Board of Directors

2023-24 EXECUTIVE BOARD OF DIRECTORS:
President – Joseph Graziano
1st Vice President – Andy Garruto
2nd Vice President – Nella Cicchino
Immediate Past President – Jim McGuire
Secretary – Mary Spinelli
Treasurer –
General Counsel – Frank Costenbader

BOARD MEMBERS-AT-LARGE:
Mike Zippo
Robert Frannicola

Executive Board Members serve a two-year term.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETINGS:
Executive Board Meetings are the 2nd Thursday of each month, 8 AM at the Chamber office.  For a complete list of dates, go to Calendar of Events.  All Executive Board meetings and General Membership Luncheons are subject to change.

Joe GrazianoJOE GRAZIANO, PRESIDENT
Joe works at Proponent Federal Credit Union as Vice President, Continuous Improvement.  Prior to coming to Proponent, Joe was President of Professional Development, Inc., a Management Consulting and Training firm.  He was also a Dale Carnegie Course Instructor.  His volunteer activities include Wayne Rotary Club, President of Wayne Township’s Wayne Day Festival.

He also sits on the Advisory Board for Eastwick College.  In his spare time, Joe plays the guitar in the classic rock band Till We Can't.  He and his daughter have a podcast called Morning Coffee and Mimosas about business and life.

Andy GarrutoANDY GARRUTO, 1ST VICE PRESIDENT
Andrew Garruto is a lifelong Nutley resident. He graduated Nutley High School in 1982, opened his law practice here in 1997, and renovated his office in 2007.  Andy is an active member and officer of Nutley Chamber, which he believes is one of the many strengths in the community.

Nella CiccinoNELLA CICCHINO, 2ND VICE PRESIDENT
Nella Cicchino, owner of Mamma Vittoria Catering in Nutley, an event space/banquet facility offering on and off-site catering for social and corporate events.  Nella has lived in Nutley since emigrating from Italy in 1971.  A Nutley HS and Fairleigh Dickinson University graduate where she earned a Bachelor’s degree in Hospitality Administration and Management.

Prior to joining Mamma Vittoria, she was a partner at the former Landmark, a popular banquet facility in Bergen County. She feels fortunate to live and work in a beautiful town such as Nutley that has a strong sense of community for families and businesses.

Jim McGuireJIM McGUIRE, IMMEDIATE PAST PRESIDENT
Jim McGuire is Past President of Nutley Chamber of Commerce.  He is a lifelong resident of Nutley and a graduate of Nutley High School.  Jim owns Essex Cigar in Belleville, and Agency on the Ave real estate brokerage in Bloomfield.

MARY SPINELLI, SECRETARY
Mary is the founder and apothecarius of Hyssop Beauty Apothecary in Nutley.  The retail storefront includes a production space where each item is handcrafted in small batches using artisan methods and specifically chosen organic ingredients whenever available.  Hyssop Beauty Apothecary’s products have been featured in Harper’s Bazaar and Vanity Fair.

Mary is committed to creating the smallest environmental footprint possible and she evaluates the company’s sustainability practices regularly. Hyssop Beauty Apothecary is a woman-owned and operated sustainable business registered with the New Jersey Sustainable Business Registry. The company is registered with PETA as a cruelty-free company. Mary believes in community and regularly holds fundraisers for various organizations including Nutley Relay for Life and The Trevor Project. Mary is a vegan, Reiki healer, garden enthusiast, and animal lover, and has been a resident of Nutley, NJ for more than 20 years.

Francis J. CostenBaderFRANCIS J. COSTENBADER, GENERAL COUNSEL
Francis J. Costenbader was initially an associate attorney with Donohue and Donohue.  He became a partner in Donohue, Donohue, Costenbader & Beck in 1970, and then a partner in Donohue, Donohue, Costenbader & Strasser.  Costenbader has been a sole practitioner since 1994 with an office in Nutley.

He is Past President and presently trustee of First Cerebral Palsy of New Jersey, Past President and presently General Counsel for Nutley Chamber of Commerce. Costenbader is a lifetime member and past Exalted Ruler of Belleville Elks, Member and Past President of the Nutley Lions, and Member and presently Legal Counsel to Nutley Irish American Association. 

Rob FrannicolaROB FRANNICOLA, MEMBER-AT-LARGE
Robert Frannicola created Ultimate Entertainment in 2007.  His idea was to raise the bar in service and performance in the mobile entertainment market. Rob studied acting at NYU and has appeared in movies such as Boiler Room and Too Pure.

He brought his acting prowess to the wedding industry, combining limitless energy with a tireless work ethic. Rob has trained several different MCs, as well as many DJs (some of whom have gone one to play in various spots over Hoboken and NYC).  Over a decade later, Robert and Ultimate Entertainment has created thousands of memories for individuals – with the goal of creating many more! His concept was to raise the bar in service and performance in the mobile entertainment market. Focusing on all venues of entertainment from Weddings, Mitzvahs, Super Sweet 16’s, Birthday Parties, Proms, Communions and Corporate Events, nothing is too large or too small. 
 

MIKE ZIPPO, MEMBER-AT-LARGE
Mike Zippo is Race Director of Nutley Chamber of Commerce 5K.  He has been a member for 20 years.  He is in business with his brother where they have three retail stores in Belleville, East Brunswick and North Plainfield. His first store opened in 1974.  His goal for the race is to bring people into our community, so they can see how wonderful a place Nutley is.

DANIEL LEON

October 13, 1967 – September 2, 2020
Daniel was born in Teaneck and has resided in Nutley for many years. He is a graduate of Jersey City State College (now New Jersey City University). He spent most of his years employed in the banking industry but found his true calling in working with students at Eastwick College, Nutley, as the Director of Career Services.

He saw promise in every student and was committed to helping them reach their full potential. Dan served as President of the Nutley Chamber of Commerce and was strongly committed to the small businesses in town. Dan also coached the Bogata Baseball Youth Organization, the Fairlawn Youth League, International Youth Leagues and he also coached baseball at Bogata High School.