The Alternative Press

The William J. Hughes Center for Public Policy announced the Hughes Center Honors, a new initiative that recognizes five outstanding New Jerseyans for excellence in their fields and for a commitment to public service, civility and bipartisanship that reflects the life and career of Ambassador William J. Hughes.

The honorees include former New Jersey Governor Brendan T. Byrne, former Congressman James Saxton, Dennis Bone, Lori Herndon and Justin Frankel.

“In a time of extreme partisanship, chronic gridlock and fiscal cliffs, it is important to recognize those individuals of high achievement who have demonstrated the ability to work with others in serving the public good,” said Daniel J. Douglas, Director of the William J. Hughes Center for Public Policy.

The awards will be presented at a reception/dinner on Wednesday, February 13, 2013, at 6 p.m. at the Stockton Seaview Hotel and Golf Club in Galloway, New Jersey. The Hughes Center Honors includes the following awards:

·         The Distinguished Lifetime Achievement Award recognizes the career achievement for any singularly outstanding citizen, from any field of endeavor in the public, private or non-profit sectors.

·         The Civility in Government and Politics Award recognizes an appointed or elected New Jersey official that epitomizes the concepts of respecting people and processes in both attaining and executing public office and thus providing an example and standard for others.

·         The Excellence in Civic Engagement Award recognizes a business or non-profit leader for achievement in public service.

·         The Distinctive Alumni Leadership Award recognizes a Stockton College alum with achievement in Stockton and community engagement activities.

·         The Distinctive Student Leadership Award recognizes a current Stockton student for achievement in Stockton and community engagement activities.

THE HONOREES

Hon. Brendan T. Byrne - Distinguished Lifetime Achievement Award

Brendan T. Byrne served as Governor of New Jersey from 1974 to 1982. Previously he served as Prosecutor of Essex County, New Jersey, as President of the New Jersey Public Utility Commission, and as Assignment Judge of the New Jersey Superior Court. He graduated from Princeton University in 1949 and received his degree from Harvard Law School in 1950. He is now a partner in the law firm of Carella Byrne.

Hon. Jim Saxton - Civility in Government and Politics Award

James “Jim” Saxton served in the United States House of Representatives from 1984 to 2009. He also served in the New Jersey State Legislature from 1976 to 1984. He was a high-ranking member of the House Armed Services Committee and the Natural Resources Committee and was Ranking Republican Member and Chairman of the Joint Economic Committee. During his years of service, Congressman Saxton was known for his work maintaining a strong military presence in New Jersey and for preserving New Jersey’s beaches.

Dennis Bone - Excellence in Civic Engagement Award

Dennis Bone started his Verizon career in 1979 as an engineer for New Jersey Bell, a Verizon predecessor company. After a variety of jobs with increasing responsibilities in operations, regulatory, external affairs, and public policy positions, he was named president of Verizon New Jersey in June 2000 and served in that position until his retirement in July 2012. Mr. Bone is a trustee for the New Jersey Institute of Technology, the Newark Alliance, Liberty Science Center and other institutions. He is also Chairman of the State Employment and Training Commission and Chairman Emeritus of ChooseNJ.

Lori S. Herndon – Distinctive Alumni Leadership Award

Lori Herndon (’92) has held many leadership roles since joining AtlantiCare Regional Medical Center (ARMC) as an Intensive Care Unit staff nurse in 1983. She is now President and Chief Executive Officer of the AtlantiCare Regional Medical Center. Under her leadership, ARMC has developed new emergency and trauma departments, the Center for Childbirth, a patient tower, and the AtlantiCare Cancer Care Institute.

Justin B. Frankel - Distinctive Student Leadership Award

Justin Frankel served as President of the Political Science Association, and Political Science Honor Society, Pi Sigma Alpha from 2011-2012. In 2011 Justin was elected to the Stockton Student Senate and currently serves as Chairman for the Legislative Policies and Government Affairs Committee. Justin will graduate in May 2013 and plans on accepting his commission in the United States Marine Corps as a 2nd Lieutenant.

The William J. Hughes Center for Public Policy (www.stockton.edu/hughescenter) at The Richard Stockton College of New Jersey serves as a catalyst for research, analysis and innovative policy solutions on the economic, social and cultural issues facing New Jersey.  The Center is named for Ambassador William J. Hughes, whose distinguished career includes service in the U.S. House of Representatives, Ambassador to Panama and as a Distinguished Visiting Professor at Stockton College. The Hughes Center can be found at www.facebook.com/Hughes.Center.Stockton.College and can be followed on Twitter @hughescenter.