CONTENTS

President's Message 8

Developing Networks That Sense,
Think And Act 12

Visionary Entrepreneur And
Community Leader Spotlighted 16

From Skyscrapers To County Roads -
And Everything In Between 22

Businesses Lead On
Sustainability Initiatives 26

Member Directory 33

On the Cover: Dr. Thierry Klein, president, Nokia Bell Labs Solutions Research, served as the keynote speaker at the 103rd Annual Meeting Luncheon of the Morris County Chamber of Commerce

Photo: Kramer Images

Morris County Chamber of Commerce

325 Columbia Turnpike – Suite 101, Florham Park, NJ 07932

973.539.3882 | morrischamber.org

Not a member yet? Contact Kevin Murphy, VP of Membership,

at kmurphy@morrischamber.org.

Please send all of your “Around the Chamber” announcements

to Chris Reardon at chris@reardoncommunications.com for

consideration to be included in the “Around the Chamber” newsletter.

This is a Town Square Publications, formerly MetroMedia (since 1997), publication created and produced for the Morris County Chamber of Commerce

325 Columbia Turnpike - Suite 101, Florham Park, NJ 07932

973.539.3882 | morrischamber.org

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president's

MESSAGE

ANNUAL MEETING LUNCHEON SHOWCASES OUR CHAMBER

While the Morris County Chamber of Commerce holds more than 250 events and meetings each year, the highlight of the year is hosting more than 400 of our members at our Annual Meeting Luncheon, which we held in early February this year. Thank you to all who attended. For those who were unable to make it, read on.

Innovation was the theme for 2024 as our keynote address by Dr. Thierry Klein, president, Bell Labs Solutions Research, Nokia Bell Labs, gave us a glimpse into the future of technology and how it will affect us all. Dr. Klein spoke about how far Nokia has come from being a B2C phone company to now developing networks that intertwine humans, the real world and the digital world to increase productivity, efficiency, safety and sustainability. He also spoke of Nokia’s newest project, developing the first-ever cellular network on the moon.

In December, at the Women in Business Forum and Awards luncheon. we heard about the phenomenal success of local entrepreneur Diane Levy, CEO and co-owner of Undercover Snacks, who shared the story of how she created her healthy snacks in response to her daughters having Celiac Disease and the meteoric growth the company has enjoyed. Diane was a riveting speaker in a long line of keynotes hosted by the Forum.

The Chamber is fortunate to have business members from a diverse array of industries. In this issue, we offer our readers a profile of Tilcon New York, Inc. the Parsippany-based construction, aggregates, asphalt and paving services company serving the New York metropolitan area, including Morris County. Tilcon has played a role in construction and maintenance of much of the county’s infrastructure on which the Morris County business community relies, as well as many of our homes and businesses.

Finally, our final feature article recaps the re-launch of the Chamber’s Corporate Perspectives on Energy Transition and Sustainability breakfast, at which Stephen Westhoven, president and CEO of New Jersey Resources, talked about how New Jersey can meet its goal of reducing its carbon emissions by 80% by 2050 and how the state’s natural gas sector can help. The breakfast also featured a panel of sustainability professionals who shared about the initiatives at their respective companies or institutions.

I hope you enjoy this issue of our magazine and look forward to seeing you “around the chamber” at upcoming events this spring!

Sincerely,

Meghan Hunscher

President

DEVELOPING
NETWORKS THAT SENSE, THINK AND ACT

103rd Annual Meeting Luncheon

By Christopher Reardon

Nokia, the company once known as a B2C phone company, is now a global B2B technology innovation leader developing networks that sense, think and act – creating solutions that bring together the world's people, machines and devices to realize the potential of digital transformations in every industry.

“Our vision for the 2030s is to seamlessly connect the physical world and the digital world, and through this convergence, extend the scope of human possibilities,” said Thierry Klein, president, Nokia Bell Labs Solutions Research, who served as the keynote speaker at the 103rd Annual Meeting Luncheon of the Morris County Chamber of Commerce, held in February at the Hanover Marriott Hotel. “This physical-digital fusion is centered around us as humans. We never think of a world without people at the center of it. This isn’t about robots and machines taking over the world.”

Nokia Bell Labs has been the source of a number of highly impactful inventions through its almost 100-year history, including transistors, solar cells and satellite communications, according to Klein. Because the company is committed to solving relevant problems for both today and tomorrow, Nokia Bell Labs is focusing on its vision for the 2030s through new communication and computing paradigms that increase productivity, efficiency, safety and sustainability, he told the audience.

To achieve that, Nokia Bell Labs divides its research into four major pillars:

1.  Network fundamentals

2.  Semi-conductors and devices

3.  Customization

4.  AutomationArtificial intelligence (AI) and software systems

Klein also talked about how Nokia Bell Labs relies on partnerships with businesses to take its research from the lab to the field.

“We develop the technologies but we look to enterprise and industrial partners to accelerate the value creation and implement the technologies in real applications and use cases that solve the most impactful business problems,” he explained.

Finally, Klein talked about what he called Nokia Bell Labs’ “most exciting” new project to build and deploy the first-ever cellular network on the Moon and demonstrate essential communication technologies for future lunar missions and a future lunar economy.

Klein reacted to the audience clapping for the Moon mission by saying, “I appreciate your applause but I’d rather you wait until we have actually landed on the Moon and deployed the network. It’s a really challenging endeavor. It’s a really risky undertaking.

Chamber president Meghan Hunscher kicked off the meeting and noted the chamber added 146 new members and grew in total membership to 792 in 2023 while hosting more than 250 events and meetings providing opportunities for networking, education and leadership development.

“When I think of what success means at the chamber I am reminded of the many stories I have heard from you of connections and referrals you’ve made and received, trust you’ve built and closed business that has occurred,” she said. “We demonstrate the power of connection.”

The chamber also honored Carole Rogers, founder of nonprofit Impact 100's Garden State chapter, with the Saint Clare's Health William P. Huber Award for Outstanding Community Leadership at the luncheon. The award recognizes a person who displayed outstanding leadership to benefit the community during the previous year.

Founded in 2013, Impact100 Garden State was inspired by a growing national trend in women’s collective giving, a model that enables the nonprofit to combine the donations of many women to award grants to local nonprofits. SparkNJ awards annual Equity Grants through the Community Foundation of New Jersey, providing financial support for Black-led charitable, community and civic organizations in Northern New Jersey.

Rodgers told the audience Impact100 Garden State to date has awarded more than $3 million to 64 organizations, representing the collective impact women can have on the nonprofit community. She also noted six women sitting at a dining room table founded the New Jersey chapter and remembered the many women who served as mentors to her during her career.

“I don’t think anyone can accept an award like this without mentioning the mentors who have helped her through the years,” she said. “Thank you for what you do to make our slice of the world a better place.”

Morris County Commissioner Director Christine Myers presented a State of the County address at the meeting.

“Twenty-twenty-three was a great year,” she said, noting the county maintained its AAA credit rating, had no tax increase and invested in infrastructure and parks, while also recognizing the role the business community plays in Morris County. “Our strong business community is the economic engine that allows us to provide great services at a very low tax rate.”

However, Myers warned there has been a decline in volunteering and engagement throughout the county, from EMT to advisory boards, and encouraged the audience to volunteer in some way in their communities.

“This isn’t about companies doing a day of service. That is wonderful but then you wait until next year,” she said. “This is about adopting a mindset of service to others.”

Myers also invited everyone to participate in Morris County’s celebration of the nation’s 250th anniversary of independence by visiting 250@morriscountyalliance.org.

Finally, the chamber recognized seven members of its board of directors, elected by the chamber members. They are:

•  Marcus Banks, senior vice president-litigation, employment law and government relations, Wyndham Hotels & Resorts

•  Rosanne DeTorres, managing partner and founder, DeTorres & DeGeorge

•  James Jacobi, founder and CEO, Ascend Advisors

•  Barbra Katz, chief human resources officer at Crum & Forster

•  Peter Levy, partner, Mandelbaum Barrett

•  Jill Massey, vice president, global medical strategy and operations, Gilead

•  Eric Sequin, CEO, Solix

VISIONARY ENTREPRENEUR AND COMMUNITY LEADER SPOTLIGHTED

By Christopher Reardon

“After lots of experimenting, I discovered the perfect combination: crispy quinoa lightly covered with premium chocolate,”
Diana Levy, CEO Undercover Snacks.

It is said if you build a better mouse trap the world will beat a path to your door. How about healthy chocolate-covered snacks? That is exactly what Diana Levy did when she launched Undercover Snacks in 2017, creating first-of-their-kind edibles that are 50 percent quinoa and other all-natural ingredients, covered in milk or dark chocolate.

Today, Undercover Snacks are sold in more than 20,000 stores across the nation, including such outlets at Walmart, Target, Costco, Publix, Krogers, Whole Foods, Sprouts, CVS, Walgreens and more. They also are being trial tested as a coach-class snack on United Airlines flights.

Levy told her story of what drove her to create healthy snacks, the challenges she faced and finding solutions as the keynote speaker at a recent luncheon hosted by the Women in Business Forum of the Morris County Chamber of Commerce, held at the Park Avenue Club in Florham Park.

Levy shared with the audience how she started making chocolate as a hobby but was driven to create delicious snacks that were gluten-free and allergy-friendly when two of her daughters were diagnosed with Celiac Disease, which makes it difficult for the body to absorb nutrients when exposed to gluten.

“After lots of experimenting, I discovered the perfect combination: crispy quinoa lightly covered with premium chocolate,” Levy says on her website. “Our crisps taste like a crunch bar or crispy treat but are made with cleaner, simple, all-natural ingredients. They’re undercover…healthy ingredients in disguise.”

Undercover Snacks’ first big break came when Whole Foods agreed to carry its products. A 300-store trial run in Starbucks followed. Being a woman-owned business certified by the Women’s Business Enterprise National Council also helped in the company’s growth, Levy said. In addition, Undercover Snacks is a family business, as Levy’s husband and two of her three daughters also work there.

Key to the company’s growth was technology and innovation, Levy said. Undercover Snacks manufacture their products in a state-of-the-art plant in East Hanover that features equipment designed by engineers in Denmark, is 70 percent solar powered and produces more than 40,000 bags of snacks per day. Further expansion is planned. In addition to being gluten-free, Undercover Snacks are peanut/tree nut-free, Non-GMO Project Verified, Rainforest Alliance-certified, OU Kosher-certified and Halal-certified.

Levy told the audience that out of desperation came fabulous people, supporters and believers.

The luncheon also featured presentation of the 2023 TD Bank Woman of Achievement award to Heather Thompson, is the executive director of Table to Table, a nonprofit food rescue program that collects perishable food that would otherwise be wasted and delivers it free to organizations serving the hungry in Bergen, Essex, Hudson and Passaic counties. Previously she was chief development officer of Norwescap, the nonprofit that supports low-income individuals and families through an array of services.

Thompson has enjoyed a long career in the nonprofit sector, including Eva’s Village and New York City's Park Avenue Armory and Citymeals-on-Wheels. She is a graduate of the Chamber's LEAD Morris program (Class of ‘22) and chairs its Nonprofit Round Table. She also serves as board president for the Public Library in her hometown of Bloomfield.

“This recognition is even more significant coming from a group focused on business,” Thompson said. “This group does so much to lift our sector. I accept this award on behalf of all you amazing women business leaders in the chamber and the community. It is a real privilege to open doors for the next generation of young women.”

FROM SKYSCRAPERS TO COUNTY ROADS – AND EVERYTHING IN BETWEEN

By Christopher Reardon

Whether driving along county roads, bridges and tunnels, shopping at local businesses or visiting peaceful residential neighborhoods, Morris County residents are seeing the work or Tilcon New York, Inc., the Parsippany-based construction, aggregates, asphalt and paving services company serving the New York Metropolitan region.

“Our materials are used for infrastructure projects throughout the area, including roads, bridges, tunnels, airports and railways,” said Clif Morris, Tilcon president. “Our materials are heavily used in residential and commercial construction.”

In addition to its Parsippany headquarters, Tilcon operates two operational facilities in Morris County. The company’s Riverdale quarry has been in operation more than 100 years, although it is nearing the end of its lifecycle and will be retired by the end of 2024. Tilcon’s Mt. Hope facility in Wharton is a 600-acre quarry providing Gneiss Granite to the surrounding region. Innovational operating techniques have enabled Mt. Hope to become one of the largest producers of granite in the United States and it is considered one of the elite hard rock quarries in the nation. Mt. Hope also operates 24 hours a day as an asphalt recycling plant.

Tilcon’s major customers include the State of New Jersey and the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey. Notable projects in the company’s portfolio include construction of the Mario Cuomo Bridge, the East River Park flood protection initiative, Penn Station Access, the Point-No-Point Bridge replacement and multiple runway projects at all three New York-area airports.

Many local customers rely on Tilcon, as well, including Chester-based Harrington Construction, residential and commercial general contractors serving businesses, developers, homeowner associations and residential customers in Morris County and beyond.

“Tilcon NY has been my one-stop-shop provider for stone and asphalt for more than a decade and there is simply no better company,” said John Harrington, president of the company. “Their products are top quality and their customer service is outstanding.”

Tilcon, part of the leading building materials and solutions provider CHR, employs 650 workers at their nearly 20 locations in New Jersey and New York, 230 in Morris County. The company is among the largest taxpayers in most of the communities in which it operates. As a supporter of the local construction sector and government, Tilcon also helps maintain infrastructure that is essential for businesses to operate and get their products and services to market.

In addition, Tilcon’s reach goes far beyond construction materials and services. The company is committed to the three pillars of safety, community and the environment.

Tilcon is proud of its award-winning safety program, according to Morris.

“Tilcon has always been an industrial leader when it comes to safety,” he said. “Our safety culture is driven by our frontline teams with support from leadership. We are always looking for ways to improve and become a better organization because protecting our people is our top priority.”

Each year Tilcon supports local nonprofits through community giving, partnerships, company-sponsored events and volunteering.

“We are committed to being good neighbors and giving back to our host communities and the surrounding areas,” Morris said. “Community volunteerism is an important part of our culture and as a company, we work with a number of community partners in New York and New Jersey to help improve the places where our employees and neighbors live and work.”

Finally, respecting the environment is a key tenet at Tilcon, Morris added.

“Tilcon NY is focused on the sustainable use of natural resources, efficiency in our production and emissions reductions. Therefore, we invest considerably in reducing our environmental impact, as we believe in a more resilient and circular-built environment. We are the largest recycler in New Jersey, as we have been utilizing reclaimed asphalt in all of our asphalt products.”

To learn more about Tilcon New York, Inc., visit tilconny.com.

BUSINESSES LEAD ON SUSTAINABILITY INITIATIVES

By Christopher Reardon

At a time when scientists are warning the planet is nearing the point of no return on climate change and Americans remain divided (60%-40%) on whether the phenomenon is impacting their immediate environment, a number of local businesses and institutions are working diligently to make a meaningful difference. Their efforts were showcased recently at a breakfast titled Corporate Perspectives on Energy Transition and Sustainability hosted by the Morris County Chamber of Commerce at the Park Avenue Club in Florham Park.

Stephen Westhoven, president and CEO of New Jersey Natural Gas Company and its parent, New Jersey Resources (NJR), served as the keynote speaker. Westhoven told the audience how his company is moving toward cleaner energy by leveraging existing assets, innovation and technology.

He noted that New Jersey has set a goal of reducing the state’s carbon emissions by 80% between 2006 and 2050, something that will impact every home and especially business in the state.

“It’s one of the biggest challenges facing the private sector today,” he said.

Westhoven said NJR is aggressively working to help achieve that goal. The company delivers 5 billion cubic feet of gas to customers, enough to fill Metlife Stadium 70 times. The state’s pipeline distribution system can play a significant role in helping New Jersey achieve its carbon emission reduction goals, he believes. In fact, the estimated $110-$135 billion cost of achieving that goal can be more than halved when existing pipeline infrastructure is included, he said.

Westhoven said NJR is focusing on a multi-front approach to help the state meet its goals, including:

1. Renewable natural gas, such as from landfills.

2.  Clean hydrogen – NJR was the state’s first utility to create a green hydrogen facility.

3.  Carbon capture technology employable by small- and medium-sized businesses.

4.  Energy efficiency – NJR partnered with Jersey Shore Medical Center to help the facility reduce its carbon emissions by 4,000 metric tons through energy efficiency measures.

“We have a lot of opportunities in front of us but we have to be practical,” he told the audience. “It’s our job to keep things as affordable as possible.”

The breakfast also featured a panel discussion moderated by David Nowak, sustainability planner at architectural and engineering firm Dewberry, and panelists Debra Hall, president and CEO at Elementale Enterprises; Angela Oberg, senior director, Office of Climate Action, Rutgers University; Luiziana Ribeiro, director of sustainability at BASF; and Jeff Terry, vice president corporate social responsibility and sustainability at GAF.

All five companies or institutions are playing a role in helping New Jersey achieve its goals of becoming more energy sustainable. GAF focuses on building circularity in the roofing sector, including the recycling of roofing tiles. BASF strives to ensure renewable energy is used in production of its 4,000 products. Elementale Enterprises designs sustainable processes for plants, projects that reduce energy consumption and carbon emissions while providing a return on investment. In addition to de-carbonizing its three campuses, Rutgers provides academic support to the state and private sector on sustainability efforts while also focusing on workforce development – preparing the next generation of climate leaders.

Nowak asked the panelists what role businesses can and should play in society on the topic of sustainability. Ribeiro noted studies show businesses are the most trusted entities in society.

“That’s how much trust people have in businesses,” she said. “Businesses have a great role to play in this.”

Hall agreed.

“Business are leaders and set the standard, set the goals and raise the bar for the next generation,” she said.

Terry said the private sector focuses on bringing real solutions to end-users.

“I’ve seen the impact of changing the environment on the lives of people,” he said. “Developing solutions and bringing them to market is our responsibility.”

Oberg said a public-private partnership is essential for achieving long-term goals on sustainability. Institutions and government are where solutions developed by the private sector can be made permanent.

“We can’t do what you in the private sector are doing,” she said. “We have to have a partnership.”