ROI-NJ

Happy Thanksgiving from ROI-NJ! We're grateful for New Jersey's thriving business community and the stories that inspire us daily.

Matthew Smith has been appointed chief operating officer of Columbia Financial, the mid-tier holding company for Columbia Bank New Jersey, it was announced Tuesday. The position is effective Jan. 31, 2025. Smith served as the chief digital banking officer and head of enterprise product, marketing and transformation at Webster Bank from February 2022 until November 2024. Prior to that, he served in various roles with Sterling National Bank, which was acquired by Webster Bank.

Dr. Olivier Loudig, an associate member at the Hackensack Meridian Health Center for Discovery and Innovation , received the inaugural Emerging Tech Award for his innovative efforts on biomarker discovery for early detection of metastasizing breast cancer and lung cancer, at the 45th annual Edison Patent Awards Ceremony. The event is sponsored and organized by the Research & Development Council of New Jersey. Loudig has developed research programs for the discovery of cancer biomarkers, with projects focused on breast, lung, prostate, and bladder cancers.

Warren-based B&D Holdings said it recently acquired an industrial property in Ardsley, New York. The property consists of two structures totaling 59,500 square feet and has one acre of industrial outside storage that is being used for vehicle parking. Located at 425 Saw Mill, the building is 100% occupied by two credit tenants and consists of 16’ clear, eight drive-ins, and three docks. The IOS acreage is fully leased to a national tenant and is paved, lit, secured, and drained. The 1 acre of IOS will be available for lease in the coming months and is expected to be leased at the top of the market due to the site’s flexible zoning, favorable condition, and seamless access to I-87.

Dr. Allen Cheng was recently appointed the new Chair of Surgery at Deborah Heart and Lung Center, the Browns Mill-based facility announced. Cheng joined Deborah in October from the Sands-Constellation Heart Institute of Rochester General Hospital in Rochester, New York, where he served as surgical director of advanced heart failure and mechanical circulatory support. Additionally, he served as surgical director of heart transplantation at the University of Louisville (Kentucky) Medical Center.

Calling it a new chapter for the organization, leaders of the Jewish Federation of Southern New Jersey and Our Family of Agencies recently held a grand opening and ribbon cutting of the refurbished and renovated Jonathan Sinay Building in Cherry Hill. The building, at 1721 Springdale Road, has been owned and operated by JFSNJ since 2014. Now, however, it will serve as the new home to two of the system’s cornerstone programs: The Aleph Adult Day Center, a department of JFSNJ, and the Jewish Family and Children’s Service (JFCS) To Our Positive Success (TOPS) Day Habilitation Program.

Rutgers startup Zena Therapeutics Inc. has a noble aim: To create narcotic medications that will minimize or even eliminate overdoses from prescription drugs. Co-founded by Dr. Eileen Carry and Dr. Ariane Vasilatis, the company is based on an innovation developed at Rutgers: A novel compound that does not increase the risk of overdose if taken with other central nervous system depressing substances such as opioids and alcohol. “What we want to do is design medication so that even if it is misused, death is not the consequence,” Carry said. “Right now, when it comes to narcotics drugs, the onus is on the patient to take the medication as prescribed, but that is not a guarantee. We hope to shift the paradigm to substantially reduce overdose risk without compromising efficacy.”

Saying artists and cultural groups in the creative sector bring immense social and economic value the creative sector brings to Newark, Mayor Ras Baraka recently announced the 2024 Creative Catalyst Fund will provide flexible grant support totaling $750,000 to 168 groups. A selection committee composed of local artists, curators, community representatives, city staff, and funders recommended 168 applications for grants ranging from $1,000 to $20,000.

Ocean Casino Resort is spreading holiday cheer to those in need during the holidays through its Season of Giving initiative. Returning for its fourth year, Ocean Cares’ Season of Giving will recognize and assist local charities impacting multiple causes of community concern – including food insecurity, homelessness, youth support, education, family services, and health and wellness. Throughout the year, monetary donations totaling over $250,000, in addition to more than 500 team member volunteer hours, comprise Ocean’s CSR efforts, including supplementary philanthropic support given through on-property programs, local events, and gift donations from both team members and Ocean guests.

Amanda Roche, vice president and Finance Department supervisor at Unity Bank, has been recognized as a 2024 New Leader in Banking by the NEW JERSEY BANKERS ASSOCIATION. The award honors outstanding young professionals who are making significant contributions to the New Jersey banking sector. A resident of Long Valley, Roche is one of only 22 banking professionals under the age of 40 to receive this distinguished recognition from NJBankers, a trade association representing over 200 financial institutions across the state.