Tomasello Winery

Family owned since its inception in 1933 and now run by the fourth generation, Tomasello Winery is the largest – and oldest – winery in New Jersey. The Hammonton-based business began when berry farmer Frank Tomasello heard the federal government was repealing Prohibition, jumped in his truck, drove through a snowstorm to Washington, D.C., and secured the 68th license in the U.S. to produce wine.

During the 1940s, his sons – Charles and Joseph – joined the business. When Joseph passed away in 1971, Charles took the helm. By the early 1990s, Charles’ sons, Charles Jr. and Jack, came on board as the third generation and continued expanding the winery, revamping the vineyard and adding new selections. Tomasello Winery is now led by Charles Jr. and Jack’s sons, Brian and Sean. Together, with their fathers, they have grown offerings further.

Nearly a century later, Tomasello Winery farms approximately 70 acres of vineyards and makes its award-winning products from estate-grown grapes and local fruits – including blueberries from top growers in Hammonton, the Blueberry Capital of the World. Its large portfolio of wines includes cabernet sauvignon, pinot noir and chardonnay, along with wine-based creams, seasonal wines, 100% fruit wines and vintage port.

Torcon Inc.

A construction management organization established 60 years ago by Benedict Torcivia, Torcon has been led by his two sons, Ben and Joe, for nearly three decades. Considered one of the nation’s leading at-risk CM firms, Red Bank-based Torcon completes a wide variety of life science, health care, institutional and commercial projects. With projects ranging in size from $5 million to $600 million and higher, the company routinely builds innovative facilities that are the first of their kind.

After focusing on large-scale development in Newark, Parsippany and Princeton during the 1980s, Torcon spent the next decade developing expertise in pharmaceutical facility construction, serving as CM for many of the nation’s premier R&D centers, like Merck and Novartis. Over the years, Torcon also handled projects for Campbell Soup Co., New Jersey Economic Development Authority, New Jersey Institute of Technology, Princeton University, JFK International Airport, the Federal Reserve Bank, Exxon and Prudential Insurance.

Recent projects have included Valley Hospital’s newly opened $868 million facility in Paramus, as well as a planned $3 billion expansion of Cooper Health’s campus in Camden. Torcon also worked on a new 229,000-square-foot, 15-story ambulatory care facility for Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital in New Brunswick, as well as a three-story expansion to Atlantic Health System’s Overlook Medical Center in Summit, a 100,000-square-foot science and innovation lab at Kenvue headquarters in Summit, and a six-floor addition at Inspira Medical Center Mullica Hill.

Triple Five Group

Through their multigenerational, multinational real estate development company, the Ghermezian family developed, owns and operates American Dream in East Rutherford – one of the most ambitious retail and entertainment concepts in the U.S. Drawing on its experience building and establishing the Mall of America in Minnesota as the largest mall in the country in the early 1990s, Canada-based Triple Five Group acquired the Meadowlands site in 2010 after plans to develop a venue called Xanadu faltered in the wake of the 2008 financial crisis.

They went on to transform the 3 million-square-foot complex into a venue combining shopping, dining and attractions, like an indoor ski slope, ice rink, observation wheel, water park and amusement park. Now the second-largest mall in the U.S., it features over 400 stores and about 100 eateries, as well as a regular lineup of special events, such as concerts, celebrity engagements and sports. Recently, it ranked as the No. 7 best indoor mall in the country in USA Today’s readers’ choice awards.

At Triple Five, Don Ghermezian serves as president and CEO and leads leasing and overall operations at American Dream. His cousin and Triple Five executive vice president, Paul Ghermezian, told The Real Deal during a March 2025 interview that their goal is to build “something that’s going to stand the test of time and it’s going to be here, and we’re constantly evolving what that is.” Despite challenges, such as large losses, lawsuits and reported difficulties making some payments in lieu of taxes and servicing municipal bonds, Triple Five remains committed to redefining the mall experience and creating a place where entertainment, retail and dining converge into a single, all-day destination for families and tourists alike.

Triple T Hospitality Group

A family-owned restaurant firm focused on growth across the region, Triple T Hospitality Group is carrying forward the vision of its late founder, Thomas “Tommy” Bonfiglio. A former lawyer and CPA, Bonfiglio entered the hospitality world in 2015 alongside his wife, Yvette, when they launched the first Tommy’s Tavern + Tap in Sea Bright as a passion project rooted in food, family and community. The spot quickly became known for its specialty wings, burgers, coal-fired pizza, sushi, salads and sandwiches, as well as an extensive craft beer menu, whiskey offerings and specialty cocktails.

From there, it began adding other locations of the concept. And, even during the pandemic, Triple T continued to grow Tommy’s by quickly adapting to takeout and delivery and strategically expanding into areas with steady demand. In 2020, the firm also unveiled Tio Taco + Tequila Bar as a spin-off concept with three New Jersey spots (Edison, Marlboro, Clifton) and one in Delaware (Newark).

Tommy’s footprint of 15 locations now extends across three states. Within New Jersey, it is found in Wayne, Sea Bright, Freehold, Clifton, Bridgewater, Edison, Princeton, Morris Plains, Mount Laurel, Cherry Hill, Edgewater and Sea Girt. After Bonfiglio’s death in 2022 at the age of 62, his family — including Yvette and daughters Andrea and Christina — continues to lead Triple T with the same commitment to quality, hospitality and values that he had.

Tropical Cheese

After immigrating from Cuba to the U.S. at age 17 with about $50 in his pocket and settling in Perth Amboy, Rafael Mendez began a milk delivery business serving the Hispanic community. Noticing a lack of traditional Latin American cheeses in U.S. markets, Mendez began making and distributing products popular among Caribbean, Central American and South American consumers, such as queso blanco and queso fresco.

That led to the 1982 creation of Tropical Cheese, which, over time, expanded into other Latin food categories, such as meats, tortillas, creams and beverages, and became a key brand in the U.S. Hispanic dairy market. From its headquarters in Perth Amboy, the company serves an integrated network of convenience stores and food retailers. After more than four decades as chief executive officer, Mendez recently passed the baton to consumer goods industry veteran Vic Mehren. The new leader’s background includes serving as chief operating officer at candy giant Mars Wrigley and CEO at better-for-your snack brand Second Nature.

His arrival comes eight months after Tropical Cheese announced a strategic investment from private equity firms AUA Private Equity Partners and Avance Investment Management. As part of the deal, the Mendez family and management retained a significant minority stake in the business. The appointment followed reports that Tropical Cheese was exploring a potential sale in September 2024 that would have valued the company at over $500 million.

Turtle

A fourth-generation, family-owned business, Turtle is considered one of the nation’s foremost electrical and industrial distribution, logistics and supply chain providers. Founded by M. Berry Turtle and Bill Hughes, Turtle today is led by Jayne Millard, a founder’s great-granddaughter and co-CEO and executive chairman of the board; alongside Luis Valls, co-CEO and president of the electrical distribution division. Millard’s leadership journey began in 1991, progressing through roles before stepping into her current position in 2023.

With decades-long vendor partnerships and versatile engineering capabilities spanning cybersecurity, digital infrastructure modernization and material management, Turtle is focused on radical collaboration, technical expertise, innovation and sustainability. Recent projects include creating real-time digital twins for utilities to enable predictive maintenance and upgraded control systems at an LNG facility in New York City to improve resilience and cybersecurity and building a custom microgrid system for energy independence at Hudson Yards.

During its 100th anniversary in 2023, Turtle rebranded from Turtle & Hughes and moved to a new, energy-efficient headquarters in Clark. The company also expanded its four-decade presence in Texas with a 40,000-square-foot facility in Austin.

Undercover Snacks

Established in 2017 by Diana Levy, Undercover Snacks is a better-for-you snacks brand offering a tasty and guilt-free superfood option that’s low in sugar and calories. Levy – who had been a stay-at-home mom for 20 years – whipped up chocolate-wrapped quinoa crisps as gluten-free and allergy-friendly snack after two of her three chocolate-loving daughters were diagnosed with Celiac disease

Based in East Hanover, the company produces crisps in flavors like milk chocolate, dark chocolate + sea salt, dark chocolate + mixed berries and dark chocolate + pomegranate. Its retail footprint spans more than 25,000 retailers, including big names like Whole Foods Market, Sprouts Farmers Market, CVS Pharmacy, Amazon, Publix and Costco. United Airlines passengers can also enjoy Undercover’s crisps as an in-flight snack through a partnership launched in 2023 that has seen millions of complimentary bags distributed monthly.

Along with earning several accolades – including recently ranking as a regional winner for Ernst & Young’s 2025 Entrepreneur of the Year award and named to Inc’s list of Female Founders – Levy just celebrated the launch of a brand-new, -in-house ingredient-processing facility at headquarters to help support Undercover’s expansion into new categories, like savory snacks, breakfast foods, GLP-1-friendly treats, nutrition bars and cereals, too. Commenting on the February 2025 opening, Levy said, “We’re vertically integrating to secure a profitable, high-quality supply chain that fuels our rapid growth and unlocks new opportunities for innovation … This new facility ensures a consistent, scalable supply of crisped quinoa to support our aggressive expansion while also allowing us to develop innovative applications for quinoa and other functional ingredients.”

Villa Restaurant Group/40North

A family-owned and operated firm, Morristown-based Villa Restaurant Group originated in 1964 when Italian immigrant Michele “Michael” Scotto opened a small pizzeria next to the Ed Sullivan Theater in New York City. The concept – Villa Pizza – quickly gained popularity thanks to its authentic Italian recipes and high-quality ingredients and expanded into malls, airports and travel plazas.

Over the decades, the company evolved into a multi-brand restaurant group, operating both quick-service and full-service dining concepts. Beyond the proprietary banners run by its 40North Restaurant Group division, like Black Horse Tavern, The Office Tavern Grill and Town Bar + Kitchen, Villa has numerous partner brands, such as Starbucks, Bluestone Lane, Dos Toros, Zaro’s, Jersey Mike’s Subs, Shake Shack and Salsarita’s.

Now run by the founder’s two sons, President Biagio Scotto and CEO Anthony Scotto, Villa manages 400-plus restaurant locations and has nearly 2,000 team members in the field, as well as around 60 corporate staffers. Earlier this year, Villa completed a multimillion-dollar renovation of Black Horse Tavern & Pub that includes an upgraded kitchen, dining room, bar and outside space, and refreshed menu. The Mendham eatery is considered the oldest continuously running restaurant in New Jersey. The Office also unveiled a revamped interior and new dishes at its Morristown flagship.

Village Super Market Inc.

With 34 supermarkets across four states under the ShopRite, Fairway Market and Gourmet Garage banners, Village Super Market Inc. is one of Keasbey-based Wakefern Food Corp.’s largest members. The Springfield-headquartered grocery business has also remained family-owned and operated since it was founded in 1937 by brothers Perry and Nick Sumas. In December 2024, longtime CEO and chairman Robert Sumas passed the torch to the next generation, naming his son, John Sumas, as CEO and his nephew, Nicholas Sumas, as president and board chairman.

The past year also saw the creation of a scholarship by the New Jersey Food Council in memory of William Sumas, who passed away in July 2024 at the age of 77 after a four-month battle with cancer. His career in the industry began in 1960 when he followed in the footsteps of his father and company co-founder, Perry Sumas.

Village also celebrated the April launch of a state-of-the-art, 51,000-square-foot supermarket. Located at Blue Star Shopping Center in Watchung, the updated ShopRite includes more specialty and global items; larger bakery, seafood and meat departments; a coffee bar with tap-and-pay checkout; energy-efficient refrigeration and LED lighting. The new supermarket replaced a 43,000-square-foot ShopRite location at the Levin Management Corp.-managed property along Route 22.

WB Law Coffee Co.

In business since 1909, WB Law Coffee Co. is the oldest family-founded and operated coffee company in New Jersey – and the second oldest in the U.S. Headquartered in Newark, the company roasts and distributes coffee to restaurants, cafés, delis, c-stores and foodservice institutions across the Mid-Atlantic Region. It also runs a branded retail café that opened as part of the $2.7 billion renovation of Terminal A at Newark Liberty International Airport, serving artisanal, freshly brewed cappuccinos, espressos and the like to travelers.

The company started when English immigrant Walter Law quit his job as a tea broker on Wall Street. Working out of his father’s garage in Dunellen, Law focused on distributing tea and coffee to businesses throughout Central Jersey. Once WB Law Coffee survived the Great Depression, Law expanded the business further, prompting his three sons to pitch in and help pack and roast the coffee and tea.

When the U.S. entered World War II, Law’s sons all chose to defend their country. However, of the three boys, only one returned – Warren. After that, Warren took on the responsibilities of running the company, growing the business and moving it to its current production facility in Newark. His son-in-law, David M. Mendez, joined the company in 1978 and became president in 1984. His son, David W. Mendez, joined the business 20 years ago. Then, in January 2020, WB Law Coffee transitioned ownership to David W. Mendez, marking the fifth generation to lead the business.

Woodmont Properties

Founded in 1963 by Donald Witmondt, the Fairfield-based multidisciplined vertically integrated real estate firm is considered one of the region’s leading developers with a diverse portfolio of residential and commercial properties. After taking the helm from his father in 1999, CEO Eric Witmondt has been instrumental in growing the company by expanding the range, scale and locations of development. Staffed by a team of 165-plus employees, Woodmont develops everything from luxury apartments to senior living communities to industrial spaces to mixed-use properties. During Witmondt’s tenure, the company has grown beyond New Jersey to operate in parts of Pennsylvania, Florida and Texas, and has a development pipeline valued at more than $2 billion.

Just a few of Woodmont’s award-winning projects include Woodmont Metro in downtown Woodbridge and Woodmont Way at West Windsor. In August, the firm broke ground on a development that will bring 300 new luxury residences to a site about a mile away from the Metropark train station in Woodbridge.

It has also been recognized as a top workplace by USA Today and NJ.com for its efforts to promote internal growth, strong employee engagement and a family-oriented workplace. As part of that culture, the company launched Woodmont Wish as a way to support its employees in times of need and charitable organizations in the communities where Woodmont operates.

Zago Manufacturing

Founded in 1993 by Gail Rottenstrich and her husband, electrical engineer Harvey Rottenstrich, at the New Jersey Institute of Technology Enterprise Development Center’s small business incubator, Zago Manufacturing is an award-winning company with a client roster that includes Apple, Lockheed Martin, Ferrari, Google and the U.S. military. Operating from a century-old, refurbished factory in Newark, Zago manufactures high-tech sealing fasteners and switch boots for a range of industries, from aerospace to medical to clean energy to electronics to transportation.

In addition to using lean and automated processes to produce its 10,000 distinct fastener offerings, Zago runs a 50,000-watt rooftop solar array to support clean manufacturing and reduce energy costs. Beyond manufacturing, the company invests in its community through the Zago Sustainability 360° program – offering scholarships, internships, apprenticeships and full‑tuition support for employees – while actively promoting STEM education in underserved communities.

Formerly a corporate attorney and now a CEO – as well as a longtime Fair Lawn borough councilwoman and deputy mayor – Rottenstrich’s manufacturing leadership has earned her numerous accolades. Earlier this year, she was named as one of MarketBeat.com’s most inspirational women business leaders in the U.S. for her efforts “to bring high-performance, sustainable engineering solutions to industries that rely on precision and durability.”

Zallie Family Markets

With 11 ShopRite supermarkets across South Jersey and one in Philadelphia powered by a workforce of 2,500-plus associates, Zallie Family Markets is considered one of the region’s largest employers. The family-owned and operated business began when George Zallie Sr. opened his first store in Clementon 52 years ago. After joining Keasbey-based retailer cooperative Wakefern Food Corp. during the 1980s and bringing on his three sons – George Jr., Bruce and David – the grocery store operator continued to grow under the ShopRite brand.

After CEO David Zallie bought out his brothers’ shares in 2020 and unified ownership of all stores under Zallie Family Markets, the Clementon-based company has also taken steps to modernize the shopping experience for consumers with new services, larger product selections and energy efficient upgrades.

Those investments have included renovating and expanding existing stores, like Glassboro, and constructing bigger, state-of-the-art stores, such as Woolwich Township and Gloucester Township. Some of the highlights at Zallie stores include indoor and outdoor cafés, hot bars, wok stations, cheese and charcuterie areas, and space dedicated to ShopRite’s online shopping service. There’s a greater emphasis on fresh foods-to-go, catering and floral departments. David Zallie said the updates showcase the grocer’s “commitment to offer incredible value, quality and service” to its customer base.

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