michael dejohnMichael DeJohn has been involved in the beer industry for over 30 years, he is currently a Craft Beer Manager in charge of New Product Development. He has volunteered for and supported many charitable organizations over the years. In founding Hops for Awareness he wants to take his love for beer and use it to raise funds and awareness for the special needs community. As a sibling and now a father of an individual with disabilities he is extremely passionate about wanting to help others. Michael attended Brookdale and Monmouth University. He resides with his wife Joyce and their 3 children in Rumson, New Jersey
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ed flegoEd Flego grew up in the beer business, working in nearly every aspect, including warehouse, sales and operations. He has demonstrated his passion to serve others by becoming a volunteer fire fighter in Little Silver and supporting numerous local charities as a board member of the
Anabel Foundation. He attended Brookdale and graduated from Lebanon Valley College, PA. He resides in Middletown with his lovely family, Holly, Michael and Cassidy. |
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justin harmJustin M. Harm is a ten-year beer industry veteran, holding various positions across all three tiers of the industry during that time, including Sales Director and Vice President at a pair of regional and local craft breweries. He and his wife Heather organized and executed Asbury Park’s first ever charity beer festival back in 2006, and he has a particular passion working to find a cure for Cystic Fibrosis, a disease with which two of his four sons were born. Justin is an alumnus of Christian Brothers Academy and Boston University, and currently resides with his wife and children in Brick Township, New Jersey.
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willie gutierrezAfter spending nearly ten years at a leading, national accounting firm, Willie Gutierrez got his start in the beer industry as the VP of Finance and Operations at a major, New Jersey-based beer distributor ten years ago, making him the perfect choice to fill the role of Treasurer for Hops for Awareness. As a parent of special needs children himself, Willie has long been active in the community, raising funds and awareness for locally based special needs projects. Born and raised on Staten Island, Willie is a graduate of CUNY College of Staten Island, but currently resides in Matawan, where he roots for the Jets and Yankees with his wife and three children.
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megan DamatoMegan Damato is a lifelong resident of Monmouth County with deep ties to the shore area. She started her extensive marketing career in Walt Disney World during college, where she developed her love for the service industry. Megan has worked across the beer industry from field marketing and promotions to managing craft beer accounts. She has always supported various local charities by running beer tastings and assisting with special events. Megan’s energy, enthusiasm and expertise will be a great asset to Hops for Awareness. Megan, Pete and their daughter Olivia reside in Manalapan.
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jay cosgroveJay Cosgrove is the proud fourth generation owner of the land mark Bahr’s Landing Restaurant and Marina in the Highlands. He is an alumnus of Rumson Fair Haven Regional High School and Bucknell University. In addition to his professional responsibilities, Jay is an active member of several local organizations and generous supporter of numerous local charities. Jay’s business skills, community connections and love for philanthropy will be a great asset to the Hops for Awareness board. He resides in Locust, NJ with his wife Becky and their daughter Grace.
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Mike Levy
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Mike Levy has been a significant presence in the New Jersey beer industry for nearly 30 years, most recently focusing on key account and major brand management throughout Central Jersey. He has also been an essential player in organizing and executing the Asbury Park Beerfest each year since its inception in 2011. Long an advocate for increased awareness and fundraising for special needs children, Mike jumped at the chance to join the Hops for Awareness board. He resides in Ocean Township with his wife Lisa and son Jake.
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Tom Jarck
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Tom Jarck has worked in the financial markets over his entire career. He spent his early days in Chicago, trading options on the CBOE trading floor and then trading derivatives at several of the Wall Street banks in New York. He currently works for the Princeton based, MIAX Exchange Group. In addition to the Jarck family’s philanthropic support, Tom has served on the committees of many fundraisers over the years, all with the common theme of serving the special needs community. Tom is a Penn State University graduate. He resides with his wife Kim and two children in Rumson, NJ. His adult daughter has special needs and participates in many of the programs supported by Hops.
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kevin conery 2018-2020Kevin was a founding board member who suddenly passed in January 2020. Kevin's passion was contagious, and his expertise was essential to the success of our organization. He was also a friend and to say he will be missed is an understatement.
Kevin Conery has been involved in finance for over 30 years. Presently, he works for Minneapolis based Piper Jaffray & Co. as a trading desk analyst. He has been involved in and supported a variety of philanthropic organizations with causes ranging from the religious to educational to cancer care to the special needs communities. Strongly influenced by his Jesuit education, he believes we are called to “be men and women for others.” He has been interested in helping families with special needs for a long time as he has watched various friends around the northeast love and assist their own special needs children. Kevin graduated from Boston College with his Bachelor’s Degree in Spanish Language and Literature, and has an M.B.A. in Finance from the State University of New York at Albany. Kevin is the father of two sons. He resides in Rumson with his wife Maureen. |
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