Atlantic City Weekly

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Reactions from our Top 40 Under 40

By Carole Jecki --> To see who is included in the 2006 Top 40 under 40 click here

Although it may only take a minute to look at the individual resumes of those selected as honorees of Atlantic City Weekly's Top 40 Under 40 (Feb. 23, 2006 issue), the influence that the list makers will have on our region will last a lifetime, if not longer. Nominated by their peers, co-workers, friends and family members, these 40 industrious, motivated and caring individuals have served tirelessly to better our local communities. Chosen by Atlantic City Weekly and the Greater Atlantic City Jaycees (Junior Chamber of Commerce), each top-notch individual on the Top 40 Under 40 has responded to being selected with grace and humility. Many were surprised when they recently found out the news.

"It is something that other young people across Atlantic County really look forward to —- seeing who the Top 40 Under 40 are," says honoree Alexa B. D'Amato-Wolfe, a Linwood attorney, born and raised in Atlantic County. "The fact that I was chosen is just such an honor and I just can't believe it."

Many on the list are southern New Jersey natives that have been active participants in their respective communities since their childhood days. "It kind of felt good to know that, for all the hard work and the things I've done over the years, somebody does see it and I got a little bit of acknowledgement for it," says Edward Cooper, operations manager for Atlantic City Outlets The Walk. "That [felt] really good."

For many on the list, after the initial shock came the awe. And after the awe, each honoree reacted in their own way to being selected to the Top 40 Under 40.

"It's a great acknowledgement," says Jason Kaye, executive vice president of operations for Flagship Resort Development Corporation, and founder of the mentorship program, Champions of Youth. "It's very lovely, very nice. When you try to do right by people and you try to do good things, it's nice when you're recognized."

If there is one thing that connects this diverse group of movers and shakers (aside from having a passion for what they do and a love for southern New Jersey) it is the fact that all felt honored just to be nominated for this year's Top 40 Under 40 list.

"It's an honor for sure to be included," says Jonathan Baker. "I read about everyone else, and they're really important people. It makes me feel like my contributions weren't as significant because I'm in such good company — doctors, attorneys, police officers and a fireman. I'm just an artist. I just try to make people happy with my artwork."

Not to mention the time Baker has put in with national charities, including the Dean Randazzo Cancer Foundation, of which he is a board member.

"To be among 39 other successful people, it's an honor and I'm pretty excited about it," says Margate's David Funk, a 2002/2003 "triple crown" rowing champion, a boys crew coach at Mainland Regional High School, and a Margate City Firefighter/EMT.

While being inducted into the Top 40 Under 40 was exciting for many, an added bonus came for Nancy Sittineri when she found out who had nominated her.

"My husband nominated me," she says, "so part of it was a shock because I didn't know about it until after the fact. I thought that was really rather touching that he did that." Nancy also says that with a region filled with so many talented people, selecting only 40 must have been an arduous task. "Of course, I was honored to be chosen, I'm sure you folks had a lot of people to choose from and it's kind of comical because you don't realize how involved you are civically and everything you do until you actually read it in black and white."

Beth Schroeder, chief of staff to Assemblyman Jim Whelan, says she was stunned to find out she was on the list and hopes to cultivate meaningful relationships with her fellow list makers. "I'm just amazed to be on a list with so many impressive people," says Schroeder. "It opens up a whole network that I'm excited about."

Although many of the 40 honorees were chosen because of their contributions to the community, don't think such an honor will slow down their respective charity endeavors. Honoree Lisa Witkowski suggests that the 2006 Top 40 Under 40 honorees come together for a good cause to thank the local community that has recognized and honored them.

"I think with this recognition also comes an added responsibility to support so many other people who contribute to our community each day," says Witkowski, a director of human resources for Global Medical Equipment Recycling in Mays Landing. "I would like to invite each of my fellow nominees to either, through raising the funds or by contributing on their own, [provide] a check for $125 payable to Friends of Jean Webster, Inc. Together, the 2006 "Class" of Top 40 Under 40 could present a check for $5,000 to Atlantic City's kitchen feeding 300-400 needy people daily."

Even on a night designated for the celebration of such great people, Lisa's selfless proposal shows us exactly why these 40 people are worthy of our praise and recognition. Congratulations again to all.