Gala honors New Jersey's top CFOs

“In challenging times, CFOs face increasingly challenging roles,” said keynote speaker James Hughes, a former CFO who ascended the ladder at Unity Bank and now serves as chief executive officer at the Clinton-based community bank. “Today’s CFOs handle more than the controller and treasury function. They have to look to the future and understand their customers, their business operations and sales processes. The ones that think like a consultant will be able to grow their business.”

“Despite the economy, some companies are still thriving today, and are already preparing for the economy’s recovery,” said David A. Schankweiler, CEO of NJBIZ parent Journal Publications Inc. “While every company today deals with a tough economy, the best CFOs take the same ingredients as everyone else —but come up with a formula for success.”

Today’s honorees were nominated by New Jersey-based businesses and selected by a panel of independent judges. The honors went to executives in eight categories including small, large, public, private and nonprofit organizations:

—Public company with revenues over $500 million: William T. McKee, Barr Pharmaceuticals Inc.

—Public company with revenues up to $500 million: Lawrence R. Irving, Synchronoss Technologies Inc.

—Private company with revenues over $100 million: Kevin M. Bain, Actavis Inc.

—Private company with revenues up to $100 million: Gary L. Abadrabo, George Harms Construction Co. Inc.

—Charitable nonprofit: Richard D. Keenan, The Valley Hospital.

—Best Turnaround Specialist: Mark J. Bonney, American Bank Note Holographics Inc.

—Best Growth Manager: James E. Dentzer, Amicus Therapeutics Inc.

—Community Service Award: Martin Latman, Lansco Colors.