The Big Secret to Living and Working at Optimal Energy Levels by John Allen Mollenhauer
I am an entrepreneur. I own a small business, and we provide PROfessional training, coaching, and services in human performance. Why? Because it’s us, the business pros who suffer most from the hidden lifestyle challenges that can distract and hold us back from fulfilling our potential. It’s us who are not sleeping well or enough, who are overstimulated and under recuperated, over fed and under nourished, super busy and physically inactive, and dealing with fatigue, weight and health issues that become chronic over time. 

Jennifer Volz is the Senior Development Director at the Boy Scouts of America, Patriots’ Path Council located in Cedar Knolls.    
The Boy Scouts of America, Patriots’ Path Council is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to preparing young people to make ethical choices over their lifetime by instilling in them the values of good character, citizenship and personal fitness. 

The Patriots’ Path Council serves more than 16,000 youth members and 5,000 leaders each year in the counties of Morris, Somerset, Sussex, Union and parts of Middlesex, New Jersey. Some 400 local organizations have a Cub Pack, Scout Troop, Venture Crew, or Explorer Post as a part of their service to youth. The Patriots’ Path Council’s core objective is to build strong personal values, family values and character in young people by providing program activities that teach, support and encourage such values.

Jenn began her career at the Boy Scouts of America as a District Executive serving the Scouting units in Western Morris County and Northern Somerset County. In 2008, she served as District Executive and became Senior District Executive in Western Union County of the council. 
In 2010, Jenn left the Boy Scouts of America to serve as a program manager for the Development School for Youth in the All Stars Project of New Jersey, a performance-based, non-profit located in Newark.  The Development School for Youth is where Young people learn to perform as professionals, and they partner with business leaders who conduct development workshops and provide paid summer internships at their companies.
In 2011, Jenn came back to the Boy Scouts of America as Development Director, focusing on special events council-wide throughout all counties. Jenn now serves as Senior Development Director and is a Leadership Morris Alumni, class of 2015. 
Jenn is born and raised in New Jersey and attended the University of Vermont, obtaining a bachelor’s degree in sociology and gender studies. She enjoys spending time with family and friends.

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When I meet with members about how the chamber can help grow their business, the topics of talent and human resources are at the top of the list. Accordingly, I am proud to announce we kicked off our new Human Resource and Talent Committee this spring, led by co-chairs Christy Harper, president of Launchpad Talent Group, and Michael A. Shadiack, Esq. of Connell Foley LLP. Christy has extensive background in talent recruitment, on-boarding and retention and brings many years of experience helping businesses succeed through the identification of top talent and effective programs to develop employees. Michael is a partner in and serves as chair of the employment law practice group at Connell Foley. He has extensive experience providing employment law compliance counseling to businesses of all sizes, conducts practical training programs and drafts employee handbooks, all with a perspective gained from defending businesses in litigation during the last two decades.   

The committee is collaboration between the chamber and the Morris County Economic Development Corporation (MCEDC), a division of the chamber. The mission of the committee is to provide members with the opportunity to discuss timely topics related to talent. It also provides the opportunity to plan and present at forums and seminars that provide valuable information to members and the business community about best practices in human resources, up-to-date information regarding laws and regulations, and strategies for attracting, on-boarding and retaining talent.

While the committee will comprise primarily individuals who have primary responsibility for hiring, firing, providing day-to-day direction to employees and are responsible to address any employee conflict or inquiries by government agencies, any chamber member that is interested in human resources as it applies to their business is welcome to attend.

It is clear that that Morris County will only remain a “top 10” county and continue to grow if we can successfully attract, retain and develop talent. We encourage all members who are involved with hiring decisions or interested in learning more about how labor regulations affect their business to attend the committee, which meets on the second Tuesday of every month from 8:30 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. at the chamber offices.  If you are interested in learning more or being a presenter, please e-mail Michael Shadiack at MShadiack@connellfoley.com 

I am excited to announce that the MCEDC also is investing in a new database, Hometown Opportunities, to provide improved connectivity between employers and prospective employees that will be developed this year. Employers will be able to list local job opportunities and residents, students and volunteers will be able to find opportunities in their hometown or within Morris County. You will realize the benefit of this resource by having a tool to attract talent in a competitive labor market through your business profile. 

Saint Clare’s Health announced that it is one of only six hospitals in New Jersey to receive an overall fivestar rating from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) in the federal agency’s latest hospital performance report. The CMS’ overall Hospital Star Rating provides patients with the important information they need to compare hospitals and make informed healthcare decisions.
The hospital has been recognized by the American Heart Association and Laerdal Medical for its commitment to high-quality CPR competency through adoption and implementation of a Resuscitation Quality Improvement program (RQI). Saint Clare’s is among the first hospitals in New Jersey and the only in Morris County to adopt this program. Saint Clare’s Health Denville recently held a ribbon cutting for its newly remodeled 12-bed Critical Care Unit. Remodeling of the unit began in the summer of 2018 and included a wide range of technological upgrades.