This year Synergy added a new wrinkle to our 2022 Executives Forum called the Best Idea Challenge.  Members entered by sending us their ideas and their wager of $100 which went into a pool.  The internal Synergy team then narrowed the field to 10 for presentations at the session in Charleston. All member companies who were at the meeting then voted on the winner.  The winner got to keep the pot (this year $3,000) and Synergy will provided a match to be donated to the charity or group of the winners choice.

This year’s winner was Brian Hughes (Hughes Environmental Engineering – Mahwah, NJ) for his idea Summer Incentive Program. Brian graciously donated his portion so that we were able to make a total donation of $6,000 to the charity of his choice – the John R. Gentille Foundation, which grants scholarships to college students pursing a career in engineering and the mechanical trades and sponsors programs that connect students with mechanical contractor employers. Brian presented the $6,000 check from Synergy to Mark Rogers, President of the John R. Gentille Foundation.

What makes this generous act even more special is that Brian donated the money in loving memory of former Synergy member and fellow New Jerseyan, Tim Hargian.

“Tim will forever be in our hearts and have an impact on us forever,” said Jim Bartolotta (Synergy Managing Partner).