The Southern Ocean County Chamber of Commerce welcomed over 100 business and community leaders to their Annual State of the Chamber held Friday January 31 sponsored by LBI National Golf & Resort in Little Egg Harbor, NJ. President Jerry Thompson of the Van Dyk Group opened the event by welcoming attendees and recognizing both returning and new board members. He also welcomed local officials, including representatives Mayor Sue Marshall of Tuckerton, Stafford Township Borough Administrator Matt von der Hayden, Harvey Cedars Mayor John Imperiale, Little Egg Harbor Mayor Dan Maxwell, and Sandra Lazzaro of Ocean County Tourism and Business Development. President Thompson introduced the first speaker Commissioner Jennifier Bacchione who provided updates and remarks on county initiatives. Michele Morrison, President and Chief Hospital Executive at Southern Ocean Medical Center Hackensack Meridian Hospital, shared a healthcare update including state of the art equipment and expanded care nursery. The board acknowledged the promotion of Kate Krier to Office Management/Business Development.
Vice President Elizabeth Giglio of Barlow Buick GMC introduced the morning’s keynote speaker Mr. Charles Cunliffe, Supervising Engineer of T&M Associates. Cunliffe, with 11 years of experience in public works projects, discussed coastal resiliency and the implications of new DEP rulings. Vice President Giglio then welcomed Mr. Blaise Scibetta of Southern Ocean Consulting introduced the membership to the chamber’s 4 Pillar strategy into 2030 which includes Business to Business Networking, Business/Non-Profit Education, Workforce Development and Individualized Marketing & Advertising.
Southern Ocean Chamber Association President Lori Pepenella welcomed Carmen Russo, General Manager of LBI National Golf & Resort who invited the group to tour the recently renovated facilities. SOCA President Pepenella spoke of the February 27 Southern Ocean County Job Fair, upcoming Non-Profit Forums and other networking events to round out the winter. She thanked all those in attendance and the sponsor before adjourning the meeting.
The 2025 Board of Directors for the Southern Ocean County Chamber of Commerce Jerry Thompson, The Van Dyk Group – President, Elizabeth Giglio, Barlow Buick GMC – First Vice President. Carol Holmes, Health Village Imaging – Second Vice President, Lori Pepenella, Southern Ocean Chamber Association – Board Secretary, Michele Cuff, Southern Ocean Chamber Association – Treasurer, Laura Benson, ESQ Berry, Sahradnik, Kotzas & Benson, Michele Collins Davies, Stockton University, Marie Daley, Beasley Media. Kenny Formica, Surf City Marina, Jamie Goshorn, Barlow Buick GMC, Tanek Hood, Reynolds Landscaping, Michele Morrison, RN, MPH, BSHA Southern Ocean Medical Center HMH, Christina Ping, The Residence of Stafford, Danielle Roselli, Manasquan Bank and Shawn Zakar, Workforce and Professional Education at Ocean County College.
Visit our article on the upcoming Job Fair here. For more information on all events and activities, please contact Southern Ocean Chamber at 609 494 7211, follow LBI Region Report Weekly FM Radio Show/Podcast, on social as @southernoceanchamber @LBIregion or visit official website. Special thank you to WBNJ Vinyl FM for recording the event.
