Business Briefs

Prudential Financial Inc., Matawan, has announced that Priti Merchant has qualified for membership in the Million Dollar Round Table (MDRT), an insurance industry organization founded in 1927. Membership is based on excellence in customer sales and service. Merchant, a resident of the Oakhurst section of Ocean Township, joins 9,000 Prudential sales associates qualifying for MDRT membership in 2004. MDRT members represent 68 nations and approximately 475 life insurance companies.

Saturn of Eatontown and Saturn of Brunswick, North Brunswick, each received the J.D. Power and Associates Certified Retail Award for customer service during 2004, marking the second consecutive year that both franchises have won the award. To receive the award, dealerships must complete a certification process and meet or exceed benchmark levels of sales satisfaction as established by an industry-wide survey.

Monmouth Medical Center, Long Branch, has announced that Robert A. Graebe, M.D., has been named chairman and residency program director of the department of obstetrics and gynecology. A resident of the Lincroft section of Middletown, he has served as section chief of reproductive endocrinology at the center since 1985. His awards include the Nathan Kase Award for Teaching Excellence from Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Conn., and Monmouth’s Robert Mackenzie Award and Samuel Adler Award. He received his doctor of medicine degree from the Universidad Autonoma de Guadalajara, Mexico, and completed his residency training at Monmouth.

The Greater Ocean Township Chamber of Commerce will hold its bi-annual business meeting and luncheon June 29 from noon to 1:30 p.m. at Mike & Nellie’s Italian Grille, 1801 Route 5 north, Oakhurst section of Ocean Township. Admission is $23 for nonmembers, $18 for members, and an extra $5 for walk-ins. The guest speaker will be Mike Bellina of Image Makers. Four scholarship checks will be presented to Ocean Township High School students. For more information, call Marsha at (732) 728-1888.

The PRC Group, West Long Branch, has announced that Michael Vernotico has joined the firm as vice president, commercial construction. Vernotico brings more than 30 years’ experience in commercial construction and develop­ment. Prior to joining PRC, the Summit resident spent nine years with a major developer.

Family & Children’s Services (FCS), Oakhurst section of Ocean Township, recently received several items of clothing from employees of Jersey Central Power & Light, Wall, to sell at FCS’s Treasure Chest Boutique, 191 Bath Ave., Long Branch. The agency also raises funds online to help serve at-risk children, families and seniors.

Students from Dorothy B. Hersh High School/Arc of Monmouth, Tinton Falls, recently presented a check for $400 to the Rev. Sunny Shim, Carmen Gonzalez and Dr. Laura Wilson of St. Luke’s Methodist Church, Long Branch. The donation, which will be used for the church’s food pantry, was raised during the school’s "Empty Bowls" fund-raiser. The donations was accompanied by an additional $127 raised during "Pennies Against Hunger."