NJBIZ Publisher Ken Kiczales and Editor Jeffrey Kanige present awards during the 2019 Business of the Year Awards at the Palace at Somerset Park. – JESSICA PERRY
Hundreds gathered on Tuesday night at The Palace at Somerset Park in Somerset for the last NJBIZ Events awards celebration of 2019.
Out of 30 companies recognized for their contributions to the Garden State business community, Edison Partners, R. Seelaus & Co. Inc., CentralReach, Delta Dental of New Jersey Inc., and The Axel Group LLP walked away with top honors at the event.
Selective Insurance Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Greg Murphy, Bleakley Financial Group Managing Principal Andy Schwartz, and The Rock Brook Consulting Group Principal Michael Wachter were also honored as 2019 Executives of the Year during the ceremony.
Following an open nomination process, Business of the Year submissions are evaluated based on company history, growth, leadership, accomplishments, challenges and community involvement by a panel of independent judges. The 2019 awards were sponsored by Santander Bank and judged by Chiesa Shahinian & Giantomasi PC Member Francis Giantomasi, Verve Group Consulting Co-founder and Managing Director Larry Samilow and New Jersey Innovation Institute @ NJIT Associate Vice President, Technology & Enterprise Development Judith Sheft.
Awards were distributed across five categories.
Princeton-based growth equity investor Edison Partners – which has been operating in the state for 33 years – took home the evening’s first award for Business of the Year, 1 – 50 Employees. Women-owned R. Seelaus & Co. of Chatham, an investment firm, was recognized as Business of the Year, 51 – 100 Employees. And, Matawan-based practice management software provider CentralReach received the Business of the Year, 101+ Employees award.
2019 Business of the Year winners pose with their awards. – JESSICA PERRY
The 2019 Corporate Citizen of the Year Award went to Delta Dental of New Jersey, which focuses the bulk of its philanthropic efforts through its foundation, and has awarded nearly $20 million in grants across the state since 1986.
Tinton Falls-based staffing and recruiting firm The Axel Group, this year’s Emerging Business of the Year, has grown from one person to 15 since its launch in 2017 and from $180,000 in revenue to a projected $2.3 million for 2020.
For more information about this year’s event, honorees and winners look for the 2019 Business of the Year supplement in print and online on Dec. 16.
NJBIZ’s last event of 2019 will be the Women in Business Symposium in Somerset on Dec. 17. The nomination process is also in full swing for the first awards program of 2020: The NJBIZ Women in Business Awards.
