Business Briefs

Brick resident Maryanne Luccarelli received the President's Award for continuous improvement through FirstEnergy Corp.'s employee excellence awards program. Luccarelli is general supervisor of customer accounting for the company.

Luccarelli's recognized efforts included improving communications through monthly meetings that reduced revenue losses through consumption on vacant accounts; organizing and leading a team to improve new service and service upgrade processes that increased revenue and improved cash flow, and for creating a zero-use team to help identify defective meters in the field and reduce the overall rebill period. Luccarelli also involved her employees in process improvements to encourage finding better ways for the future.

She joined Jersey Central Power & Light, a FirstEnergy subsidiary, in 1982 as a customer service representative.

Lisa Giannascoli, currently serving as interim executive director of the United Way of Ocean County, has been named as executive director by the organization's board of directors. Lisa will be responsible for overall management of the United Way of Ocean County. Her duties will include developing resources and the agency's marketing strategy, as well as continually assessing the needs of residents in Ocean County in order to dedicate funds to programs that address the community's highest priorities. United Way of Ocean County is an independent affiliate of United Way of America. All of the resources raised in Ocean County stay in the county, where donors can see their donations at work every day in over 45 different agencies that provide services to low-income working families, the disabled population, seniors, veterans, and many others. This year, United Way of Ocean County will dedicate 40 percent of all allocable funds raised to help residents become self-sufficient and to raise income potential and long-term financial stability. For more information, call 732-240-0311 or go to www.unitedwayofocean.org.

Meridian Health Affiliated Foundations will host its 2009 "Healthcare Perspectives" luncheon 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. May 8 at the Ocean Place Resort and Spa, Long Branch. Keynote speaker will be Patricia Andriolo-Bull, director of Commonwealth Choice. She will present "Universal Healthcare: The Massachusetts Experience" and discuss her experiences as she managed the Massachusetts Health Care Reform, a modification that requires all residents of the state to have health insurance. Proceeds will benefit Meridian's nonprofit hospitals and community health programs in Monmouth and Ocean counties. For tickets or more information, call Meridian at 732-751-5112.

The business community is invited to an employee appreciation day luncheon being organized by the Brick Township Chamber of Commerce April 22 at Carrabba's Italian Grill, 990 Cedar Bridge Ave., Brick.

Registration and networking will take place from 11:30 to noon and lunch will follow. All those attending will be given gifts and will also be entered in drawings for dozens of door prizes. The cost is $30 for members and $40 for nonmembers.

This program is being sponsored by TD Bank. Seating is limited and reservations are necessary and may be made by calling 732-477-4949.

West Marine, a specialty retailer of boating supplies and accessories, will hold a grand opening celebration at its Brick flagship super store at 51 Chambersbridge Road on April 17. The event will have free family-friendly in-store activities in addition to a large marine electronic display and hundreds of rods, reels and combos for serious saltwater fishing.