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.
Cynthia Gruskos, Association of Community College Trustees
It was announced by the Association of Community College Trustees that Cynthia Gruskos, senior assistant to the president and board of trustees of Brookdale Community College, is the recipient of the prestigious 2021 Northeast Region Professional Board Staff Member Award. The Professional Board Staff Member Award was established in 2001 and is given to any board staff member to recognize exemplary service to boards.
The ACCT chairman presented this award at the Annual Awards Gala during the 52nd Annual ACCT Leadership Congress.
“Thank you for nominating me, appreciating me, and encouraging me,” said Gruskos. “I am so very fortunate that I am able to serve the college and the board of trustees in my position. I know that each of you have very full lives and you have demonstrated what it means to be givers of your time, efforts, expertise, energy and wisdom to advancing the work of Brookdale Community College. Thank you for being available and responsive during this very difficult year. I have learned so much from you about what it means to be a Trustee, to be a leader and to be caring citizens of Monmouth County.”
Liam McManus, Florio Perrucci Steinhardt Cappelli Tipton & Taylor LLC
Florio Perrucci Steinhardt Cappelli Tipton & Taylor LLC is pleased to welcome new associate attorney, Liam McManus. McManus works from the firm’s Phillipsburg office, focusing his practice on general litigation, insurance defense and public governance.
While in law school, McManus worked in Seton Hall’s Center for Social Justice civil litigation clinic. He also worked at a Newark law firm and served as an extern at the Essex County Courthouse. Before law school, McManus worked as a journalist in the Poconos and spent time working in manufacturing.
A lifelong resident of eastern Pennsylvania, McManus is licensed to practice in both Pennsylvania and New Jersey. He graduated from Seton Hall University School of Law and received his bachelor’s degree in journalism from Penn State University.
Toni Modak, Valley Home Care
Valley Health System is pleased to announce the promotion of Toni Modak to the position of vice president for Valley Home Care, and a new member of the Valley Health System executive staff.
Modak joined Valley as a home care coordinator in 1993; since then, she has been promoted to key positions at VHC. Modak became a VHC manager in 2002 and was promoted to a director, overseeing VHC admissions services and transitional care, in 2012.
Modak has served as the director of population health for Valley Health System since December 2016. In this role, she has been instrumental in the development of the structure, personnel and mission of the population health team. The team manages more than 90,000 lives attributed to the Medicare ACO Bundle initiative and other commercial value-based payment programs.
John M. Shields, Baker Street Behavioral Health
The Baker Street Behavioral Health team announces the addition of John M. Shields to its team of psychologists, psychiatrists and mental health counselors. The addition of Shields to the Baker Street Behavioral Health team provides a highly respected and well-known presence in the forensic psychology field, thus complementing the company’s diverse suite of mental health services.
“We are extremely proud to add Dr. Shields to our ever-growing team and business, as his hiring reflects our company’s continual expansion into a national mental health services provider that provides leading care to our patients,” said Joe Galasso, founding partner and CEO of Baker Street Behavioral Health. “Dr. Shields will be a valued addition as we grow our neuropsychology department, while helping launch our company’s forensic psychology efforts.”
A board-certified forensic psychologist with over 25 years of experience as a licensed psychologist, Dr. Shields has completed more than 2,200 forensic evaluations for courts and attorneys and has testified as an expert witness on over 150 occasions in state, federal and military courts.
Summit Health
Summit Health announced the addition of two new members to its management company board of directors. Kate Walsh, CEO and president of the Boston Medical Center health system, and Todd Walthall, executive vice president and chief operating officer of Blue Shield of California, are newly appointed to the board of directors of the management company that guides Summit Health, the physician-led, patient-centric network formed by the 2019 merger between Summit Medical Group, a premier multispecialty physician group, and CityMD, a leader in urgent care.
The combined organization, which has more than 2,000 providers, over 8,000 employees, and over 200 locations in New Jersey, New York, and Central Oregon, offers a full spectrum of high-quality primary, specialty, and urgent care.
“Kate Walsh and Todd Walthall each bring tremendous depth of experience, and richness of perspectives to the direction, strategy and the next chapter of Summit Health,” said Dr. Jeffrey LeBenger, CEO, Summit Health. “Steeped in many aspects of health care and public health, Kate offers a wealth of knowledge and insights to our board. And Todd has a notable track record of success in an age of health care transformation. He is an inspiring and multitalented professional who has had a positive impact in industries, including retail and financial services. It is my honor to welcome Kate and Todd to our board of directors.”
Denise Vitola, Bayer
Bayer announced Denise Vitola is joining the Bayer communications team as vice president of brand integration, PR, social and influencer for Consumer Health. In this role, Vitola will be responsible for leading strategy for integrated brand public relations, social media and influencer marketing for all Consumer Health U.S. brands.
For the last two years, Vitola has played an integral role as a consultant leading internal communications and brand PR for Bayer Consumer Health North America, including spearheading the advancement of influencer marketing and organic social for Consumer Health North America and launching new integrated campaigns for Midol, Bayer Aspirin, AleveX, One-A-Day, Claritin and Alka-Seltzer.
Vitola will report to Beth Roden, senior vice president and head of communications – Bayer U.S. and head of communications, Consumer Health North America. Vitola will also be a member of the U.S. corporate communications leadership team, driving reputation, digital excellence and integrated communications.
Mark Fleischer, HealthSTAR Communications
HealthSTAR Communications, a leading independent health care communications network, announces Mark Fleischer has accepted the role of CEO. Former CEO Chris Sweeney will transition to chairman.
“I have full confidence in Mark’s ability in tandem with our Operating Committee to lead the HealthSTAR Network moving forward.” stated Sweeney. “Mark has vast leadership experience and a passion for cutting-edge technology and data, service delivery and innovative solutions. His vision for the future only strengthens our ambitious mission to change the way marketing services are executed in the life sciences industry.”
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Caitlin McCrory, Realogy Holdings Corp.
Realogy Holdings Corp., the largest full-service residential real estate services company in the U.S., announced the appointment of Caitlin McCrory to lead the company’s industry relations function.
As vice president, industry relations, McCrory will drive the company’s advocacy efforts, develop strategic policy objectives and build collaborative relationships with industry organizations. She will report directly to Marilyn Wasser, Realogy executive vice president and general counsel.
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NACD New Jersey Chapter
The National Association of Corporate Directors’ New Jersey Chapter, the advocate for the profession of directorship, announced the election of Susan Gray and Richard Mroz to the chapter’s board of directors.
“Susan and Richard are tremendous additions to our board and bring diverse experience and skill sets, enabling NACD New Jersey to continue to bring forward-looking, critical guidance and resources to our members to elevate board performance,” said Tom Fuller, CEO and president of NACD New Jersey. “Susan’s ESG expertise and global background and Richard’s wealth of public and private sector experience position them both as champions of corporate governance excellence.”
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OceanFirst Bank N.A.
OceanFirst Bank N.A., the wholly owned subsidiary of OceanFirst Financial Corp., announces the addition of two experienced commercial banking officers to lead the Bank’s ongoing expansion plans in the Boston and Baltimore markets.
Daniel Griggs recently joined OceanFirst as president of the Boston regional market and is responsible for building a commercial banking team that will deliver customized financial solutions to businesses throughout Massachusetts. Tom Crawford joined the bank as president of the Baltimore regional market and is leading a team of seasoned commercial bankers to provide financial services to businesses throughout Maryland.
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