Staats Brokaw Award

The Clinton Business Group is proud to offer a cash award to motivated high school Seniors, who seek not only to make money, but find a way to 'give back'. We are delighted to offer a cash prize, which can be used towards furthering education or aide in launching an endeavor to greater heights. Entrants submit a 350-500 word essay on their entrepreneurial endeavor. A winner is selected from each of the 5 Hunterdon County high schools. The 2010 Grand Achiever prize is $3,000. The 4 Finalists receive $500. Judging is conducted by the J Staats Brokaw Entrepreneurial Spirit Award Committee and the cash prizes are presented at the CBG JSBESA annual awards breakfast on May 27, 2010. This year's entries should be delivered to the student's high school Guidance Office or postmarked by March 15, 2010.

J. Staats Brokaw, III

The award is named in honor of beloved CBG founding member J. Staats Brokaw who was born in Somerville, NJ. J. Staats Brokaw, III grew up in Bridgewater, graduating from Bridgewater-Raritan High School, then studying civil engineering at Bucknell University, Lewisburg, PA, where he received his BS and MS degrees. He moved to HunterdonCounty in 1973 and lived in Clinton Township until his death from colon cancer at the age of 57. Staats' "entrepreneurial spirit" developed early when, as a boy, he raised rabbits for sale to Ortho Pharmaceuticals in addition to holding a paper route. As an adult, he began his career as a civil engineer working for other companies and became licensed as a professional engineer in several states. He started his own engineering firm in 1987.

Perhaps Staats' best attribute in his professional as well as personal life was the ability to say "yes". He saw challenges rather than problems and found ways to make things work rather than discarding ideas as too difficult or impossible. The four finalists and grand prize winner of the Clinton Business Group's Staats Brokaw Entrepreneurial Spirit Award exhibit that same positive, can-do attitude toward their projects.

Founded in 1998, The Clinton Business Group is a non-profit corporation composed of forty professionals, business owners and decision makers from the Greater Clinton Area. Networking, business development and community service are key elements. New members must be voted in and only one of any business category is permitted. The CBG meets at 7:45 am, every Thursday morning, at The Country Griddle Restaurant, 190 Center Street, Clinton. Business meetings are held at 8 - 9 am on alternate weeks and offer presentations by featured members. For more information, please call (908) 730-0066 visit us on http://facebook.com/CBG.NJ.