He remains dedicated to providing employment opportunities for the BVI community, creating a safe and supportive work environment.
CHERRY HILL, NJ, April 30, 2024 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Jon Katz has been inducted into Marquis Who's Who. As in all Marquis Who's Who biographical volumes, individuals profiled are selected based on current reference value. Factors such as position, noteworthy accomplishments, visibility, and prominence in a field are all considered during the selection process.
Since 2021, Mr. Katz has served as the President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Bestwork Industries for the Blind, Inc, the largest employer of people who are blind or visually impaired (BVI) in New Jersey. In this capacity, he remains dedicated to providing employment opportunities for the BVI community, creating a safe and supportive work environment. Mr. Katz is leading the organization through a transformation from a self-sustaining manufacturing agency to a full-service social enterprise. The operational paradigm shift includes diversifying lines-of-business that will provide upward mobility and offering rehabilitative services to the BVI community.
Before joining Bestwork, Mr. Katz held the title of Vice President at National Industries for the Blind (NIB) for five years, where he focused on business development, sales and expanding employment opportunities for non-profit agencies associated with the organization. He briefly led Georgia Industries for the Blind in Bainbridge, GA for nearly two years before taking over the helm as President and CEO of Bestwork Industries.
Mr. Katz's prior professional experience includes serving over 20-years in the United States Marine Corps in infantry, logistics, acquisition, and recruiting. Retiring as a Lieutenant Colonel, he held various leadership roles of increasing responsibility and complexity, to include Commanding Officer billets and senior staff officer assignments, which laid the foundation for his ability to lead with excellence. He received five Meritorious Service Medals and many other decorations and awards. During his time in service, Mr. Katz led the Mid-Atlantic Contracting Division to receive the Commander-in-Chief's Award for excellence; 1st Beach & Terminal Operations unit to receive the 4th Force Service Support Group Clifton B. Cates Award for outstanding logistics support element; and Marine Corps Recruiting Station Fort Lauderdale to three consecutive Eastern Recruiting Region Recruiting Station of the Year and Marine Corps Recruiting Superior Achiever Awards.
After retiring from the Marine Corps, Mr. Katz spent more than a decade in the private sector holding positions as the owner and managing partner of The Katz Team, a real estate enterprise, through which he leveraged his business acumen and leadership through an entrepreneurial avenue; Regional Operations Manager at Battelle Memorial Institute; Vice President of Defense Programs at Suntiva LLC; and, Director of the Navy and Marine Corps Programs at Segue Technologies Inc.
Alongside his professional experience, his academic background reveals a foundation that has significantly contributed to his success. He graduated with a Bachelor of Business Administration from Montclair State University. During his time serving in the Marine Corps, Mr. Katz earned a Master of Science in Acquisition and Contract Management from the U.S. Naval Postgraduate School and a Master of Arts in National Security and Strategic Studies from the U.S. Naval War College.
As he progressed in his professional trajectory, Mr. Katz obtained numerous certifications to further enhance and build upon his expertise. These certifications include an Executive Development Program certificate from ACCSES New Jersey; an Executive Certificate in Non-Profit Management from LaSalle University; a Lean Six Sigma Yellow Belt Certification from NIB; Program Management Professional from the Program Management Institute; and several others related to Department of Defense acquisition, project management and logistics. These professional educational achievements have equipped him with a broad skill set that he has effectively applied throughout his career.
Mr. Katz is an active member of several organizations. He is the Chairman of the Operations Committee for the National Association for the Employment of People Who Are Blind (NAEPB) and holds the title of Vice President of the Board of Directors for ACCSES New Jersey. Along with being involved with the Burlington County Military Affairs Committee, he has served on the Advisory Board for the Center of Services Leadership for Arizona State University; the Advisory Board of Cody's Crew to fight childhood Neuroblastoma; and belongs to the Camden Lions Club, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Military Officers Association of America, and the Marine Executive Association. These affiliations underscore his ongoing dedication to supporting veterans, military communities, and other under-served communities close to his heart.
Outside of his professional life, Mr. Katz is deeply committed to community service and personal development. His involvement in initiatives like coordinating volunteer opportunities for Bestwork employees at a local food bank program and participating in Habitat for Humanity projects exemplifies his dedication to giving back to the community. Furthermore, Mr. Katz actively engages in "Day of Service" volunteer opportunities and has played a significant role in organizing annual food drives benefiting service members and their families as well as children within the community through Toys for Tots.
Additionally, Mr. Katz's passion for cycling is not only a personal hobby but also a means through which he contributes to charitable causes, notably participating in the Great Cycling Challenge to fight childhood cancer. His extracurricular involvements and board memberships reflect his commitment to positively impact his professional sphere. For his professional contributions, Mr. Katz was honored with the 2024 Voice of Business Award for Personal Excellence by the Burlington County Regional Chamber of Commerce.
Moreover, Mr. Katz led Bestwork to win the 2023 'Made in NJ' Manufacturer of the Year Award for medium business from the New Jersey Manufacturing Extension Program, led Bestwork to win the 2023 Voice of Business Award for Business Excellence, was recognized as a Veteran of Influence by the Philadelphia Business Journal and American City Business Journals, won the award for business magazine executive of the year from NJ Biz magazine, and was the recipient of the Titan 100 Award by the Philadelphia Titan 100 program. Mr. Katz has lived a life of service through both his career and personal interests that serve his community. He has built multiple high-performing teams by embodying a holistic approach to achieving success—demonstrating servant leadership while maintaining a strong commitment to answering the call to do something for a greater good.
About Marquis Who's Who®:
Since 1899, when A. N. Marquis printed the First Edition of Who's Who in America®, Marquis Who's Who® has chronicled the lives of the most accomplished individuals and innovators from every significant field of endeavor, including politics, business, medicine, law, education, art, religion and entertainment. Marquis celebrates its 125th anniversary in 2023, and Who's Who in America® remains an essential biographical source for thousands of researchers, journalists, librarians and executive search firms around the world. Marquis® publications may be visited at the official Marquis Who's Who® website at www.marquiswhoswho.com.
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