GARDEN STATE LEADERS IN BUSINESS, CULTURE, AND THE ARTS SHARE GREATEST CAREER REWARDS, FAVORITE OUTDOOR SUMMERTIME ACTIVITIES, AND ULTIMATE FITNESS ICONS
BY JESSICA JONES-GORMAN, ARCHANA AITHAL ROSE, AND AMANDA MCCOY PHOTOS BY TOM ZAPCIC, PATTY PIXELS, AND STEVEN KRAMER
Mitchell J. Ansell, Esq. Partner, Ansell Grimm & Aaron / ansellgrimm.com
Descending from a long line of reputable attorneys, this New Jersey native grew up around law. But while the profession always intrigued him, it wasn’t until he took a constitutional law class his sophomore year at Syracuse University that Ansell decided to enter the family business. Today, he serves as partner and chairman of the criminal defense department at the full-service legacy firm Ansell Grimm & Aaron, founded by his grandfather in 1929.
“I’m a firm believer in finding the good in people,” explained the attorney of what pulled him toward criminal defense. “Most of my clients are good people who did something stupid or practiced bad judgment. It’s my job to get them back on the right path.”
Ansell takes an “old-school” approach to client relations, noting that simple word of mouth is the most effective method for gaining new business. e founding patriarch taught him that dedication to clients and achieving positive outcomes will keep the phones ringing, and sometimes that client happens to be “e Boss” himself, Bruce Springsteen. “If you do a great job for a client, they are going to tell their friends and family. It’s a simple formula but a formula I’m very proud of.”
The attorney is equally dedicated to his community and is involved in several charities. He serves on the executive committee of the Count Basie eater, the advisory boards of both Tigger House and Ocean First Bank, and serves on the board of trustees at Hollywood Golf Club.
WHAT IS THE BIGGEST REWARD OF YOUR CAREER?
When I get a call from a client I represented as a juvenile or young adult and they are now applying for the bar. It’s so rewarding to see how they’ve turned their lives around. I’ve had clients go on to become lawyers and professionals. The success stories are the ones you remember.
FAVORITE OUTDOOR SUMMERTIME ACTIVITY?
Golf is how I de-stress. I’m not breaking any course records anywhere, but I love to put my phone away and just play.
WHO IS YOUR FITNESS ICON?
My wife, Mary Ansell. She runs a nonprofit yoga studio called Open Heart Yoga. For every class a person purchases, she donates a class to one of ten charities. She’s my ultimate all-around health icon.
Catherine Franzoni Senior Executive Vice President, Manasquan Bank manasquan.bank
From landing her dream job as a CFO at Manasquan Bank to pivoting as its current senior executive VP, Catherine Franzoni has lived a life less ordinary, maintaining the bank’s stellar reputation as one of the best in the country. e SEVP recalled, “When I began my banking career, I hoped that my talent and ambition would be recognized and acknowledged and that I would have the opportunity to ascend to the executive suite. Hard work, diligence, attention to detail, and always treating people with dignity and respect has provided the recognition and opportunity to achieve my current position of senior executive vice president and chief operating officer.” Franzoni’s reputation as a dedicated philanthropist complements her candid admissions of ambition. “I am involved in several charitable causes, such as the Manasquan Bank Charitable Foundation, Big Brother Big Sisters of Coastal and Northern NJ, Monmouth Medical, and Monmouth University organizations where I have the privilege of serving as a trustee,” she said. “The incumbency to give back and provide to those societal needs that are often underserved, be it from an economic or volunteer perspective, is personally fulfilling and is a defining element of a whole person.”
WHAT IS THE BIGGEST REWARD OF YOUR CAREER?
The most satisfying part of my career is having the ability to be involved in the development and professional growth of my colleagues and recognize talent to provide rewarding career paths throughout our organization.
FAVORITE OUTDOOR SUMMERTIME ACTIVITY
My favorite outdoor summer activity is fishing. The experience of being out on the water and casting a line has been a favorite of mine throughout my life and being able to share the day with my family is invaluable.
WHO IS YOUR FITNESS ICON?
My favorite fitness icon is the Rock. His work ethic and dedication to remain physically fit are certainly aspirational.
Alexander Duran Restaurateur, Duran Entities / soncubanonj.com, ventanasatthemodern.com / sowingseedschool.com
Alexander Duran’s entrepreneurial spirit began to develop early in his life. The oldest of four children, he was the first in his family to graduate from college with a bachelor’s degree in business administration. After college, he partnered with his father, an immigrant who had built his own American dream by establishing a successful freight forwarding business servicing Latin American merchants. ET Services, one of the largest Hispanic exporting companies in the United States, established in 1995, was sold in 2015.
Owners of Son Cubano Restaurant in New York City, the Duran family expanded that brand to a New Jersey waterfront property in the town of West New York in 2010. Together with his son Travis, Duran opened a sister restaurant, Ventanas, in 2019. e Fort Lee eatery, which features innovative dishes from celebrity chef David Burke has become a popular New Jersey hotspot.
Married to his wife Marilyn for 32 years and the father of three children, Duran prides himself on the fact that his entire family is involved in his Duran Entities business. A retired educator with more than 35 years of experience in the West New York Public School District, Duran teamed up with his wife in 2017 to design and build the Sowing Seed School at Port Imperial in Weehawken. The school serves 130 students from the Port Imperial area.
Duran is a member of the board of Palisades Hackensack Hospital and also serves on the finance committee for Senator Bob Mendez, who is a longtime friend. He is currently working with Chef David Burke to produce a restaurant called 1776 by David Burke in Morristown.
WHAT IS THE BIGGEST REWARD OF YOUR CAREER?
That my three children are involved in all of my businesses. The involvement and collaboration of my entire family has truly been the biggest reward of my career.
FAVORITE OUTDOOR SUMMERTIME ACTIVITY?
My favorite year-round activity is to work out at the gym and swim in the pool. Remaining healthy and fi t is a priority for both my family and me. I love to travel with my wife and children and hope to do that again soon now that the world seems a safer place.
WHO IS YOUR FITNESS ICON?
I have always loved, admired, and followed Michael Jordan. I look up to him for his talent, power, endurance, and determination to be the best he could be. I feel that working hard to get to your greatest potential is everything. But my only real icon is Jesus Christ. Keeping your mind spiritually fit is number one. The word of God is what keeps me healthy, energetic, humble, and always positive and focused.
William Camastro Dealer and Partner, Gold Coast Cadillac / goldcoastcadillac.com
One peek at William Camastro’s resume would immediately reveal the preeminence of his career, spanning more than 30 years and three principal dealer credits, including his current post at the helm of the largest Cadillac retailer in the Northeast. But when asked what prompted him to pursue a career in automotive, Camastro responded with a laugh: “I didn’t have a car, so I answered a job ad that could help me get one.”
But it didn’t take long for the automotive novice to realize his untapped passion for the world of wheels, and he was promoted to management after only one year. In the thick of the pandemic, he became a partner of Serra Automotive Group and found a new home with Cadillac.
“Every customer gets my personal cell phone number,” noted Camastro, a martial arts enthusiast who regularly unwinds on his guitar or piano. “I invest myself as much as I ask my employees to invest themselves to retain customers. e most important lesson I’ve learned in my 30 years of experience is that the most valuable asset we have is people.”
WHAT IS THE BIGGEST REWARD OF YOUR CAREER?
The passion I’ve found from what I do.
FAVORITE OUTDOOR SUMMERTIME ACTIVITY?
Golf.
WHO IS YOUR FITNESS ICON?
David Goggins.
Charlie Hesse Owner, Saltwater House
An interior designer from Bayhead with a background in real estate development, Charlie Hesse was working on several rental property flips when she decided to open her own boutique focused on home design and furnishings.
“I’ve always wanted to do something in retail, and the timing just seemed right,” she noted, sharing the details behind Saltwater House, a posh home and lifestyle shop that was born in the thick of the pandemic. “We found this space which was simply perfect so I took a leap of faith and just did it.”
Owned and operated by Hesse and Nicole Meyer, a lifelong friend, the store features a sea of coastal related pieces, high-end home furnishings, and plenty of grab-and-go hostess gifts. Hesse’s interior design office is located in the back of the shop. Hesse, who earned a business degree from Monmouth University before launching a successful modeling career with Wilhemina and attending the New York School of Interior Design, pairs both her fashion and design sense to choose items for the store and create beautiful spaces for clients.
“This is my first store so there’s been a big learning curve,” she said. “But I’m enjoying every minute.”
WHAT IS THE BIGGEST REWARD OF YOUR CAREER?
The response we’ve had since opening our doors has been extremely rewarding. The community has been so extremely positive and welcoming.
FAVORITE OUTDOOR SUMMERTIME ACTIVITY?
If I’m not at the store I’m at the beach.
WHO IS YOUR FITNESS ICON?
Whoever invented the Peloton is my icon. I love it and during COVID it was the best outlet.
Joseph Vincent President and Founder, Vincent Jets / vincentjets.com charter@vincentjets.com
After noticing several holes in the system, this Wall Street broker turned private jet industrialist turned his passion for the skies into an industry-rattling private aviation brokerage in 2015, and since then his ambitions just keep climbing. Vincent Jets’ unique FLYDAY Program gives clients access to a 14,000-plus feet of aircraft and helicopters across seven continents, available 24 hours a day. No preset blocks of hours, no mandatory memberships, no sneaky maintenance fees. If a client calls at 3 a.m. in need of getting airborne immediately, Vincent himself is on it. “All these jets roll off the same assembly line,” he said. “is business about building relationships.”
When the pandemic slammed the global aviation industry, the keen entrepreneur took the opportunity to update his feet, knowing that when his clients did return to the skies, they would be greeted in style. “I went from zero to completely slammed, and I’ve loved every minute of it,” laughed Vincent. “People are getting the travel bug again. In January, Florida was my top destination, followed by the islands. e next step will be Europe. We’re seeing a wonderful resurgence in travel.”
WHAT IS THE GREATEST REWARD OF YOUR CAREER?
Having insight into my client’s lives. A lot of these guys are heavy hitters in the world, and it’s wonderful to get to know them on a professional level and then a personal level.
FAVORITE OUTDOOR SUMMERTIME ACTIVITY?
I love putting my feet up anywhere on the Hoboken waterfront and people watching with a good book.
WHO IS YOUR FITNESS ICON?
Jocko Willink – a former Navy Seal. He now does motivational speeches, and I resonate with his tenet: discipline equals freedom.
John Livoti Co-Owner, Chief Operations Officer Livoti’s Old World Market livotisoldworldmarket.com
Born in Brooklyn, raised in Staten Island and now residing in Lincroft, John Livoti attended both Hofstra and Monmouth Universities, studying business management.
Working alongside his father and learning the ins and outs of the grocery and deli business since he was ten years old, Livoti decided as an adult to continue his career at his father’s side – along with his sister Amanda, brother-in-law Mike, and brother Matteo – growing the family business and establishing a wildly successful and welcoming Italian Market.
After managing and operating the Aberdeen location for six years and learning all facets of the business, he took on the role of COO for all four locations of the gourmet Italian supermarket. His latest and most challenging role has been overseeing the construction and design of Livoti’s newest location in Freehold, which opened in April 2021.
WHAT IS THE BIGGEST REWARD OF YOUR CAREER?
Earning the trust and loyalty of so many great customers.
FAVORITE OUTDOOR SUMMERTIME ACTIVITY?
Going for a run on the boardwalk down the shore or at the park.
WHO IS YOUR FITNESS ICON?
Arnold Schwarzenegger.
Ralph Oliveri Service Manager, Paul Miller Rolls-Royce paulmiller.com
“My niche for the car industry stemmed from my father, a motorcycle mechanic and car lover, who taught me to appreciate the mechanics and engineering of vehicles; I was always inspired by his passion for cars and after college, I started my career in the luxury car industry,” said Ralph Oliveri of the familial catalyst that ultimately led to his current position as service manager at Paul Miller, a boutique dealership for world-class luxury automobile maker Rolls-Royce. e experience of working with such a legendary brand, he noted, is second to none, adding “Rolls-Royce is bespoke, distinguished by its exceptional quality and skilled handmade craftsmanship. It’s an honor to work for a brand that truly defines what a luxury car should deliver.”
WHAT IS THE BIGGEST REWARD OF YOUR CAREER?
The relationships I’ve built with my clients over the years has been one of the most gratifying aspects of my career. Rolls-Royce owners are loyal to the brand because of its exclusivity in the luxury car market, and I pride myself in matching that concept in the service my clients receive.
FAVORITE OUTDOOR SUMMERTIME ACTIVITY?
I enjoy spending time poolside at home with my wife and three young boys and the simplicity of sharing relaxing summer evenings outside with my family by the fire.
WHO IS YOUR FITNESS ICON?
I don’t have one.