Middlesex Regional Chamber to Honor Six 2024 ‘Community Leaders’

NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ — The Middlesex County Regional Chamber of Commerce will honor five notables, and an organization that aids domestic violence victims, with its 2024 “Community Leaders of Distinction” awards on Wednesday, May 29th.

Recipients of the regional chamber’s 2024 “Community Leaders of Distinction” awards” hail from Carteret, East Brunswick, New Brunswick, Old Bridge, and South Brunswick. These awards honor those who improve the quality-of-life for others and make a difference in Middlesex County communities.

CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR THE FREE TAPINTO.NET NEWSLETTER

Among the recipients is the superintendent of Middlesex County’s five Magnet Schools, and New Brunswick’s deputy police chief. They, and others, will get their awards during the Middlesex County Regional Chamber’s fundraising dinner at The Pines Manor, 2085 Lincoln Hwy, in Edison. To learn more and make reservations click here .

The regional chamber’s 2024 recipients are:

● New Brunswick Deputy Police Chief Michael S. Bobadilla: “Hometown Hero of the Year”

● Magnet School Superintendent Jorge E. Diaz: “Public Servant of the Year”

DOWNLOAD THE FREE TAPINTO APP FOR MORE LOCAL NEWS. AVAILABLE IN THE APPLE STORE AND THE GOOGLE PLAY STORE .

● David Lee Hernandez Jr., Jersey Memorial Group in Old Bridge: “Business Leader of the Year.”

● Ronnie Li, East Brunswick speech pathologist: “Volunteer of the Year;”

● Danielle Novotny, from Hermann Services, South Brunswick: “Emerging Leader of the Year”

● Middlesex County Family Justice Center: “Community Organization of the Year.”

MICHAEL S. BOBADILLA

Named “Hometown Hero of the Year,” Michael S. Bobadilla, is a three-decade police veteran who now serves as deputy police chief in the New Brunswick Police Department. Before his promotion to that post, Bobadilla, 52, was captain in charge of the department’s Special Operations bureau. Hired in January 1994, he has a wealth of experience in patrol and investigative bureaus.

JORGE E. DIAZ

Chosen as “Public Servant of the Year,” Diaz has been superintendent since April 2022 of five Middlesex County Magnet Schools ( formerly known as Vo-Techs ) in East Brunswick, Edison, Perth Amboy, Piscataway, and Woodbridge. Those schools enroll roughly 2,300 high school students and 700 adults annually.

Before the Middlesex County Board of Commissioners named Diaz, 52, to that top job in April 2022, he was superintendent of the South Amboy School District from 2017-22. From 2005-17, Diaz was principal at New Brunswick High School and at the city’s Roosevelt Elementary School. More about him is available here.

Diaz is also a seven-term Carteret Borough Council member, serving since 2004, and founder of the “ Carteret LatinFest ,” now one of New Jersey’s largest Latino festivals since its start in 2012.

DAVID LEE HERNANDEZ

Named as “Business Leader of the Year,” David Lee Hernandez Jr., is founder and chief executive at Old Bridge-based Jersey Memorial Group , which has grown since 2009 into New Jersey’s largest family-owned funeral home company, with funeral homes and cemeteries in New Jersey, Pennsylvania and West Virginia, according to his company’s website.

RONNIE HSIEH LI

Honored as “Volunteer of the Year” is Ronnie Hsieh Li, an East Brunswick speech pathologist, currently on the East Brunswick Regional Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors. Li is locally known as an advocate for quality healthcare, education, sports and community collaboration to improve quality-of-life.

Li and her family have lived in East Brunswick since 1985. She serves on the community’s Recreation & Park Advisory Board, its Youth Council Advisory Board, the local DAISY Association, and advocates for the town’s efforts to promote sustainability and environmental causes. Read more about her here .

DANIELLE NOVOTNY

Named as “Emerging Leader of the Year,” is Danielle Novotny, senior marketing executive at Hermann Services Inc. , a logistics, storage and supply chain company in Monmouth Junction. Novotny, 30, also bills herself as an engagement–event enthusiast, according to her LinkedIn page.

Novotny, a Brandeis University grad, is also self-published book author of the “Remade & Renown” trilogy, and freelance editor for other indie authors. More details are available at her book website .

FAMILY JUSTICE CENTER

Chosen as “Community Organization of the Year,” the Family Justice Center on Bayard Street in New Brunswick coordinates services for domestic violence victims and sexual assault survivors. It provides accessible, safe, supportive and confidential relief, predominantly for women who seek escape and recovery from domestic abuse.

Created by the Alliance for HOPE International, the Family Justice Center’s model program offers what are considered the best practices in domestic violence intervention and prevention. Help and information are readily available at its website .

For more local news, visit TAPinto.net