Chamber of Commerce Scholarships and Business Awards
The Linden Chamber Division of the Greater Elizabeth Chamber of Commerce held their twenty-third annual scholarship and business awards dinner on June 13, 2024, at Ill Amici Ristorante in Linden, NJ. Linden High School students were awarded four $1,500 scholarships: Erica Hernandez, Julie Louissant, Christian Mederios and Aryanna Muniz; and two $1,200 scholarships: Jorge Diggs and Molly McDonald.
Antoinette Modrak a retired district wide Administrator and former principal of Linden High School shared that one of her first jobs was to reach out to the Linden business community to secure jobs for students. The Linden Chamber was instrumental in the process. She thanked the chamber for the prodigious amount of help they offered Linden students thru the years highlighting one example. “One student worked for Old Navy, who had just come to Linden – 25 years later the student is now the Regional Manager for Manhattan.” “The businesses in Linden always give our students opportunities to grow, and they have been raising money for scholarships and supporting our students for over 23 years.”
The Linden Chamber Division hosts several events during the year to raise scholarship monies. In addition to an ad journal, this event’s Host Sponsors were Phillips 66 Bayway Refinery, Helicopter Flight Services, and Union County Savings Bank. Reception Sponsors were Chemical Services, Inc., Columbia Bank, Dunkin – Stiles Street, Financial Resources, Infineum USA, LP, Linden Warehouse and Distribution Co., Northfield Bank, Quality Auto Center, So Delicious Ice Cream, Tax Lady II UC, The Restoration Group, and WAE Properties, LLC.
A ‘Business of the Year’ award was given to Hampton Inn – Linden, which offers 149 guest rooms and over two meeting spaces totaling 1200 sq. feet. “We are a newly renovated Hilton Hotel that is pet friendly with a hot, delicious breakfast included in the rate for our local companies, or an event requiring a group block or meeting space for a neighboring company. We have it all. We look forward to our continued relationships and patronage of this area.”
A ‘Business of the Year’ award was given to Broadway Strong Fitness which offers a holistic approach to fitness. Wali Broadway, owner, likens the body to a car, emphasizing the importance of understanding how each part works together for optimal performance. His Linde-based facility offers comprehensive fitness programs, including small group training, nutritional guidance, joint pain relief, and sports team training for all ages and fitness levels.
A Person of the Year Award was given to Janet Miller. Janet has been a dedicated Chairwoman of the Linden Chamber of Commerce for the past 16 years and is soon to be the President of the Linden Industrial Association. Presenter Ingrid Andrade spoke for many in attendance when she stated, “You are truly deserving of this award, not just this year but every year you have selflessly led our Chamber.”
A special Recognition Award was giving to Rebecca Kerins – Tattoli. Rebecca is a lifelong resident of Linden, whose family heritage in Linden dates back to 1854. They resided in the neighborhood between the former General Motors and Merck and Company. This area was her family’s farm. These streets are named after her Great-Grandparents, Rebecca and Hampden Smith. Rebecca is currently the Confidential Secretary to Linden Mayor Armstead, and Secretary/Treasurer to the Linden Economic Development Corp.
Mayor Derek Armstead had this to say “As a mayor you’re your only as good as the staff you have around you, I’ve been very fortunate to have Rebecca on my team, she operates with a prodigious amount of savvy and sophistication. I love her like a sister, and I would not have been as success mayor without her.”
The Linden Chamber Division of the GECC is leader among the great organizations representing the Linden Business Community, established with the mission to provide support to local businesses. The Chamber works to provide support for new and current businesses, advocates site development and promotes a forward thinking and carefully planned business environment in Linden. Their meetings are designed for sharing information and experiences. Representatives from the Linden Government are always in attendance at meetings, which allows for an open and communicative relationship between business owners and the municipality. Meetings take place at 8:30 a.m., on the fourth Tuesday of every month, except July and August. For more information about the Linden Chamber visit elizabethchamber.com or call (908) 355-7600.
The Greater Elizabeth Chamber of Commerce encourages businesses and organizations to proactively work together to promote and improve the business environment, build responsible partnerships that sustain prosperity and success and create a community that prides itself in providing the best place to work, live and do business.
