GARDEN STATE LEADERS IN BUSINESS, CULTURE, AND THE ARTS SHARE GOALS FOR 2024, GO-TO ACTION MOVIES, AND ALL-TIME FAVORITE LUXURY RESORTS
BY ZACHARY WEG AND AMANDA MCCOY PHOTOS BY TOM ZAPCIC
Jeanne Cretella
President, Landmark Hospitality / landmarkhospitality.com
As the principal of Landmark Hospitality Group, Jeanne Cretella has played a role in thousands of memorable life moments in the tri-state area. Launching the group in 2000 with her husband Frank, Cretella currently oversees the operations of more than two dozen hotels, restaurants, and special event properties in New Jersey and Pennsylvania. From large-scale events to intimate brunches, the New York resident brings both expertise and humility to every project she works on.
“We never really lose sight of our goal to provide our guests with what it is they want,” she said. “ that means always changing, always staying fresh. We really pride ourselves on constantly refreshing all of our venues and always adding to the guest experience, because more and more, people want to go out not to just have dinner, they want an experience. We strive to provide that level of hospitality that allows every guest to walk in and feel like we’ve been waiting for them to walk through the front door.”
WHAT IS ONE PROFESSIONAL MILESTONE YOU HOPE TO ACCOMPLISH IN 2024?
There are so many, as we are continuing to grow and open up new venues. The one initiative most important to us is to propel our foundation “Art of Hospitality,” which provides training and opportunities in our industry.
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE LUXURY RESORT IN THE WORLD, AND WHAT IS ITS TOP FEATURE?
Last summer, we took a trip to Italy and toured the southern region, staying in Borgo Canonica in Puglia, Italy. A trullio stone was the top feature.
ALL-TIME FAVORITE ACTION MOVIE?
I loved Top Gun: Maverick.
Matt Duru
Owner, Duru Clothiers / michaelduru.com
Matt Duru understands the power of clothes. The owner of Duru Clothiers in Shrewsbury, the seasoned stylist knows the right outfit can give the wearer an instant boost of confidence and courage. Born into a family of tailors, Duru learned the art from his father, and today he offers his passion and expertise to the modern gentleman, with clients across Garden State borders and beyond.
“I’d say our success stems from the personal attention we give our clients,” he said. “Here, you’re not entering a massive department store where nobody knows who you are. We know everything about our clients. We know when their kids’ bar mitzvah is, what they wore to the last party they attended, who their friends are, who’ll be at a party they’ll be attending, etc. We give personal attention, the personal touch, at a better price point.”
WHAT IS ONE PROFESSIONAL MILESTONE YOU HOPE TO ACCOMPLISH IN 2024?
My goal for this year is expansion. I’m going to rebrand the store and see if we can expand upon it even more.
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE LUXURY RESORT IN THE WORLD, AND WHAT IS ITS TOP FEATURE?
I’m actually at it right now (laughs). The resort is part of the Excellence Group and it’s called The Finest, located in Cancún, Mexico. It reminds me of our store; it has that homey feel with so many personal touches.
ALL-TIME FAVORITE ACTION MOVIE?
That’s a tricky one now. There’s a ton of good action movies. I’m going to say The Transporter.
Anthony Fiorentino
Co-Owner, Centrada Cocina & Cocktails centradarestaurant.com
Known by regulars for his warm voice and affable demeanor, Anthony Fiorentino is an old-school restaurateur for the new culinary world. One of the leaders behind Centrada Cocina & Cocktails in Red Bank, Fiorentino doesn’t see restaurants as places to simply grab a bite but as innovative concepts, opportunities to blend creative gastronomy with immersive dining experiences. Featuring colorful murals, raw brick walls, and oversized windows, the tri-level space marries the best-of Tulum, Cuba, and Barcelona under one roof, famed for fiery pan-Latin delicacies like Wagyu tomahawk served with house chimichurri, Colorado lamb chops, and coriander-crusted tuna.
“I think the key to success for any restaurant is to focus on the guest,” he said. “It’s about giving the guest an unforgettable experience. At the end of the day, I have one boss, and that boss is the guest who sits down at my table.”
WHAT IS ONE PROFESSIONAL MILESTONE YOU HOPE TO ACCOMPLISH IN 2024?
We have a very cool new concept on the way that will hopefully be up and running by the end of 2024. I can’t say what just yet, but stay tuned!
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE LUXURY RESORT IN THE WORLD, AND WHAT IS ITS TOP FEATURE?
Be Tulum in Mexico. The hospitality and the guest experience: there was no match for it.
ALL-TIME FAVORITE ACTION MOVIE?
Heat.
Carla Buonviaggio
Regional Clinical Director, JAG Physical Therapy jagpt.com
A former star college softball player, Carla Buonviaggio is, today, JAG Physical Therapy’s regional clinical director for the Northern Staten Island and Bay Ridge, Brooklyn, areas. The Staten Island-born Buonviaggio thrives on helping people, particularly athletes, get back into the game they love. “I noticed that, after my stints in physical therapy, I had probably the best seasons of my athletic career,” she said. “I then got into PT school and fell in love with it. I’ve been in outpatient orthopedics since I graduated.”
Buonviaggio joined the ever-growing JAG operation 14 years ago (today, there are more than 100 JAG Physical and Occupational Therapy locations throughout the tri-state area), and she continues to succeed because of her genuine interest in helping patients return to living the lives they love without pain. “Not only am I a physical therapist, I also oversee five different offices every day throughout the week, so I’m treating my patients but also checking in and working closely with the directors of those offices.”
WHAT IS ONE PROFESSIONAL MILESTONE YOU HOPE TO ACCOMPLISH IN 2024?
Continue to grow my region in Staten Island and Brookyln.
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE LUXURY RESORT IN THE WORLD, AND WHAT IS ITS TOP FEATURE?
Grand Hotel Excelsior Vittoria in Sorrento, Italy. Its top feature has to be the view; the hotel’s nestled on the side of a mountain overlooking the Gulf of Naples.
ALL-TIME FAVORITE ACTION MOVIE?
Kill Bill Vol 1 & 2.
Brian Karluk
Executive Chef, Steakhouse 85 steakhouse85.com
When Karluk landed his first executive chef position at just 20 years old, the Culinary Institute of America graduate already had eight years of restaurant experience under his belt. (“I went to CIA before it was cool to go to culinary school,” quipped the seasoned chef). While many of his peers were choosing majors or studying for finals, he was leading a prestigious kitchen, designing menus and pouring his love for the craft onto every plate. After meeting his now good friend Matthew Terranova while working at an iconic Princeton grill, the duo decided to team up on a steakhouse concept in New Brunswick. Nearly 16 years later, Steakhouse 85 is a local legend, famed for prime cut meats, house-made pastas, and a suite of non-cow options like fresh fish, pork chops, lobster, and more.
“Our goal for the restaurant from the beginning was to create a warm, neighborhood feel,” said Karluk. “A lot of steakhouses can feel very cold; we wanted an environment where people could come in as often as multiple times per week. The staff knows their names. They’ve met the chef.”
WHAT IS ONE PROFESSIONAL MILESTONE YOU HOPE TO ACCOMPLISH IN 2024?
After 36 years in the business, I’ve had every job under the sun. I want to go out of my way this year to share as much of my knowledge as I can with my staff, to continuously educate them and prepare them for success.
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE LUXURY RESORT IN THE WORLD, AND WHAT IS ITS TOP FEATURE?
My favorite place on earth is Water Island, near St. Thomas. There are no restaurants, no bars, no nightclubs, not even a grocery store. I go with my wife and three kids. We provision everything and basically have a private beach to ourselves. It’s like living in 1850 but on a Caribbean island.
ALL-TIME FAVORITE ACTION MOVIE?
American Gangster.
James Vujicic
COO, Tech-Keys / tech-keys.com
In an era of increasing cyber threats and complex AI, James Vujicic aims to make IT support easy and stress-free. As the COO of Tech-Keys, the New Jersey resident oversees the operations of information technology and ensures that computer based systems run smoothly for companies. Vujicic first became interested in IT in his childhood, drawn to the near limitless possibilities of computers, and has since risen through the ranks to be one of the leaders at Tech-Keys in Howell.
“Ever since I was a little kid, maybe seven or eight years old, I always loved computers,” he said. “My passion for technology was always to help people solve issues. I’ve always been into fixing things.”
At Tech-Keys, Vujicic does just that; he’s helped position the company as a go-to hub for any and all technological issues that users might experience on a daily basis. “We want to make sure we take care of the full stack of our customers’ needs from top to bottom,” he said.
WHAT IS ONE PROFESSIONAL MILESTONE YOU HOPE TO ACCOMPLISH IN 2024?
To simplify; we want to ensure we’re running the company with deep efficiency.
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE LUXURY RESORT IN THE WORLD, AND WHAT IS ITS TOP FEATURE?
Recently, I stayed at the Nobu Hotel in Chicago and that was probably my favorite hotel I’ve ever stayed in. It’s not really a resort but a really gorgeous hotel. The top feature is the customer service. You get greeted by name. They know exactly who you are. If I had to pick one specific feature, it would probably be their rooftop bar.
ALL-TIME FAVORITE ACTION MOVIE?
Ford v. Ferrari. I don’t know if people classify it as action, but for me, it was very action-packed.