Moderator
Robin Preisler, UCEDC
Robin has been telling the story and advancing the mission of major nonprofit organizations for 40 years. Along the way, she embraced and mastered evolving skill sets in marketing, advertising, media relations, digital communications, and relationship management.
In her current role as Director of Business Development at UCEDC, Robin oversees the external communications function for this statewide economic development corporation, including all digital marketing, social media, outreach initiatives, advertising and special events. She spends her days helping fledgling entrepreneurs and experienced owners make smart decisions about how to start and grow their small businesses.
Elizabeth Paskewich, Workforce Development Board
Elizabeth Paskewich is an Employment Services Aide with the Union County Workforce Development Board, assisting employers in understanding and identifying various workforce training opportunities. Additional proficiencies include preparing and processing Federal and State grant funding for procurement. Funding experience includes Workforce Investment Act, Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act, and WorkFirst New Jersey.
Elizabeth has worked in Employment and Training with the County of Union since 2010. In addition to her work with the Workforce Development Board she has also provided Case Management within the American Job Centers/One Stop Career Centers. Elizabeth’s experience within both the Workforce Development Board and One Stop Career Center allows a perspective from both the administrative and client view.
Elizabeth has a Master’s degree in Counseling and Psychological Studies from Seton Hall University, and a Bachelor’s in Sport Behavior from West Virginia University.
Robert W. Anderson, Lindabury, McCormick, Estabrook & Cooper
Bob Anderson is a partner at Lindabury, McCormick, Estabrook & Cooper, P.C. in Westfield, NJ, and his legal practice emphasizes the particular needs of fast growing, entrepreneurial companies. He has experience in representing business clients in connection with mergers and acquisitions, business transactions, intellectual property, and cybersecurity matters. Bob is Co-Chair of Lindabury’s Cybersecurity and Data Privacy practice group, and assists businesses in the creation of their internal Information Security Programs. He advises companies and their executives on cybersecurity and data privacy matters involving the protection of customer and client data, cyber-breach response protocols, and compliance with state and federal cybersecurity laws.
Bob represents companies and investors involved in technology, manufacturing, Internet, education, and other industries.
Finance
Andrew Gaffney, UCEDC
Andrew serves as a loan officer on UCEDC’s lending team. He is responsible for new business development and loan packaging for UCEDC’s loan products, including microloans, Community Advantage 7a loans, and SBA 504 Commercial Real Estate loans.
Having worked closely with small businesses throughout his career, Andrew has a keen understanding of the challenges facing owners and entrepreneurs. He welcomes the opportunity to help start-ups and established operations start, grow and thrive through UCEDC’s financing and business mentoring options.
Cyber Security
Kevin Runyon, Peapack-Gladstone Bank
Kevin Runyon is an Executive Vice President of Peapack-Gladstone Bank. He is responsible for leveraging emerging technologies in support of the Bank’s strategic direction ultimately solidifying Peapack-Gladstone Bank as a leader in products, services and innovation.
Prior to joining PGB, he brings with him 35 years of knowledge and experience in the Banking technology industry. Recently serving as Managing Director of All Covered, a Division of Konica Minolta in Cherry Hill, NJ, Kevin was responsible for the delivery of technology and IT compliance-related services to over 100 banks across the country. Kevin has held high-level information technology positions with United Computer, OceanFirst Bank, CoreStates Bank and National State Bank of Elizabeth with a focus on technology and security issues that affect the bottom line of business.
Marketing
Pat Roque, Business Boomers Inc.
Pat Roque is a motivational speaker, author and success coach who will soon celebrate the 30th anniversary of her marketing company, Business Boomers Inc.. Pat leverages her extensive background as a Marketing Strategist and Business Development expert to help entrepreneurs and executives grow their personal brand and best monetize their talents without selling their soul or losing their mind.
Pat’s robust background includes an undergraduate degree from Rowan University in Marketing Communications concentrating in Public Relations with Washington Center Honors. Her masters degree in organizational leadership and business management from Thomas Edison University gained her global recognition as an ambassador of distance learning. In fact, her thesis on the benefits of telework for employers and their employees made Pat the go-to media spokesperson and expert in 2000 (a year BEFORE 9-11). A digital marketing and sales funnels guru, she holds certifications in Social Media Management, Web Development and Project Management. As a renowned leader in educating individuals and teams, Pat’s programs are pending accreditation as a preferred provider for Continuing Education Units through the Society of Human Resource Management (SHRM).
The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders invites local business owners, managers, and entrepreneurs to register for Union County’s first “Ask the Experts” panel discuss and networking event scheduled for Tuesday, July 25 beginning at 8:00 A.M. at Hamilton Stage (360 Hamilton Street) in Rahway.
Preregistration for this free event is available now, with an opportunity to submit up to three questions for the experts per attendee at ucnj.org/ucmb.
“‘Ask the Experts’ is an expansion of the Union County Means Business initiative designed to connect Union County business and industry,” said Freeholder Chairman Bruce H. Bergen. “The Freeholder Board is committed to supporting programs that build partnerships and connect the business community with resources to promote economic development in Union County.”
What business challenges are keeping you up at night? Do you have business management or specific industry questions you’d like to ask successful business professionals? Union County’s first “Ask the Experts” event is your opportunity to submit your questions to experts at Union County’s first panel discussion event of this type – featuring experts in the fields of employee training, marketing, finance, cyber security, and business law.
“Ask the Experts” is the first expert panel discussion networking event presented by the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders in conjunction with Union County Means Business (UCMB) through the Union County Workforce Development Board and partnering organizations.
Preregister online and submit your questions for the experts by Monday, July 24. A light complimentary breakfast will be provided. Door registrations are welcome on the morning of the event, but with limited opportunity to submit questions to the experts, so register online today.