Mayor Mims Hackett, (right), Marilyn Christmas, Secretary, Orange Chamber of Commerce, and Robert Masoud, President, Orange Chamber of Commerce, congratulate Rocco J. Meola, CEO and President of The First Occupational Center of New Jersey, (second from right), shortly after the agency received the Chamber's “Business of the Year” Award.

ORANGE, NJ --- The First Occupational Center of New Jersey (OCNJ) was named Business of the Year by the Orange Chamber of Commerce at its annual banquet. The award recognized OCNJ for its long history of community service and support.

In recognizing the work of OCNJ, the Chamber noted the innovative efforts of the agency in providing employment opportunities to residents of New Jersey and enabling them to progress and advance within the workforce.

“It is an honor to be recognized by the Orange Chamber,” said Rocco J. Meola, President and CEO of The First Occupational Center. “The value that the business community places on the work we do is critical as we move forward with our initiatives to help foster worker self-sufficiency and independence.”

The First Occupational Center of New Jersey is the state's oldest and largest vocational and job placement agency, providing annual services to developmentally disabled, elderly and economically disadvantaged New Jersey residents and their families since 1954. OCNJ uses an entrepreneurial approach to training and securing jobs with the goal of helping workers move from dependence to independence. The Center provides jobs through its seven wholly-owned and operated companies, including Recycling, Building Services and Groundskeeping, Production Services, Micrographics, Abbry Security, and the OCNJ Driving School, as well as within the community.