By MADDY VITALE
The Ocean City Regional Chamber of Commerce celebrated two strong, working women for their achievements in two very different careers.
Ocean City Police Department Detective Jennifer Elias received the Community Service Award and Melissa Brown, owner of Brown’s Restaurant, received the 2024 “Salute to Working Women” honor, in front of a crowd at the Ocean City Yacht Club on Wednesday afternoon.
The annual event celebrates the achievements and contributions of women in the workforce.
“Today, we gather to shine a spotlight on the incredible women who keep our community vibrant and strong and thriving through their hard work and dedication. In towns like ours it’s often the women that are the backbone of our local businesses, schools, healthcare facilities and more,” said Michele Gillian, executive director of the Ocean City Regional Chamber of Commerce. “They juggle countless responsibilities. Today, let’s take a moment to celebrate these unsung heroes. To all the working women, your efforts don’t go unnoticed, and we salute you.”
Elias, a longtime law enforcement officer, was recognized for her accomplishments in her field. She has “demonstrated an unwavering dedication to serving the community, particularly the youth of Ocean City, as a mentor and advocate.”
Mayor Jay Gillian thanked Elias “for her unwavering commitment” to the children and the community.
“She is an inspiration to us all,” Gillian said, noting that her community policing is exceptional and what she does for the kids and the school district makes her a hard person to replace.
“I feel safer because of you in the community, and I know the kids you have touched and the rest of the community you have touched,” he noted. “It means a lot.”
And then, Gillian gave her a ceremonial “brass ring” so that she never stops reaching for the top.
“It is truly an absolute honor to receive this. Whoever thought you would get an award for doing something you love?” Elias said. “My parents always told me to give back no matter what, and it wasn’t for the accolades. It was for doing something that was right.”
Police Chief Bill Campbell also spoke about Elias, who is retiring in June after a long career.
“Whatever the next chapter in Jen’s life, we all wish her well. Being a chief, it is hard to replace good people,” Campbell said. “She has been such a solid citizen. It will be hard to replace her with someone with the same drive. If I could get someone who gave half of what Jen did, it would be great.”
Like Elias, Brown was honored for her phenomenal work in the community. She received the “Salute to Working Women” award “for her outstanding contributions to her community and the business community.”
Brown, originally from Upper Saddle River, Bergen County, has owned Brown’s Restaurant since 1995.
She graduated from Northern Highlands Regional High School in Allendale, Bergen County, and received a bachelor’s degree in restaurant and hotel management from Johnson and Wales University in Providence, Rhode Island, in 1992. She and her husband, Jim, moved to Ocean City in 1995.
Brown, a mother of four, called it a “love story on so many levels.”
“I fell in love with the business at a very young age,” Brown said of her affinity for the restaurant business, noting that her father influenced her.
She said she “fell in love with Ocean City by knowing the businesses, the community.”
“It all came together. Everything is coming full circle. I couldn’t have planned it any better,” she said. “I’ve been blessed to move here and raise a family here.”
State Assemblyman Antwan McClellan, of Ocean City, presented both Brown and Elias with proclamations and emphasized the positive impact that they both have had in the community.
“It is a tremendous honor for me to be able to present this to you. I know what you mean to Ocean City and to the Chamber,” McClellan said to Brown.
Then he turned to Elias for remarks.
“My childhood friend, Jen Elias, it’s amazing that I can present this to you for what your family has meant to me,” McClellan said. “Thank you for your support of Ocean City. Thank you for your friendship. I love you and congratulations.”
Both Brown and Elias were presented with plaques, flowers and other gifts.
In addition, former Chief People Officer for QVC Beth Rubino was the luncheon’s guest speaker. She told the crowd about her role at QVC. She played a pivotal role in shaping global human resources strategies and overseeing various operational functions.
She spoke of how the most important thing she would like to impart on people is to be kind. That, she said, is something that has helped her through her life and career. Being a good caring person goes a long way, she added.
“What is your superpower?” Rubino asked. “I think my superpower is kindness. I want to ask all of you to think about what your superpower is and think really hard about it and about what you do really well and combined that with honesty. You can use your superpower and honesty and be the most powerful person to do for something very good.”
For Brown, her superpower is her focus on the customer, community and family, and Elias’ superpower is kindness and approachability, especially with children, Rubino noted.
The most important thing is to be cognizant of how you make others feel, she continued.
Rubino quoted the late writer and poet, Maya Angelou, and said, “I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but they will never forget how you made them feel.”
