By MADDY VITALE
Kim Styer-Gallagher spoke of her heartache, how she was left to run a business she and her husband, Harry Michael Styer began, when he passed away. She had to raise their three daughters alone, as a single, working mom.
She kept their Ocean City business, Coastal Marine Piling Inc., going after her husband’s death. She remarried and she went on to continue to expand the business.
Styer-Gallagher spoke before a packed audience Wednesday at the Ocean City Yacht Club, where she was honored by the Ocean City Regional Chamber of Commerce. She received the 2022 “Salute to Working Women” award.
She delivered a message of strength, love and commitment and at times wiped her eyes when she became emotional about her journey and success, despite pain, loss and difficulty.
“I strived to go above and beyond for my girls,” Styer-Gallagher told the crowd.
The award recognizes women in business for their outstanding professional and personal achievements.
Styer-Gallagher thanked the Chamber and Ocean City for “embracing her and her husband and family.” She is now married to Terrence “T” Gallagher and they have eight children between them in their blended family.
“I’m flattered and honored,” she said.
Michele Gillian, executive director of the Ocean City Regional Chamber of Commerce, said this of the selection of Styer-Gallagher, “She has a passion for serving her customers and Ocean City as a whole. Her enthusiasm is contagious, and her resourcefulness is second to none. We are lucky to have her so involved in our community and she certainly is deserving of this honor.”
During the program Chamber President Bill McMahon presented Styer-Gallagher with a plaque. Gillian gave the honoree flowers on behalf of the Chamber. Cape May County Commissioner E. Marie Hayes presented her with a proclamation and Mayor Jay Gillian gave her a ceremonial piece of the Ocean City Boardwalk.
Styer-Gallagher’s company, Coastal Marine Piling, specializes in bulkheads, piers, foundation piling, and more. Over the last few years, Coastal has evolved and expanded.
The company now carries a State of New Jersey Women’s Business Enterprise certification and can claim approximately 2,000 properties in Ocean City alone as ones Coastal has been affiliated with.
In addition to Styer-Gallagher, City Solicitor Dorothy McCrosson was recognized for her contributions to Ocean City.
McCrosson was scheduled to be the keynote speaker, but was not feeling well, Michele Gillian explained.
“She is a great representative for Ocean City and a great solicitor,” Gillian noted. “She does a wonderful job. We wanted to also recognize her.”
McCrosson is the managing partner of McCrosson & Stanton, P.C. and solicitor for the city of Ocean City. She is president of the Cape May County Bar Foundation and a member of the District I Ethics Committee. She is a graduate of Boston College and Villanova University School of Law.
At the end of the event, Gillian thanked all the working women for their contributions to the community.
“We salute all of those women who make a difference,” she said. “It is important that we are respected and get a seat at the table.”
