How we became the B.E.S.T.

Our experience and success working with top firms and with Fortune 500 companies in a variety of industries has confirmed the need to strategically, efficiently, and consistently consummate, develop and manage business and personal relationships at all levels in order to maintain optimum efficiency in the workplace and in life.  These skills are critically important in business success and personal growth.  We have been strong developers, observers, advocates and practitioners of these important competencies for companies, organizations, teams and individuals for over 35 years.  We strategically focused on how people properly manage relationships between, and in business and personal settings.  Emerging markets, technology, communication, and globalization continue to reform the world reflecting the contributions and needs of diverse workforces, consumers, and communities.  

B.E.S.T can provide comprehensive business strategies on business vision, planning, research, start-up, administration, operations, marketing, sales, customer service, motivation, staffing, retention, employee assistance, and financing to organizations of any size.  We have provided services to all size companies in many different industries including healthcare, insurance, consumer products, pharmaceuticals, financial services, education, telecommunications, real estate, sports & entertainment, travel, hospitality, construction, non-profit, retail, and government. 

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We at B.E.S.T. know that finding the right employees and managing yourself is important. We can set up a consultation to walk you through your needs, the scope of your goals, and your budget.

our executive conference center - suite 304

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President & Chief Executive officer

L. Greg Smith

L. Greg Smith’s background combines extensive business management, leadership development, executive coaching, consulting, recruiting, training, human resources, sales, and marketing experience. He develops and implements the strategic plan of B.E.S.T. and oversees its business operations.

As a senior sales & marketing executive, he also advises client organizations on leadership development solutions, talent strategies, sales methodologies, marketing initiatives, business strategies, career management, and outplacement services. He has marketed a full range of sales and leadership development programs and services to clients and has delivered these programs to C-Level executives, senior executives, front-line leadership, managers, occupational employees, graduate and undergraduate students, and group level participants. He has also presented and lectured on these topics. Greg has lectured at Seton Hall University, New York University, Rutgers University, Penn State University, Columbia University, and Fairleigh Dickinson University. He also currently conducts individual and cohort coaching for executives at all levels and entrepreneurs.

In an effort to provide a larger and more significant contribution in the Diversity and Inclusion area within corporations and have an enhanced beneficial impact on their client population and on a global basis, Greg has recently strategically enhanced B.E.S.T.’s Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion curriculum working with Senior Leadership at Fortune 500 companies on developing and improving their key DEI strategies and initiatives. As part of prudent leadership development, he helps clients synchronize strategy and talent to drive superior performance and works with organizations to design their structures, policies, roles, and responsibilities.  His team helps them hire the right people to bring their strategy to life and positively impact profitability.

Previously, Greg consistently exceeded sales performance standards at Xerox Corporation, AT&T, Dun & Bradstreet, Lee Hecht Harrison, and Korn Ferry, while managing major accounts and leading account teams that managed national, and global accounts.

Senior Vice President

Mayo Edghill

Mayo Edghill’s extensive expertise as an executive level transformation professional focuses on enhancing organizations’ operational plans, direct managed business teams and executive client engagements that are global in nature. He is an implementer of agile adoption management to enable maximum fiscal performance while sustaining accountability of solution delivery teams.  Mayo has led multiple global migration and consolidations include several merger and acquisitions across many Fortune 500 industry sectors.

Vice president, organizational and talent strategist

Vanessa D. Smith

Vanessa is an organizational and talent strategist, business partner who has played a vital role as a Chief Human Resources Officer, propelling the organization in the areas of talent management, employee experience and engagement, culture, talent acquisition, organizational and leadership development, team building, diversity and inclusion, collaborative partnerships,patient-experience centered training and leadership coaching.

With a career in human resources spanning over 26 years, Vanessa is a visionary and has driven results that align with the business objectives. She demonstrates expertise in assessing, proposing, and facilitating organizational changes, guiding corporate journeys in diverse business environments.

Education Activities & Affiliations

PARK UNIVERSITY
Bachelor of Science Degree
STRAYER UNIVERSITY
Master of Business Administration

Certifications

Senior Professional in Human Resources (HRCI)
Senior Certified Professional (SHRM)

• New Jersey Chapter President for the National Association of Health Services Executives (NAHSE)

• Catchafire.org Volunteer

• Society of Human Resource Management (SHRM)

• Senior Professional in Human Resources (HRCI)

• Forbes Human Resource Council

• United States Air Force (USAF)
  

Senior Consultant,  Human Resources and Process Improvement

Teresa A. Austin

Teresa Austin’s extensive experience includes over fifteen years of supporting organization Managers and Project Leads towards successful implementations and goal achievements.  She is highly skilled in budget and resource tracking, forecasting, and business information technology.

Throughout her career, Teresa has developed and led teams to improve business profitability and efficiency through process and technology change. Over the years, Teresa has demonstrated her talent as a Vice President at Merrill Lynch (Bank of America), a Leader of Global Talent Management at MetLife, and as a Senior Consultant to Human Resources at University Hospital.

Director, Multi-ethnic initiatives

Tony Ceaser

Tony Ceaser is the Founder and CEO of M.E. Enterprises. He is a former Wall Street Executive who is highly regarded for his ability to challenge convention and collaborate with high-level stakeholders to achieve win-win solutions.

Tony has a proven record of success developing strategies, new products, building key relationships, and generating new creative ideas. He has vast professional experience in service-based environments with an understanding in media and content driven projects.

Education

FAIRLEIGH DICKINSON
UNIVERSITY
Bachelor of Arts in
Business Management

Director, Web Development and Digital Media

Michael D'Aloia

Mike D’Aloia has a vast background in graphic design. His expertise spans over six years of extensive website design, logo design, and retail marketing display design.  With customer specifications and goals in mind, Mike has successfully delivered countless professional websites and designs on time and on budget.

Mike’s skill set includes extensive expertise in the Adobe Suite, HTML5, CSS, and photography.  He also has expert experience with Squarespace Websites.  He has demonstrated his skills as the Art Director of Sneakers Plus, Innovative Product Design, Barn Party Productions, Plainfield Public Schools, and Sign Services and Banners.

senior Vice President, director of professional services

Rod Williams

Rodney E. (Rod) Williams is the co-founder and managing principal of B.E.S.T. Talent Management Solutions, (BEST), a firm specializing in human resources consulting focusing on Career Management & Transition along with Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, Access & Belonging (DEIAB) since 2011.  He develops and delivers content for an array of organizations and individuals across the corporate and non-profit sectors including Fortune 500, medium, and small business.

At BEST, he also provides individual consultative services such as leadership development, executive coaching, business management including entrepreneurial development, and personal branding.

Vice President

Victoria Hobbs

Victoria (Vicki) Hobbs brings over 15 years of business talent recruiting, acquisition, advisement, and development to B.E.S.T. Her talent acquisition expertise has included process improvement, competency selection, creation of interview guide(s), interview training, recruiter training, talent development support, and employer branding.

Vice President

Dr. Benjamin Thomason

Dr. Benjamin Thomason, a behavioral health professional and specialist, brings over 30 years of Clinical, Personal and Executive Coaching services to B.E.S.T. He also serves as a Student Assistance Coordinator and School Psychologist for several public and private institutions. Additionally, Dr. Thomason is a Psychologist for students and staff at Rutgers University.

Vice President

Al Smith

Al Smith is a United States Military Veteran, having served three years in the U.S. Army. After the conclusion of his military service, Al transitioned to a successful long-term career in the private sector working at such companies as Shell Oil, Avon, and CEL Communications. His last 17 years was with Lee Hecht Harrison, a global career transition and coaching firm. He remains passionate in supporting all Veterans in job search, career transition, and Veteran initiatives.

SENIOR Vice President, EXECUTIVE SEARCH PRACTICE

Joe Quinn

Joe Quinn has over 20 years of experience serving clients across multiple industries, including: international trade, private wealth management, human capital consulting, not-for-profit, and healthcare. Joe has helped clients and individuals as a coach and advisor with influential communication, leadership skills, and workplace trends. He has facilitated hundreds of meetings and trained clients in all areas of peak performance.

certified public accountant

Robert C. Barnett, CPA

Robert C. Barnett, CPA has over 20 years of financial services experience including a Big Four Accounting Firm and Fortune 100 Company at the Director level. Prior experiences include areas of financial management, reporting and analysis, audit and taxation. Robert has leveraged that experience and has been able to to have many successes in working with Small Business Owners and other Professionals in helping them being prepared to excel at the next level. His services include Tax Planning and Preparation, Tax Resolution Services, Small Business Consultation, Accounting Services, Financial Statement Compilation & Review Services. These services are for both individuals and small businesses as Robert’s motto is Client Focused / Solution Oriented. Contact B.E.S.T. at the contact information below for an introductory meeting with Robert.

Consultant

Rasna Sethi

Rasna Sethi brings expertise to B.E.S.T. in the area of Nonprofit Management as a macro- thinker who aims to diligently strategize, masterfully multitask, and leave a positive and equitable impact.

Director

William E. Henry

William E. Henry is a Bronx, New York native with over forty years experience as an IT / telecommunications professional and senior industry consultant. His career highlights include working for fourteen years at AT&T in positions of increasing responsibility within the engineering, operations, sales and marketing departments. As director of corporate telecommunications at Bristol- Myers Squibb Company, he was responsible for formulating strategies for all of the company's voice, data, video and image applications, systems, services and networking capabilities in 135 countries. Mr. Henry also held the position of vice president of business development and marketing at DCC Systems.

Vice President, empowerment programs

Neil Torino

Neil has over 45 years of professional experience in the Public and Private sectors focusing on Business and Human Development. He is a team oriented individual with high Integrity and is committed and willing to go the distance to make a difference in personal performance and business productivity. He is sincerely committed to producing for himself and his clients. Neil’s professional career includes sixteen years as the Director of Student Activities, Athletics, School Safety, and Discipline for the Morris County Vocational School District and three years as Corporate Director Of Human Resources for Enzon Pharmaceuticals.

Education

MONTCLAIR STATE UNIVERSITY
Master of Arts, Human Resources
Management and Services
Bachelor of Arts, Educational and
Instructional Technology
RUTGERS UNIVERSITY
Doctor of Education, Human Resources
and Technical Education

NJEXCEL
CSA and Principal Certification Completion
Educational, Leadership and Administration
KEAN UNIVERSITY
Supervisor Certification
Educational Leadership and Administration

VICE PRESIDENT

Ralph Dalton

Prior to Ralph Dalton’s successful Wall Street banking and sales career, he was a star member of the infamous Georgetown Hoyas basketball team in the early 1980’s playing for the legendary John Thompson, II. After sustaining a devastating season ending knee injury (which was studied in medical journals) in an intra-squad game prior to the start of his first season, Dalton persevered through a nine month recovery to play alongside with his close friend Patrick Ewing including routes to the NCAA FINAL FOUR and becoming the 1984 NCAA Tournament Champions and the1985 NCAA Tournament runner-up. In the 1985 Eastern Region Final where Ewing was in serious late foul trouble, Ralph stepped up to lead the Hoyas to victory (Named CBS player of the game). After graduating in the Spring of 1985, Ralph stayed on for his fourth year of varsity play and became the first basketball player ever at Georgetown University to earn an MBA. He has enjoyed a long and successful career on Wall Street in fixed income and emerging markets sales, with posts at The Bank of New York, Prudential Securities, before working in leadership positions at Merrill Lynch and Scotia Bank. From 2014 to 2018 he served as President and Chief Compliant Officer at Barclay Investments. While at Merrill Lynch, Ralph played a key role in college recruiting, mentoring, executive coaching, and employee development. Ralph will continue to perform these duties at B.E.S.T.

Education

GEORGETOWN UNIVERSITY
Master of Business Administration (MBA)
Bachelor of Arts, Sociology

Certifications

Certified Regulatory and Compliance Professional (CRCP), Life and health, Series 7, 24 and 63 qualified

Executive consultant

Jes Huttig

Jessica Huttig’s background combines a career in Medical Technology where she learned meticulous attention to detail in managing workflow, reporting and verification of results, and managing procedures to meet state and federal compliance requirements. As an educator, Jessica found a niche where she became a successful mentor and coach for new teachers. She developed and implemented onboarding plans to guide teachers in their initial success and to ensure that they met state certification requirements. In addition to mentoring teachers, she was instrumental in writing curriculum to maintain compliance with changing national standards and best practices in education. Jessica credits her success in the workplace to the strong mentorship she has received in her career. It is her belief that each individual has their own unique abilities, talents, and skill sets that provide value in their professional environments. She is committed to assisting people in articulating and marketing those attributes.

Connecticut Professional Educator Certification
TEAM Mentor
Master TEFL Certification, Bridge TEFL
Medical Technologist, American Society of Clinical Pathology

Creative Director of Media

Gregg Suskin

As Creative Director Gregg oversees the content being produced in one of the most innovative film programs in the country. He was designated a High Impact Teacher by the Florida Department of Education during his time at the G-Star School of The Arts. Gregg Suskin's professional career spans over 40 years in the film and advertising community. His experience in production and post production derives from both a client and vendor perspective. He has vast experience in commercial advertising; flourished in the documentary, feature film, reality television, IMAX and political arenas as an award-winning filmmaker.