Business Briefs

The Jersey Shore Association for Human Resources (JSAHR), a Superior Merit Award Chapter, is presenting "Consumer Directed Healthcare and Pensions - Who's Responsible?," March 8, 8-10 a.m. at Branches restaurant, Monmouth Road, West Long Branch. The registration fee and a full buffet breakfast is $25 for JSAHR members; $35 for nonmembers; and an additional $5 for walk-ins. To register, call (732) 244-8892 or e-mail jsahradmin@atbcelebrations.com.

Both Joseph Torella, vice president of Marketing/Sales of Savoy Associates, and David Koch, owner of Two River Benefits Consultants, Ocean, New Jersey, will present information about health savings accounts, reimbursement arrangements, flexible spending accounts, and retirements plans, such as defined benefit pension plans and defined contribution plans.

Torella has had 20 years' experience in the insurance industry, including vice president of sales and marketing for AmeriHealth HMO of New Jersey and strategic sales manager for CIGNA HealthCare. He is president of the Central Jersey Association of Health Underwriters, a licensed New Jeresy insurance producer, and a frequent speaker of health-care topics. He holds both a master of business administration and bachelor of arts degree from Rutgers, the state university.

Koch, who earned a bachelor of science degree in marketing from Temple University, Philadelphia, Pa., has worked in the insurance industry for more than 20 years. In 2002, he started Two River Benefits Consultants, which specializes in group benefits plans, including medical, dental, 401(k) plans, group life, long and short term disability plans. He is the membership director of JSAHR and chairman of the golf committee for the Monmouth-Ocean Development Council.

Michael G. Halpin, Esq., Wall Township, has recently joined the Brick Township law firm of Grossman and Heavey. Prior to joining the firm, Halpin practiced law for 20 years in Toms River. At Grossman and Heavey, he will focus his practice on professional malpractice claims, complex tort litigation, municipal court and personal injury litigation.

Halpin, who graduated from Essex Catholic High School, Newark, received his bachelor of arts degree in business administration with a minor in English from St. Michael's College, Winooski, Vt. Upon graduation, Halpin worked in New York City as a production manager in the garment industry. Three years later, he entered Western New England College School of Law, Springfield, Mass., and received his law degree in 1986.

Halpin's honors in law school include being listed in Who's Who in Law School, being selected as class speaker at his commencement on behalf of the Student Bar Association (of which he was vice president), and being a member of the Moot Court Board - a writing honor.

In 1986, Halpin became a member of the New Jersey Bar and the District Court of New Jersey. He is also a member of the Ocean County and New Jersey State Bar Associations.

Halpin volunteers as a T-ball coach in Wall Township.

OceanFirst Foundation is assisting local volunteer fire departments and first aid squads across Monmouth and Ocean counties. The foundation has begun its annual distribution of $500 donations to each of the organizations. This year, nearly 140 volunteer fire departments and first aid squads will receive checks totaling more than $70,000.

The following squads from Brick will be receiving funds: Breton Woods Volunteer Fire Company, Brick Township First Aid Squad, Herbertsville First Aid Squad and Herbertsville Volunteer Fire Company.