Annual Awards Celebration to Be Held May 19 at The Pines Manor in Edison
The Middlesex County Regional Chamber of Commerce is pleased to announce the honorees for its 2026 Community Leaders of Distinction Awards. The annual celebration will take place on Tuesday, May 19 at 6 p.m. at The Pines Manor in Edison.
The Community Leaders of Distinction Award recognizes individuals and organizations whose dedication and service have meaningfully improved the quality of life for residents throughout Middlesex County. This year’s honorees represent the very best of leaders who go above and beyond in business, public service, volunteerism, and community engagement.
Business Leader of the Year — Ravi Badge, President & Owner, CMIT Solutions of Edison-Piscataway
Ravi Badge brings more than 25 years of IT leadership experience to the small and mid-sized businesses of Central New Jersey. As President and Owner of CMIT Solutions of Edison-Piscataway and Founder of NJ Cyber Advisors, Badge draws on his Fortune 500 background, including 16 years as a Director at Prudential Financial, to help clients turn cybersecurity and compliance into competitive advantages. He holds an MBA from Rutgers University-Newark and is a Certified Risk Strategist and Certified Incident Responder. A dedicated community builder, he has served as a Chamber Ambassador since 2019 and volunteers as a pro-bono technology advisor to local nonprofits.
Emerging Leader of the Year — Larisa Perlovsky, Area Marketing Director, Optimum
Larisa Perlovsky is a seasoned sales and marketing leader with nearly 20 years of experience in the B2B SMB sector. As Area Marketing Director for the Tri-State Region, she drives strategic initiatives that fuel customer growth and strengthen community engagement. A multiple President’s Club honoree, Perlovsky holds a BA from Rutgers College and an MBA from the University of Phoenix. She serves on her local Economic and Development Committee and resides in East Brunswick with her family.
Hometown Hero of the Year — Michele Lombardi, Council President (Ward 4), Piscataway Township
Born and raised in Piscataway, Michele Lombardi has dedicated her life to the township she calls home. A hairstylist for 43 years, she has built deep bonds with residents of all ages through her work and her unwavering commitment to community. Since entering public service in 2006, Michele has served as a Democratic councilwoman and now proudly holds the role of Town Council President. Her passions include environmental protection, health and wellness, public safety, and supporting seniors. She volunteers with the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life, the American Heart Association Heart Walk, the FISH Food Pantry, and has extended her humanitarian outreach to children at the REMAR Children’s Orphanage in El Salvador.
Public Servant of the Year — Steve Mamakas, Executive Office, Old Bridge Mayor’s Office of Economic Development
With more than 30 years of experience serving large public and private organizations, Steve Mamakas has been a driving force behind Old Bridge’s economic growth. His efforts have attracted hundreds of new businesses to the township, supported a 750,000-square-foot retail development, and facilitated more than 4.2 million square feet of warehouse development. Mamakas is also the creator of the first nationally recognized Uber Safe Ride public-private partnership program and is a recipient of the NJBIZ and NJLM Public-Private Partnership Award for innovation in economic development.
Community Volunteer of the Year — Howard Alexander, Program Director, Fast Break Buddy Ball, East Brunswick
Howard Alexander has devoted nearly three decades to strengthening the East Brunswick community through volunteer leadership, youth development, and inclusive recreation. As Program Director of Fast Break Buddy Ball, an award-winning adaptive basketball program, Alexander has helped welcome more than 1,500 athletes with special needs over the past 22 years, while student volunteers have contributed more than 17,000 hours of community service. In 2026, Howard helped establish a Special Olympics basketball team in East Brunswick, where he also serves as a coach. He was named East Brunswick’s “Man of the Year” by Mayor Cohen’s Charity Fund in 2023 and the East Brunswick Elks’ “Citizen of the Year” in 2026.
Community Organization of the Year — Saint Peter’s Family Health Center
Saint Peter’s Family Health Center, located at 123 How Lane in New Brunswick, is guided by the belief that healthy communities begin with accessible, coordinated care. Offering adult, pediatric, and women’s health services under one roof, the center recorded nearly 84,000 patient visits in 2025 and recently completed a multimillion-dollar expansion now built to accommodate 100,000 visits annually. The center is also home to The Market at Saint Peter’s, a client-choice food pantry and food-as-medicine program that addresses food insecurity as a critical health issue, providing eligible patients with nutritious food as part of their care plan.
“We are proud to honor these outstanding individuals and organizations who have made a lasting impact on the communities we serve,” said MCRCC Vice President Kathy Shaw. “From expanding access to healthcare to creating opportunities for young athletes, from driving economic growth to decades of grassroots community service, this year’s honorees reflect the very best of Middlesex County.”
Tickets and sponsorship opportunities are available at www.mcrcc.org.
