News: April 2010

Dateline Toms River/ Federal Agents Undertaking Public Corruption

Published April 28, 2010

Federal agents undertaking a public corruption investigation seized a Mercedes-Benz and carried away dozens of boxes today from the home and office of an Ocean County official who for decades has presided over one of New Jersey’s largest school districts.

More than a dozen investigators from the FBI and the Internal Revenue Service arrived before 8 a.m. at the Seaside Park home of Michael J. Ritacco, longtime superintendent of the Toms River Regional Board of Education. They left several hours later after carting off unmarked boxes, driving away the car and photographing the three-story house and backyard pool, which lies one block from the beach.

Agents also executed raids at the school district’s administrative offices and at the home of a district employee.

FBI spokesman Bryan Travers confirmed the operations but declined to comment on the nature of the investigation. But a law enforcement official with knowledge of the case said it was corruption related. The official declined to be identified because he was not authorized to discuss the ongoing investigation.
Ritacco has not been charged with anything. A spokeswoman for the district, Tammi Millar, said agents had executed a search warrant and delivered a subpoena requesting records.

“We are cooperating fully,” she said. A spokeswoman for U.S. Attorney Paul J. Fishman declined to comment.

The raids came on the heels of heated statewide debates about school spending and two days after voters statewide rejected 58 percent of school budgets. Toms River’s $195 million budget was among the minority that passed. Investigators gave no indication today that the raids were in any way tied to the vote.
With more than 17,500 students and three high schools, Toms River is the fourth largest school district in the state.  Ritacco, who did not respond to messages left at his home today, has worked for the district for roughly 40 years. He became superintendent in 1991 and is something of a local icon.

The 62-year-old has a reputation as an ambitious and business-minded administrator who is a former chairman of the Toms River-Ocean County Chamber of Commerce. He is a vice president of the Toms River Police Foundation. And the district’s Ritacco Center — a 3,500-seat arena that opened in 2003 to host sporting events, concerts and trade shows — is named in his honor.

“He is certainly a well-know person, and he has been in that position a long time,” Toms River Mayor Thomas F. Kelaher said. “I’ve never heard an adverse thing about him.”

Ritacco also served on the education committee for Gov. Chris Christie’s transition team. After a news conference today at a beach club in Sea Bright to commemorate Earth Day, Christie said he knew nothing about the probe nor how it was tied to Ritacco.

“I hope he is not in trouble. If he is, he’s going to have to pay the price,” said Christie, who as U.S. attorney made a name for himself prosecuting public officials. Also today, agents searched the Toms River home of Donna M. Mansfield, 42, who has worked for the district for 11 years and manages a cafe in the school administration building, according to public records and Millar, the spokeswoman. Attempts to contact Mansfield today were unsuccessful.

With a salary of $231,000, Ritacco is among New Jersey’s highest paid school superintendents. He is also superintendent of the Seaside Heights Borough School District and runs a business, MJ RIT, Inc. out of his home, according to a state financial disclosure form requiring him to list all sources of income in excess of $2,000.

The president of the Toms River Regional Board of Education, Betty Vasil, said she did not know what investigators were seeking, but she said the district had nothing to hide. She also also defended Ritacco.

“The board has always had the utmost respect for Mr. Ritacco,” Vasil said. “Until we know more about the investigation, our confidence remains”

By Joe Ryan and MaryAnn Spoto/The Star-Ledger
Andrew Mills contributed to this report.

New texting service helps police keep residents in the loop

Published April 19, 2010

NEW BRUNSWICK — The city’s police department has joined a growing list of local agencies that use a new service to keep residents updated in real-time about emergencies, traffic advisories and other time-sensitive issues.

The system, known as Nixle, allows agencies to send text messages and e-mails to anyone who signs up for the service. Police can use the technology to alert the entire city or zone in on a specific neighborhood, depending on the nature of the incident, and users can customize which types of alerts they receive.

Besides New Brunswick, the South Brunswick, Edison, Plainsboro and Rahway police departments are among the local agencies that have started to use Nixle.

Residents and businesses in those towns, or neighboring towns, can start to get text, e-mail or Web alerts by registering at http://www.nixle.com. Standard text messaging rates apply, but e-mail and Web messages are free.

“In emergency situations we end up sending police cars out to make announcements over the P.A. system, or go door-to-door,” said New Brunswick police Lt. J.T. Miller, who administers the alert system for the city. “This will give people real-time information, so it’s just a quicker tool.”

Nixle is a communications company that bills itself as “the first authenticated and secure service” that connects residents to municipal agencies and community groups. The New Jersey- and California-based company has partnered with the International Justice and Public Safety Network, an organization that helps link law-enforcement agencies, to allow municipal departments to use the system for free.

Area police agencies said they were now making a conscious effort to attract Nixle users. Edison police Sgt. Dominick Masi said the township has advertised through its television station, municipal departments and school district.

“We’re trying to make every push we possibly can to let everybody know that this is a free service that will keep them advised of community activities and alerts,” Masi said.

South Brunswick police sent out several Nixle alerts in mid-March about power outages and traffic problems stemming from the rainstorm that battered the region. Earlier this month, the department warned users of two suspicious men who approached two 12-year-old girls on Barbara Street in the township’s Kendall Park section.

Township police officials said Nixle “seems to be the most government-friendly” of the different communication programs they’ve tried.

“With nine different post offices covering 44 miles of township, citizens can get specific information for their area of town by signing up,” South Brunswick police Chief Raymond Hayducka said. “It is our hope that through better communication we can get more timely information to our community.”

The Plainsboro Police Department has used the service since December to post traffic alerts and press releases about arrests in the township. Rahway police, like police in South Brunswick, have used the service to post “stranger alerts.”

Miller, the New Brunswick police lieutenant, said the department will initially use Nixle for “breaking events” such as road closures, extreme weather, major fires and other public safety issues. But the department hopes to eventually expand its use of the technology to inform people in the city about matters such as community events.

New Brunswick residents with questions about registering for Nixle can call Miller at 732-745-5259.

Joshua Burd: 732-565-7228;
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Job opportunities Within the Dept. of Labor

Published April 19, 2010

http://www.dol.gov/dol/jobs.htm

NSHMBA – National Society of Hispanic MBA’s

Published April 19, 2010

Widely known as the “Premier Hispanic Organization,” the National Society of Hispanic MBAs (NSHMBA) was created in 1988, by a group of committed Hispanic MBAs who recognized the importance of increasing Hispanic representation in the executive suites and boardrooms of corporate America and the public sector, and reversing Hispanic under representation and declining enrollment in graduate business schools. Collaborating through a network of member chapters, universities, and corporate sponsors, NSHMBA fosters Hispanic leadership through graduate management education and professional development. NSHMBA achieves its mission through a 501(c)6 member organization, with 32 chapters in 20 states and nearly 8,000 member professionals and students across the U.S. and Puerto Rico. The organization also maintains the NSHMBA Foundation, a 501(c)3, that provides scholarships to qualified Hispanic full, and part, time MBA candidates enrolled at AACSB accredited institutions.

The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) is the leading executive responsible for setting direction and implementing the strategies that support the growth and development of both the Foundation and the member organizations. The CEO is responsible for NSHMBA’s programs, products, and services and ensures the smooth and efficient operation of the organization within the approved budget. The CEO is the chief spokesperson for the organization, guiding, representing and developing the NSHMBA brand and its value proposition for all organizational stakeholders. The CEO hires and develops high performing talent, spearheads innovative practices, manages financials, and in modeling ethical principles and leadership he/she sets the benchmark for organizational performance. The CEO actively engages in developing NSHMBA chapters, officers, members, and resources, enabling Hispanic MBAs and non-MBA members to pursue opportunities to advance through career growth, community contribution, and corporate leadership.

The CEO will have fifteen or more years of leadership experience in one, or more, of the following areas: Education, Corporate, and/or Non-Profit/Membership Association related fields. He/she will have familiarity with proven operational and administrative concepts in the for-profit business sector that have application to non-profit association management, as well as a modern and innovative approach to non-profit management rooted in sound business principles, operational controls, budget development and cost/revenue analysis, strategic marketing and program/services development, long term and short term strategic planning, and human capital deployment. The CEO must possess the ability to manage and lead diverse teams, with a demonstrated track record of assessing the skills and developmental needs of subordinates and providing appropriate coaching and guidance to maximize staff’s efforts and contributions. The successful candidate will be a proven inspirational leader who builds high performing teams that are characterized by collaboration, innovation, and resourcefulness.

Gerard F. Cattie, Jr.
Managing Director

 
A Master’s in Business Administration (MBA) or other advanced degree is preferred. Fluency in Spanish is required.
Inquiries, nominations and applications (current resumes) should be directed electronically to:

Diversified Search Odgers Berndtson
275 Madison Avenue, Suite 1801
New York, NY 10016
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212-542-2587 (W)