CONTENTS

08 WELCOME TO ADVOCATE

12 CHAMBER LEADERSHIP

16 GET READY FOR FIFA FUN!

22 CHAMBER EVENTS

26 NEW JERSEY GOVERNOR'S RACE

32 SUMMER INSTITUTE FOR EDUCATORS

38 ANNANDALE MILLWORK ARRIVES AT MANNINGTON MILLS

40 2025 CHAMBER SPONSORS

41 MEMBER DIRECTORY

WELCOME OCATE

The CCSNJ is excited to bring you another edition of Advocate, highlighting the latest news in the region.

This quarter, we are featuring two exciting economic drivers on the horizon for South Jersey – the World Cup coming to our region in 2026 and the opening of Annandale Millwork.

This fall New Jersey will elect a new Governor for the first time in eight years. Read more about the priorities of each candidate in this issue ahead of our Gubernatorial Forum on October 10.

We also feature the incredible work of our expanding SJ Chamber Foundation to better prepare tomorrow’s workforce through the South Jersey Summer Institute for Educators. For 34 years, this transformative program has empowered more than 700 educators across our seven-county region and impacted more than 65,000 students to help shape their career paths and broaden their perspectives to the varied career paths right here in South Jersey. This immersive, three-week summer learning experience gives the region’s educators a unique opportunity to step beyond the classroom and engage directly with over 20 leading businesses. Participants are introduced to the economic, civic and industry issues shaping our workforce, while exploring how curriculum can reflect these real-world insights.

At the CCSNJ, we are grateful to partner with our members and local leaders to move the region forward and build a dynamic future for South Jersey!

Meredith K. Lorrillere

Executive Vice President, CCSNJ
President, SJ Chamber Foundation

CHAMBER LEADERSHIP

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

Chair

Robin A. Walton

Chief Philanthropy Officer & SVP of External Affairs

Inspira Health

Vice Chair

Anthony DiFabio, Psy.D.

President & CEO

Acenda Integrated Health

Christina M. Renna

President & CEO

Chamber of Commerce
Southern New Jersey

Meredith K. Lorrilliere

Executive Vice President

Chamber of Commerce
Southern New Jersey

Vice Chair, Finance & Treasurer

Kimberly A. Brandley, CPA

Partner

CohnReznick LLP

Board Secretary

Liz Thomas

CEO

Thomas/Boyd Communications

Vice Chair, Membership

Denise V. Monahan

Executive Vice President and

President of PA & SNJ,

Wilmington Trust

Vice Chair, Special Events

Anthony Bawidamann

Vice President of
Government Affairs

Comcast

Vice Chair,
Government Action

David R. Mayer

Director of Government Affairs

New Jersey American Water

Immediate Past Chair

Deborah A. Hays, Esq.

Partner and Chair of the Board

Archer & Greiner, P.C.

Lovepreet Buttar, CPA

Managing Director,

The Mercadien Group

And Principal,

Mercadien P.C.

Kate Gibbs

Deputy Director

Engineers Labor-Employer

Cooperative 825

Phillip W. Heath

President & CEO

Samaritan

2025 BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Cort Adelman Esq.

Vice President of Government Relations

Virtua Health

James Andreacci

Commercial Team Leader - SNJ & Market President - Southern Division

OceanFirst Bank

Kenneth Barnshaw

Director, Community Affairs

CES (Consulting Engineer Services)

Amy Barton

VP, Commercial Banking

Truist

Jeffrey Brown

Vice Chairman & President

NFI Industries

Amanda Burns

President of Private Label Division
Lassonde Pappas & Company

Gregory Carlisle

Commercial Market President for South Jersey/Coastal New Jersey
TD Bank

Aaron Chang, FACHE

President

Jefferson Health - East

Jon Cofsky

Co-Founder & Creative Director

Whitepenny

Peter Connolly

President & CEO
New Jersey Manufacturing Extension Program (NJMEP)

*Joseph W. Devine

President

ExecUcoach Leadership

Blegina Dimashi

District Manager - Vice President

Wells Fargo

*Dennis P. Flanagan

Partner

Always A Good Sign

Adam E. Gersh, Esq.

Shareholder

Flaster Greenberg PC

Todd Glickman

Executive Vice President &

Chief Revenue Officer

Comcast Spectacor/Philadelphia Flyers

William Gruccio

Founder and President

Renati Solutions

Brian Hancock

Chief Program Officer

Bancroft

*Thomas J. Heitzman

President

Whitesell Construction Co., Inc.

Pamela Hisler

SVP, Retail Market Manager - South Jersey & New York Market Fulton Bank

*Ronald V. Jaworski

Chief Executive Officer

Ron Jaworski Golf

Sarah E. Jones, Esq.

Director of Government Affairs

Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shied

Of New Jersey

Jaci Kator

Regional Vice President - External Affairs

AT&T

Daniel Keenan

Vice President, Business Development Executive
Conner Strong & Buckelew

Sean Kennedy

NJ Director - Consulting Services

CGI

Robert Lee

Vice President, Community Outreach

Joseph Jingoli & Son, Inc.

Jesse Levine

Senior Director of Operations

Ravitz Family Markets

Matthew Levinson

Vice President, External Affairs & Development
AtlantiCare

Dr. Anthony Lowman

Provost

Rowan University

Chandra Marshall 

Vice President Multi-Domain Combat Solutions, New Jersey Sites General Manager

Lockheed Martin

*Ronald Masciantonio

Executive Vice President, Five Below

President, Five Below Foundation

Kristin McEvoy

Director of External Affairs

Atlantic City Electric

Charles V. McFeaters, P.E.

President and Chief Nuclear Officer

PSEG Nuclear, LLC.

Anthony Mongeluzo

President

PCS

Michael Munoz

Market President

AmeriHealth New Jersey

Kevin M. O’Dowd, JD

Co-President/CEO

Cooper University Health Care

Marcela Ospina Maziarz

Vice President for Community

and Government Affairs

Thomas Edison State University

Nichelle Pace

Vice President

Camden Business Association

Blenda J. Pinto

Director, Corporate &

Government Affairs

United Airlines

Karen Primak

CEO & President

IPAK

Dana L. Redd

President & CEO

Camden Community Partnership

Kimberly S. Reed, CDE® 

 Chief Transformational Officer
Reed Development Group, LLC

John D. Rogers, Esq.

Director, Legislative Affairs

NJM Insurance Group

Stephanie Sanderson-Braem, Esq.

Partner

Stradley Ronon Stevens & Young LLP

Brent “Bubba” Schomber

President and Chief Operating Officer

South Jersey Gas

Michael Sepanic

Vice Chancellor for Governmental and External Affairs

Rutgers University – Camden

Kevin D. Sheehan, Esq.

Shareholder, Chair of Real Estate
and Land Use
Parker McCay P.A.

Douglas Smith

Senior Vice President, Business Banking Regional Sales Leader

PNC Bank

Jennifer Sweeney

Head of Government Affairs & Public Liaison
The Campbell’s Company

Bethanne Tarum

Technical Manager

Paulsboro Refinery/PBF Energy

St. Martin Torrence

State & Local Government Affairs

Verizon

Rick Tousaw

EVP & Chief Commercial Officer

Holman

Vincent J. Tucci

Senior Vice President and
Relationship Manager, Commercial Banking

Bank of America

Gerard Velazquez, III

President & CEO

Cumberland County Improvement Authority 

David Vitali

Public Policy Manager, DE/NJ/PA

Amazon

Jim Ziereis

Vice President of Hotel Sales

Golden Nugget Atlantic City

Theresa Zohlman

Senior Director-Controller

Subaru of America, Inc

*Lifetime Member/Former Chair

GET READY FOR FIFA FUN!

By Jean Murphy

Soccer fans from around the world will be flocking to the United States, Mexico and Canada for the FIFA World Cup ™ in 2026. It will take place from June 11 to July 19 and will be jointly hosted by 16 cities in the three North American countries. This will be the first time that the exciting soccer championship will be jointly hosted by three nations, and it will also be the largest tournament since the rules were changed to allow 48 teams to compete (up from 32) in 104 matches (up from 64).

Within the United States there are 11 host cities, including New York/New Jersey and Philadelphia, both of which are close to South Jersey. In fact, the final match will be played in MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, NJ. To comply with FIFA rules on stadium sponsorships, the names of many stadiums, including those in New Jersey, will be temporarily changed. MetLife Stadium will be referred to as New York/New Jersey Stadium and Lincoln Financial Field will be temporarily renamed Philadelphia Stadium.

“This expansion provides an incredible opportunity for soccer to be seen by the masses,” said Meg Kane, host city executive/CEO for Philadelphia Soccer 2026, the operational host committee charged with planning and executing FIFA World Cup26™ for the City of Philadelphia.

During the competitive bidding process beginning in 2017, Philadelphia and its Lincoln Financial Field mainly competed against other cities in the Northeast, Kane stated, and Philadelphia, Boston and New York were chosen, probably in a nod to the country’s 250th anniversary as well as the excellence of their stadiums and the exciting offerings of the associated cities.

Philadelphia is expecting upwards of 500,000 fans to flock to the area for matches on six days – June 14, 19, 22, 25 and 27, as well as July 4 – in its Lincoln Financial Field (Philadelphia Stadium during the tournament), which holds 62,000 spectators. Certain hotels have already been reserved for players, officials and broadcast partners. Fans will be accommodated on a first come, first served basis.

Besides the games themselves, Philadelphia Soccer 2026 will host accompanying soccer-themed events and activities for the general public at Lemon Hill Park.

“We are very excited about a potential economic impact of up to $770 million on our region with an influx of tourism to local sites, restaurants and other businesses.

“Having the World Cup here provides us with an anchor event that attracts visitors and allows them to also experience the richness of the Philadelphia area,” Kane stated.

Northern New Jersey and New York are similarly enthused by the slating of their MetLife Stadium (New York/New Jersey Stadium during the World Cup) for eight matches, including the group stage, knockout rounds and Final Match.

“The Final Match is a singular opportunity that puts our region on the global stage and allows us to show the world what makes this place so special. This region offers the global reach, infrastructure, cultural vibrancy and passion for soccer needed to deliver an event of this scale,” stated Alex Lasry, CEO of the New York/New Jersey World Cup Host Committee.

Over the course of the tournament, the New York/New
Jersey region is projected to welcome more than 1.2 million visitors, many of whom will attend matches at MetLife Stadium, participate in fan festivals, public watch parties, community events and cultural activations throughout the area. The FIFA Fan Festival™ NYNJ, taking place at Liberty State Park, will also welcome tens of thousands of fans during the 39-day tournament from June 11 to July 19, 2026, featuring real-time broadcasts, live entertainment, interactive fan activations and sponsorship integrations.

“The 2026 World Cup is projected to generate $3.3 billion in economic activity, support more than 26,000 jobs, and result in $1.3 billion in labor income across the region. It’s a transformative moment not just for fans attending matches, but for small businesses, workers and local communities throughout New York and New Jersey,” said Lasry.

“The World Cup Final Match is one of the most in-demand tickets in global sports. People don’t just come for the game: they come for the atmosphere, the celebration, the once-in-a-lifetime experience of being part of something truly global,” he continued.

“One of our biggest goals is to ensure that this World Cup isn’t just a one-time visit, but the start of an ongoing connection between visitors and our region. We want fans to come for the World Cup and leave wanting to return,” he added.

Michael Snyder, director of operations for the region’s destination marketing organization Visit South Jersey, is also furiously preparing for this exciting world-class event in the region.

“The World Cup will grab much of the world’s attention, and we want to put on our best appearance,” he explained. “We want to encourage fans to explore our region while they are here; stay longer; or come back at a later time.”

“We know that soccer fans will travel far and wide to get to the games, and so many of them will be close to us. So, we are expecting an economic boost of between $2 and $4 billion to this region,” he said.

South Jersey is planning lots of World Cup-related events, activities and shopping opportunities, which it will publish in a handbook for visitors. It also plans to promote local attractions like the Camden Waterfront, the South Jersey wine region, Diggerland amusement park and the Edelman Fossil Park.

“The 2026 World Cup is projected to generate $3.3 billion in economic activity, support more than 26,000 jobs, and result in $1.3 billion in labor income across the region."

– Alex Lasry, CEO, New York/New Jersey World Cup Host Committee

CHAMBER EVENTS

DAY OF SERVICE

WOMEN’S CONFERENCE

SUMMER SOIRÊE

Upcoming Signature Events

October 10 Gubernatorial Forum: 11a.m. – 1:30 p.m. at Resorts Casino, Atlantic City

October 14 Day of Service: supporting multiple nonprofit organizations across South Jersey

October 21 DEIB Forum: 8:00-11 a.m. at The Legacy Club, Cherry Hill

November 5 SJ Economic Outlook: 8 – 10 a.m. at The Legacy Club, Cherry Hill

December 11 Annual Meeting & Holiday Party: 5 - 8:30 p.m. at The Legacy Club, Cherry Hill

NJ GOVERNOR’S RACE

Q&A with Jack Ciattarelli & Mikie Sherrill

Competitiveness & Business Climate: New Jersey is often ranked among the highest-taxed and most expensive states to do business. Meanwhile, neighboring states like Pennsylvania have taken concrete steps to become more business-friendly, including lowering their corporate tax rate and streamlining permitting and approval processes. How will your administration make New Jersey more competitive in this environment?

Ciattarelli:
As a two-time, successful business owner in NJ, I uniquely understand the challenges of starting and growing a business in our state. Sadly, after 25 years of one-party Democrat control of our legislature and eight years of Phil Murphy as governor, NJ’s anti-business reputation is well-earned. I will reverse that with policies that support entrepreneurs, employers and working families, including: reducing the CBT by 1% per year for five years and making us competitive nationally. I will cut and cap property taxes at a percentage of assessed home value, expand the senior property tax freeze and reduce income tax rates for all. Lastly, I will attract more young people to stay here by refunding the difference between in-state and out-of-state tuition for anyone who attends college here, and then lives and works in the state for a minimum of three years upon graduation.

Sherrill:
I hear time and time again how business owners are forced to build more in another state because the permitting process here involves years of delays and millions in extra costs. That “business as usual” won’t cut it when I’m governor. I’ll streamline and simplify the new business licensing process and will overhaul the state permitting process to reduce costs and delays. I’ll ensure that every step of the permitting process and the agency’s progress on that step are available to businesses in one online dashboard. I’ll also adopt enforceable deadlines that agencies must meet. In Pennsylvania, Gov. Josh Shapiro reduced business license times by 90% – and it’s long past time that we do the same in New Jersey. I’ll also develop new funding streams for NJ TRANSIT, including transit-oriented development and more advertising on trains, so that we don’t need to rely on taxes like the Corporate Transit Fee.

Transportation: South Jersey has long been considered a transit desert, with limited access to reliable public transportation compared to North Jersey. How will your administration address this long-standing inequity and ensure that South Jersey receives the infrastructure investments it needs to improve transit access, support economic growth and connect residents to jobs and services?

Ciattarelli:
No gubernatorial candidate has spent more time in South Jersey than me. I have developed close relationships with local elected officials on both sides of the aisle and business leaders in all seven southern counties. As governor, I will repeal the so-called Corporate Transit Fee that forces South Jersey taxpayers to bailout an NJ Transit system they barely have access to. I will focus on improving rural transportation connectivity in South Jersey through better rail service, more bus routes and large-scale investment like a southern extension of Route 55 to lessen congestion and improve evacuation routes in the event of a serious storm. Statewide, I plan to establish the Garden State Transportation Authority, folding NJ Transit, the Turnpike Authority and the South Jersey Transportation Authority into a single governing body appointed by the Governor, with the Commissioner of the NJ Department of Transportation as Chair of the Board.

Sherrill:
I constantly hear NJ TRANSIT called “North Jersey” TRANSIT, because it simply doesn’t provide accessible, reliable public transportation to South Jersey residents. I’m committed to changing that, because from Hoboken to Camden to Atlantic City, New Jerseyans should have access to safe, reliable and affordable transit options that are connected to people’s jobs and housing. I’ll focus on creating Bus Rapid Transit Corridors in the region — a low-cost but highly efficient way to expand transit access and reduce congestion. I’ll also work to expedite the Glassboro-Camden Lightrail Extension project and complete it as quickly as possible, which will significantly expand transit connectivity in Camden and Gloucester Counties.

Workforce Development: Workforce shortages remain a top concern for employers, especially in healthcare, hospitality, construction and logistics. How will your administration partner with the private sector and educational institutions to close the skills gap and expand access to career training in South Jersey?

Ciattarelli:
First, we need to recognize that not every child can or wants to go to college, so we need to focus not only on preparing our some of our children for college with a renewed focus on math, science, language and civics in our schools, while also preparing the non-college track kids to pursue a trade after high school. As part of that, I will make 3+1 community college program offerings mandatory for all state colleges and universities, promote partnerships between county colleges and Vo-Tech with local employers and create a workforce development job pipeline in every county. Moreover, I will bring back the Department of Commerce, with three deputy commissioners responsible for economic development in North Jersey, Central Jersey and South Jersey.

Sherrill:
Workforce shortages are a key concern that I hear about from business owners, and the lack of skilled workers is holding back economic growth and development in key sectors like clean energy, homebuilding and healthcare. As governor, I am focused on creating stronger pathways between schools — including our K-12 system, community colleges, trade schools and traditional four-year colleges — and the workforce. I’ll work with employers and labor unions to boost the number of available Registered Apprenticeship positions, which have a proven track record of helping working families access good-paying careers. I’ll expand partnerships between colleges in South Jersey, like Rowan and Stockton, and the business community to ensure that our higher education system is providing the workforce development and vocational-technical programs that employers need. And I’ll invest in programs in our K-12 system that introduce students to careers in the trades and connect young people to jobs in those high-demand sectors.

Energy: New Jersey has aggressive clean energy goals, but rising energy costs are a concern for both businesses and residents. What is your strategy to address affordability, grid reliability and sustainability, particularly in South Jersey where energy infrastructure is often under strain?

Ciattarelli:
Energy demand is dramatically overwhelming supply in New Jersey – forcing us to import a significant amount of our energy supply from other states – leading to skyrocketing energy costs. This disaster is a direct result of Governor Murphy, Congresswoman Sherrill and state Democrats’ obsession with unsightly offshore wind farms and unrealistic EV mandates. Efforts by my opponent to blame our energy woes on the Trump Administration truly insult the intelligence of anyone paying attention. We need a new direction. First, offshore wind is dead and never coming back under my administration. Instead, I will draft and implement a new Energy Master Plan that promotes an all-of-the-above energy policy and repeals unrealistic and unaffordable state mandates and timelines regarding electric vehicle sales, household appliances, home renovation and home construction, which punish working- and middle-class residents the most. Lastly, I will withdraw NJ from the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI).

Sherrill:
As governor, I will put consumers first and take on anyone — from special interests to my own party — to drive utility costs down. I’ll aggressively expand our energy infrastructure and generation capacity by cutting through red tape to build and fast track new solar, nuclear and battery storage projects. New solar projects and capacity additions for nuclear will provide enormous economic opportunities for South Jersey, and I am committed to getting these projects done fast. I’ll also modernize our existing energy infrastructure to improve efficiency and reduce emissions, while protecting our air, water and open spaces. And I’ll take on our grid operator PJM – whose mismanagement has jacked up prices — and force it to quickly connect these projects to our power grid. This new energy supply will lower electric bills, create thousands of good-paying, union jobs in South Jersey and guarantee NJ’s energy independence for the future.

Republican Candidate

Jack Ciattarelli
Former New Jersey Assemblyman,
16th Legislative District, 2011-2018

Democratic Candidate

Mikie Sherrill
United States Representative,
New Jersey's 11th Congressional District, 2019-present

SUMMER INSTITUTE FOR EDUCATORS: Strengthens Bridges

By Jean Murphy

Manufacturers and other businesspeople have often noted that the applicants looking to enter the workforce are not prepared for future employment. This is not a new problem but one that still continues today.

In 1991, an enterprising plant manager at a South Jersey Mobil plant decided to do something about the problem. He initiated a “reverse internship” in which he invited local high school teachers into the plant, gave them a sense of what it would be like to work in manufacturing and emphasized the skills that are needed to be successful after graduation.

After a few years of increasing success, the Mobil manager, Dale Choate, asked the SJ Chamber Foundation to take over the program, and they have been running it each summer ever since, according to Nicole Pacera, director of education and workforce development for the Chamber.

“We have graduated 738 educators over the ensuing years,” Pacera said. “This year, we welcomed 13 teachers and counselors. Each participant teaches 5th through 12th grade in all subject matter disciplines. We believe that getting this information in front of students early is key and the best way to do that is to expose their teachers to the workforce.”

“Our goal is to strengthen the bridge between business and education and give educators deep insight into the skills, opportunities and mindset involved in business so that they can better guide students, whether they plan to attend college, go into the trades or go straight to the workforce,” she continued.

Institute participants earn a $2,000 stipend and 100 professional development hours by spending three weeks touring 20 area businesses and learning about what they do and the skills they are looking for in applicants. The educators also work in small groups to develop a project that will help them incorporate the lessons of the Institute into their own classrooms.

This past summer, one small group developed a “workforce readiness” certificate program that students can participate in to prove to potential employers that they have the essential skills needed to be hired. Woodstown High School plans to offer the program this school year, and the hope is others will follow suit.

The emphasis on essential skills was a recurring theme throughout the Institute. “In 2025, the workforce conversation in South Jersey continues to center around essential skills,” said Pacera. “Across industries — food, healthcare, manufacturing, logistics and energy — employers consistently told us that while technical knowledge is important, it’s communication, teamwork, professionalism and a positive attitude that truly define workforce readiness. Employers are open to hiring from diverse educational backgrounds, but they need candidates who show up ready to work — with strong habits, time management and a willingness to learn. For educators, that’s a powerful takeaway. They can embed these skills early by connecting students to guest speakers, internships and experiences that build confidence and career readiness.”

Zachery Sminkey, a sixth and seventh grade math and English Language Arts teacher at Woodstown Middle School, was one of this year’s participants.

“I didn’t realize how uneducated I was about many of the businesses in South Jersey,” he stated. “This was an excellent experience, which allowed me to learn what these businesses do and what opportunities they offer for my students. Figuring out how to integrate business skills into my daily lessons can be tricky but now when students ask me, ‘Why do I need to know this? When will I ever use it?’ I can tell them and offer a real example.”

“Most kids have impractical mindsets and grandiose ideas. When you ask them what they want to do, they say they want to be a professional athlete or a CEO. I don’t want to crush anyone’s dreams, but now I can say, ‘That’s awesome. Go for it. But you better have a Plan B and C and develop skills to get you there.’”

“This summer experience was truly re-energizing for my career. I loved it and can’t wait to see how I can use it to help my students,” Sminkey said.

A number of Chamber members sponsor the annual program because they see its value. South Jersey Glass and Door in Vineland is one of those sponsors.

“I love this program. Participation in it is so rewarding,” said Jodi Trivellini, co-president of the family-owned business. “The class spent three hours in our factory this year and got a tour; heard a panel discussion by four of our employees; and had light refreshments. The employees on the panel were not college-educated but they showed that there are other ways to have a good career.”

“Our panel consisted of an 18-year-old just out of technical school; two men in their 30s; and one woman in her late 30s. Some of them had rough upbringings but they have still succeeded here. There is a place for everyone at South Jersey Glass and Door, and we wanted to showcase that,” she continued.

“The discussion even evolved into teachers asking if any of the panelists would be willing to speak at their schools. I really applaud the Chamber for putting on this program. It is wonderful.”

“The Summer Institute is more than professional development; it’s a catalyst for change,” Pacera emphasized. “When educators walk into our members’ businesses and hear directly from employees, they leave with a renewed sense of purpose and a toolkit to prepare students for real-world success. This program strengthens our regional workforce from the ground up, and we’re proud to see Chamber members leading the way.”

The Summer Institute continues to be a powerful example of how business and education can collaborate to prepare the next generation for meaningful careers. If your business or organization is interested in becoming a sponsor of the program, connect with the Chamber’s Foundation and reach out to Nicole Pacera for more information.

“This program strengthens our regional workforce from the ground up, and we’re proud to see Chamber members leading the way.”

– Nicole Pacera,
CCSNJ Director of Education
& Workforce Development

Annandale Millwork Arrives At Mannington Mills

By Jean Murphy

Salem County received an economic boost in late April when Mannington Mills, Inc. leased manufacturing space at its Salem facility to Virginia-based Annandale Millwork/Allied Systems.

It is expected to bring 50 well-paid manufacturing jobs to the area.

The connection between Annandale and Mannington was facilitated by a third party – SMS Rail Service, a shortline common carrier that is resurrecting a local rail line for both commercial use and tourism in the area. During their marketing of the rail line, they had discussions with Mannington executives about using existing infrastructure on their property for transloading and warehousing, according to Jim Pfeiffer, chief operating officer of SMS.

But then, in the spring of 2024, SMS heard from the New Jersey Economic Development Authority that Annandale Millwork was looking for a location near a rail line into which they could expand. They needed to bring in lumber by rail and then ship out finished trusses, wall systems and floor systems by truck to home builders, primarily in New Jersey, Delaware and Pennsylvania.

Middle and southern New Jersey, as well as the Philadelphia area, are currently hot markets for new home construction, so builders like Pulte Home Corp., D.R. Horton, Richmond American Homes and Lennar Homes are in great need of construction materials, according to Rob Frogale, president of Annandale Millwork/Allied Systems.

SMS connected Frogale with Zachary Zehner, executive chairman of the board at Mannington Mills, and a deal was made. Both companies invested in the partnership, remodeling and updating the space so that it suited Annandale’s needs. The three family-owned entities worked together well and have a very healthy operation, which is still hiring both production workers and drivers and is buying even more new equipment.

“We are looking to grow the operation and expand into constructing millwork, pre-hung doors and windows in New Jersey, too,” said Frogale. “We are getting more and more local customers now that we are manufacturing needed items closer to them.”

Zehner added that leaders of the three companies are thinking creatively to find even more room on site for Annandale to grow further. They are also looking at incentives offered by New Jersey that might help, like price breaks of up to $20,000 on the purchase or rental of manufacturing equipment during a facility’s first five years of operation. There is also a sales tax incentive on items manufactured in Salem County and shipped within New Jersey as well as job training credits

“This is a win-win for three private family businesses working together, as well as for the greater Salem community and our state,” he added.

“This is a win-win for three private family businesses working together, as well as for the greater Salem community and our state."

– Zachary Zehner,
Executive Chairman of the Board, Mannington Mills

2025 CHAMBER SPONSORS

We gratefully acknowledge the generous support of the following corporate sponsors that enable the CCSNJ to produce our annual programming and events.

AC DEVCO

Acenda

Advocare, LLC

Airbnb

Alloy Silverstein Accountants & Advisors

AmeriHealth

Archer & Greiner

AT&T

Atlantic City Electric

AtlantiCare

Attentive Energy

Bancroft

BeneCare

Camden Community Partnerships

Campbell Soup Company

CannaCoverage Insurance Services

CES (Consulting Engineer Services)

CGI

Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia

Choose NJ

Comcast

Comcast Business

Cooper University Health Care

Coperion K-Tron, Inc.

Cumberland County Improvement Authority

Decades

Delta Dental

DoorDash

ELEC 825

EMR

Fisher Phillips

Five Below

Flaster Greenberg

Fox Rothschild LLP

Fulton Bank

Gilbane

High Profile Cannabis

Holman

Horizon BCBSNJ

Hutchinson

Innovative Benefit Planning

Insperity

Inspira Health

IPAK

Jefferson Health

Johnson & Johnson

Kaye Personnel

Laura Bishop Communications

Lockheed Martin

Manko, Gold, Katcher & Fox

Mannington Mills

Mercadien

Morey’s Piers

New Jersey American Water

New Jersey Cannabis Trade Assoc.

New Jersey Education Association

NJEDA

NJM Insurance Group

NJMEP

Nova Farms

NRG Energy

OceanFirst Bank

OTC Services

Parker McCay

Paulsboro Refining Company

PCS

PhRMA

PNC Bank

Primepoint

PSE&G

PSEG Nuclear

Radwell International

Ravitz Family Markets

Renati Solutions

Rizzieri Management

Rowan University

Rutgers University-Camden

Samartian

Showboat Renaissance

SJRA

South Jersey Gas

South Jersey Glass & Door Co.

South Jersey Port Corp

Stanker & Galetto, Inc.

Stevens & Lee

Stradley Ronon Stevens & Young

Subaru of America

Take Flight Learning

TD Bank

The First National Bank of Elmer

Thomas Edison State University

TikTok

TopGolf

Truist

United Airlines

Virtua Health

VoIP Doctors

Wells Fargo

Whitesell

Wilmington Trust

Withum

Workplace HCM

WSFS

Your Part-Time Controller, LLC