Robert L. Benecke

Consultant Robert L. Benecke, of Benecke Economics, is an economic development expert, financial strategist and economist.  He advises development companies, investors and government entities in every aspect of development and redevelopment.  This includes performing economic impact analysis, project management, financing projects and bringing a development or redevelopment project to completion.

Bob holds Master’s and Bachelor’s degrees in Public Finance from
Fordham University is a New Jersey Certified Officer and has a certificate in Human Relations Law.  He was previously the City Manager and Chief Financial Officer for the City of Englewood NJ.  He has authored textbooks covering a wide spectrum of public finance and taught finance, management, statistics and economics at many colleges, including Rutgers University, Ramapo College, Upsala College and Mercy College.

Aida Figueroa

Aida Figueroa is a lifelong resident of Bayonne. She attended Philip G. Vroom grammar school and Bayonne High School. Formerly from the corporate telecommunication industry, Aida is now co-owner of Pastime Hobbies & Miniatures, a local retail hobby and doll house shop established in 2003. Aida serves on the Bayonne Town Center Board of Directors since 2006. When required Aida assists the Executive Director and Executive Assistant with special events. She is a big proponent for a clean, inviting and entertaining city.

William J. Finnerty, Esq.

William J. Finnerty, Esq. is general counsel to the Bayonne Town Center. Bill is a member of the firm of Hughes & Finnerty, P.C. He is a graduate of Seton Hall University receiving his Bachelor of Science in Accounting in 1964 and graduated from Seton Hall University School of Law in 1967. Following his graduation, Bill was an Assistant Prosecutor for Hudson County from 1967 to 1972. His stint in the Prosecutor’s Office was interrupted by his service in the U.S. Army from 1968 to 1970. Bill and his partner, John J. Hughes, formed their law firm in 1977.

Bill was a charter member of the Board of Directors of Bayonne Economic Development Corporation. He has been general counsel of BEDC since 1989.

Bill is married to the former Rosemary Derise and has two children, Colleen and Patrick.

Bernie Golomb
Vice Chairperson

Bernie Golomb was born March 7, 1945 in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, in the former Soviet Union. He came to America in 1949 and lived in New York City until 1952, when he arrived in sunny Bayonne, New Jersey. At eight years of age, Mr. Golomb started working in his father’s local dry goods store. From 1965-1967, he studied mathematics at the Hebrew University in Jerusalem, Israel, and romance languages at the Alliance Francaise in the Sorbonne, Paris, France. Mr. Golomb ran a successful vending machine business (five hundred machines in five counties) from 1970-1975. In 1977, Mr. Golomb turned the family’s costume jewelry business into a fine jewelry store (Paris Bergman Jewelers) with the help of his wife, Ann. By 1983, there were over a dozen stores, including locations in New York City, Hoboken, Staten Island, Rhode Island and San Francisco. Mr. Golomb’s wife, Ann, still manages the family business, Aaron’s Gold, at 520 Broadway, in Bayonne. Currently, Mr. Golomb is in the telecommunications business with offices in Toronto, Montreal, Vancouver, San Francisco, Los Angeles, San Diego, and New York City.

David Jiji

David Jiji received his degree at Queens Borough Community College in the late 1970’s as a Design Engineer. In 1980 David was sent an invitation by his uncle to come, learn and work in Chicago. David accepted the offer and enrolled at the University of Illinois / Chicago circle campus to pursue an education in economics. During his time in Chicago he worked as Manager at Malenkoff Enterprise; a wholesale, and discount distributor. It was at this point that he perfected his managerial and entrepreneurial skills by selling merchandise in thousands of quantities and organizing merchandise for housewares shows around the United States.

In 1987 David found an opportunity to pursue his dream of becoming a floor broker and floor trader by becoming a member of the Mid America Commodity Exchange, which was later purchased by the Chicago Board of Trade. There, David traded Commodities such as Soybean, Corn, Bonds etc., on the floor of the exchange until 1998 when industry changes and own personal feeling of going back home to the east coast lead him to what  he now owns and operates- the Networking Café  on 19th and Broadway, formed in 2001. Sensing changes in and searching for new and exciting fields to explore it only made sense that computers and the internet were here to stay and David wanted to be in the middle of all the technological changes.

As an extension to computer rental and repair service as well as home and business network setup, Networking Café will be launching its state of the art Conference Center in mid-2011 for small to medium size businesses in need of full meeting amenities that are equipped with high speed internet connection, a projection room, smart interactive classrooms and a meeting center.

Bozena Linowski
European Day Spa
 
Ms. Linowski received extensive cosmetology and esthetics training at The School for Beauty Professionals in Krakow, Poland, and went on to earn a Masters Degree from Krakow’s famed Academy of Physical Education.

She began her spa industry career working at the most prestigious spas in Manhattan while continuing to add to her knowledge and skills by attending post-graduate seminars conducted by renowned organizations such as GM Collin, Dr Murad, Yonka, Phytomer, Dominance, and Pevonia Botanica.

In search of new rejuvenating treatments for her clients that would go beyond her extensive education in skin care, Ms. Linowski  also studied Microdermabrasion, Lymphatic Drainage, Endermologie, Make Up Artistry, Reflexology, and Reiki.

Her extraordinary business sense and commitment to bringing the highest quality professional beauty service to her community led her to establish European Day Spa Inc. in Bayonne NJ in 1999. After several expansions Miss Linowski and her staff of 30 mostly European-trained employees-- committed to continuing education--provide all the latest, cutting edge skin and body care services in her 4,000 sq feet state-of-the-art facility.
Ms Linowski travels extensively to Hong Kong, Hunan and other Chinese destinations as a consultant and educator for Athena Beauty of China. She also serves as an educator for Italy’s exclusive skin care company, Tuttestetica.

Alice K. Lotosky
Secretary & Historian
Bayonne Community Bank

After twenty-one years as a scientist at Block Drug Company, Ms. Lotosky changed careers to become the Community Relations Director at Bayonne Community Bank, a part-time opportunity that eventually bloomed into a full-time position. She currently holds the position of Personal Assistant to the president and vice president of the bank. In addition to her duties at BCB, she is a very active member of the community, serving as a commissioner on the Bayonne Planning Board for 5 years, a trustee and secretary for the Bayonne Community Museum, and is a founding member of the Bayonne Historical Society. Ms. Lotosky serves on the Bayonne Town Center’s Christmas Lights Committee, Image Committee, and is the creator of the “Bring Back Your Memories Walking Tour”.

Allyson Miller
Bayonne Medical Center
Allyson Miller, joined Bayonne Medical Center in July of 2008 as Vice President of Marketing and Business Development.  Prior to joining Bayonne Medical Center she worked for Medical Resources, an owner of outpatient imaging centers, for over 15 years.  She is married and lives in Verona NJ

Patricia A. Murphy
Chairperson
Gormley, LoRe & Murphy Insurance Agency

Patricia A. Murphy, a lifelong resident of Bayonne, is co-owner of Gormley, LoRe & Murphy Insurance Agency, a women-owned business. Gormley, LoRe & Murphy Insurance Agency has dedicated themselves to serving the City of Bayonne and the State of New Jersey for over 25 years. Ms. Murphy is a member of Professional Insurance Agents and is very active in community affairs. She currently holds office on the Executive Board of the Bayonne Chamber of Commerce, chaired the nominating committee for the Greater Essex and Hudson County Girl Scout Council, and sat on the Board of Directors for two terms. Ms. Murphy is also a member of the Master Planning Board for the City of Bayonne, and has actively raised funds for such organizations as Bayonne Medical Center and Kiwanis, and has conducted phone-a-thons on behalf of Women Rising. Aside from her busy schedule, Patricia is very interested in gourmet cooking, which is greatly appreciated by her family and friends. Her husband, Jack, is a retired Fire Lieutenant of the Bayonne Fire Department, and they are very proud of their two daughters, Melissa Murphy and Alison Bender.

Maria Provenzano-Upenieks
Herbert's Army & Navy

Maria was born and raised in Bayonne and continues to live here. She graduated from St. Mary's School & Bayonne High School. She started working at Herbert's Army & Navy in 1974 and bought the business in 2004. She and her husband, Skip, continue to work there to this day. They also own Herbert's Uniform store next door to their origingal business. Maria attended St. Peter's College and earned her N.J. Real Estate License & she also attended N.Y. Institute of Electrology and holds a CPE (Certified Professional Electrolysis). She is a member of AEA and EANJ and has been a BTC Board Member since October 2008. She is also a member of the National Association of Women Business Ownres (NAWBO)

Anthony Ventrone

Anthony Ventrone is a lifelong resident of Bayonne.  He is a 1997 graduate of Hudson Catholic High School.  He attended Johnson & Wales University in Rhode Island where he received an Associates Degree in Culinary Arts and Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration.

After completing his degree in 2003, Anthony returned to Bayonne to continue working in the family owned and operated San Vito’s Restaurant, where he is currently the Manager of Operations.  Anthony has been a supporter of many Bayonne initiatives including the Bayonne Hospital Foundation, Bayonne Educational Foundation, and the Bayonne Mental Health Clinic.  He is a strong advocate of change and improvement and believes there is great potential in Bayonne’s future.

Anthony brings a wealth of business expertise to the Bayonne Town Center Board.  He hopes to work with the other Board members and local buainesses to implement changes and develop new opportunities for growth and improvement.

When he isn’t working Anthony enjoys ice hockey tournaments and watching the Yankees in the Worl Series Championship.

Management Team:

Mary Divock
Executive Director

Mary Divock graduated from the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York City and Farleigh Dickinson University.  She was a Dress Buyer for Lane Bryant in New York City and a Men's Department Manager for Bamberger's in Livingston, New Jersey.  In 1982 after their son was born, Mary joined her husband Arthur, who grew up in Bayonne, to own and operate the Klothes Kloset.

In the year 2007, Mary became the Executive Director of the Bayonne Town Center.  She became a Board Member in 1998, Vice Chairperson in 1999 and Chairperson in 2004.  She is a Board Member of Downtown New Jersey, a Board Member of the Bayonne Chamber of Commerce and Committee Person for the Annual Bayonne Medical Center "Walk for Life".

Mary has been actively promoting the Facade Grant Program and has had many businesses participate.  Along with Benecke Economics, Mary has prepared "The Strategic Plan to Improve the Economic Health of the Bayonne Town Center" which was adopted by the City Council.  She also implements the many promotions throughout  the year such as "Movies Under The Stars", the Classic Car Show and the Holiday Promotions.  She created the Bayonne Annual Outdoor Art Show which becomes more popular each year.

Megan Januska
Executive Assistant

Megan has been with the Bayonne Town Center since November 2004.  In her time here she has helped create new promotions and events.  Megan attends all of the events to ensure that everything is running smoothly.  She also works with the City’s Recreation Department to create new events such as the Annual Mini-Golf Tournament and the Annual Hot Dog Eating Contest.

She also creates all the publications distributed by the Town Center, including the Tattler and all the promotional fliers for all of our events and promotions.  She then hand-distributes all of these materials to all of our merchants to keep them up to date on all the Bayonne Town Center is working on.

She works closely with the City’s Zoning Officer and well-known architect Walter Chatham to ensure the Design Guidelines are being followed by new and existing businesses when they update their façade and signage.

Growing up in Bayonne, Megan attended John M. Bailey School from kindergarten through 8th grade.  She enrolled in a small private high school from which she graduated in 1998.  She then majored in Commercial Writing at Pensacola Christian College in Pensacola, FL from 1998-2002.  After graduation, she taught Language Arts to grades 7-10 at New Life Christian School in Dunellen, NJ until June 2004.