Honorable Kim Guadagno Moderates Local Business Council Dinner

FEATURED PHOTO:  left to right: Mayor Fred Tagliarini; President of Somerset Development, Ralph Zucker; President of Stillwell-Hansen, Carol Stillwell; Home Away From Home Academy owner, Carmine Visone; and Former Lieutenant Governor Kim Guadagno

This event, organized by Carmine Visone, Chairman of the Aberdeen Economic Business Council was open to businesspeople and government officials from Aberdeen Township and other surrounding towns within Monmouth County.  This year’s dinner was the most successful event to date, boasting over 250 attendees. The guest speakers this year were prominent businesspeople Ralph Zucker, president of Somerset Development, and Carol Stillwell, president of Stillwell-Hansen.  The event began at 6:30 p.m. with a networking cocktail hour featuring an array of hors d’oeuvres, and was followed by a multi-course sit-down dinner.

Following opening remarks from EBC Chairman Carmine Visone, Ms. Guadagno led a ‘fireside chat’-style Q&A session with Mr. Zucker, and Ms. Stillwell. The entrepreneurs reflected on their careers, management styles and other issues designed to educate the audience on how to build successful businesses in New Jersey. Visone states, “Kim Guadagno was a dynamic speaker who kept the audience engaged throughout an inspiring speaking session with Mr. Zucker and Ms. Stillwell.  I am confident that guests took away a wealth of knowledge from these two prominent, successful, and generous businesspeople.”

Both Zucker and Stillwell did not hesitate when asked to participate in the Annual Business Dinner.  As they each are so giving of their time, their shared knowledge of business pursuits was immeasurable to all attendees.  Stillwell noted, “the balance of Ralph’s style and mine worked so well together, and along with Kim’s poignancy, we were able to complement one another very well.”

Somerset Development, based in Holmdel, is one of the New York metropolitan area’s foremost real estate companies specializing in New Urbanism and Traditional Neighborhood Design. Current projects include The Glassworks in Aberdeen and Bell Works in Holmdel. In October, Mr. Zucker was named to business publication Return on Investment-NJ’s ROI Influencers-Real Estate 2017, ranking number five.

Stillwell-Hansen, Inc., located in Edison, is a leader in data center infrastructure solutions, including power, precision cooling, fire protection and traditional HVAC products.  Along with her role at Stillwell-Hansen, Ms. Stillwell is actively involved in a number of philanthropic endeavors throughout Monmouth County, and has been recognized as one of New Jersey’s top businesswomen four times in the last ten years.