Matawan-Aberdeen Chamber of commerce

The Matawan-Aberdeen Chamber of Commerce hosted its annual MAC Awards & Installation Dinner on Thursday, June 12, 2025, at MJ's Buttonwood Manor. The evening brought together business leaders, local officials, and community members for a night of networking, celebration, and recognition of civic and professional excellence throughout the region.

A highlight of the event was the presentation of the Chamber President's Special Recognition Award to Mayor Fred Tagliarini, who is retiring after 16 years of dedicated service as Mayor of Aberdeen. The award was presented by Chamber President Michael Grandi. In addition to the Chamber's recognition, Mayor Tagliarini received official proclamations from the County of Monmouth and the State of New Jersey, presented by Senator Vin Gopal.

2025 MAC Award Honorees
Chamber Ambassador of the Year
Michael Giasi, NY Life

Community Cornerstone Award
Matawan Aberdeen Public Library

Business of the Year
Court Jester of Aberdeen

Philanthropic Impact Award:
Sal Longette, Town Tire Service

Spirit of Matawan
Maria Milazzo, Young at Art

Spirit of Aberdeen
David Shah, Dunkin'

Legacy & Milestone Recognition
10-Year Members
Barbara Downs McNulty, Esq.
DaCosta Design
Matawan Lodge #192 F&AM
Matawan Wellness Center

15-Year Members
An Eye to the Future
Court Jester of Aberdeen
SERVPRO of Aberdeen/Holmdel

20-Year Members
Amboy Bank - Aberdeen
LoDrago Insurance Services

35-Year Member
Joan Roum, Matawan-Aberdeen Hometown Shopper

60th Anniversary
Waitt Funeral Home & Cremation Services

Centennial Celebration
Meadowbrook Industries

A special surprise award was presented to Cathy Zavorskas, who served as Master of Ceremonies, recognizing her many years of dedicated service to the Chamber as a member, President, and Past President.

2025 Board Installation
Executive Board Officers (Installed by Mayor Fred Tagliarini):
* President: Michael Grandi
* Co-Vice Presidents: Alan Ao & Matthew Saldutti
* Secretary: Barbara Downs McNulty
* Treasurer: Kimberly Paone

New Board Members (Installed by Mayor Joseph Altomonte)
Ervis Bida
Michael Cline
Tanya Jones-Awolusi
Kevin Moran
Marina Plantz

Returning Board Members
Erika Boyer
Lindsay Constantino

With Gratitude to Our Sponsors
Event Sponsors:
Waitt Funeral Home & Cremation Services
(Premier Sponsor)

Aberdeen Together
(Meet & Greet Sponsor)

Monmouth County Board of County Commissioners
(Award Sponsor)

Restore Matawan & Aberdeen Forward
(Award Sponsor)

Vin Gopal Civic Association
(Award Sponsor)

Media Sponsors:
Mic Squared Events
(Entertainment)

Greyshore Studios
(Photography)

Thank You to Our Event Team
The Board of Directors would like to thank our dedicated Events Committee: Linda Martin, Caitlin Zavorskas, and Cathy Zavorskas, for their time, creativity, and effort in planning this memorable event. We also acknowledge the contributions of the Event Team: Lindsay Constantino and Donna Delgrosso whose assistance helped make the event a success.

Thank you to everyone who generously donated door prizes and to all the attendees who made the night truly special!

Click here to view photos from the evening.

Inside the June edition of Your ChamberConnection:

- Welcome, New Members!

- Upcoming networking events

- Summer Concert Series

- ...and more! Click here to read the latest.

Join us in congratulating Joseph Cammayo of Grantvest Financial Group and his team for being named a 5-Star Wealth Management Team by InvestmentNews. The media outlet a leading source of news, analysis, and insights for financial professionals, and recently recognized the top wealth management firms in the country. 

Looking at management firms that excelled in growing and retaining clients, InvestmentNews honored 100 firms with the award including Grantvest Financial Group. Investors across the country were invited to nominate their advisory teams - defined as groups consisting of four or more advisors - and highlight the services that distinguised these teams, focusing on four key areas:

• meaningful contributions to clients and the financial industry

• deep understanding of client needs

• notable impact achieved over the past 12 months

• standout performance based on AUM and team results

From Investment News: "In this climate, InvestmentNews’ 5-Star Wealth Management Teams 2025 stand out as exemplars of innovation and client-centric service. Firms were nominated by investors nationwide, with the winners honored after careful review of their industry impact and understanding of client needs, along with performance based on AUM and team results. Quite simply, these firms represent the industry’s forward edge."

Learn more about Joseph and Grantvest Financial Group here: https://www.grantvest.com/

Inside the May edition of Your ChamberConnection:

- MAC Awards & Board Installation Dinner tickets available
- Welcome, New Members!
- Chamber Members recognized as Monmouth Magazine's Top Real Estate Agents of 2025
- ...and more! Click here to read the latest!

Inside the April edition of Your ChamberConnection:

- Aberdeen Construction Department announces new hours
- May networking events to add to your calendar
- Registration opens for the members-only General Meeting
...and more!

Click here to read the latest Your ChamberConnection.

Inside the March issue of Your ChamberConnection:
- Upcoming events for spring
- Welcome new members
- Business resources
...and more! Click here to catch up on all of the chamber news.

Inside the February issue of Your ChamberConnection:
- Register for our bowling night at AMF Strathmore Lanes
- Meet our new Community Partner Sponsors
- Encourage your customers to vote in Monmouth Magazine's Readers Choice Awards

...and more! Click here to read the newsletter in its entirety.

Inside the January newsletter:

• February events - registration is now open!
• New Members
• Arcadian Chorale Announces Spring 2025 Season
• ...and more! Click here to read the entire newsletter.

From after-hours events to ribbon-cutting ceremonies, countless connections were made in 2024. Enjoy highlights from the year in our latest report - Our 2024 Review.

On behalf of the Board of Directors and the MACOC Staff, we thank you for being a part of our business community. We wish you much success, health, and happiness in the year ahead!

How Hallmark's holiday hits can inspire entrepreneurs even after the holidays (article courtesy of US Chamber of Commerce) click here to read article