Business Briefs

The Women’s Business Center of the New Jersey Association of Women Business Owners will offer its 12-hour "Start Right" class in four three-hour sessions beginning March 8.

"Start Right" focuses on how to open a business, presented in the format of preparing a formal written business plan. The Women’s Business Center is partially funded by the U.S. Small Business Administration’s Office of Women’s Business Ownership and corporate sponsor Fleet Bank.

Classes will be held from 9 a.m. to noon March 8, 15, 22 and 29 at HQ Global Workplaces, 440 Route 9 south, Freehold Township, in room 1A. The program is open to the public, and men and women are welcome to attend. The cost is $96 and preregistration is required. To register or for further details, call (609) 581-2200 or e-mail wbcasst@njawbo.org.

Bonnie Kuebler of Howell was honored recently for her years of service to Monmouth County. The event took place at an employees awards luncheon sponsored by the Monmouth County Board of Freeholders. Kuebler has been employed by the Monmouth County Engineering Department for 30 years. Freeholder Thomas J. Powers presented her with her service pin.

Damian Albanese, Manahawkin, has been promoted to route manager for The Watchung Cos., Lakewood. Albanese formerly worked in delivery and route sales for Watchung. His new responsibilities include managing all the route salesmen and deliveries as well as coordinating deliveries and products leaving the warehouse.

Albanese graduated from Union High School, Union, in 1995 and received a degree in biology from Kean University in 2000. Albanese worked as an emergency medical technician for three years at Southern Ocean County Hospital, Manahawkin, and Community Medical Center, Toms River. He is a member of the national Sierra and Appalachian Mountain clubs.

Neil Brodsky, a partner in the Toms River law firm of Carluccio, Leone, Dimon, Doyle & Sacks, has been elected to his second term as president of the Lakewood Chamber of Commerce, a business organization that has 432 members as of February. Under Brodsky’s leader-ship, the chamber added a record 87 new members in one year.

According to Brodsky, the chamber had one of its best years financially as well. The chamber was able to give $1,500 in scholarships to two Lakewood students, and donate money, toys and school supplies to local charities.

Other elected officers include First Vice President Rosann Zulauf, Fleet Bank; Second Vice President Karen Escobedo, New Jersey Natural Gas Co.; Secretary Carol Fodor, Lakewood Cogeneration; and Treasurer Jim Farrell, Single Throw.

Members-at-large are Terry Moncrief, certified public accountant, Withum, Smith & Brown; Stanley Federowicz, Wachovia Bank; and Immediate Past President Sam Soprano, Congilose & Associates.

Also, for marketing membership and retention, Rosann Zulauf, Fleet Bank; business issues/retail, Sue Jones, Church & Dwight; communications, Karen Escobedo, New Jersey Natural Gas Co.; community resource, Carol Fodor, Lakewood Cogeneration; Council of Past Presidents, Sam Soprano, Congilose & Associates; education, Charles Mandell, Rothstein, Mandell, Strohm, Must and Gertner; finance, Jim Farrell, Single Throw Inc.; golf committee, Stan Federowicz, Wachovia Bank; industrial, Sam Soprano, Congilose & Associates; legislative, Sen. Robert Singer and Ben Waldron, MODC; nominations, Charles Mandell, Rothstein, Mandell, Strohn, Must and Gertner; programming, Kathy Mead, Commerce Bank; special events, Mitch Dolobowsky, MED Enterprises; and technology, Jim Farrell, Single Throw Inc.

Century 21 Action Plus Realty has announced that Sharlene Nelson, Leonora "Peachie" Grisanti and Ellen Cunningham, of the Century 21 Action Plus Realty Jackson office, will be competing in the Century 21 Idol contest.

The contest will be held March 1-4 at the Century 21 International Convention in Las Vegas. Contestants were asked to submit a rock and roll tune and rewrite the lyrics to celebrate Century 21 or anything with a real estate theme. Nelson, Grisanti and Cunningham were selected along with five other contestants to perform their "Realtor version" of the popular song "Proud Mary," which has been re-named, "Rollin’ in the Money." The grand winner and the first runner-up will receive prizes including preferred seating at the International Convention Awards event March 3, featuring comedian Kevin James.