Speakers

2023 Corporate Lifetime Achievement Award Honoree and Keynote Speaker

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Kim Hanemann

Kim Hanemann

PSE&G
President and Chief Operating Officer

Kim Hanemann was named president and chief operating officer of Public Service Electric and Gas Company (PSE&G), effective June 30, 2021. Headquartered in Newark, New Jersey, PSE&G is one of the largest combined electric and gas companies in the United States and is New Jersey’s oldest and largest publicly owned utility, serving approximately 2.6 million customers, nearly three-quarters of the state’s population. PSE&G is the largest subsidiary of Public Service Enterprise Group (PSEG). Ms. Hanemann is a member of PSEG's Senior Executive Team.

The Inaugural Entrepreneur and Community Leadership Award

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Gary Fisch

Gary Fisch

Founder & CEO
Gary's Wine & Marketplace

Gary Fisch founded Gary's Wine & Marketplace in Madison, NJ in 1987. Gary's has four locations in Northern New Jersey, as well as a new flagship location in St. Helena, Napa Valley. Gary was voted “Retailer of the Year” by Beverage Dynamics magazine in 2012 and 2018, and by Market Watch magazine in 2014. Gary is widely known in the wine industry for his retail expertise and wine knowledge. Notably, Gary was an early adopter of the Premiere Napa Valley Auction, winning top bidder in 10 of the past 20 years. Gary recently served as President of the Wine & Spirits Guild of America, a group of multi-generational, family-owned wine businesses generating over $3 billion per year in aggregate revenue. Aside from growing his retail footprint, Gary has also developed private label wine brands, including Fisch, Go Figure, Going Forward, and Grand Finale.

2023 Corporate Growth Award Honorees

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Barbara Pound, Bardess Group, Ltd.

Barbara Pound

Bardess Group, Ltd.
Chief Executive Officer and Co-Founder

For over 25 years, Ms. Pound has been the CEO and co-founder of the Bardess Group, Ltd., an innovative NJ-based data analytics and data science consulting firm, built on integrity, reliability, respect and quality, servicing Fortune 500 companies and organizations of all sizes.

Ms. Pound uses her career experience in strategic planning, business management and marketing to deliver Bardess’ long-term vision of a future world empowered and transformed by data, as she guides and leads Bardess’ direction with leading edge technology and digital analytics, AI/ML in innovation and solutions.

Ms. Pound is passionate about using the power of data analytics, AI, and ML to digitally transform the world - its people and companies – and ideally all the 7 mountains of influence which represent the forces that shape our societies and nations for the better of the world: people, family, business/finance, media, arts, education, religion, government. She has made it her corporate responsibility to do more for people’s well-being by taking on numerous projects utilizing data analytics and data science capabilities. 

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Christine Miller, Melinta Therapeutics

Christine Ann Miller

Melinta Therapeutics
Chief Executive Officer

Christine Ann Miller is a forward-thinking, transformational leader who has dedicated her career to establishing clinical, operational, and commercial excellence across the pharmaceutical lifecycle. From the potential of a promising molecule to successful market launch and equitable access for all, she builds strategies and teams that are fit for the purpose of helping people live better lives. Christine simultaneously advances innovation and excellence by:

Establishing Clear Vision, Mission, and Strategy – Christine leverages her diverse background spanning chemical engineering, R&D operations, and product development, business development, and commercialization, to engage key stakeholders around a common goal of developing innovative solutions for complex problems.

Driving Robust Performance Outcomes – Across both mid and large-cap global pharmaceutical companies, Christine has owned P&Ls of $100M+ and pipelines of $3B in development and acquired products to meet and exceed portfolio targets while positively impacting patients.

Building High-performing Teams – Christine cultivates high -performing cultures by putting people first. Her approach allows companies to identify, attract, and place the right people in the right roles, assembling teams that are “fit for purpose,” whether they are developing, acquiring, or commercializing drugs.

In her current role as President and CEO of Melinta Therapeutics, a company owned by Deerfield Management, Christine is accelerating its transformation, redefining the portfolio from pure play antibiotics to become a leader in the acute care space. She has defined 4 strategic priorities to navigate the company through the transition to a new vision, mission, strategy, and culture. Under Christine’s leadership, the company is executing on a strategic plan focused on building a profitable and sustainable business model that has resulted in profitability with a 60%+ revenue growth, 94% employee engagement, and revenue and EBITDA performance surpassing 2022 targets. 

 

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Daniel Prince, Prince Sterilization Services

Daniel Prince Ph.D.

Prince Sterilization Services
Chief Executive Officer

Daniel Prince has a BA Clark University, MS Rutgers University, and Ph.D. (in molecular biology) joint-degree Rutgers University and University of Medicine and Dentistry of NJ.

Daniel is the eldest son of Dr. Herbert and Leah Prince. His father Herbert launched Gibraltar Laboratories in 1970 and Daniel worked under his dad for many years and became a subject matter expert in many of Gibraltar’s disciplines. When Herbert retired, he was selected to be the president. He grew the business and then sold it and created Prince Sterilization Services serving as the CEO. It was this innovation that has been recognized by 2023 ACG NJ today.

He is a long-time member of the Vistage peer group and many things he learned at Vistage helped him at Gibraltar and later at Prince. For example, he learned the importance of an external Board of Directors. He is a member of the Lift Up the Vulnerable Board of Directors. Prince is the author of many well-respected publications and the recipient of many business and athletic honors. He has also been involved in leadership in high school as the class treasurer and captain of the soccer teams, in college as a school newspaper columnist. He has been most successful building great teams that help bring his vision to life by executing his plan. Many of his teammates at Prince have joined him at his new company after working for him at his old company. 

 

2023 Corporate Growth Conference Emcee

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Tom Bergeron, ROI-NJ

Tom Bergeron

ROI-NJ
Editor and Chief Content Officer

Tom Bergeron is the editor and chief content officer of ROI-NJ, a digital and print outlet covering the world of business and politics in New Jersey. ROI launched in the fall of 2017. Tom started the venture after serving as editor of NJBIZ for four years. “After spending years writing about entrepreneurs and startups, I decided to help start one myself,” he says.

Tom is a 25-year veteran of journalism. The majority of his career was spent in sports. He spent 15 years at The Star-Ledger, where he served as the high school sports editor and then the overall sports editor during one of the more successful sports eras in the area, including numerous titles and trips to the finals for the Yankees, Giants, Knicks, Devils and Nets, as well as the most successful run in athletics for Rutgers.

After leaving the Ledger, Tom worked for Yahoo!, serving as an assistant managing editor for Yahoo! Sports — where he learned the largest digital media company in the world is quite dysfunctional when it comes to technology.

Tom attended high school and college in Virginia, graduating from the University of Virginia, before moving to New Jersey. He and his wife, Lori, have five children and live in Morris Plains. When he’s not writing and reporting, Tom is coaching youth teams. He has coached more than 100 teams in the past 18 years and served as president of his local Little League for five years.

Follow him on Twitter: @tombergeron5

Chapter President

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MJ Jolda

MJ Jolda

CMO + Co.
Principal and Chief Marketing Officer

MJ has more than 20 years of experience leading marketing teams working in strategy, marketing and innovation in the consumer goods industry. Prior to starting CMO + Co, MJ spent nearly a decade at Reckitt Benckiser where she led the marketing efforts for several branded portfolio including French’s, Woolite and Redhot. She transitioned to working with Private Equity owned businesses including Pinnacle Foods and Prestige Brands. In 2008 she was brought in to lead the marketing efforts to turnaround / rebrand Marcal.

Through her corporate and Private Equity career and since starting her own business, MJ has consistently grown share, revenue and profitability by focusing on marketing basics and consumer insights. Since starting CMO + Co, MJ has helped a variety of small to mid-sized brands including Uinta® brewing, LILLEbaby®, and Far Niente to name a few. She currently serves as the President of the Association for Corporate Growth - NJ Chapter and is a Vistage Member. 

Conference Chair

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Christian Amato, CMA

Christian Amato

CMA
President

As an innovative business professional with more than 20 years of experience, Christian leads the strategic direction of CMA focusing on growth, opportunities, and client results.  In his role as president, Christian is shaping the company’s overall business vision, analyzing expansion opportunities, and delivering growth. He oversees the organization’s operational leaders, including business development, web development, marketing, association management, human resources and finance business units. 

Christian’s executive experience has touched a broad range of industries from financial services, disaster recovery and resiliency planning, residential building, in vitro fertilization and lighting manufacturing. Currently serving on several boards and committees throughout the NJ and PA areas, Christian is committed to helping organizations achieve their growth potential through his marketing and business operation experiences.  

Panel Moderator

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Sally Glick, SobelCo

Sally Glick

CliftonLarsonAllen (CLA)
Business Development Advisor

Sally Glick is a Business Development Advisor for CliftonLarsonAllen LLP (formerly SobelCo). 

In that role she supports all local marketing and branding communications and also functions as an ambassador to the community on behalf of CLA - which currently ranks as the eighth largest CPA firm in the United States. 

Sally is deeply involved in the community, serving on several nonprofit and business boards and committees including as the Board Member and Immediate Past President of the Association for Corporate Growth NJ, Chair of the NJ District Export Council, Advisory Board Member for Commerce & Industry Association of NJ as well as a participant on several CIANJ committees, Co-chair of the Morris Co Chamber of Commerce Nonprofit Council, previous Board Member and Executive Board Member for the Center for Nonprofits and advisory board member for the Great Swamp Watershed Association.

She has proudly earned recognition as one of the ROI-NJ Women of Influence in 2022 and 2023 and Power 50 in the 2021 NJBIZ Accounting list as well as recognition as one of the top women on the 2021 ROI-NJ list. She is a member of the NJ Ad Club Hall of Fame, Marketing Association Hall of Fame, and NJ Business Hall of Fame, while also receiving Commerce and Industry Association’s Chairman's Outstanding Leadership Award. One of her greatest achievements was being honored with the NJBIZ with Lifetime Achievement Award, and NJ BIA’s NJ Inspiration Awards - both recognizing women for their leadership, innovation, philanthropy, and dedication to the advancement of others.

From the Boy Scouts to Tri-County Scholarship and from William Paterson University to Partners for Women and Justice, she has been honored and recognized for her contributions and leadership in the state.  

Event Details

When:

May 3, 2023 4 PM - 8 PM EDT