Chairman of the Board,  Joel Loder 

Joel@joelloder.com

Joel Loder began his Jaycee career in Hanover, Pennsylvania in 2002.  He joined the chapter with the goal of meeting new people and developing better leadership skills.  He was a member if the Hanover Jaycees for 3 years and then moved to New Jersey to put his newly developed skills to the test by embracing a new career as an Electronics Systems Instructor at Lincoln Technical Institute.

He became the Individual Development Vice President for the New Jersey Jaycees in 2006, before becoming the State President in 2007.  New Jersey was a growth state that year, and thanks to the hard work of the local chapters, New Jersey was honored with the #1 State in the Nation his year as President.

Joel left New Jersey in 2008 to move to Colorado where he continues to support the New Jersey Jaycees as Chairman of the Board.  He is currently working with local Jaycees to charter a new chapter in the Centennial, Colorado area.

President, Eldridge Hawkins Jr.

ElectHawkinsJr@aol.com

Eldridge Hawkins, Jr. was elected as the Mayor of Orange on May 13th, 2008 and assumed office on July 1, 2008 after careers as a law enforcement professional and businessman. Hawkins ran on an ambitious agenda of plans to make Orange safer, stabilize property taxes, improve education for people of all ages, and assure the honesty and integrity of government. Mayor Hawkins has established Orange as a city on the move. His focus on law enforcement and his crackdown on street crime, gangs and drug dealers made citizens feel safer. He jump started the city’s stalled redevelopment plans, stepped up enforcement of health, safety and housing laws, began televising City Council meetings, and made it easier for citizens to communicate their concerns and get fast action from City Hall.

Named to “Cambridge Who’s Who Registry of Executives and Professionals 2007/08 Edition”, Eldridge Hawkins is the President of the New Jersey Junior Chamber of Commerce (Jaycees). He is the founder of the Orange-Essex Jaycees, which is the first of its kind in a New Jersey urban community. In 2009, he was selected as one of Ebony Magazine’s Outstanding Young American Leaders. Eldridge Hawkins is a law enforcement professional. He attended the Morris County Police and Fire Training Academy in Morristown, New Jersey obtaining his Police Training Commission Certification. He presently serves in the West Orange Department where he is a decorated officer who has received three commendations as well as the Essex County Police Benevolent Association “Distinguished Service” award. In the private sector, Eldridge Hawkins was named Vector Marketing’s “Number One Salesman” and ”Number One Assistant Manager”. He also served as the Director of Operations for the nonprofit, Carl Lewis Fund, Inc. placing inner city youths in corporate internships. Eldridge Hawkins attended the Professional School of Business, earning his Real-Estate License Prerequisite Certification. He became a New Jersey Licensed Realtor Associate for Jordan Baris, Inc. and manages his own real estate investments.

Raised in neighboring West Orange, Eldridge Hawkins graduated from Seton Hall Prep and attended Rider University where he received a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration. He is a member of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc. Eldridge Hawkins, Jr. resides in Orange, holding the position of Chairman of the Orange Democratic County Committee. Hawkins is also a member of the Maplewood & Oranges Chapter of the NAACP. He is the son of former state Assemblyman Eldridge Hawkins Sr. (D-Essex), a prominent East Orange Civil Rights attorney and Linda Cofer-Hawkins, a business executive and community leader.

Executive Vice President,  Liz Galantino  -  Lizgalantino@comcast.net

Liz began her tenure as a volunteer with the Jaycees when she joined the Greater
Atlantic City Chapter in the early 2000’s.  She served as president of that chapter in 2003-2004 and as past president in 2004-2005.  Liz is the co-founder of the Greater Atlantic City chapter’s flagship annual event, the “Top 40 Under 40,” with co-sponsor Atlantic City Weekly newspaper, recognizing the region’s brightest and best under 40 years of age.  In 2009 the project successfully celebrated its 5th anniversary and named its 200th “Top 40” honoree.

Professionally, Liz has been active in the PR and Marketing industries for more than 15 years holding such titles as Principal of her own business, Print Creations, as well as years spent as a Publicist, Client Liaison and newspaper Editor.  She has proven media relations, writing, research and communication skills, along with a host of mutually successful client relationships. Holding a master of arts degree in communications/public relations as well as a bachelor of science degree in business administration/marketing, Liz is an active volunteer with the Philadelphia Museum of Art, serves as an Ambassador for the Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce and is a hostess with the Miss America Organization.

Membership VP, Marc Rassman  -   Mer2us@yahoo.com

Marc is a graduate of Rowan University with a bachelor’s degree in Political Science and Economics. Professionally, he has owned an outdoor adventure company and managed two fitness clubs. He is presently employed as a homeowners adjuster for a New Jersey based insurance company. Currently Marc is a fitness trainer and owns a health and wellness franchise. For the last 10 years as a wellness coach he has been promoting the fundamentals of a healthy diet through simple and easy solutions to reach optimum health. Marc gives presentations on that topic and has been invited to speak by the Jaycees and other organizations. His passion as an educator in the health and wellness industry has fueled his obligation to share this knowledge with the world.

Marc has been an active member of the Jaycees since early 2007. He served as a local director and has been involved with many of the fundraising programs the Jaycees offer. Throughout the years Marc has volunteered for the Leukemia Society as a walking coach, at various food drives, coat drives, fundraisers for various senior centers, as well as a stand-in vendor at events promoting the leadership qualities of the Jaycees. As Membership Vice President, Marc’s goal is to work with the members of the State Board through the local chapters to provide opportunities for young adults to develop personal and leadership skills.

Regional Director, Ryan Graham  -  RGraham@fairviewinsurance.com

State Board & Affiliation Advisor, Jeff Lank  -   Jeff@jefflank.com

Jeff Lank has been a member of the Jaycees for 7 years and calls the New Castle, Delaware Jaycees his home chapter. He has had the rare opportunity to experience membership in both one of the largest and smallest Jaycees states.  His Jaycee career began as the Charter President of the Mundelein, Illinois chapter and has taken him through Delaware Jaycees President in 2007 and most recently as National Vice President.

Although his resume is filled with positions and honors on the local, state and national level, it is his involvement supporting all aspects of chapter and membership growth that continues to motivate him.

While serving as National Vice President Jeff was directly assigned to the states of Arizona, Connecticut, Illinois, Rhode Island and Virginia, with cross-assignment to Delaware.  In addition to guiding many of his assigned states to membership growth, Jeff had the honor to visit and share experiences with a total of 19 states in 2008.

Jeff is Ambassador #4100 and is currently serving The United States Junior Chamber as Chief of Staff. He is a Project Manager for Wachovia which is a Wells Fargo Company located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He lives in Bear, Delaware.

Institute Primary Advisor,  Jane Amend  -  Janeamend@juno.com