Award Nominations
In 2014 we were honored to recognize Michael Jeska, HS Senior Scholarship winner, Norman Worth, Co-owner; President & General Manager WRNJ Radio and Jerome Hagedorn Site Head, Siemens Healthcare Diagnostics. The dinner was held on June 10, from 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm, at the Black Box and Lackland Lobby in the Lackland Center at Centenary College with a lobby reception with wine, beer, and soft drinks followed by dinner and our key-note speaker: Dr. Jonathan Fellus, M.D., Chief Medical Officer for the International Brain Research Foundation.
Many of the MOACC Awards Winners for 2014, 13, and 12
Business Person of the Year Award – this distinguished award is presented to a business person who demonstrated outstanding professionalism in service to the business community.
The Nominee is required to be a chamber member as of January of the award year.
Humanitarian Award – this distinguished award, honoring the memory of Tom Klecka as a community humanitarian is presented to one who demonstrates dedication and commitment to “volunteer efforts for the betterment of our fine community and its citizens.”
The Nominee is not required to be a chamber member to receive this award.
2014 Award Recipients
Pictured (L-R): Michael Jeska, Norman Worth, Jerome Hagedorn
In June of 2014 we recognized:
2014 Business Person of the Year: Mr Jerone Hagedorn, Site Head for Siemens Healthcare Diagnostics Inc
2014 Humanitarian of the Year: Mr Norman Worth, President of WRNJ Radio
2014 Business Program High School Senior – Scholarship award was presented to Michael Jeska
Congratulations to Michael, Norman and Jerome!
2013 Award Recipients
In June of 2013 we recognized:
2013 Business Person of the Year: Ms. Janen Ardia, Owner Re/Max Heritage in Flanders & Chester
2013 Community Service Recognition award: Mt Olive Mayor Rob Greenbaum
2013 Humanitarian of the Year: Mr. Ray Miller, Your CFO-on-the-GO
And the Business Program High School Senior – Scholarship award was presented to Jackie Pignatario
The dinner also featured our key-note speaker, Diane Lang Author, Professor, Therapist, and the author of “Creating Balance & Finding Happiness”; we will be recognizing the outstanding efforts of 3 local business professionals and awarding our annual High School Senior Scholarship
2012 Award Recipients
2012 Business Person of the Year: Mr John Trombley, Vice President, Givaudan Fragrances Corp.
2012 Humanitarian of the Year: Mr. Doug Fenichel, In-House Public Relations & Critical Moments
2012 Business Program High School Senior – Scholarship award was presented to Rachel Stewart
Past Award Recipients
Business Person of the Year Award
| Year | Recipient |
| 2014 | Jerome Hagedorn |
| 2013 | Janen Ardia |
| 2012 | John Trombley |
| 2011 | Glenn Tippy |
| 2010 | Donna Pilone |
| 2009 | Lou Nisivoccia |
| 2008 | Anna Cirilli |
| 2007 | Francis “Bud” Jones |
| 2006 | John and Judy Kovach |
| 2005 | 50th Anniversary Year |
| 2004 | Rita L. Hilbert |
| 2003 | Jeff Stadelman |
| 2002 | Billie Andrews |
| 2001 | Richard and Jane Clawson |
| 2000 | Dr. John Berezny |
| 1999 | Judy Kovach |
| 1998 | James DiTaranto |
| 1997 | Leslie E. Smith, Jr. |
| 1996 | Dolores Ortiz |
| 1995 | Richard Murray |
| 1994 | Vito Moreno |
Tom Klecka Humanitarian of the Year Award
| Year | Recipient |
| 2014 | Norman Worth |
| 2013 | Ray Miller |
| 2012 | Doug Fenichel |
| 2011 | Bruce Gallagher |
| 2010 | Marco Rojas |
| 2009 | Thom Torode |
| 2008 | Sabine Elsasser |
| 2007 | William “Bill” and Linda Sohl |
| 2006 | Frederick “Rick” Ege |
| 2005 | 50th Anniversary Year |
| 2004 | Noreen Risko |
| 2003 | George Neumann |
| 2002 | Willie Cirone |
| 2001 | Rev. Paul Ingeneri |
| 2000 | Cecelia Thea Dunkle |
| 1999 | Louis Terrezza |
| 1998 | Rosemarie Cortese |
| 1997 | Christine Falconi |
| 1996 | Gloria Kelchner |
| 1995 | Myra Rubin |
| 1994 | Patricia Schaffer |
Community Service Recognition Award Recipients
| 2013 | Mayor Rob Greenbaum |
Distinguished Service Award Recipients
| 1994 | Elmira Matcha |
50th Anniversary Lifetime Achievement Award Recipients
| 2005 | Elmira Matcha |
| 2005 | Vito Moreno |
Anthony “Tom” Klecka: In Memoriam
As the years roll by, it might be easy to forget those who played a prominent role in the formation of the Chamber of Commerce, as well as an earlier Mt. Olive Township.
New people in the community, new businesses and business owners –. Tom Klecka was not only a good friend to the Mt. Olive Area Chamber of Commerce, he was a best friend to a growing Mt. Olive community.
There are many among us who could tell you how he urged, cajoled, or shamed us into coming out to Chamber. For Tom believed, and he wanted us to understand, that it was not only our right to know what was going on in the community, it was our duty to know. He pressed us, the business community, to become knowledgeable about everything that could impact our life and our livelihood.
Tom accepted a leadership role with the Chamber, which he served as president on numerous occasions, and with the Mt. Olive Economic Development Committee. He housed the Chamber telephone at his business, responding to inquires, meeting with potential businesses, always and ever promoting the Township.
Tom knew just about everyone in business in the town and they, in turn, knew and respected him, recognizing that he lent his voice to speak up in their behalf. Tom loved meeting people so he enjoyed riding in the Chamber car on Memorial Day, or selling the 50/50s at Chamber gatherings.
Tom set a standard for all of us in community activism… he is missed…the Chamber will not let him be forgotten.