The Alternative Press

MILLBURN, NJ - On a beautiful Friday evening in downtown Millburn, Millburn's business community filled Martini Bistro and Bar on Main Street to network and celebrate two of their own in the community.

The Millburn-Short Hills Chamber of Commerce and Downtown Millburn held a "back to business networking event" and retirement celebration. Former Chamber of Commerce Treasurer Don O’Dea is retiring from Investors Bank and Kim Kaminski is taking his place. Both individuals have been active in the community and chamber over the past few years.

The event featured plenty of good cheer as well as wine, dinner and dessert.

O’Dea, who resides in West Orange, has been at the bank for the past several years. He said he has enjoyed his stretch in Millburn, but he realized it was time to take a step back.

“I’ve been in banking 50 years, so I thought it would be a good time to end it,” he said.

Looking back on his tenure in Millburn, he doesn’t regret a thing, he said. He worked at one of the largest banks in the state and it had a great deal of “personality,” O’Dea said. More importantly, he got involved with the Chamber immediately after starting with the bank.

“The biggest highlight for me is the quality of people in this town,” he said.

Everyone was simply a delight to work with, but he is looking forward to moving to Pompano Beach, Fla., where he can relax and play golf every day, he said.

Kaminski, who became the new Millburn branch manager on Sept. 4, became active with the chamber a couple of years ago. Kaminski said she got involved because she wanted to see more businesses develop downtown.

“I love this community; that’s why I’m here,” she said. “I feel very confident here.”

Chamber President Ileana Martin-Novoa of Katz Novoa Architects said she was excited for the event and thrilled to honor two exceptional individuals. While it was bittersweet to see O’Dea go, she said he did wonderful work for the Chamber.  She also said the event was also a great way to catch up with everyone after the summer. 

Martin-Novoa became President in June, and has hit the ground running, she said. Over the past few months she has been meeting with board members and getting their input and advice for future endeavors in the community.

“It’s a great town,” she said. “One of the things I’d like to do is provide more activities for people to network and get to know each other.”