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Business Development

Purpose: To provide forums and activities that create a networking environment for a diverse business community.  This mission is accomplished through education programs, new business outreach platforms, and expansion of member participation and involvement.  Meets on the first Thursday of the month at 8:00 a.m. at the Chamber offices.

Description: The Business Development Committee was originally created as the Small Business Committee to provide a forum for small businesses to leverage the benefits of their membership in the Chamber of Commerce. As the committee evolved, it became apparent to the active members that the true purpose and benefits of the committee extend beyond the traditional definition of a small business. Business owners and managers of larger companies as well as sales and marketing people from the largest organizations share many of the same issues, concerns and objectives. As the name implies, the Chamber of Commerce exists to improve and increase commerce among its members. In line with that objective, the Small Business Committee changed its name in late 2005 to the Business Development Committee (BDC). The committee’s mission statement reads:

To provide forums and activities which create a networking environment for a diverse business community and promote new business opportunities for chamber members. This mission is accomplished through educational programs, new business outreach platforms, and expansion of member participation aAddnd involvement.

The BDC meets on the first Thursday of every month at the chamber offices at 8:00 am and is open to all chamber members. Participation on the committee is a great networking opportunity. The benefits of working closely with 25 to 30 local business professionals every month to create new business opportunities for chamber members are significant.

Over the past few years the BDC has helped to develop and sponsor numerous educational and commercial programs for the benefit of chamber members. The BDC originally developed and continues to sponsor Business Connections (formerly Leads Exchange), which is one of the most popular programs offered by the Chamber. Business Connections is a free members-only networking event held on the third Friday of every month where all chamber members have the opportunity to introduce themselves and their business to a large group of interested individuals like themselves, in a comfortable and structured environment. The BDC is also responsible for developing and hosting “Breakfast with Goliath”, an annual networking event that provides a forum for member companies of all sizes to meet with the procurement staff from the largest companies in Morris County.

Other programs developed by the BDC include Doing Business with the Government, Multicultural Marketing, Sales & Marketing training, Networking 101 (networking training), and many more.

Membership in this committee is free and open to all chamber members. If you are interested in an effective way to expand your own business network, we recommend that you sit in on one of our meetings and see for yourself how the Business Development Committee can help you develop more business.

Committee Members:

Don Asarnow, P3 Plus Group
Fred Bachmann, Giordano, Cohen, Fastiggi & Luciano
Alex Balish, National Legacy Group
David Beck, David Beck, D.C.
Joan Berkeley, Employment Horizons
Steven Brisgel, Hanover Area Chamber of Commerce
Sylvia Calabrese, Hilton Parsippany
Anne Citrin, First Occupational Center of NJ
Yami Cocchio, Coldwell Banker Commercial NRT

Vincent Egan, Wachovia, LLC
Cheryl Ellis, ActionCoach Business Consulting
Errol Ernstrom, Placemats Plus Service
Roy Evon, Innhil Hospitality
David Felder, Ryan Video Productions, Inc.
Kathy Frank, Décor & You
Fran Frederick, Sierra Suites Hotel
Arthur Gordon, Business Concepts
Jeffrey Green, Pinnacle Graphic Communications
Marcie Hanhart, Action Coach
Robert Heitsenrether, Bernstein Global Wealth Management
John Huston, New York Life Insurance
Norman Kallen, Brown, Moskowitz & Kallen
Karen Katcher, Katcher Associates
Anthony Lee, The Cardinal Hill Group
Thomas Lyness, The Provident Bank
Jim McCarthy, Raymond James & Associates
Barry McGuire, MSI Services, Inc.
Steven Miller, Business Strategies Group
Edward Mills, TD Banknorth
John Montefusco, Montefusco Insurance Agency
Eric Munroe, Willis of New Jersey
John O’Connor, Shade Tree Garage
Janet Rapisardi, Denville Chamber of Commerce
Chip Reichhard, Apex Training & Development
Elaine Rillo, Park Avenue Club
Kathryn Sallustro, The Hartshorn Group
John Schanck, JJS Management LLC
Greg Stewart, NexGen Management
Douglas Todd, Net Worth Management Group
Lee Williamson, New Jersey Symphony Orchestra
Arnold Winkler, Valley National Bank