Project to produce an estimated 2,588 MWh of electricity annually
ARMONK, N.Y. — (BUSINESS WIRE) — Brightcore Energy, a leader in developing and implementing renewable energy solutions for the commercial and institutional markets, is developing a portfolio of solar projects for the Facilities Organization at Princeton University which will be installed on rooftop and canopy- mounted structures on the University’s campus in Princeton N.J.
The project consists of four arrays, two of which will be rooftop-mounted and two canopy-mounted. The aggregate size of the project will be approximately 2.2MWdc. The rooftop projects will be installed on the TIGER and CUB buildings while the canopy-mounted projects will be at the Meadows and Stadium garages. In its entirety, the solar arrays will consist of 4,039 panels and are projected to produce an estimated 2,588 MWh of electricity annually. Brightcore expects to begin constructing the projects in the summer of 2024.
“We are so very proud to have been selected for this project,” said Mike Richter, President of Brightcore.
“The University has rigorous selection standards and was extremely thoughtful and supportive throughout the process. The school has shown great leadership with its ambitious and detailed sustainability plans, and we are excited to play a role in that.”
Princeton University has committed to achieving Net Carbon Neutrality by 2046. A key component of Princeton’s Sustainability Action Plan is using renewables as the campus energy source.
Once operational, the estimated annual production will prevent approximately 1,834 metric tons of CO2 from entering the atmosphere, the equivalent of burning more than 2 million pounds of coal.
About Brightcore
Brightcore, based in Armonk N.Y., is a leading provider of end-to-end clean energy solutions for commercial and institutional markets. Services include high-efficiency heating and cooling systems (geothermal) for both new construction and existing building retrofits, commercial-grade solar, LED lighting and controls, energy storage, electric vehicle (EV) charging stations, smart building products and other emerging technologies. Brightcore’s turnkey, end-to-end solutions encompass preliminary modeling & feasibility, financing & incentive guidance, design & construction, system implementation, and performance monitoring.
Brightcore, based in Armonk NY, is a leading provider of end-to-end clean energy solutions for commercial and institutional markets. Services include high-efficiency heating and cooling systems (geothermal) for both new construction and existing building retrofits, commercial-grade solar, LED lighting and controls, energy storage, electric vehicle (EV) charging stations, smart building products, and other emerging technologies. Brightcore’s turnkey, end-to-end solutions encompass preliminary modeling & feasibility, financing & incentive guidance, design & construction, system implementation, and performance monitoring. Visit www.BrightcoreEnergy.com to learn more.
OLDWICK, N.J. — (BUSINESS WIRE) — AM Best will host a complimentary webinar, titled, “From Convective Storms to Flood: The Growing Impact of Secondary Insurance Perils,” on April 23, 2024, at 2 p.m. EDT.
While natural catastrophes such as hurricanes and earthquakes grab all the headlines, secondary perils including flood, convective storms and wildfires lurk in the shadows, posing significant threats to businesses and individuals alike.
In a one-hour webinar sponsored by Munich Re U.S., an expert panel will unravel the complexities of secondary perils (also known as non-peak perils), exploring their nature, impact, and mitigation strategies. Register now.
Key points to be covered:
Defining secondary insurance perils: Discover what constitutes secondary perils and how they differ from primary risks.
Identifying secondary perils: Explore a range of secondary perils commonly encountered.
Impact on insurance coverage: Understand how secondary perils can impact insurance coverage and claims processes.
Mitigation strategies: Learn proactive approaches to mitigate the risks posed by secondary perils and safeguard your assets.
Lessons learned: Gain valuable insights from real-world examples illustrating the consequences of overlooking secondary perils.
Joe Bonanno, senior vice president/excess and surplus, property underwriting manager – Northeast and Midwest, Munich Re Specialty Insurance; and
Sean Kevelighan, chief executive officer, Insurance Information Institute.
Attendees can submit questions during registration or by emailing webinars@ambest.com. The event will be streamed in video and audio formats, and playback will be available to registered viewers shortly after the event.
AM Best is a global credit rating agency, news publisher and data analytics provider specializing in the insurance industry. Headquartered in the United States, the company does business in over 100 countries with regional offices in London, Amsterdam, Dubai, Hong Kong, Singapore and Mexico City. For more information, visit www.ambest.com.
— Sen. Lesniak will be inducted into the Rutgers Hall of Distinguished Alumni on April 25th, and he invites you to attend the ceremony to celebrate this milestone with him.
On April 25, Rutgers will welcome five new members into the Hall of Distinguished Alumni. Please join us for a celebration of these alumni, their transformative work, and their amazing dedication to improving our lives and society.
“We recently had the pleasure of joining Sen. Lesniak and the Rutgers University film crew while they recorded Lesniak’s Induction Ceremony video,” states the Lesniak Institute for American Leadership.
He shared his experiences in the army, memories from Rutgers, and recounted his battles in the legislature while showing us around the Senate chamber.
Behind the scenes of Lesniak’s Rutgers induction video
Enjoy these behind-the-scenes from our day at the statehouse!
Each year, the Hall of Distinguished Alumni honors a group of extraordinary individuals whose lives and careers reflect the rich history, enduring values, and far-reaching aspirations at the heart of the Rutgers experience.
Whether they help expand access to academic excellence, build community, support research for the common good, or show leadership and creativity in other ways, these distinguished alumni shape our world for the better.
The evening’s festivities include dinner, inspiring stories, and scarlet pride.
You can see the final video at the Rutger’s Hall of Distinguished Alumni on April 25th! There is still time to purchase a ticket to attend this monumental event. Read more at LesniakInstitute.org.
— The New Jersey Photography Forum (NJPF) is excited to present its new exhibit, Wonderful World of Color, as part of Art at Overlook.
The exhibit is running from Feb. 4, 2024 to May 5, 2024, at the Overlook Medical Center, 99 Beauvoir Ave., Summit, N.J. 07901.
It is open for viewing on the 5th floor during normal visiting and business hours. There will be a free opening reception on Friday, April 12 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. in the Overlook Auxiliary Gallery.
Color can help us understand our physical environment and affect emotions and behaviors. It can bring calm and joy, comfort, and cheer, or evoke tension and feelings of mystery and hope. Photographers of NJPF have used their personal vision of color to convey its influence to affect mood and perception.
In this special Art at Overlook exhibit at Overlook Medical Center, the artists of the New Jersey Photography Forum explore the many properties of color. They consider its beauty and power and how it interacts with other elements in our world.
Artists participating in the exhibit include: Deszo Bodis, Newark; Rob Creteau, Piscataway; Ken Curtis, Lebanon; Ralph Greene, Woodland Park; Theresa Hood, Hamilton Township, Pa.; John Markanich, West Milford; Charlann Meluso, Berkeley Heights; Charles Miller, Ringoes; Jeff Newman, Flemington; Nancy Ori, Berkeley Heights; Phyllis Raffelson, Cliffside Park; Lynn Ronan, Midland Park; Skip Williams, Westfield; and Allan Wood, Maplewood.
Overlook Medical Center’s “Art at Overlook” program, relaunched in the fall of 2021, highlights the work of local artists within the halls of Overlook Medical Center. Program exhibits will rotate every three months. Artists from the local community are invited to participate. All of the art displayed will be available for sale, with twenty percent of the proceeds benefiting the Overlook Auxiliary.
Nancy Ori, director of the NJ Photography Forum said, “Our photographers look forward to exhibiting at Overlook Medical Center each year. It is a beautiful place to share our images, and we know that the staff, family members and patients of the hospital enjoy having the art available for viewing as a bit of a respite.”
Celebrating its 30th anniversary this year, The New Jersey Photography Forum is dedicated to furthering the interests of professional and serious photographers living or working in the New Jersey area. Under the direction and dedication of Nancy Ori, the NJPF has become the largest and most recognized group of fine art exhibiting photographers in the state. The monthly meetings are held in the Visual Arts Center of New Jersey in Summit or on Zoom. They encourage attendees to share expertise and advance their skills in preparation for exhibition. The meetings provide an opportunity for photographers to share their work for critique by others. Exhibition possibilities within the fine art community are constantly explored, which become an invaluable resource for photographers interested in becoming fine art exhibitors.
This exhibit and reception is sponsored by the Overlook Auxiliary, a 501(c)(3) charitable organization that supports Overlook Medical Center with volunteering and fundraising efforts. Founded in 1916, the Overlook Auxiliary has more than 200 active members.
The Overlook Auxiliary Gallery at Overlook Hospital is located at 99 Beauvoir Ave., Summit, N.J. 07901 and may be visited during the hospital’s normal visiting and business hours.
— Owner contributes $430K for IVF treatments amidst court controversy
WEST HARTFORD, Conn. –– According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), one in five couples in the U.S. struggles with some form of infertility.
— Photo: Attorney Brooke Goff, founder and owner of Goff Law Group in Connecticut, is helping her employees start a family by offering a bonus health benefit by pledging $43oK for coverage of infertility treatments. From left: Attorney Brooke Goff, her wife Angeline Ioannou, and their children: 11-year-old Grayson and 5-month-old Victoria, who were conceived via IVF and IUI, are a refreshing example of the modern family. — Credit: Goff Law Group
The biggest roadblock for most of them to start on the path of parenthood is the high cost of fertility treatments. To ease that financial burden and help those seeking to start a family achieve success, Brooke Goff, founder and president of Goff Law Group in Connecticut, has pledged $430K to offset the massive expense of the fertility process.
The enhanced benefit is a hot topic given the recent Alabama Supreme Court ruling on “fetal personhoods” and the uncertain future of the procedure.
“I knew at a young age that I wanted to have a family, yet I also knew that as a gay woman, I would need some assistance from science,” said Attorney Brooke Goff, owner of Goff Law Group, a personal injury law firm in Connecticut.
“In vitro fertilization fulfilled my desire to carry a child and experience the beautiful journey of pregnancy, something every woman should be entitled to, if she so desires, regardless of her sexuality.”
That’s why in 2022, Attorney Goff began researching viable solutions and was told that only larger global companies, not small businesses, would even consider fertility health coverage.
“I was taken aback that more small businesses do not invest in their employees across the board- with family planning and creation,” she adds.
“Employees are the lifeblood of any company and if a business owner wants continued success and profitability, he or she should be investing in their employees’ family – both present and future.”
Undeterred, Attorney Goff eventually partnered with Carrot, a third-party health benefit company, and absorbed the entire near half-a-million-dollar cost of implementing the program. Specifics of Goff Law Group’s comprehensive IVF program include:
mental health counseling as related to the infertility process
individual infertility journey design and implementation
access to over 800 clinics throughout the United States
discount coverage for infertility care including but not limited to IVF, IUI, surrogacy, adoption, preservation of embryos, genetic testing, and medications related to infertility
coverage for after birth lactation services, overnight doulas, and women’s behavioral health as related to postpartum
“It has always been my belief that every woman deserves the right to have a family and unfortunately, it is easier for some than others,” said Attorney Goff.
“When infertility comes into the mix, it adds unplanned costs to the family and a lot of anxiety and uncertainty. Hence, it is important to offer a benefit with full-spectrum physical and mental health care.”
Attorney Goff explains that although some health insurance plans cover run-of-the-mill infertility treatments, they may have certain requirements as a result of strict state mandates such as 12 months of unsuccessful attempts to become pregnant and other limitations based on the age of the woman.
She further notes that health insurance typically does not cover surrogacy, adoption, egg harvesting, donor eggs, or donor sperm. “I wanted to provide something better to my employees alternative to the minimal health insurance coverages currently on the market,” Attorney Goff adds.
Regarding the recent Alabama legislation that allows couples undergoing IVF to sue a fertility clinic for lost or damaged embryos under the state’s wrongful death law, Attorney Goff explains that the ruling takes away pregnancy options and freedoms from potential parents who desperately desire a biological family. She believes that couples who are having infertility issues will now be deterred in using IVF intervention due to the risk of criminalization if their embryos are not used or disposed of properly.
“The ruling is making a lot of assumptions as to what might happen in that an embryo is a promise of pregnancy not an actual pregnancy,” said Attorney Goff. “The ruling should be appealed and overturned so as not to limit a family’s ability to conceive and reproduce. This is not a woman issue — it’s a family issue.”
When asked if she has any concerns about her female employees becoming mothers and its residual impact on her firm’s bottom line due to them being out of the office for sick days, Attorney Goff notes that she prefers hiring working mothers because they do the same amount of work in eight hours that others often do in twelve since they have learned excellent time management and organization skills, patience, and compassion while raising a family — all essential traits in operating a legal business. Goff Law Group is currently the largest women-owned and operated personal injury law firm in the state and is predominately made up of a female staff.
“Everyone has their own parenting journey and I want to open all of the doors for my employees to select one that universally meets their medical history, sexual preference and financial situation,” concludes Attorney Goff. “Doing my part to give my employees hope and direction in creating a family is something I take very seriously — and so should everyone else.”
About Attorney Brooke Goff
Attorney Brooke Goff is the founder and president of Goff Law Group, the largest woman-owned and operated personal injury law firm in Connecticut, comprised of 12 experienced female attorneys with various litigation backgrounds and skillsets. The firm’s foundation is built on its aggressive, no-nonsense tactics, free consultations, direct attorney access and a 99% resolution result rate. Arguably the most public openly female gay lawyer in the region, Attorney Goff has been named one of the Top 10 Most Influential People in Legal Services for 2024 and has earned the Super Lawyer Rising Star Award for the past seven years. Attorney Goff is a sought-after speaker at numerous elementary, middle, and high schools, as well as colleges and universities about the importance of education and pursuing one’s dreams. She is an inspiration for girls and a strong advocate for women to live their authentic lives. Visit www.gofflawgroup.net for more information.
EU leaders have gathered today (22 March) to sign what they are calling a Quantum Pact that recognises the importance of advancing quantum computing technologies to enhance the bloc’s scientific and industrial competitiveness.
Quantum computing has been rapidly advancing with major breakthroughs taking place around the world. The emerging technology has potential to transform a range of sectors, including medicine, energy, communications, cybersecurity, space, defence, as well as climate and weather modelling.
“It will enable huge productivity gains, revitalise industry and open up new markets, applications and job opportunities,” said Thomas Skordas, deputy director-general responsible for communications networks, content and technology in the European Commission.
Skordas was filling in for EU commissioner Thierry Breton at the Shaping Europe’s Quantum Future conference held in Brussels, Belgium today. He describes the Quantum Pact as the EU’s attempt to make Europe the “Quantum Valley” of the world.
“Only by building on our strengths, by working together, by being ambitious, by targeting the whole spectrum of activities – research, industry, infrastructures, talent, external partnerships and more – can we transform Europe into the leading region globally for quantum excellence and innovation. Quantum will help us to challenge the boundaries of what is possible.”
The event featured keynotes, panel discussions and workshops on EU quantum strategy and was held at the Belgium Institute of Natural Sciences.
A declaration was first signed in December, setting the stage for cooperation, investment and innovation in quantum computing technologies in the EU and positioning it as a global leader in the space.
The pact today has been signed by 20 European countries: Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Latvia, the Netherlands, Poland, Romania, Spain, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, and Sweden. Ireland has not signed the pact.
Last month, the EU and Canada announced intentions to boost their strategic digital partnership to address “new challenges in digital transformation” such as in the areas of AI, quantum science, semiconductors, public policy related to online platforms, secure international connectivity, cybersecurity and digital identity.
For quantum science, the regions intend to expand “mutually beneficial collaboration” to improve and accelerate research, development and innovation in the area, while also promoting jobs and the use of quantum tech in the broader economy.
CUMBERLAND, Md. — The monumental problems impacting the young, neglected populations in the world’s poorest countries will, sooner or later, reach everybody’s borders, posits Dr. Sylvanus Ayeni, a retired neurosurgeon who is also the president and founder of Pan Africa Children Advocacy Watch (PACAW), a nonprofit organization headquartered in Maryland.
“We live in a very complex, unsettling and troubled world, which is shrinking — distance wise — faster than we can imagine,” Ayeni said.
Ayeni founded PACAW in 2007 in response to the devastating deficits in education, infrastructure and healthcare facing African nations, predominantly in Sub-Saharan Africa. PACAW’s primary mission is to nurture and develop a new generation of African leaders who will use the continent’s abundant natural resources to provide a much needed better life for the citizens. PACAW does this by providing access to quality education at public primary and secondary schools, and community development activities.
“The main purpose is to get Nigerian youths to think differently about who they are, their innate capabilities and ultimate responsibility to their nation,” Ayeni said. “Furthermore, to get them to develop a ‘Can Do’ mindset instead of constantly waiting for foreign aid from Europe, the United States, Canada and Asia. Also, to embrace the spirit of selflessness, incorruptibility and nation building.”
PACAW is currently seeking funding to build science laboratories in public high schools run by the state and local governments, an issue that is very close to Ayeni’s heart.
“Many of these schools, sadly, have been totally neglected by the leaders,” he added.
In the 2024 school year, which beings in September, PACAW, in collaboration with Olise Omolu Foundation (https://oliseomolu.com), will launch an annual multi-state high school essay competition in Nigeria for senior high school students. The goal of this project is to re-orient and guide Nigeria’s youths — the nation’s future — toward a mindset of selflessness, service, incorruptibility and ethical thinking. Support for this endeavor will be greatly appreciated.
“The world would be different — hopefully better — if we realize that there is only one human race, a well-established scientific fact which unfortunately has been ignored for decades,” Ayeni said.
To learn more about PACAW or to make a contribution, please visit https://www.pacaw.org.
About Sylvanus Ayeni
Sylvanus Ayeni was born and raised in Nigeria and graduated from the College of Medicine, University of Lagos, Nigeria. As a neurosurgeon, he worked in the private sector, for the U.S. Navy and in academia. Now retired from medicine, he is the president and founder of PACAW. He is also the author of Rescue Thyself: Change In Sub-Saharan Africa Must Come From Within (Rowman & Littlefield Publishers), in which he offers a bold dialogue about the necessity of finding alternative pathways to solve the monumental problems facing the nations of Sub-Saharan Africa.
TRENTON, N.J. — The African American Chamber of Commerce of New Jersey (AACCNJ) announces the Honorees for the 2024 “Women Who Empower” Awards Luncheon, which will be held on May 9 from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., at the Crowne Plaza Princeton – Conference Center, Plainsboro, N.J.
Waltasia Mansano, MS, PMP, Manager, PSE&G Clean Energy Jobs Program
Jacqueline King, MS, Ph.D., Founder & CEO, Black Women Empowered, will serve as the Keynote Speaker.
“At our May 9th, Women Who Empower Awards luncheon, we will leverage our network to present to some, and introduce to others, our 2024 honorees; a group of talented and successful women that contribute to the greatness of New Jersey and the nation, every day,” said John E. Harmon, Sr., IOM, Founder, President & CEO, AACCNJ.
“I am profoundly honored to be recognized as a woman who empowers. As a member of this resilient and inspiring community, I am committed to lifting voices, breaking barriers, and fostering women’s empowerment. Together, we can achieve extraordinary things and create a brighter, more inclusive future for future generations.” – Dr. Denise Anderson, Founder & CEO, Denise Anderson & Associates, LLC.
“As an organization president who regularly partners with the African American Chamber of Commerce of New Jersey, I am thrilled to be recognized as a 2024 ‘Women Who Empower’ honoree. Together, ABC-NJ and AACNJ have been working to break down barriers and ensure women and minorities have more opportunities as entrepreneurs and business leaders in New Jersey’s construction industry. Thank you so much for this special honor and the work you do every day to challenge ‘politics as usual’ in Trenton.” – Samantha DeAlmeida Roman, President, Associated Builders & Contractors, NJ Chapter.
“Thank you to the African American Chamber of Commerce of New Jersey for this esteemed recognition as one of the ‘2024 Women Who Empower’ honorees. It is a testament to our collective efforts in championing diversity and inclusion in New Jersey. Working hand in hand with the Chamber, we have made significant strides in supporting small businesses and underrepresented communities. This award reaffirms our commitment to driving positive change and creating a more equitable future for all. I’m deeply grateful for this honor and our ongoing partnership.” – Waltasia Mansano, Manager, PSE&G Clean Energy Jobs Program
Sponsors for the 2024 Awards Luncheon include ABC-NJ, SJI, and Atlantic City Electric.
About African American Chamber of Commerce of New Jersey
The AACCNJ performs an essential role in the economic viability of New Jersey. While providing a platform for New Jersey’s African American business leaders to speak with a collective voice, the AACCNJ advocates and promotes economic diversity fostering a climate of business growth through major initiatives centering on education and public policy. The Chamber serves as a proactive advocacy group with a 501(c) 3 tax exemption, which is shared by the National Black Chamber of Commerce.
MERCER COUNTY — The Mercer County Office of Aging has been awarded the Open Communication Access grant from the State of New Jersey.
The Open Communication Access Grant will be used to fund the installation of hearing induction loops in public spaces. These spaces will include: The Mercer County Board of Social Services, The Mercer County Office of Aging, The County Connection, and The Mercer County Administration Building. In addition, two pilots will be conducted at the Library and the County Commissioner Hearing room.
Hearing induction loops allow people with hearing loss to easily participate in public spaces, simply by turning on the ‘t-coil’ switch on their hearing aids and cochlear implants. The larger spaces will have this technology hardwired, while smaller spaces will have portable kits as needed.
Upon receiving funding, a competitive RFP will be issued and a vendor will be secured. We expect the implementation to be completed by July 2024.
“As a legislator, I always championed accessibility initiatives,” said Mercer Executive Dan Benson, “I am proud of our staff here in Mercer County for securing this competitive grant to ensure we can provide quality services to as many residents as possible.”
“The Open Communication Access grant provides a wonderful opportunity to help us expand services to the hearing-impaired community,” said Deputy Administrator Taraun Tice McKnight “We are constantly looking for state and federal programs that will allow us to fund similar initiatives that expand services for Mercer County residents.”
Kara Branch, 34, is an award-winning chemical engineer and founder of Black Girls Do Engineer, a nonprofit dedicated to getting more Black and Brown girls into STEM (science, technology, engineering, mathematics) through the power of access, representation, hands-on education, mentorship and scholarships.
Chemical engineer, Kara Branch, 34, gives back to STEM education for Black girls with her program, Black Girls Do Engineer, BGDE.PHOTO: BGDE Middle school members working in their science lab
Growing up in a single parent home with limited resources, Karafought her way into high school honors programs, eventually earning a scholarship to attend HBCU Prairie View A&M University. An engineering major, Kara found that she was one of only a handful of women in her program, and in many of her classes, she was the only Black woman in the room. Throughout her subsequent engineering career, she has seen this disturbing trend continue, often being the only Black woman in important rooms she steps into.
The statistics back up her experience. According to the National Science Foundation, “as of 2023 only 35% of people in the STEM workforce are women, 5% are women of color, and a miniscule 2.9% are Black women.” (new.nsf.gov)
Kara believes this comes down to a lack of representation and mentorship, lack of access to quality STEM programs, and financial constraints for families in underserved communities.
In 2019, she launched the 501c3 nonprofit, Black Girls Do Engineer, an application-based educational program for girls in K through college to learn about and participate in STEM programs led by successful working professionals in these fields who look like them.
PHOTO: BGDE members at Greentown Labs Accelerator in Houston, TexasPHOTO: BGDE members attending a STEM lecture
Demand for professionals across Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics is skyrocketing and it is expected to continue to soar, especially as A.I. expands. According to this 2023 CNBC article, “STEM jobs remain among the highest in-demand jobs overall with STEM-related jobs pay over $100,000, especially mathematics and computer positions.” The article also states that “STEM-related jobs are expected to increase by nearly 800,000 by 2031.”
