■ Member Moves
■ Member Spotlight holds a PhD and MS in sociology and cultural anthropology from Purdue University and a BS in psychology from the University of Delaware .
■ Member Moves
enhance academic programs and seek to increase student engagement through innovative curricula and experiential learning opportunities .
“ With a strong commitment to educational access and opportunity , I feel an alignment with the mission and value of the university ; there is no greater means to transform lives than through quality education ,” said Dr . Kent . “ Having served in academic administration for over two decades , I ’ m excited to dedicate my skills and experiences to advance the university and to support the growth and development of our students .”
Before coming to Felician , Dr . Kent served as the Associate Dean of Undergraduate Studies at Thomas Edison State University , where she acted as the chief academic officer for programs in liberal arts , sciences , and education . She
Joel Viereck being sworn into his term on the New Jersey State Board of Agriculture during the Board ’ s monthly meeting .
■ Member Spotlight holds a PhD and MS in sociology and cultural anthropology from Purdue University and a BS in psychology from the University of Delaware .
She has held many significant positions , including Provost , Associate Provost , Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs , Dean of the Keystone Honors Academy , and Executive Associate to the President at Cheyney University of Pennsylvania . In these positions , she oversaw university operations and provided leadership for strategic planning and assessment processes .
Joel Viereck Takes Seat on NJ State Board of Agriculture
Gloucester County farm operator Joel Viereck was sworn into his term on the New Jersey State Board of Agriculture during the Board ’ s monthly meeting . The session also included an officer reorganization where Cumberland County ’ s Bob Blew was elected President and Burlington County ’ s Lisa Specca as Vice President .
Viereck , who is representing the vegetable industry , has served as President of the Vegetable Growers Association of New Jersey , Vice President of the Gloucester County Board of Agriculture , and the Gloucester County Director for the New Jersey Farm Bureau . Viereck has worked 23 years as the fourth generation of a farm that spans 600 acres in Woolwich and Logan Townships .
Incoming President Blew has served on the board since 2023 and has been an owner / manager of Centerton Nursery for 19 years . His primary responsibilities have been product development , marketing , and digital content . Centerton Nursery is a third-generation operation that delivers more than 1,600 plant varieties to more than 900 dealers in 32 states .
Likewise , Specca has served on the board since 2021 , and owns and operates Specca Farms with her husband Dave Specca . It is a fourth-generation , family-owned vegetable farm , which markets directly to the public through a pick-your-own operation and seasonal farmers markets . Lisa Specca ’ s primary responsibilities include being manager of retail sales and marketing , manager of human resources , greenhouse production manager , chief financial officer , and coordinator of farm safety .
The State Board of Agriculture comprises eight members who serve for four years . By law , at least four of its members must represent the top commodity groups in the state , which are nursery , vegetable , fruit , and grain . Other board members and the commodity groups they represent are Kurt Alstede , of Morris County , fruit ; David DeFrange II , Hunterdon County , nursery ; John Hart , Mercer County , hay and grain ; Stephen V . Lee IV , Burlington County , fruit ; Holly Sytsema , Sussex County , dairy .
Editor ’ s Note : Want to be featured in the next Member Moves ? Contact Jamie Grill- Goodman @ JGoodman @ CIANJ . org . Glenn ’ s wife Barbara Laga reading her speech at his retirement party .
Photo : Joseph Cendeno , https :// www . instagram . com / kaosjc
Continued from page 20 Ed Stevenson – Member Chair , Corporate & Securities at Chiesa Shahinian & Giantomasi PC ( CSG Law ) – was brought in to serve as Guardian ’ s legal counsel on the transaction . Moretti / BHC worked closely with Stevenson / CSG Law , as well as with other deal team members , to help guide the company to the finish line .
“ I am proud of Guardian ’ s reputation and excited about continued growth with Housatonic and Alston at the helm ,” Laga commented . “ I can assure our customers that their needs will continue to be met and exceeded .”
The power of the CIANJ network extended beyond the closing as well . In addition to providing presale planning strategies to help maximize net sale proceeds , Maldonado and his team of internal professionals at BofA Private Bank stepped up to offer wealth and estate planning strategies to the selling shareholders once the transaction closed . Additionally , CIANJ Treasurer Kathleen Alexander – also a Partner at SAX , LLP – played a role in the deal ’ s accounting and 401k management .
“ Without CIANJ , these parties would not have met each other or produced such a great outcome by themselves for all involved ,” noted Anthony Russo , CIANJ President and CEO / Publisher of COMMERCE Magazine .
Founded in 2010 , Guardian is a North American leader in onsite e-media data destruction . Its services include data destruction processes , enterprise and data center relocations and decommissioning , secure IT packing and logistics , and customized solutions for endof-life IT assets . The company has grown significantly over the years and now boasts a fleet of mobile trucks strategically distributed at 23 service hubs throughout the continental U . S . Each Guardian mobile data destruction truck can be dispatched to shred up to 5,000 hard drives or wipe 300 computers in a single day onsite , according to the company .
“ Glenn and Mike grew Guardian into a great company ,” noted Russo . “ As the primary organization focused on promoting businesses within the state of New Jersey , CIANJ takes pride in our instrumental support of Guardian ’ s growth .”
Plans for Guardian ’ s continued growth include creating deeper relationships with the company ’ s existing network of channel partners , expanding its geographic reach , and bolstering its service offerings . Guardian remains headquartered in South Hackensack , New Jersey .
“ Our whole deal team is thrilled to have delivered an outstanding outcome for everyone at Guardian , and we ’ re confident that , under the stewardship of Housatonic , Alston , and Sirota , greater things still lie ahead for this amazing company , its customers and its employees ,” said Moretti . “ This transaction serves as a wonderful blueprint for other CIANJ companies .”
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