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.
Jill Beene, McCann Health Echo
McCann Health announced the appointment of Jill Beene as president, McCann Health Echo, a full-service advertising agency solely focused on health care professionals and their patients. Beene most recently led H4B Catapult, part of Havas Health and You, and held senior strategy and account planning roles at CDM Princeton and New York. She began her career in account planning and has worked at Y&R, BBDO, among others.
“I’m excited to have Jill join us as the new president of McCann Health Echo,” said Linda Szyper, global chief operating officer, McCann Health. “Jill’s demonstrated leadership, strategic prowess and trusted partnership with clients are exactly what we were looking for in McCann Health Echo’s next leader. As a key member of McCann Health North America’s Executive Leadership Team, she will play a pivotal role in the agency’s growth.”
Although she began her career in the consumer packaged goods space, she made the switch to health care almost 20 years ago. The depth of emotion and connection people have to their bodies, ailments and treatments were fascinating to her. Beene brings deep knowledge of insight development and a commitment to helping pharmaceutical brands benefit from strategy driven by customer insight.
Mitchell Rait, Javerbaum Wurgaft
Javerbaum Wurgaft Hicks Kahn Wikstrom & Sinins P.C., is pleased to announce that Mitchell Rait has joined the firm as partner and executive director.
“Mitch brings to Javerbaum Wurgaft decades of law firm industry knowledge to help best serve our clients. In addition to administering and marketing our firm, Mitch is a seasoned lawyer with well-rounded experience in employment law and other practice areas,” notes Eric G. Kahn, managing shareholder.
Rait, formerly shareholder and chief operating officer at Budd Larner P.C., will oversee business operations of the firm and assist in its strategic growth.
Gil Roessner, American Architectural Window and Door
American Architectural Window and Door announced the hiring of a new sales associate, Gil Roessner. Roessner is a seasoned sales professional who know that asking the right questions and listening will lead to better outcomes for customers as well as their buildings’ occupants and residents.
Roessner is an accomplished sales executive with over 35 years of award-winning transactions in multiple industries. With a master’s degree in design from Pratt Institute in New York City, Roessner brings a wealth of experience sourcing and supervising complex projects.
In announcing the appointment, AAWD’s president, John Zoetjes, commented, “Expanding our organization with this seasoned sales professional enables us to continue our growth while providing customers with the best personal service to help them on any of their window and door project needs.”
Sen. Stephen Sweeney, Easterseals New Jersey
Easterseals New Jersey, the state’s largest disability services provider, and its Raritan Valley Work Center Advisory Board have presented Sen. Stephen Sweeney (D-West Deptford) with the esteemed Good Samaritan Award.
The award was presented at the annual Raritan Valley Work Center Dinner at the Pines Manor in Edison. Sweeney was recognized for his career-long commitment to the betterment of New Jerseyans with intellectual disabilities and special needs.
His support has focused in large part on vocational rehabilitation opportunities, ensuring that people with special needs and disabilities across the state receive the best care and access to opportunities possible. The gala event took place during National Disability Employment Awareness Month, a key time to shine a spotlight on the potential and lingering needs of people with disabilities.
Lauren Brajer, Rizco
Rizco, a creative campaign agency based at the Jersey Shore, is pleased to announce Lauren Brajer as a social media & content strategist.
In this role, which enhances the agency’s digital capabilities, Brajer will be part of the team putting social media marketing plans into action for the agency. From research to being up-to-date on trends, to strategic content creation, to plan execution and analytics, she will help drive further engagement for Rizco’s clients’ social media accounts.
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ComboCap Inc.
ComboCap Inc., the creator of the world’s only side-by-side, dual-chamber, wet-and-dry combination capsule, is excited to announce the appointment of a new CEO, Mark Vieceli, formerly of Health Wright Products and Capsugel.
Tobie Louw, founder and current CEO, moved into the position of strategic business development and act as the brand ambassador on a global scale for the company.
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JK Design
Creative marketing agency JK Design is marking its 34th year in business with a milestone reorganization of its executive team.
Founders Jerry and Barbara Kaulius have transitioned from their respective CEO and chief human resources officer roles to become chairman and vice chairwoman. They have appointed Martha Marchesi to lead the agency as CEO, Chris Pierson as president, and Mark Medeiros to the position of executive vice president.
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Lakeland Bank
Thomas J. Shara, CEO and president of Lakeland Bank, is pleased to announce the following officer promotions:
- Brendan Eccleston to first senior vice president – deputy general counsel;
- Steven Breeman to senior VP – team leader, asset based lending;
- Tracey Trovato to VP – branch manager;
- Dana Wagoner to VP – internal audit SOX compliance manager;
- Shannon Burden to assistant VP – call center assistant manager;
- Glenn Lucchi to assistant VP – credit specialist;
- Mary Miller to assistant VP – branch operations coordinator;
- Erin Rizzi to assistant VP – corporate trainer;
- Carol Wilson to assistant treasurer – equipment finance administrator.
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Judith Schmidt, Seton Hall University
New Jersey State Nurses Association CEO Judith Schmidt was honored for her leadership skills and passion for nursing last night by Seton Hall University College of Nursing.
Schmidt was presented with the George J. Hebert Leadership Award for her career of nursing leadership at the 48th Annual College of Nursing Margaret C. Haley Awards, advocating for the profession of nursing in New Jersey and nationally. For many years, she has been one of the most visible proponents of the advancement of the nursing profession as CEO of NJSNA, where she represents the interests of more than 110,000 registered and advanced practice nurses in New Jersey.
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Verus
Verus LLC, a litigation support services firm, has promoted three executives to its C-suite as part of a corporate growth initiative. Specifically, Matthew Nissen has been promoted to chief strategy officer; Lori Todaro, to chief resource officer; and Scott Heisman, to chief integration officer.
“We are growing our C-suite with an eye towards streamlining our organization and aligning important business functions that will allow Verus to add even greater value for current clients, while also positioning the firm for exponential growth,” explained Mark Eveland, co-founder and CEO. “Since our founding, the focus of our corporate culture has always been on continuous innovation, process improvement and ongoing development of our products and services. We are applying those same principles that serve our clients so well to our own business in order to grow a sustainable enterprise that allows our staff and management alike to thrive and contribute to the organization in a holistic way. Matt, Lori and Scott are experts in their respective arenas and have already proven their ability to execute as a team. We look forward to their contributions in these new senior executive roles at Verus.”
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