New Board Members Appointed To The Foundation

The Brookdale Community College Foundation announces three new members to its Board of Trustees. Comprised of inspiring business leaders from diverse backgrounds and industries, the Brookdale Board of Trustees helps set the Foundation’s strategic vision as it works to provide scholarships for well deserving students so they may earn a college education and build a better future for themselves, their families, and our communities.

As Manager of Community Outreach at New Jersey Natural Gas (NJNG), Jessica Egger from Point Pleasant, NJ, is dedicated to making a difference in the lives of others. Previously at NJNG, she was Program Coordinator for the Customer and Community Relations department, where she enjoyed her true passion for planning events and working with the community. She spent the past five years in this position developing relationships with various nonprofit organizations while working alongside Tom Hayes and Karen Escobedo on the NJNG Company Charity. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Marketing from Lehigh University.

As a 15th generation county resident, Darrel Golden of Fair Haven, NJ, lives and breathes Monmouth County. Golden grew up in Middletown, where he graduated from Middletown High School South. He has fond memories of visiting his aunt at the Brookdale Bookstore and his grandmother, who worked in Admissions at Brookdale as a child. Golden was an avid runner in high school and pursued that passion as a four-year National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) cross country and track athlete in college at Bryant University. Upon graduation from Bryant, he began a career in banking that spanned 15 years. In 2007, Golden took an opportunity to return home to work in the family business. He is vice president of Automated Building Controls, a commercial HVAC company.

Walter Hopkin owns WJH Engineering, a multidisciplinary civil engineering, surveying, and forensic company, located in Oakhurst, NJ. He participates in many civic and professional endeavors, including Board of Director of the American Red Cross, Boy Scouts of America fundraising committee, CCD teacher at St. Rose in Belmar, member of Monmouth Ocean Development Council, committee member of the Shore Builders Association, and is a member of the Knights of Columbus. He resides in Wall, NJ, and is the proud father of “two amazing teenage boys.”

“On behalf of the entire Brookdale Community College Foundation Board, I’m delighted to welcome Jessica, Darrel and Walter to the Brookdale family,” said Julia Zapcic, president of the Brookdale Foundation. “It’s exciting to have the help of these tremendously talented, dedicated colleagues as we work together to advance Brookdale’s mission – welcoming and empowering students to achieve their dream of earning a college degree.”

Last year, the Foundation provided over $620,000 in scholarships and grants to support students.