With more than 17,000 member companies here in New Jersey, NJBIA is the nation's largest state-level employer association."Every year, we recognize the remarkable achievements of our member companies with our Awards for Excellence," NJBIA President Joseph E. Gonzalez, Jr. said. "Our members create jobs and build our economy. They provide many benefits and other services for their employees. They find innovative ways to protect our environment. They devote their time and resources to better their communities."

"Our award recipients truly reflect the entrepreneurial spirit and creative thinking that have made New Jersey one of America's great centers of enlightened corporate leadership," Gonzalez said. "They're the kind of people who look at obstacles, and see opportunities. They don't lament problems; they solve them. They set the bar high, then jump over it and set it higher."

Since 1984, NJBIA has honored a small group of member companies each year with its Awards For Excellence. The winners demonstrate outstanding achievements in one of three award categories: Environmental Quality, Outstanding Employer, and Enterprise (job creation). The Public Service award is also presented to one or more business professionals. An independent panel of judges reviewed the nominations. Thirteen members of the Princeton and Newark Chapters of the Service Corps of Retired Executives (SCORE) volunteered their time to conduct the judging. WithumSmith+Brown, the New Jersey-based accounting and consulting firm, verified the information supplied by the finalists.

To learn more about our Awards For Excellence Winners, click on the name of the winner to see their profile.

Pharmacia of Peapack and Continental Airlines of Newark will receive Enterprise Awards for their expansion plans and job creation; the Deidre Imus Environmental Center for Pediatric Oncology at Hackensack University Medical Center of Hackensack and Lake Mohawk Country Club of Sparta will receive Environmental Quality Award for their efforts to protect the environment; and Myron Corp. of Maywood and Telelogic North America of Mount Arlington will receive Outstanding Employer Award for their enlightened employee benefits program.

Two individuals will also receive Public Service Awards. They are Donald H. Bowers, Director of Public Affairs for Ethicon, a Johnson & Johnson Company, for his efforts in organizing blood donation drives, and Arthur Ryan, CEO of Prudential Insurance Company of America, for organizing and leading New Jersey United for Higher School Standards.

Additionally, two other companies received Honor Roll awards. Even though they were not selected as winners, the independent panel of judges found their nominations to be highly meritorious. They are Aventis Pharmaceuticals of Bridgewater in the Enterprise Category and CyLogix, Inc. of Princeton Junction in the Outstanding Employer category.

ENTERPRISE AWARD

Continental Airlines Chairman and CEO: Gordon Bethune NJ Headquarters: Newark Founded: 1934 NJ Employees: 11,300 Business: Transportation

The Enterprise Award is presented to companies that have made a significant economic contribution to the state of New Jersey through the creation of new jobs. Continental Airlines chose Newark International Airport for its Global Gateway Program to expedite passenger traffic in and out of the region's busiest airport. The large-scale project will add 7,500 construction jobs and 3,200 permanent full-time jobs to the local economy. As part of a four-year, $1 billion project with the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, Continental will expand Terminal C at Newark International Airport, creating 19 new gates to help accommodate a projected growth of 11 million additional passengers per year. Continental will also create a third level on Terminal C, adding a new 325,000-square-foot concourse. Continental is the fifth largest airline in the United States, with 2,200 daily departures. When the Global Gateway Program is completed in 2002, Continental will add 3,200 new full-time jobs at the airport, bringing the company's total Newark employment to 14,500. Construction activity will add an additional 7,500 jobs to the local economy. The project will push Continental's payroll above $1.5 billion. The expansion will also have a tremendous impact on the surrounding economy. According to a study by the National Economic Research Association (NERA), economic activity related to Continental's Newark Hub already contributes 111,000 jobs and $3.53 billion in personal income to the surrounding region. NERA predicts that the Global Gateway Program will increase this contribution to 128,000 jobs representing $4.5 billion in personal income. Back to Top

ENTERPRISE AWARD

Pharmacia Corporation Chairman and CEO: Fred Hassan Headquarters: Peapack Founded: 2000 (merger) NJ Employees: 2,228 Business: Pharmaceuticals

The Enterprise Award is presented to companies that have made a significant economic contribution to the state of New Jersey through the creation of new jobs. Since Pharmacia moved its headquarters from the United Kingdom to New Jersey, its tremendous growth has been a boon to the region. In just over two years, the company has increased jobs threefold and pays an average annual salary approaching six figures. Pharmacia has also made a commitment to New Jersey by locating its world headquarters here and creating offices in Peapack, Bedminster and Bridgewater. In 1998, the company opened its new world headquarters office in Bedminster. Pharmacia was already a top-tier global pharmaceutical company. With 403 employees and an average salary of $103,000, the company quickly established itself as one of the state's premier employers. In the fall of 1998, Pharmacia expanded its New Jersey presence, opening new office facilities at the former Beneficial Management campus in Peapack. In 1999, the company merged with Monsanto of St. Louis, MO, and Searle of Skokie, IL. Not only did Pharmacia show its commitment to New Jersey by maintaining the new headquarters here, but it also opened two more office buildings in Bedminster to accommodate the growth. By April of this year, Pharmacia had grown to 2,228 New Jersey employees and expects to have 2,600 by the end of 2001. Additionally, Pharmacia employs nearly 300 contract workers on a daily basis, in addition to its outsourced operations such as food service, mail and facilities maintenance. All in all, Pharmacia had a $197 million New Jersey payroll in 2000. Back to Top

ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY AWARD

The Deidre Imus Environmental Center for Pediatric Oncology at Hackensack University Medical Center President and CEO: John P. Ferguson Headquarters: Hackensack Founded: 1888 NJ Employees: 7,000 Business: Healthcare

The Environmental Quality Award is presented to companies that have done outstanding work to preserve or enhance the quality of the natural environment in New Jersey. This spring, The Deidre Imus Environmental Center for Pediatric Oncology at Hackensack University Medical Center revamped its massive hospital cleaning operation to reduce not only the toxicity in the cleaning chemicals, but also the quantity of chemicals and the waste generated. The program has been dubbed Greening the Cleaning, the program is a coordinated effort with the Deidre Imus Environmental Center for Pediatric Oncology. The hospital strives to protect the natural environment as well as making the hospital safer for patients by reducing the amount of potentially harmful chemicals in the hospital environment. In a four-phase operation that involved hospital personnel from senior management to the environmental services staff, the hospital replaced 18 of its 22 cleaning products with safer, environmentally sound alternatives that are just as effective. They also began buying cleaning materials in bulk, diluting them at the site to reduce the quantity and refilling the drums to keep containers out of the waste stream. A multidisciplinary team began by inventorying all the cleaning products used at Hackensack and evaluating their effectiveness and toxicity. The team then compared the existing products with environmentally sound substitutes. The hospital ordered new equipment and supplies, created ten new mixing stations, renovated the storage spaces and began a comprehensive, hospital-wide education program. In one week, staff were educated, proficient and at ease with the new cleaning system and environmentally friendly products. The new products are just as effective as the old ones, but without potentially harmful chemicals. For instance, the hospital replaced its existing window cleaner with one that was free from fuming solvents such as ammonia. They also switched to an all-purpose cleaner with no strong acids, chlorine, phosphates, benzene or hazardous ingredients, as defined by the federal Occupation Safety and Health Administration. While such changes may seem small, any reduction in hazardous materials will improve indoor air quality and make a big difference to patients who are already in a vulnerable state. Additionally, the waste and toxic reduction effort is expected to yield a 15 percent cost savings. The Greening the Cleaning program is an ongoing effort. Deidre Imus Center personnel are constantly monitoring the effectiveness of the program and assessing additional means of reducing toxics and waste. The center is striving to establish a model cleaning program for the healthcare industry as a whole. Back to Top

ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY AWARD

Lake Mohawk Country Club President: Joseph Wehmeyer Headquarters: Sparta Founded: 1929 NJ Employees: 165 Business: Homeowners' Association

The Environmental Quality Award is presented to companies that have done outstanding work to preserve or enhance the quality of the natural environment in New Jersey. As a community, the 7,000 residents of Lake Mohawk Country Club have undertaken a comprehensive initiative to prevent phosphorous from destroying its namesake. In addition to installing a million-dollar storm drainage system and treating the lakes with phosphorous-eliminating alum, the homeowners themselves reduced the amount of phosphorous they use around the house by changing cleaning products. To save the three lakes on the property, the association needed to get residents involved, so it began a comprehensive education campaign by publishing articles in its monthly magazine on the harmful effects of phosphorous on the lake's environment. As residents learned more, the association organized a two-day "Lake Fair," which they set up as a mini-convention. The fair showed how septic systems worked; garden suppliers displayed their environmentally friendly products; and Amway, Shaklee and Melaluca presented their phosphorous-free household products. At Mohawk's request, the Township of Sparta passed a new ordinance banning fertilizers, garden products and household materials that contain phosphorous. All the area landscapers complied, and nurseries and supermarkets began stocking non-phosphorous products. The Township also passed an ordinance requiring homeowners to pump out their septic tanks at least once every three years. Of the more than 2,600 homeowners at Mohawk, only 15 were reported to the Health Department, which took only six of those to court. Back to Top

OUTSTANDING EMPLOYER AWARD

Myron Corporation President: Marie Adler-Kravecas Headquarters: Maywood Founded: 1949 NJ Employees: 1,000 Business: Manufacturing

The Outstanding Employer Award is presented to companies that have demonstrated a creative and forward-looking approach to meeting the needs of their employees and managing their human resources. Myron Corporation, an international mail order business specializing in imprinted calendars, pens and business gifts, offers its employees an extensive list of on-site benefits designed to help them juggle work and family responsibilities, as well as a host of professional-development programs, all of which are offered during normal working hours. Working at Myron, employees can participate in lunchtime yoga, health awareness meetings and Weight Watchers. Employees can also take advantage of on-site drycleaners, manicures and a fitness center. The company also offers employees discounts, including $5 movie tickets, discounts from local vendors, such as car washes, and discounts from major companies like General Electric. Myron also offers a host of professional-development programs, including "Lunch and Learn" skills development sessions, an on-site computer training center and computer classes, and tuition reimbursement for employees. Workers are also encouraged to participate in the President's Breakfast, a regular idea-sharing session with the president of the company, as well as Career Day. The company also offers a book fair and book exchange program as well as accessibility to its audiovisual library. All benefits are available during working hours and are open to all employees. Myron is also active in the community. It opened the employee gym to local police officers and firemen, sponsored toy drives for local hospitals, and contributed to the Hurricane Floyd Relief Fund for local communities. Additionally, Myron donates more than $250,000 each year to more than 50 charities. This recently included an $18,000 donation to C.A.R.E for the victims of the earthquake in India. Back to Top

OUTSTANDING EMPLOYER AWARD

Telelogic North America President: Scott Raskin Headquarters: Mount Arlington Founded: 1996 NJ Employees: 90 Business: Business Software

The Outstanding Employer Award is presented to companies that have demonstrated a creative and forward-looking approach to meeting the needs of their employees and managing their human resources. Telelogic offers its employees a large, varied benefits package and gives them a great deal of control in customizing benefits to best fit their needs. Telelogic is an international software supplier for advanced software and systems development. The company works closely with the communications industry and has a large customer base in the automotive, aerospace and military industries. Telelogic has taken tremendous steps to give employees access to their benefits information 24 hours a day through phone menus and the Internet. Telelogic's 401k plan offers 21 different funds to choose from, 25 percent vesting and a 30 percent employer match. Health benefits include a nonreferral POS and PPO healthcare option and an employer-funded Flexible Spending Account (most FSAs are employee-funded) to cover healthcare costs that would otherwise come out of the employee's pocket. With so many benefits to choose from, employees need access to their benefits information and the ability to make informed choices. Telelogic has contracted with a vendor to create a human resources intranet that allows employees to enroll online, make changes, or simply view their benefits information. Employees can review their 401k accounts, the status of their medical claims and a variety of benefits information. Telelogic also provides up to $1,500 per employee per year for off-site seminars and conferences, as well as on-site management training, stress management seminars, and "Lunch 'N Learn" training. In keeping with their efforts to make services available online, Telelogic provides "Webinars" where employees who cannot attend training on-site can still get the information they need. Telelogic also offers a generous tuition reimbursement program, providing 100 percent reimbursement for employees with A's and B's and 75 percent for employees who earn C's. Back to Top

PUBLIC SERVICE AWARD

Donald H. Bowers Director of Public Affairs Ethicon, a Johnson & Johnson Company Somerville

The Public Service Award is presented to an individual for outstanding service in the public interest. The individual is recognized for committed leadership in finding solutions to pressing social or economic problems in New Jersey In an effort to alleviate New Jersey's severe blood supply shortfalls, Donald H. Bowers has led one of the most successful blood drive campaigns in the state for the last seven years. Using his corporate experience and contacts, he has raised awareness of New Jersey's critical need for blood, obtained approval for blood drives on corporate properties, secured corporate donations, and organized special blood drive events. Bowers, director of communications for Ethicon, a Johnson & Johnson company, has spearheaded 15 to 20 blood drives a year at the company's Somerville headquarters and its adjacent Wellness Center. Over 8,000 people have participated, donating nearly 7,000 units. Bowers even obtained permission for the Wellness Center to open on Saturdays to make it more convenient for the surrounding residents to donate. When New Jersey Blood Services (NJBS) launched its mobile blood platelets program (a special type of donation for cancer patients who need transfusions of platelets to survive), Bowers arranged some of the first donations to be given at the Wellness Center. He also expanded blood drive locations beyond Ethicon and the surrounding area. He organized blood drives at Somerset Patriots baseball games, allowing fans to donate blood at the stadium. He obtained permission for NJBS to conduct a blood drive at the Branchburg Fair. He spearheaded the High School Reunion Blood Drive during the summer to encourage students to donate blood one last time before leaving for college. Back to Top

PUBLIC SERVICE AWARD

Arthur F. Ryan President and Chief Executive Officer Prudential Insurance Company of America Newark

The Public Service Award is presented to an individual for outstanding service in the public interest. The individual is recognized for committed leadership in finding solutions to pressing social or economic problems in New Jersey. When low standardized test scores caused widespread alarm about New Jersey's Core Curriculum Content Standards and the state's new assessment process, the Department of Education turned to Arthur Ryan for help. Ryan, president and CEO of Prudential Insurance Company of America, and Al Cade, then chairman of the Commission on Higher Education, agreed to lead New Jersey United, an organization to support a standards-based education. The two leaders and Bob Bonazzi, head of the New Jersey Education Association, who joined the group shortly after it was formed, agreed that the organization should not act as an advocate for the current system. Instead, New Jersey United set out to improve the standards and assessment system. Ryan soon took a leadership role. Through Prudential, he committed the funding necessary to run the group, including the staff time of two Prudential employees. Under his leadership, New Jersey United soon established itself as a credible, objective organization committed to improving New Jersey's education standards. He created the management structure, assisted in setting the vision and goals for the organization, and helped recruit 85 other organizations to be a part of New Jersey United, 50 of which joined as founding members. Ryan and the founding members also undertook a comprehensive communications initiative. In less than a year, New Jersey United has reached about 1,000 concerned citizens at 12 community meetings. The meetings begin with an overview of New Jersey's standards-based education system, followed by questions from the participants. Education experts, business leaders, higher education representatives, and DOE officials are on hand to contribute to the discussion. The group just issued a report on its first year's activities. As a result of Ryan's commitment to a standards-based education, New Jersey United is helping to educate parents on the standards and assessment system, giving parents the tools to help children reach those standards and building a broad public constituency for improving public education. Back to Top

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