Taking a piece of LBI to next assignment, redefining gratitude

June 16, 2015 - PRLog -- Since August 20, 2014 Southern Ocean County Chamber of Commerce members have been represented by DMO & Communication Director Lori Pepenella as Honorary Commander of the 87th ABW Force Support Squadron. Lt Col Randolph, the commanding officer of the host unit has accepted a new position that will take him out New Jersey. During a farewell lunch held at Fort McGuire in his honor, Pepenella and Office Manager Michele Cuff presented him with a piece of locally made art purchased from member Swell Colors Glass Studio in Surf City.

The gift from the Jersey Love collection is hand made New Jersey Shaped glass ornament that contains grains of Long Beach Island sand contained in a small heart. The Southern Ocean County Chamber has focused their recent Beach Culture Redefined campaign on art, creativity and inspiration of the independent businesses that comprise the majority of their members. The official change of command ceremony will take place in July, where Southern Ocean Chamber representatives will be introduced to new commander.

The  Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst employs 34,576 full-time personnel, 7,804 traditional reservists, and through direct and induced effects, produces approximately 51,989 jobs in New Jersey with many of those jobs occurring in the local area of the base, representing approximately $2.7 billion in direct and indirect economic impact. In addition to the joint base being one the of the largest employers it has an overall impact of $6.9 billion to the State of New Jersey. The Honorary Commanders program provides the base with an open flow of communication between the surrounding communities. It helps educate on the Air Force, Army and Navy missions of the joint base while fostering  ideas, experiences and support between the community and JB MDL. For more information on the 101 year old regional Southern Ocean County Chamber of Commerce go to www.visitLBIregion.com, stop into their visitor center at 265 W Ninth St Ship Bottom, call 609 494 7211 or follow on social as LBI Region or Facebook as Southern Ocean Chamber.