Business Beat

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The ARC of Monmouth Celebrates its Employees
TINTON FALLS – During Direct Support Professionals (DSP) Recognition Week (Sept. 9-15), The Arc of Monmouth celebrated the employees who provide care for the 1,400 people with intellectual and developmental disabilities served by the organization.
National Direct Support Professional Recognition Week is celebrated annually across the country with special events and ceremonies earmarked to honor the tens of thousands of workers who enable our most vulnerable citizens and their families to live healthy, community-oriented lives.
One employee of The Arc of Monmouth who exemplifies outstanding direct supports skills is Francis Chege, who has recently been named Employee of the Year. Chege lives in Eatontown with his wife Roselyne and has been employed by The Arc of Monmouth for more than 12 years.
As manager of The Arc’s Alexandria Group Home in Manalapan, he oversees residents with developmental disabilities and a variety of medical needs, as well as supervising a staff who provide individuals with 24-hour support.
Chege is admired for ably handling crisis situations, advocating for the rights of current and past residents and encouraging their pursuit of employment and educational opportunities. He also recently was nominated for The Arc of New Jersey’s Martin Papish Employee Award.
“The respect and kindness he shows to the residents and staff is extraordinary,” said Dawn Delaney, residential director. “He displays a positive attitude even in the face of challenges and supports his staff through difficult times. He encourages people to move beyond their comfort zone and to expand their horizons.”
At The Arc of Monmouth, DSPs serve in a multitude of capacities, including management of The Arc’s 10 group homes and supported living options; employment counseling/ job coaching at varied job sites; administration of physical, behavioral and dental health care; guidance at enriching recreation activities; social work; advocacy and individual and family supports.
The Arc of Monmouth is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization annually serving more than 1,400 individuals with Down Syndrome, autism and other intellectual and developmental disabilities at 20 locations throughout the county.
Additional information is available by calling 732-493-1919 or visit www.arcofmonmouth.org.
 
MagnaCare Expands Executive Team with Brennan Appointment
 
TINTON FALLS – Magna­Care, a healthcare services company, has named Joseph Brennan, former assistant commissioner for the Bureau of Fraud Deterrence of the state Department of Banking and Insurance (DOBI), vice president and associate general counsel.
Brennan will oversee key areas, including issues related to the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), privacy, compliance, litigation, employment and vendor contracting.
“Mr. Brennan brings un­matched legal and industry perspectives, as well as extensive experience working in the areas of fraud detection and prevention,” said Joseph Berardo Jr., CEO and president of MagnaCare. “We are confident that he will enhance our capabilities as a full service health plan management company, drawing upon his knowledge in such areas as compliance, law enforcement, commercial employment, regulatory and litigation matters.”
Prior to joining Magna­Care, Brennan worked as an attorney in both the public and private sectors, serving as assistant commissioner of the state Department of Banking and Insurance from 2010 to 2012. While there he founded and directed the Bureau of Fraud Deterrence. Previously, he spent 25 years with the N.J. State Police, where he attained the rank of major and served as a key advisor to the State Police leadership. He was also a partner in a Monmouth County law firm.
Brennan was admitted to the practice of law in New Jersey in 1987, and is also admitted in New York and the District of Columbia. He holds a juris doctor degree from Seton Hall University School of Law, and earned a master’s in public administration and a master’s in criminal justice from the City University of New York. He received the 2011 N.J. Special Investigators Association’s President’s Award for his work in the state’s fight against insurance fraud.
“MagnaCare represents best-of-class health plan management, optimizing how self-insured companies of every size control operations, manage assets and reign in healthcare costs,” Brennan said.
He will work in the company’s Tinton Falls office.
 
Three Businesses Team Up to Offer Health, Wellness Workshop
 
RUMSON – Just in time for back-to-school, three local health and wellness providers have teamed up to offer student athletes and their families a recipe for success.
They call it The Power of 3. Marc Rosamilla and Sandra Lynch of Bio Balance fitness and conditioning center in Rumson, Fair Haven’s Law­less Chiropractic & Wellness Center’s Dr. Brian E. Lawless and massage therapist Felicia Gaines Sachs have teamed up and are inviting the public to Bio-Balance Fitness & Per­formance, 113 East River Rd., from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 27, for a free wellness workshop for the entire family.
The Power of 3 will offer student athletes and their family members an understanding of the benefits of the conditioning process, provide them with tools to minimize injuries and gain a balanced plan for a successful way of life. It is an opportunity for attendees to learn what three things they can do to enrich their health.
Athletes, amateur and professional, are increasingly including chiropractic care and massage in their mix of sports enhancing modalities. By doing so, many are improving their performance.
The Power of 3 health and fitness professionals believe that the younger athletes are when introduced to this concept of taking care of themselves the better performance they will experience long term. In addition, family members – those adults driving the athlete to work-outs and shopping for and preparing the healthy meals – can benefit themselves both from the knowledge of this combination and by experiencing it with special offers from Bio Balance and Lawless Chiropractic & Wellness Center of performance training, chiropractic evaluations and massage discounts.
The evening will feature nutrition tips and tastings, exercise demonstrations, chiropractic information and free chair massage.
The group also will introduce its Student Athlete Wellness Package, one month of services created to offer an athlete not only the opportunity to maximize their unlimited athletic potential with performance training at Bio Balance but also the support of professionals trained to evaluate and maintain their physical condition through chiropractic care and massage at Lawless Chiropractic & Wellness Center, 654 River Road in Fair Haven.
One wellness package, priced at $299 but with a retail value of $604, will be given as a prize at the event.
Additional information is available by calling 732-842-7910.
 
Colonial American Bank Adds SBA Lending to Service Offerings
 
SHREWSBURY – Colonial American Bank (CAB) announces the addition of the U.S. Small Business Admin­istration (SBA) program to its commercial banking services for small to middle market companies in both New Jersey and Pennsylvania.
Andrew Glatz, Toms River, has joined the management team as senior vice president, SBA Lending, bringing more than 20 years of SBA lending and banking industry experience to the program. Dave Clerkin, Monroe, joins the bank as SBA underwriter.
“Small businesses are the engine that drives the U.S. economy.  We know that in today’s economic climate, both start-up and existing small businesses need accessible funding to pursue new opportunities for growth,” said Anthony Giordano, III, president and CEO. “At Colonial American Bank, we make all of our decisions at the local level and have the flexibility to customize loans and provide sound financial solutions for our business customers.”
For more information about the SBA program, please contact Glatz at 732-945-4230, aglatz@colonial americanbank.com or visit www.colonialamericanbank.com.