Bridgeton Area Chamber of Commerce 2021 Community Hero Awards Honor Hometown Heroes’ Service, Character, Dedication, Compassion, and Courage
As our communities rebound from the challenges caused by COVID-19, the Bridgeton Area Chamber of Commerce, which has recognized businesses and community leaders for 35 years with the Salute to Business and Industry Awards, will honor and thank “community and business heroes” when it holds its awards celebration on December 8, 2021.
The Chamber will join with the community to honor individuals, groups of individuals, organizations and businesses who have worked to sustain and strengthen people and other organizations by demonstrating their “Hometown Heart.”. Their service, character, courage, and achievements will be honored, not just to thank them, but to inspire others to support their efforts and to become community and business heroes themselves.
The Chamber Chairwoman Carol Musso and the Salute to Business Co-Chairs Randi Galan and Omarey Williams are proud to announce the awards including the Francis Sharp Lifetime Achievement and Gary Simmerman Community Leadership awards.
The award recipients are as follows:
• Francis Sharp Lifetime Achievement Award – William Whelan
• Gary F. Simmerman Community Leadership Award – Ken Freitag
• Gary F. Simmerman Community Leadership Award – Bridge the Gap Compassionate Ministries
• Business Hero Awards
o Tracy’s Corner – Bill Sharp
o Cedar Rose Vineyards – Dustin Tarpine and Steven Becker
o Los Molcajetes Taqueria Restaurant – Luis A. Berdejo
o South Jersey Water Conditioning Service – David Wilson
• Community Hero Awards
o Jonathan Cummings
o Cesar Morales
o Dr. Nauveed Iqbal
Francis Sharp Lifetime Achievement Award:
William Whelan
• Honoring a man of integrity and faith, who believes in serving others and his community while dedicating himself to his family.
• Bill is a man of integrity and faith, who believes in serving others and his community while dedicating himself to his family as well.
• Bill Whelan and his wife Carole have been married for 44 years. They are continually amazed by their children and their grandchildren.
• The Whelans are grateful saying “when you have a large family, you meet many wonderful people through your children’s activities.”
• As a banker of more than 40 years, and as a Vice President at OceanFirst Bank today, Bill takes pride in many business owners, families, schools, and towns he has been able to assist in those years. He has been involved in many roles at his church, The Parish of the Holy Cross, where he currently serves as a Eucharistic Minister and Lector. He is the Deputy Grand Knight of the Knights of Columbus Liberty Council 1910 in Bridgeton.
• Bill has served his community in many ways including as Cumberland Regional Board of Education president; Cumberland County Commissioner, 2 years as Director; Chairman of the Bridgeton Chamber of Commerce for two years; M-25 Board, and in a four-year hiatus from banking as Executive Director of St. Joseph’s Carpenter Society in Camden. He currently is Co-Chair of Economic Development for the Southern NJ Development Council, and serves as member of the Upper Deerfield Planning Board.
Gary F. Simmerman Community Leadership Award
Kenneth W. Freitag
• Ken W. Freitag’s “hometown heart” and compassion shines through in all he does for his profession, his community, his family and his friends.
• Ken Freitag is the owner/manager of Freitag Funeral Home in Bridgeton, NJ.
• In particular, the service that he and his staff have provided to families in their time of need, is carried out by Ken, not just as a part of his profession, but with heartfelt concern for others. His heroic service was more important than ever as families struggled with the loss of loved ones during the Covid-19 pandemic.
• Ken is a 1977 graduate of Bridgeton High School where he excelled in academics and sports. His education continued at Franklin and Marshall College where he earned a Bachelor of Arts in Economics in 1981, and played varsity football and track and field. He received a degree in Mortuary Science from the Cincinnati College of Mortuary Science in 1983 where is was valedictorian.
• Ken Freitag’s legacy of community leadership includes service to Cumberland County Hospice as a Board Member for 20 years, including 3 terms as president; Cumberland County RSVP Board, First Presbyterian Church of Bridgeton Ordained Deacon, Trustee and Trustee President; United Way of Cumberland County; Hopewell Township Board of Education, including 11 years as Board President; Cumberland County CEO Group; Cumberland County Guidance Center; Past President of the Bridgeton Lions Club; Bridgeton Area Chamber of Commerce Board Member, and a member of the New Jersey and National Funeral Directors Association.
• His recognitions include Eagle Scout Award, John Cowan Citizenship Award from Bridgeton Area Conference of Christians and Jews, Bridgeton Area Jaycees Young Man of the Year, Salute to Industry Award from the Chamber of Commerce, and the BaySea Council Boy Scouts of America Distinguished Citizen of the Year.
• Ken is the son of the late Harry A., Jr. and Carol Wilson Freitag and is a 4ᵗʰ generation funeral director. He is married to Robin Stanger Freitag since 1982. They have three children, Adam J. Freitag (Melissa), Molly Freitag McLaughlin (Joseph), and Abigail Freitag Neff, RN (Jonathan).
Gary F. Simmerman Community Leadership Award
Bridge the Gap Compassionate Ministries
• Creating a positive impact on the community with love of God, and love and compassion for others.
• The work that this organization and its volunteers have done in downtown Bridgeton stood out when the Chamber was looking for an organization to honor this year. Their “hometown heart” is highlighted by caring, love, and compassion.
• Bridge the Gap, Inc. is located at 44 South Laurel Street, Bridgeton. It is a designated 501(c)3 non-profit public charity organization and a compassionate ministry of the Bridgeton First Church of the Nazarene.
• Bridge the Gap is dedicated to positively impacting the community in love and compassion by connecting individuals and families to resource opportunities and encouraging success through a Thrift Store, Leaning Center and Community Outreach.
• The Bridge Thrift Store opened for operation in the Spring of 2005 and the Learning Center hosted its first meeting on March 9, 2009. The store operates solely on donated items which are offered to the community at very reasonable costs.
• The Bridge Learning Center offers support groups, training and awareness sessions and Bible studies and worship services to the community. Some of the Bridge Outreach opportunities include Backpacks for Bridgeton, Code Blue partnership and volunteer support, Community Assistance (clothing and household donations), Crisis Care Kits, Disaster Relief Assistance, Good News Clubs, and a School Uniform Program.
• The Bridge Compassionate Ministry is led by a volunteer Board of Directors (Pressie Marino, President; Erik Kelly, Vice-President; Marjorie Pierce, Secretary; Trudi Maisano, Treasurer; Oziel Arcia-Cruz, Board Member; Vernon Bennett, Board Member; Donald Cuff, Board Member). Loretta LaTourette has served as the Compassionate Ministry Director since 2008.
• The Bridge is staffed by an amazing team: Jessica Gandy, Sandy Lupton, Doralene Whitaker, David Gandy, Haylie Porter, and Rosalba Arcia.
• The Bridge ministry relies heavily on church and community volunteers, program participants and community service workers for their daily operations and special projects.
Business Hero:
Tracy’s Corner – William (Bill) Sharp
• Hometown boy with hometown heart develops love affair with Bridgeton.
• Bill Sharp began his life’s journey and love affair with Bridgeton when he was a young boy living on North Laurel Street. He frequented the playgrounds at Bank Street School and Johnson-Reeves playing horseshoes, checkers, chess and gladiators while meeting lifelong friends.
• Bill grew up in the Bridgeton High School System and had wonderful teachers who worked hard to give him and his friends a great education and “keep them on track”. Fond childhood memories would later inspire Bill to open many businesses related to the charm, beauty and needs of Bridgeton.
• At twenty-five, his entrepreneurial spirit led him to buy a small furniture business called Tracy’s Corner which at the time was at the corner of Pearl and Myrtle Streets. Later, the business found a special home on the corner of Laurel and Washington Streets at 62 North Laurel Street where the store has been in business for about fifty years showcasing furniture, appliances and formerly antiques and collectibles.
• Over the past 50 years, “Mr. Tracy” as he is affectionately known by his store customers, has opened multiple other businesses in the Bridgeton community including the reopening of the Cohansey Canoe House and was instrumental in organizing the first City of Bridgeton Canoe Race. Bill also opened Available Cab Company in 1989.
• His hometown heart led to supporting the community. Bill sponsored and coached Bridgeton Little League teams. He even wore the hat of umpire when no one was available. Former players still call him “coach” when they see him in passing.
• Bill also served as volunteer President of the Cumberland County Fair Board spearheading the organization of the yearly fair and fundraisers that secured arena lights for the 4-H Equestrian Program. He joined the Bridgeton Breakfast Rotary Club in 2010 receiving the Club Service Award two times. Over the years, Tracy’s Corner has donated to local fundraisers, programs and those in need.
• Today, Bill lives with his wife of forty-one years, Patti. He has a son and daughter-in-law, Jared and Rachael Sharp, two grandchildren, Mackenzie and Weston, and a daughter, Allie Sharp and fiancé, Adam Fishman. Bill is a member of the Crown of Israel Synagogue in Elmer. In his free time, “Billy” enjoys nature walks, biking, tennis and has played cards with the same group of Bridgetonians for over thirty years.
• At an early age, “Billy” knew that Bridgeton would forever be in his heart and he would give his heart back to Bridgeton.
Business Hero: Cedar Rose Vineyards – Dustin Tarpine and Steven Becker
• A passion for grape growing cultivates the vision that led to Cedar Rose Vineyards.
• Steven Becker and Dustin Tarpine grew up as neighbors in rural Rosenhayn, NJ, and attended school together through high school at Cumberland Regional. After graduation they remained friends and kept in contact during summers in college. Steven attended Franklin & Marshall College in Lancaster, PA, pursuing a bachelor’s degree in Environmental Science, while Dustin attended Clemson University in SC working toward a bachelor’s degree in Horticulture.
• While working together with grapes on an internship in the summer of 2010 at the Rutgers Agricultural Research and Extension Center (RAREC) in Seabrook, their interest and passion for grape growing would be born, as well as the first sparks of an idea for Cedar Rose Vineyards.
• After graduation from college, they worked with friends and family to clear a small plot of land on Steven’s mother’s property. Without capital or many resources, they began to build a dream. The first vineyard was installed with trellis poles made from red cedar trees logged by hand, and expenses were spared at every possible point.
• After establishing a flourishing vineyard as a proof-of-concept, Sam Pipitone and Dominic Romano invested and formed the partnership of Cedar Rose Vineyards in 2012, and planned to install a 20-acre vineyard on Kenyon Avenue in Rosenhayn the following spring.
• Construction on the tasting room facility began in 2015, but after many challenges, it opened to customers in November of 2018.
• Steven now serves as General Manager of Vinetech LLC while Dustin works as General Manager for Cedar Rose Vineyards. Vinetech currently manages over 100 acres of vineyards across NJ and has established over 185 acres of client vineyards, with a robust demand for new installations.
• Cedar Rose Vineyards has a reputation as a quality wine producer and is now available in over 100 liquor stores across the state. The Tasting Room at Cedar Rose has become a destination for locals and tourists alike.
• Cedar Rose plans to keep evolving to improve the experience and continue to raise the bar for fine wine production in NJ.
Business Hero: South Jersey Water Conditioning Service – David Wilson
• From the start, Dave Wilson’s promise was to provide excellent service to his customers and to do that with courtesy, respect, and honesty.
• Created in 1967 by founder D. David Wilson, South Jersey Water Conditioning Service has over 50 years of experience in water treatment systems. Under Dave’s leadership, and with the support of family and excellent employees, the company has used decades of experience to keep up with the latest in water technology and is fully dedicated to customer satisfaction.
• With its main office in Hopewell Township, just west of Bridgeton, they have expanded over the years including adding a second location in Seaville and providing its products and services to all Southern New Jersey, including Atlantic, Burlington, Cape May, Cumberland, Gloucester, Salem, and Camden counties.
• Following Dave’s lead, the company remains dedicated to finding the best solutions for home and business and holding themselves to a higher standard. South Jersey Water Conditioning is a licensed and authorized Kinetico Water Systems dealer, proudly offering products that are built to be durable and efficient, including water filters, softeners, whole-house systems, and special treatment systems for commercial use.
• Giving to the community is part of Dave Wilson’s character and his faith. He, his family, and his company have supported the Bridgeton Rotary Club, Chamber of Commerce and dozens of organizations and community projects during its more than 50-year history. Nothing showed their hometown heart more than celebrating its 50th year in business by raising and donating thousands of dollars to support Ranch Hope.
• The Chamber recognized South Jersey Water Conditioning during its Salute to Business dinner in 1998. Twenty-three years later, Dave Wilson, his team of employees, and his family, continue a business that has expanded, but has never deviated from Dave’s promise — to provide excellent service to his customers and to do that with courtesy, respect, and honesty. Our economy and our community has thrived thanks to that promise.
Business Hero: Los Molcajetes Taqueria Restaurant – Luis A. Berdejo
• Entrepreneurs created an authentic Mexican restaurant with delicious foods and great service and atmosphere.
• Los Molcajetes Taqueria Restaurant opened in Bridgeton in February of 2011. The founders were Maria Benites, Elder Garcia, and Luis A. Berdejo.
• Elder Garcia and Maria Benites started this journey as a food truck that grew increasingly popular in the area. The food truck started around 2004. Once the opportunity to expand into a traditional restaurant appeared, the owners decided to take a chance on their dream.
• They invested in Bridgeton, taking an old, closed gas station on Irving Ave. that was an eyesore and turned it into a beautiful, well-appointed restaurant. Luis A. Berdejo joined them with 12 years in the restaurant industry.
• The goal was to provide authentic Mexican cuisine. Los Molcajetes serves delicious tacos, quesadillas and guacamole. Their signature dish is the Moscajete: a tasty dish comprised of your choice of meat: steak, chicken, shrimp or a mix, with guacamole, cheese, and chambray onions.
• Los Molcajetes always welcomes everyone with a smile and a nutritious and filling meal. Quality and value have gained them many fans, locally and beyond with reviews like this: “The most authentic, fresh, delicious Mexican food around. The green salsa is addicting. Be warned that you will want to order some to go. I love the chicken tostadas, steak burritos, and steak tacos. The guac and chips are a perfect complement to every meal.”
• The Chamber of Commerce welcomes Los Molcajetes Taqueria Restaurant as the first Hispanic-owned business in the area to receive the business hero award.
Community Hero: Jonathan Cummings
• A commitment to serve families and strengthen communities.
• Since graduating college in 2000 with a degree in Accounting and Business Finance, Jon Cummings has worked nationally and internationally to serve families and strengthen communities. Directly out of college, Jon went to Uganda and worked to help establish medical clinics and fresh water in areas of need.
• Upon returning from Uganda in 2004, Jon and his family moved to Guadalajara, Mexico, where he worked running a Mexican non-profit. During that time, Jon was able to remodel a school and build it to serve 60 children from 3 years old through 5th grade. Attached to the school was a dental clinic providing services to members of the community and it also served various surrounding communities through a mobile dental clinic. In addition to this, through the non-profit, he worked to help friends start and establish an orphanage that currently serves nearly 30 children in a family-living environment where whole sibling units are permitted to stay together and live there.
• After returning to the states in early 2012, Revive South Jersey was started to specifically target the needs of families in Bridgeton and Cumberland County. Revive South Jersey helped start the Unidos para la Familia collaborative in partnership with the Pascale Sykes Foundation in 2014. Through the work of Unidos and Revive they serve over 150 Hispanic families through Spanish GED test prep, life coaching, conversational ESL classes and various community development activities.
• Revive and Unidos serve families in the community through summer programs, in partnership with Bridgeton PAL, and have been active in community development through establishing the community garden program in the Bridgeton School District which now has four gardens located at four different schools.
• In 2017, Revive partnered with the Procacci and Pappas families to begin offering scholarships to students from Bridgeton High School to attend Rowan College of South Jersey-Cumberland on full-ride scholarships. There are currently 13 students that are attending Rowan College SJ, Stockton and Rowan University on these scholarships.
• Jon proudly serves the Bridgeton Rotary and Chamber of Commerce to help our community.
Community Hero: Cesar Morales
• A passion to motivate, inspire, and prepare students to pursue a career in technology.
• Cesar Morales is an accomplished healthcare technology leader with over 20 years of experience in the healthcare payer sector. He currently serves as Director of Information Solutions at AmeriHealth Caritas and is also the Founder and Executive Director of Jana Solutions, a South Jersey based agency specializing in web design.
• Cesar is also the founder of Launch Your Tech Career, a social network group that motivates, inspires, and prepares local students from underrepresented backgrounds to pursue a career in technology. To further achieve this goal, Cesar founded the annual CAM Tech Scholarship for students interested in pursuing STEM careers at Rowan College of South Jersey.
• Cesar often volunteers his time as a guest speaker at local radio/television stations, high schools and universities where he shares his personal story, highlights emerging technologies, and prepares students on how to break into the IT field. In 2020, Cesar adopted a graduating high school senior from the Class of 2020 who is pursuing an IT career to coach and celebrate his achievements amid the pandemic. Cesar is the Secretary of the Executive Board and mentor at Big Brothers Big Sisters (BBBS) of Cumberland and Salem Counties where he was selected Big Brother of the Year for BBBS.
• Cesar serves as an Advisory Board Member at Cumberland County Technical Education Center (CCTEC) and for the Association of Latino Professionals For America (ALPFA) where he offers technology career guidance, shares insights on industry trends, and provides input on curriculum planning.
• He is an active member of his community. His efforts garnered recognition by Big Brothers Big Sisters of Cumberland and Salem Counties, Boys and Girls Club of Cumberland, and Project Thanksgiving.
Community Hero: Nauveed Iqbal, MD
• Using compassion, innovation, knowledge, and prayer, especially through the COVID-19 pandemic, to make his patients and the community healthier and better.
• Nauveed Iqbal, M.D., a general, bariatric and vascular surgeon, has been caring for the communities of Southern New Jersey for over 25 years. He is a general, bariatric and vascular surgeon at Inspira Medical Center Vineland and Inspira Medical Center Elmer. Dr. Iqbal earned his medical degree from King Edward Medical University and completed his residency and fellowship training at St. Francis Medical Center. He is double board certified in general and vascular surgery by the American Board of Surgery.
• Dr. Iqbal specializes in treating vascular and endovascular conditions and performs procedures such as gastric sleeve and lap band surgeries, gastrointestinal endoscopies, stereotactic breast surgeries and chronic wound care. Dr. Iqbal has authored numerous articles and medical presentations on various subjects, while also teaching at the Drexel University College of Nursing and Health Professions for several years.
• He has come to be recognized by his patients, his fellow doctors and medical staff, and the community as a doctor who not only provides professional, experienced surgical procedures, but as a person who cares about his patients and does all he can to serve them and make them feel comfortable as he strives to make them healthy. He is available to see patients in his offices at 1206 W. Sherman Ave., Suite 2A, Vineland and 10 Magnolia Ave., Bridgeton.
• Dr. Iqbal is dedicated to taking care of every patient to the best of his ability using compassion, innovation, prayer, and knowledge.
More information about the awards celebration on Dec. 8 at The Grove at Centerton, sponsorship opportunities, and registration is available at www.CumberlandGrows.com/hero or by calling 856-455-1312.
