EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

With over 25 years experience growing several businesses in various industries Joe now runs The Connective which is a group of companies that open doors for each other and share in commissions. The Connective currently runs chapters in 5 states with over 100 members. Joe has run a marketing company, magazine, beer company, wedding site, and music festivals to name a few. He also put out his first album of 12 songs he wrote and produced with various artists.

Joe has always been committed to charity starting with Big Brother program in college to 10 years in The Rotary Club, United Way and now sits on the board of Children’s Specialized Hospital. Joe became involved with the American Legion in Hoboken after Superstorm Sandy wiped out the legion. Joe was President of the Hoboken Rotary Club at the time as was the catalyst for getting the new legion built in town. From there he has made it his mission to build new Veteran housing across the country to provide homes for at risk veterans which is why he started the Foundation for Sustainable Veteran Housing.

VETERANS RELATIONS CHAIR

Major ( Ret ) Jim Scanlon USA is a national award winning Veterans Advocate who is known for his work with At Risk / Homeless Veterans. He owned and operated a Consulting firm that specialized in Talent Acquisition with Major Accounts to include Loreal, Avon Products and Johnson and Johnson. Jim earned his Bachelors Degree from The University of Dayton and his Masters Degree from Rutgers University. He is a Past Vice Commander of the American Legion Department of New Jersey and currently serves as a consultant on the American Legions National Commission on Homelessness. His mission is to continue working in the affordable housing space on behalf of At Risk / Homeless Veterans.

MARKETING CHAIR

Whitny Sobala is a purpose-driven brand strategist, social innovator, marketing executive and mentor. In her 20+ years of experience, Whitny has built brands and engaged communities for both established CPG companies and emerging startups. Whitny started her career at PepsiCo, where she spent 12 years honing her Marketing expertise through various leadership roles including, brand management, media strategy, sports marketing and innovation.

Motivated by her strong entrepreneurial instincts, innovative spirit, and passion for unlocking the potential of people and brands, Whitny founded Added Perk, a brand consulting firm that collaborates with social impact ventures and conscious business leaders to deliver brand “purpose”. She is also the co-founder of ŪMEWE (‘you-me-we’), a social cause organization that turns ‘Optimism into Action’ through products and projects that are collectively generated with companies, communities, and creatives. Whitny holds a BA degree from the University of Pennsylvania and is the proud sister and cousin of combat veterans.

CONSTRUCTION CHAIR

Thomas Chartier, PE, LEED AP, CPHC is the owner of Chartier Homes: a 17 year old home building & real estate development firm based in Union City, NJ. Mr. Chartier brings over 24 years of experience in the acquisition, design & construction of energy efficient and environmentally sustainable buildings. Past projects include the first LEED Platinum and LEED Gold high rise residential buildings in NYC; the first LEED Platinum certified condominium building in Hoboken, NJ; the first LEED certified restaurant in Hoboken, NJ; the first LEED Platinum certified homes in Union City; and the first LEED certified office and retail building on Long Island.

Mr. Chartier also has many years of past experience with 501c3 and volunteer organizations: as the former Chairman of the Committee for a Green Hoboken; the former Chairman of the Hoboken Chamber of Commerce’s Urban Planning & Sustainability Council; and a founding member of the Hoboken “Green Team”. Formerly, Mr. Chartier was an instructor for the Green Building Initiative: a four week course he developed for the NYC local union 32BJ, aimed at educating building managers, superintendents and handymen about energy efficiency, health & safety, and environmentally sustainable building practices.

FINANCE CHAIR

For nearly five years, John has been involved in addressing the needs of homeless veterans as a member of Hoboken American Legion Post 107. Along with a dedicated group of Post members and other volunteers, he has been involved on a day-to-day basis in the Post’s Phase I and Phase II efforts to house homeless veterans in the Hoboken area. In 2019 the Post completed Phase I with the construction of a six-unit apartment style building to house homeless veterans and in 2020, the Post commenced Phase II, a plan to construct an 18-unit apartment style building adjoining the Post’s Phase I building.

Before his retirement, for over 40 years John was a Certified Public Accountant including 22 years as the founding partner of a risk management consulting firm serving banks and other financial institutions.

Long active in community activities, John was Mayor of New Providence, a member of the Borough Council as well as the Planning Board, and was the former President of the New Providence PAL. Presently he is also Board Chairman of the Summit Speech School, a school for hearing impaired children.

Before attending college, John enlisted in the Marine Corps and is a Vietnam Veteran and was awarded the Purple Heart. After military service he graduated from Boston College and received an MBA from the University of Vermont.

John and his spouse, Pat, reside in New Providence and are the parents of three children, Kara, John. Jr., and David and they have three grandchildren.

GOVERNMENT RELATIONS CHAIR

Bill Noonan is the Business Development Director at Choose New Jersey, New Jersey’s leading nonprofit economic development organization.

Bill manages a team of business development officers and oversees the Technology, Financial Services, Film & Television, Logistics and Gaming sectors to identify growth opportunities, nurture client relationships and develop strategies to promote interest in New Jersey as an ideal business location.

Bill has deep connections within New Jersey’s technology ecosystem including the Jersey City/Hoboken startup community. Prior to joining Choose New Jersey, Bill served as the Senior Director of SPHERE Technology Solutions – an IT company specializing in cybersecurity – responsible for marketing, sales and business development.

Bill has volunteered at JBJ Soul Kitchen for over two years. He has served on boards at various organizations including the Hoboken Charter School; Hoboken Rotary; Hoboken Elks; Hoboken St. Patrick’s Day Parade Committee; and served as the Chair of the Hoboken Housing Authority. He is an active S.A.L. member of the Hoboken American Legion Post #107.

FUNDRAISING CHAIR

Kirsten Haack is a dynamic marketing executive with more than 20 years’ experience at top media brands (including TV Guide, Food Network, GLAMOUR, Zillow, The Wall Street Journal). She currently serves as the Head of Global Marketing at Effie Worldwide, leading and inspiring the practice of marketing effectiveness across 125 countries.

She has extensive experience across media disciplines to create transformational brand platforms and launch high-growth concepts, with an emphasis on sponsorships and events in the entertainment and lifestyle categories. Additional areas of expertise include digital marketing, strategy and partnership development, content ideation and brand marketing.