LaCroix, Pullin, and Stillwell Honored as New Jersey Business Hall of Fame 2022 Class of Laureates

August 9, 2022, Edison, New Jersey – Three of New Jersey’s notable leaders will be honored by JA of New Jersey (JANJ) at the 2022 New Jersey Business Hall of Fame (NJBHOF) on Thursday, November 3 at the Hyatt Regency New Brunswick. This year, the organization will be celebrating 20 years of the prestigious event that recognizes and celebrates the accomplishments of our state’s most influential business leaders. These Laureates are recognized for their visionary leadership, high standards as role models for New Jersey youth, and their impact in positively shaping their businesses and communities. This year’s inductees into the New Jersey Business Hall of Fame will join incredible Laureate Legacies known for exhibiting business excellence and consistent community engagement throughout their professional lives.

Nominated and chosen by their peers, the extraordinary 2022 Class of Laureates being inducted into the New Jersey Business Hall of Fame on Thursday, November 3 include:

• Christine LaCroix, Partner, Deloitte
• Dennis W. Pullin, President and CEO, Virtua Health
• Carol Stillwell, President and CEO, Stillwell-Hansen

“We are thrilled to honor such an inspirational group of diverse leaders this year. Our 2022 Business Hall of Fame Laureates embody the entrepreneurial spirit and are excellent examples of leadership and success”, said James Horne, Jr., President & CEO, JA of New Jersey.  “These individuals exemplify growth, tenacity, and leadership. Their impressive achievements are reflections of the skills and values we hope to instill in New Jersey’s students through our learning experiences. This year’s Business Hall of Fame will be an unforgettable evening celebrating their outstanding accomplishments. After 3 years, we are looking forward to having everyone together in person for this momentous occasion.”

A New Jersey native, Christine LaCroix joined the Deloitte team immediately following her graduation from Hofstra University. She is currently a successful Partner at Deloitte, with more than 30 years of audit experience, advising our some of our largest clients in the energy and resources industry.  Christine also serves as the Audit & Assurance National Energy Resources and Industrials Leader. 

Christine has invested six years as Chair of the JANJ State Board of Directors. In total, she has served JA nearly twenty years, including sixteen years as a Governing Board Director. She has been an exceptional executive Champion in the recruitment of volunteers – both internally and externally. Christine has also played a critical leadership role in the direction and successful implementation of JANJ’s strategic plan. Her hands-on approach and consistent ‘out-of-the-box’ thinking have helped the statewide organization to thrive, even in the uncertainty of the past few years. As Chair for the State Board, member of the Finance Committee and Board Nominating Committee, and former Treasurer, Christine is constantly engaged in dialogue about the vision of JANJ, status of our finances, internal auditing procedures, sustainable processes, and Board Development. Christine represents excellence, passion, respect, collaboration, belief in youth, and extraordinary commitment. Christine is a woman of the highest integrity, who is a role model for all, especially for women.

Pictured: Christine LaCroix, Partner, Deloitte.

Dennis W. Pullin, FACHE, is President and CEO of Virtua Health, a not-for-profit integrated health system in New Jersey. Dennis’ extensive background includes many leadership positions in hospitals, academic medical centers, physician group practices, and private industry. Prior to joining Virtua in 2017, Dennis was President of MedStar Harbor Hospital and Senior Vice President of MedStar Health. Throughout his distinguished career, Dennis has made a major, positive impact on the health and well-being of people of New Jersey and beyond through his extraordinary vision, leadership, and compassion. He has instituted a “Culture of WE” that centers on shared understanding, respect, and empowerment of each staff member. This extends to a robust inclusion, diversity, and equity program Dennis launched in 2020. As a leader, he realizes that the better Virtua fosters inclusion and diversity within its workforce, the more it mirrors the community and provides purposeful, personalized care.

From developing innovative programs to creating a culture that prioritizes both quality and human connection, Dennis truly stands out among his peers. Some of his notable achievements include guiding Virtua Health’s acquisition of Lourdes Health System and leading the creation of South Jersey’s first Proton Therapy Center—offering a revolutionary type of cancer treatment in partnership with Penn Medicine. Dennis currently serves on the Board of Trustees for the New Jersey Hospital Association and the American Hospital Association. He is a current member of the Economic and Community Advisory Council of the Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia and serves on the United Way of Greater Philadelphia and Southern New Jersey Regional Board of Directors, among others.

Pictured: Dennis W. Pullin, President, and CEO, Virtua Health.

Carol Stillwell is President and CEO of Stillwell-Hansen, Inc., a manufacturers’ representative company that specializes in HVAC solutions for computer room sales and service needs, as well as commercial fire alarm, detection, and suppression services. Stillwell’s company is a leader in data center infrastructure solutions based in Edison, NJ. Carol joined the founders Gordon Stillwell and Paul Hansen as part of the Stilwell-Hansen team at its inception in 1969. Beginning with nothing more than a desire to work in construction and thoughts of one day owning her own company, Carol worked tirelessly to learn the industry quickly becoming the company’s Director of Operations.  Carol would marry founder Gordon Stillwell in 1988. In 1996, with the retirement of Paul Hansen, Carol purchased Hansen’s share of the company realizing her goal of business ownership, and soon became the company’s CEO.  When she began her career 50 years ago, it was relatively unheard of for a woman to succeed in the male-dominated construction industry, but with great determination and belief in herself, she committed herself to the job and took advantage of every opportunity to learn and grow. In a career that has spanned five decades, she has had the privilege to watch great progress in the opportunities for women in construction. Along her journey, Carol has proudly mentored many, always teaching others that success must always begin with belief in yourself.  Carol has been named among the top 50 NJ Women in Business as just one of many recognitions of her wonderful career.  As a JA Alum, Carol’s grit is a shining example of the critical importance and impact of the organization. Carol is a true role model for young people in New Jersey who are involved in JA programs.

Carol’s successful career has helped her realize her desire to give back to the community. She has been involved in numerous philanthropic endeavors. Two of her most noteworthy acts of generosity include a $3 million gift to Riverview Medical Center to establish the Larkin-Stillwell-Hansen Infusion Center and a $250,000 commitment to Bayshore Medical Center to support the new Emergency Care Center unveiled in July 2021.  Carol also gives back to the community by devoting much of her time to sitting on many Boards for organizations that serve to improve the lives of others, particularly in the fields of education, healthcare, children's services, and the arts.

Pictured: Carol Stillwell, President and CEO, Stillwell-Hansen.

This signature event paves the way for students across New Jersey as the next generation of business and community leaders, and Laureates. Proceeds from the New Jersey Business Hall of Fame underwrite unsponsored JA High School Heroes youth leadership initiatives, where high school students receive training from JA that prepares them to teach JA’s financial empowerment and work readiness curricula to elementary school children. As they hone critical career readiness, employability, leadership, and management skills, they are simultaneously becoming role models within their communities. These Heroes will serve as JA Student Ambassadors at the New Jersey Business Hall of Fame presenting the Laureates with their awards alongside several younger leaders.

To sponsor and join us in celebrating the NJBHOF 2022 Class of Laureates and JA Student Ambassadors on Thursday, November 3, contact Krysti Peitz at krystin.peitz@ja.org.

To learn more about the 2022 NJBHOF, click here.

About JA of New Jersey (JANJ):

JANJ is an award-winning, best-in-class JA operation. With its headquarters and Capstone programs located in the JA Education Center, in Raritan Center, Edison, NJ, JANJ is a free educational resource dedicated to giving all young people the knowledge and skills they need to own their economic success and plan for their futures. JA’s learning experiences primarily focus on career readiness, financial empowerment, entrepreneurship, and life skills, and are held at the JA Education Center, in schools, on college/university campuses, in corporate facilities, and online through digital learning experiences. For more information, visit www.janj.org and follow JANJ on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Twitter, and YouTube.

About Deloitte:

Deloitte provides industry-leading audit, consulting, tax, and advisory services to many of the world’s most admired brands, including nearly 90% of the Fortune 500® and more than 7,000 private companies. Our people come together for the greater good and work across the industry sectors that drive and shape today’s marketplace—delivering measurable and lasting results that help reinforce public trust in our capital markets, inspire clients to see challenges as opportunities to transform and thrive, and help lead the way toward a stronger economy and a healthier society. Deloitte is proud to be part of the largest global professional services network serving our clients in the markets that are most important to them. Building on more than 175 years of service, our network of member firms spans more than 150 countries and territories. Learn how Deloitte’s more than 345,000 people worldwide connect for impact at www.deloitte.com.

About Virtua Health:

Virtua Health is an academic health system committed to helping the people of South Jersey be well, get well, and stay well by providing the complete spectrum of advanced, accessible, and trusted health care services. Virtua’s 14,000 colleagues provide tertiary care, including renowned cardiology and transplant programs, complemented by a community-based care portfolio. In addition to five hospitals, two satellite emergency departments, 30 ambulatory surgery centers, and more than 300 other locations, Virtua brings health services directly into communities through Hospital at Home, physical therapy and rehabilitation, mobile screenings, and its paramedic program. Virtua has 2,850 affiliated doctors and other clinicians, and its specialties include orthopedics, advanced surgery, and maternity. Virtua is academically affiliated with Rowan University, leading research, innovation, and immersive education at the Virtua Health College of Medicine & Health Sciences of Rowan University. Virtua is also affiliated with Penn Medicine for cancer and neuroscience, and the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia for pediatrics. As a not-for-profit, Virtua is committed to the well-being of the community and provides innovative outreach programs that address social challenges affecting health, most notably the “Eat Well” food access initiative, which includes the unparalleled Eat Well Mobile Grocery Store. A Magnet-recognized health system ranked by U.S. News and World Report, Virtua has received many awards for quality, safety, and its outstanding work environment. For more information, visit Virtua.org. To help Virtua make a difference, visit GiveToVirtua.org.

About Stillwell-Hansen:

Stillwell-Hansen Inc. is leader in data center infrastructure solutions.  Our company has been an industry leading HVAC and Fire Protection manufacturers’ representative in Northern New Jersey for more than five decades. Located in Raritan Center, Edison, NJ, our 26,000 square foot facility houses 7 major sales divisions, parts and service divisions, and a leading-edge warehouse. This central location, in our primary territory of the 12 northern counties of New Jersey, benefits both our team of 60+ employees and our many valued customers.  As a company that embraces technological change, Stillwell-Hansen has proven itself to be a leader in advancements throughout the years. Our average staff member has more than 25 years of experience, and all are highly trained in the latest technical knowledge to meet today’s demands from a sales, marketing, and service perspective.  Throughout our 50 years in business, we have been noted for our integrity, responsiveness, experience, technical competence, and team commitment.  In addition to our dedication to our customers, we have also proudly built a company culture of commitment to supporting philanthropic activities that help improve the lives of others. A portion of the company’s profits support nonprofit causes with a strong focus on aiding cancer, healthcare, and educational organizations. For mor information, please visit us at www.stillwell-hansen.com.