Meadowlands Regional Chamber of Commerce Honors Berkeley College Senior Vice President among 2025 Arline Simpson Leadership Award Recipients
Monday, June 9, 2025
Senior Director, Communications and External Relations
973-200-1099
KME@BerkeleyCollege.edu
Photo Caption: The Meadowlands Regional Chamber of Commerce recently honored Tom Alessandrello, Senior Vice President, Operations, Berkeley College, among the 2025 Arline Simpson Leadership Award recipients. Pictured (L to R) are Shannon Lazare, Executive Vice President and New Jersey Regional President, M&T Bank; Alessandrello; and Scott Porter, Chair, Board of Advisors, Meadowlands Regional Chamber of Commerce and Managing Partner, Porter Thomas Grabell & Baumwoll P.C.
The Meadowlands Regional Chamber of Commerce recently honored Tom Alessandrello, Senior Vice President, Operations, Berkeley College, among the 2025 Arline Simpson Leadership Award recipients, recognizing leaders who are committed to excellence, innovation, and service. Honorees were recognized during a ceremony at The Graycliff in Moonachie, NJ, on April 25, 2025.
“The Meadowlands Regional Chamber of Commerce is proud to honor Tom Alessandrello for his many years of dedication to our organization and others,” said Jim Kirkos, Chief Executive Officer, Meadowlands Regional Chamber of Commerce. “Tom is a pillar in the community and has helped to build Berkeley College into a leading educational institution, as nothing is more important to economic development than building an educated workforce.”
Alessandrello joined Berkeley College in 1981, working in the Physical Plant while he was still in high school. He excelled in the organization, holding roles as a Typewriter Service Technician, Computer Technician, and Director of Purchasing before being named to his current role as Senior Vice President, Operations, in 2015. He has served on the Board of the Meadowlands Regional Chamber since 2009. He is a resident of North Haledon, NJ.
“I am deeply grateful to Jim Kirkos and the entire Meadowlands Chamber team for honoring me with the 2025 Arline Simpson Leadership Award,” Alessandrello said. “Serving on the Chamber Board since 2009 has been a true privilege, allowing me to help strengthen the connection between business and higher education while advancing progress throughout our region of the Garden State.”
Other honorees included Kathleen Cronin, Head of Outreach, New Jersey Small Business Development Center, Ramapo College; Nicole LaMonica, Director, Special Events, MetLife Stadium; Michelle Petelicki, President and Partner, Panorama Tours; Frankie Pergola, Business Development Manager, Kraus Marketing; and Sue Scimone-Bellini, Senior Vice President and Regional Sales Manager, Provident Bank. North Jersey Friendship House received the Corporate Citizen Award, which was accepted by Dinorah D’Auria, Chief Executive Officer.
Photo Caption: The Meadowlands Regional Chamber of Commerce honors recipients of the 2025 Arline Simpson Leadership Award during a ceremony at The Graycliff in Moonachie, NJ, on April 25, 2025. Pictured (L to R) are Shannon Lazare, Executive Vice President and New Jersey Regional President, M&T Bank; Tom Alessandrello, Senior Vice President, Operations, Berkeley College; Frankie Pergola, Business Development Manager, Kraus Marketing; Nicole LaMonica, Director, Special Events, MetLife Stadium; Michelle Petelicki, President and Partner, Panorama Tours; Kathleen Cronin, Head of Outreach, New Jersey Small Business Development Center, Ramapo College; Dinorah D’Auria, Chief Executive Officer, North Jersey Friendship House, Inc.; Sue Scimone-Bellini, Senior Vice President and Regional Sales Manager, Provident Bank; and Scott Porter, Chair, Board of Advisors, Meadowlands Regional Chamber of Commerce and Managing Partner, Porter Thomas Grabell & Baumwoll P.C.
About Berkeley College
Berkeley College, founded in 1931, is a career-focused institution accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education that offers students Master’s, Bachelor’s, and Associate’s degree and Certificate programs in more than 20 career fields. The College also offers Continuing Education programs to enhance career credentials.
Berkeley College has campuses in New York City and in Newark, Woodbridge, and Woodland Park, NJ, with more than 4,000 students enrolled. In addition, Berkeley College Online® serves a global population. U.S. News & World Report has named Berkeley College among the Best Colleges for Online Bachelor’s Programs and among the Best Online Bachelor’s Programs for Veterans for 12 consecutive years. Berkeley College is also ranked among the Best Regional Colleges/Universities in the North in the 2025 edition of the U.S. News & World Report Best Colleges survey. The website address is https://BerkeleyCollege.edu.
The mission of Berkeley College is to empower each student to achieve lifelong success.
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