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.
Waleed Abbasi, Tanenbaum Keale LLP
Tanenbaum Keale LLP is pleased to announce attorney Waleed T. Abbasi has joined the firm in its Newark office.
Abbasi focuses his practice in the areas of product liability and mass tort litigation. He also has extensive commercial litigation and construction litigation experience. Abbasi is admitted to practice law in New Jersey, New York and before the U.S. District Court of New Jersey and Southern District of New York.
“At TK, we are committed to deepening our litigation bench strength and diversifying the litigation services we offer to our clients by developing the highest quality professionals. Waleed will help us deliver on that commitment as he joins our team of professionals who provide outstanding service to our clients every day,” firm Chair Michael A. Tanenbaum said.
Karen Rose Karpousis, Alice Paul Professional Leadership Institute
For the third straight year, Charny Karpousis Altieri & Donoian P.A. Partner Karen Rose Karpousis took part in the Alice Paul Professional Leadership Institute: College & Careers program.
As a volunteer mentor, she met one-on-one with a group of teenage ladies from across South Jersey and shared personal stories related to her legal training and choice of profession as a divorce and family law attorney. The goal was to help high school girls gain insight regarding educational and career options so they can make informed decisions about their futures. In addition, Karpousis provided guidance on class selection, interviewing and other professional skills to further prepare these young women for college and beyond.
The Alice Paul Institute’s mission is to honor the legacy of Alice Paul’s work for gender equality through education and leadership development. Its Alice Paul Professional Leadership Institute: College & Careers is a five-day program, which includes college campus and workplace visits, school selection, resume development and business etiquette. The weeklong program culminates with a networking practice session in which professional women from varied fields and interests mentor the teens in small groups and in one-on-one sessions.
Lesley Slepian, Integrated Business Systems
Integrated Business Systems continues to expand its sales team with the addition of Lesley Slepian.
The Totowa-based commercial real estate technology firm specializes in construction management/accounting and property management/accounting software and support, and provides managed information technology services for clients across a range of industries.
A Manhattan resident, Slepian is a seasoned sales and client management professional with more than 25 years of experience in the accounting and technology industries. This includes a deep background in enterprise resource planning solutions. In her new role, she is focused on building IBS’s customer base and ultimately helping end users leverage the firm’s products effectively.
Susan F. Young, NJASBO
The New Jersey Association of School Business Officials is pleased to announce that Susan F. Young assumed the position of executive director earlier this year. Young assumed the position after having spent a career in both the public education and private sectors.
Young has held leadership roles in professional organizations, including NJASBO, prior to her July appointment. She manages the staff and volunteers of this 1,000-member professional organization. NJASBO represents and supports school business administrators who oversee various school operations such as budgeting, construction, maintenance, transportation, purchasing, food service and payroll. The association offers members a variety of professional development training opportunities and resources, as well as representation and technical support.
“I feel honored and privileged to be selected to lead, support and represent all of our NJASBO members in an executive role,” said Young. “I’m excited to assume this position and see tremendous opportunities to foster further collaboration with our educational colleagues, expand our dialogue with all constituents and enhance our professional development training and resources for our school business administrators across the state. I am appreciative of this extraordinary opportunity to facilitate the future direction of our organization for the benefit of our ultimate stakeholders, the children of New Jersey.”
Lance Aligo, KRS CPAs
KRS CPAs, a Paramus-based accounting firm, is pleased to announce the promotion of Lance Aligo from senior accountant to accounting manager. Aligo looks forward to the new opportunities this position will bring, while still working with clients to help them achieve their goals. He will continue to assist clients with business growth, tax planning, and business succession strategies. Aligo will also play a larger role in staff training and development and on-campus recruitment.
“I’m very excited about the opportunity to work with the younger staff accountants and provide training to them. I always felt that KRS had a great support system and now I get to be a part of it,” Aligo said.
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Carlos Medina, Colombia Consulate
Carlos Medina, Statewide Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of New Jersey CEO, was recognized by the Consulate of Columbia and Colombia Foreign Affairs Ministry with the “Amigo” Medal.
The ceremony was held at Jersey City Liberty State Park during the celebration of Colombia’s Bicentennial of Independence. Medina received this medal for his service to the Hispanic Community and, in particular, for his service to the New Jersey residents of Colombian heritage.
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Kathleen O’Hara, American Water
American Water, the largest publicly traded U.S. water and wastewater utility company, has named Kathleen O’Hara as vice president of operations for the Homeowner Services division. She joins Camden-based American Water with impressive success and acumen gained from a number of leadership roles in the home and consumer services industries, and will be based in Naperville, Illinois.
The addition of O’Hara to the Homeowner Services team comes following the 2018 acquisition of Pivotal Home Solutions and the subsequent integration and organization of the division to best support growth initiatives.
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Donna Rendeiro, New Jersey Office of Planning Advocacy
Lt. Gov. Sheila Oliver and Secretary of State Tahesha Way announced the appointment of Donna Rendeiro as executive director of the Office of Planning Advocacy and the secretary of the New Jersey State Planning Commission.
Rendeiro, who begins her service in August, had previously served as Chief of Administration for the New Jersey Housing and Mortgage Finance Agency.
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Andrew Saporito, South Jersey Port Corp.
Andrew Saporito, a 38-year veteran of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, is the new executive director of the South Jersey Port Corp.
“Andy is the consummate professional that we need to lead our jobs-creating mission,” said Richard A. Alaimo, chairman of the SJPC board of directors. “He earned his way to the top leadership of one of the largest, most dynamic, busy and successful ports in the world. He excelled through all aspects of port and marine terminal operations, terminal expansion, business development, real estate leasing, administration and management.”
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Selective Insurance Co.
Selective Insurance Co. of America, a subsidiary of Selective Insurance Group Inc., announces the following officer appointments:
- Shelly Gallagher, vice president, personal lines operations.
- Valerie Sparks, vice president, underwriting in Selective’s Southwest Region.
- Gaurav Puri, assistant vice president, analytics strategy.
- Mattia Scharfstein, assistant vice president, regulatory management services.
- Tacia Thomas, assistant vice president, excess and surplus operations.
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