By MADDY VITALE
William “Billy” McMahon III was sworn in as the new Ocean City Regional Chamber of Commerce president during an installation dinner for the officers and board of directors Thursday night at the Flanders Hotel.
McMahon, of McMahon Insurance Agency, will fill the post formerly held by David Allegretto, of Fortress Financial, who was the longest continuous president in the Chamber history. He served from 2018 to 2022.
“Dave is one of the nicest guys,” McMahon said after being sworn in by Mayor Jay Gillian. “He helped lead the Chamber through four years.”
Some of those times were tough, including the COVID-19 pandemic.
McMahon spoke of his family. He and his wife, Anita, have four daughters. He also spoke of how his extended family comes to visit them for vacations at “McMahon Camp” because they love the resort, just as he does and his wife and children.
It is one of the reasons he said he is eager to work with the community as president of the Chamber. He wants to grow the business community and continue the hard work of Allegretto.
He thanked Michele Gillian, executive director of the Chamber of Commerce, for all that she does to work with the business leaders.
“It is an honor to work with Michele and her team at the Chamber,” McMahon said.
Prior to McMahon being sworn in, Michele Gillian said a few words about her excitement to work with McMahon, but also how essential Allegretto has been to the Chamber and the community.
“Dave really brought us through,” Gillian said of the difficult times for the business community during the height of the pandemic. “I can never thank him enough.”
The mayor also thanked Allegretto for his dedication.
“This really is an amazing place, and it is in part because of your leadership,” Mayor Gillian said. “I also know Billy will do a good job.”
Allegretto spoke of how he enjoyed his time as president.
“I got to really know more people in town. I want to thank the mayor and administration for their partnership during my term and I want to thank the Chamber staff,” Allegretto said. “And Michele, she does so much for our business community. She fights for us in Trenton. Her love for Ocean City is second to none.”
Prior to the swearing in ceremonies, Michele Gillian spoke of the dedication of the Chamber officers.
“Ocean City’s board of directors is a very active board and key to the success of the business community,” she said, adding that the officers’ enthusiasm over the years has been essential.
A list of officers is as follows:
1st Vice President
Janet Galante – 13th Street Bathhouse & Bikes/Piccini’s
2nd Vice Presidents
Robert H. Adams – Tidelines Management Services, Inc.
Thomas Aromando – Fitzpatrick, Bongiovani and Kelly
Brian Broadley – Broadley’s Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning
Cricket Frank – Magton, Inc.
Carol Heenan – Garden State Valuation
Gary Jessel – Fox Real Estate
Scott Halliday – Halliday-Leonard Contractors
Patrick McMahon – McMahon Insurance Agency
Mark Reimet – Ocean City Financial Group
Ken Sedberry – Berger Realty
Treasurer
John (Jake) Birch – Merrill Lynch
Secretary
Michael Lloyd – Sturdy Savings Bank
Immediate Past President
David Allegretto – Fortress Financial
Business Segment Directors
One Year Term:
Dean Adams – Dean Adams Custom Builder
Robert H. Adams – Tidelines Management Services, Inc.
Dave Allegretto – Fortress Financial
Tom Aromando – Fitzpatrick, Bongiovanni & Kelly, CPA’s
Jon Batastini – Loveland, Garrett & Batastini
Tara Becker – McMahon Insurance Agency
John (Jake) Birch – Merrill Lynch
Brian Broadley – Broadley’s MDI
Carmine Cantwell – Liberty Flooring, Inc.
Brandie Cesari – Cesari Real Estate
Kevin Corcoran – Wet N Wild Waverunner Rentals
Jane Davis – Johnny B. Goode Ice Cream Parlor
Mike DeVlieger – OCNJDaily.com
Michael Dukeman – Hobby Horse Ice Cream Parlor
Andrew Fasy – OCNJDaily.com
Cricket Frank – Magton, Inc.
Becky Friedel- 7th Street Surf Shop
Janet Galante – 13th Street Bathhouse & Bikes
Kim Styer Gallagher – Coastal Marine Piling
Beverley Gill – Island Beach Gear
Patrick Gill – Tackle Direct
Chris Halliday – Halliday Architects
Scott Halliday – Halliday–Leonard Contractors
Carol Heenan – Garden State Valuation
Thomas Heist – Heist Insurance Agency
Jim Hennessy – Heritage Surf Shop
Walt Hohman – Ward’s Pastry
Gary Jessel – Fox Real Estate
Michael Lloyd – Sturdy Savings Bank
Peter Madden – Goldcoast Sotheby’s
Nick Marotta – Berkshire Hathaway Home Services Fox & Roach Realtors
Mary McGuckin – Shore Medical Center
Patrick McMahon – McMahon Insurance Agency
William McMahon III – McMahon Insurance Agency
Winnie Piriano – The Road to Living Well
Ryan Price – Price Brothers Construction
Eric Reich – Reich Asset Management
Mark Reimet – Ocean City Financial Group
Aimee Schultz – JASM Consulting
Ken Sedberry – Berger Realty
Avery Teitler – Teitler & Teitler Law
Don Tomlinson – Gleeson’s Audio Video
Ronnie Town – Atlantic City Electric
Gloria Votta – RE/MAX at the Shore
Joan Williamson – Ocean City Coffee Company
Tony Wilson – Wilson Plumbing & Heating
Organization Representatives
One Year Term:
Mike Allegretto – City of Ocean City
Dr. Thomas Baruffi – Ocean City Board of Education
Karen Bergman – Ocean City Tourism Commission
Anthony Conte – Exchange Club of Ocean City
John Davidson – Somers Point Business Association
Danielle Guerriero – Downtown Merchants Association
E. Marie Hayes – CMC Freeholders
Cynda Hollenbaugh – Ocean City Board of Realtors
Wes Kazmarck – Boardwalk Merchants
John Loeper – Ocean City Historical Museum
Karen Mahar – Ocean City Free Public Library
Bill McGinnity – Ocean City Restaurant Association
Caitlin Quirk – Downtown Merchants Association
Pastor Jay Reimer- Ocean City Tabernacle
Wendy Seymour – Ocean City Hospitality Association
Alternates:
Nancy Aiken – Ocean City Hospitality Association
Leonard Desiderio – CMC Freeholders
Bill Westerman – Boardwalk Merchants
