as a master florist and horticulturist in the Atlantic City area.
In his position, Gantert will facilitate GLTI’s living walls, green roofs and vertical farming in a design development and account management capacity. He will design and direct installation and maintenance of GLTI projects. Gantert also will work directly with over 25 international associations for continuing education certification credentials.
“Bringing Gerard on brings a new dimension to the iconic projects that GLTI creates,” said Irwin. “His outstanding reputation for his exceptionally impressive floral creations will elevate the presence of GLTI’s offerings across its spectrum of green living products.”
Integra Realty Resources
Integra Realty Resources, one of North America’s largest independent commercial real estate valuation and consulting firms, announced Elizabeth Cregan and Michael Cherello are rejoining its Northern New Jersey office. Cregan, a 20-plus-year industry veteran, and Cherello, a 12-year industry veteran, will serve as directors within the IRR-Northern New Jersey office.
“We are thrilled to welcome these highly respected and accomplished appraisers back to Integra,” said Paul Beisser, senior managing director of IRR-Northern New Jersey. “The addition of Liz and Michael allows us to meet growing demand for our expert services as our book of business continues to expand across New Jersey and beyond.”
Prior to rejoining IRR-Northern New Jersey, Cregan served as first vice president in the Whippany, New Jersey, office of Newmark Knight Frank Valuation & Advisory. Previously, Cregan had spent nearly two decades with IRR-Northern New Jersey office. Prior to rejoining IRR-Northern New Jersey, Cherello had a short stint with Newmark Knight Frank Valuation & Advisory in New Jersey. Previously, Cherello had spent nearly a decade with the IRR-Northern New Jersey office.
Eleni Lagos, BDO USA LLP
BDO USA LLP, one of the nation’s leading accounting and advisory firms, recently announced that Eleni Lagos has joined the New York office as a tax partner, and New York Metro leader of the ASC 740 (Accounting for Income Tax) practice. In this role, Lagos will be responsible for continuing to grow the ASC740 and corporate tax practices in the New Jersey, New York and Connecticut areas.
“Eleni’s extensive experience with ASC 740 will be a boon to our clients in the New York area,” said Mathew DeMong, Northeast tax regional managing partner at BDO USA LLP. “I’m thrilled to welcome her to the BDO partnership.”
Lagos comes to BDO with nearly 20 years of experience providing comprehensive tax consulting services across multiple industries. She has provided services to companies at varying stages of their life cycle, primarily large, global SEC-registered companies to middle-market companies and startups with a specialty in ASC 740, including tax reform considerations, tax accounting for stock-based compensation, merger and acquisition transactions, interim period reporting and valuation allowance considerations.
M&T Bank
M&T Bank has announced a series of leadership promotions to manage operations in New Jersey and the greater Philadelphia region.
The following bank executives have been assigned broader responsibilities:
- Ira Brown has been promoted to area executive. He previously served as regional president for the bank’s Philadelphia and southern New Jersey region, and in his new role will add central and northern New Jersey to his responsibility.
- Bernard T. Shields has been promoted to regional president for the Philadelphia and southern New Jersey region, reporting to Brown. He previously served as the group vice president and group manager for the bank’s commercial real estate group.
“I am proud to continue to represent M&T Bank in the greater Philadelphia region, and expand my role in the Garden State,” said Brown, “I have every confidence that Bernie will excel in his new role overseeing M&T’s complete community banking capabilities in a region where he has fostered deep, meaningful relationships. I look forward to working with him to bring the full depth of our community-focused banking model to the broader Philadelphia and New Jersey area. ”
Fredi L. Pearlmutter, Lindabury, McCormick, Estabrook & Cooper P.C.
Fredi L. Pearlmutter, a partner at the law firm Lindabury, McCormick, Estabrook & Cooper, P.C., in Westfield, was recently named to the board of directors of YWCA Princeton at its headquarters on Paul Robeson Place.
Concentrating her practice on environmental and public health issues, Pearlmutter is also actively involved with the community-based organization, Sustainable Princeton.
The YWCA is dedicated to eliminating racism, empowering women and promoting peace, justice, freedom and dignity for all.
Unity Bank
Unity Bank has expanded its Small Business Administration lending team with the addition of Thomas E. Lilley as vice president/SBA business development manager and Andrew Leahy as vice president/SBA business development executive.
In collaboration with Unity’s senior management, Lilley develops and implements strategies to prudently grow the SBA loan portfolio and meet existing and emerging customer needs. The Manahawkin resident brings more than 25 years of SBA business lending experience to the bank. He worked with several national and regional banks in New Jersey, managing their SBA lending process. Lilley earned a B.S. in business economics at Rutgers University.
Leahy also brings more than 25 years of SBA lending experience to his role at Unity. The Warwick, New York, resident previously held similar positions with national and regional banks in New Jersey and New York. He studied business administration at Rowan University.
Dr. Barry A. Hendin, MSAA
The Multiple Sclerosis Association of America is proud to announce a new chief medical officer for the organization. Dr. Barry A. Hendin, a highly accomplished neurologist who specializes in MS, has assumed the role at the Cherry Hill-based organization.
Preceding Hendin was Dr. Jack Burks, a clinical professor of neurology for the Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine at the Florida International University of Miami, who provided decades of service to MSAA and the MS community.
(Not pictured.)
Jeffrey Jacobson, Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP
Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP announced that Jeffrey S. Jacobson has joined the firm as a partner on the Class Actions Team. Jacobson comes to the firm from Kelley Drye & Warren LLP, where he was co-chair of the firm’s Class Actions and Securities Litigation & Enforcement practice groups.
While primarily working from the firm’s New York City office, Jacobson will also spend time in Drinker Biddle’s Florham Park location.
(Not pictured.)
