Linden Chamber’s Annual Scholarship and Business of the Year Awards Dinner

The Linden Chamber of Commerce held their fifteenth annual scholarship and business awards dinner in June.
Seven scholarships were awarded to Linden High School seniors. The recipients were Peter Tosak; Lucia Pacho-Ortiz will attend Rutgers University and pursue a career in Civil Engineering and Computer Science; Chelsea Haley-Barker will attend Hampton University and major in Criminal Justice; Alecia Pesaud will attend Kean University and would like to become a Pediatric Nurse Practitioner; Paula Lopez plans to pursue a career in Forensic Anthropology; Brandon Peters will attend Monmouth University and pursue a degree in Computer Science; Evelyn Serrano will attend New York University and study Astrophysics.
Two Linden businesses were honored. Ill Amici Ristorante and Baker Tax & Accounting Services. Giovanni Lavorato is the owner and executive chef of Ill Amici Ristorante in Linden, NJ. Established in 19190, Ill Amici is a family owned and operated Italian restaurant. Giovanni’s son Dante, is the general manager and his daughter Teresa is the office manager at the restaurant. The restaurant boasts a spacious dining room with a classic Italian décor, a Roman style lounge, and a private banquet facility.
Mary Baker is the CEO of Baker Tax & Accounting Services, LLC and Get Your Biz in Order, LLC, companies devoted to educating people on how to get the most benefits from their finances. She has over 25 years in the Finance industry coaching individuals and business owners on how to reach their financial goals.
Mary believes in change your mindset, change your finances. Mary gives credit for all of her success to God, her family, friends and all of the people she has serviced along the way.
Angie Tsirkas was named Person of the Year. Angie has invested over 27 years in the banking industry and is a Vice President and Business Development Officer for Northfield Bank. Angie takes pride in her job and spends her days meeting and assisting customers while building strong relationships within the communities that Northfield Bank serves. Noted for her extensive volunteerism, including being the Vice Chair of the Linden Chamber of Commerce, she was the recipient of the Humanitarian Award from the Salvation Army in 2009 and she was honored by the Boy Scouts of American in 2013.

(above, l-r) Mary Baker, Angie Tsirkas, Janet Miller co-president Linden Chamber of Commerce, and Giovanni Lavorato.

(above, l-r) Mary Baker, Angie Tsirkas, Janet Miller co-president Linden Chamber of Commerce, and Giovanni Lavorato.

(above) Scholarship winners with Janet Miller, Co-President of Chamber, Linda Huntly Treasurer of the Chamber, Angie Tsirkas Vice Chair of the Chamber and Mayor Derek Armstead.

(above) Scholarship winners with Janet Miller, Co-President of Chamber, Linda Huntly Treasurer of the Chamber, Angie Tsirkas Vice Chair of the Chamber and Mayor Derek Armstead.

(above) Linden High School Students performed during the awards ceremony.

(above) Linden High School Students performed during the awards ceremony.

To see more pictures of this event visit Linden Chamber of Commerce Awards Dinner 2016