Steven P. Perskie, Counsel to the Firm
Judge Perskie concentrates on a wide range of civil litigation matters as well as assisting the firm’s clients in contractual and transactional issues. As Counsel to the Firm, he provides regulatory and compliance advice and contributes to all areas of enforcement actions and investigations. In addition, he maintains a mediation/arbitration/litigation assistance practice, with a focus on employment claims and labor/management issues; real estate and contractual claims; construction disputes; personal injury and professional liability actions; and matrimonial/custody issues. He is also available to serve as a hearing officer in administrative proceedings relating to employer/employee disputes, in both the public and private sectors.

As a New Jersey Superior Court Judge, Judge Perskie served in all of the trial court divisions of the system during his judicial tenure, including serving as Presiding Judge in the Family and Criminal Divisions. For most of his judicial career, he was assigned to the Civil Division. In 2007, at the request of the parties and the judge in charge of the case, Judge Perskie personally mediated the resolution of the Tropicana Garage Collapse litigation, which involved more than 50 parties and claims totaling in excess of $100 million.

In addition to his judicial service, Judge Perskie served as Chief of Staff to Governor James J. Florio of New Jersey (1989-1990). He also served as Chairman of the New Jersey Casino Control Commission (1990-1994), where he led a comprehensive restructuring and refocus of the Commission and its agenda.

Judge Perskie was elected to the New Jersey State Assembly in 1971 at age 26 and moved up to the State Senate in 1978. He is the author and principal sponsor of the New Jersey Casino Control Act (1977) which brought casino gaming to Atlantic City.

He received a Bachelor of Arts degree from Yale University (1966), a Juris Doctorate degree from the University of Pennsylvania School of Law (1969), and a Master of Laws degree (in Taxation) from New York University School of Law (1970).

Judge Perskie’s family has a long tradition of public service. His father, David M. Perskie, was a Superior Court Judge from 1966 to 1969; his grandfather, Joseph B. Perskie, served as an Associate Justice of the New Jersey Supreme Court from 1933 to 1947; and his uncle, Marvin D. Perskie, was a New Jersey Assemblyman from Cape May County from 1966 to 1968.

The Hughes Center Honors recognizes and celebrates individual New Jersey leaders
who make important commitments to public service. For the first time, the Honors
program will include awards to local institutions when the Excellence in Community
Leadership Award is presented to four hospitals at the awards program at the Stockton
Campus Center Event Room Nov. 10:
• AtlantiCare
• Shore Medical Center
• Cape Regional Health System
• Inspira Health.
Battling COVID-19 is the primary challenge of our time, and the region’s hospital
workers risked their own health to protect the rest of us said Edward H. Salmon, Hughes
Center advisory board chair.
“The Hughes Center and Stockton University are proud of the vital work done by these
amazing hospital staffs. We are pleased to recognize their courage and service with this
new Hughes Center Honors leadership award,” Salmon said.
The Hughes Center Honors are given out biannually at an awards program and
reception attended by hundreds of New Jersey business and political leaders. The event
raises funding for Hughes Center programs that advance the civic engagement
championed by the late Ambassador William J. Hughes. A full list of 2021 honorees will
be announced shortly, with ticket sales beginning within a month.
“The AtlantiCare team is humbled to be recognized along with our colleagues in caring
for our patients and all those we serve,” said Lori Herndon, AtlantiCare president and
CEO. “We are grateful for our dedicated staff and providers for their commitment to
caring for our community, for the collaboration of our community partners, and for all of
those working so diligently to end the pandemic.”
“Our courageous doctors, nurses and support staff provided exceptional care to our
community during this incredibly challenging and uncertain time,” said Ron Johnson, 
President and CEO of Shore Medical Center. Johnson thanked the hundreds of
community members who donated supplies, meals, technology and time.
Amy B. Mansue, President and CEO of Inspira Health, said the pandemic challenged
health care professionals in unusual and heartbreaking ways.
“Within our walls, it tested resilience and strength; it spurred innovation and
camaraderie; but it was also the year of painful loss.,” Mansue said. “To lose these
people is a reminder of the fragility of life, and a reminder to take care of one another.
But it’s also a reminder to celebrate the lives saved, and those who made it happen: the
front-line health care workers, the first responders and other essential workers who have
worked tirelessly day-in and day-out.”
Examples of how South Jersey hospitals stepped up to treat and vaccinate the region’s
residents abound. Inspira’s pharmacy team made hundreds of gallons of hand sanitizer.
After vaccinating tens of thousands at its Mullica Hill and Vineland clinics, Inspira’s
teams went to schools, businesses, churches, and other community locations, including
a McDonald’s in Glassboro.
AtlantiCare has cared for more than 2,700 hospitalized patients with COVID-19, and
thousands more COVID-positive patients. The health system collaborated with the
casino industry to safely reopen Atlantic City gaming halls and with state government,
Atlantic County and the N.J. Air National Guard to plan for opening the Atlantic County
COVID-19 vaccination mega-site. Among its many outreach efforts, AtlantiCare provided
services to vulnerable minority populations.
Shore Medical treated more than 1,000 COVID-positive patients at its hospital and
tested more than 37,000 people for COVID.
“On a daily basis, Cape Regional Health System’s team connects with patients at their
most vulnerable moments. Attending to the health needs of their patients while
preserving the patient’s human dignity and hope is no easy task,” said Garry Gilbert,
Cape Regional Health System Board of Trustees Chairman.
“Every day our team makes the choice to step onto the front lines, choosing selflessness
over self,” said Joanne Carrocino, President and CEO, Cape Regional Health System.
“They have absolutely provided the highest level of care for our patients.” 

Richard S. Dovey is President of the Atlantic County Utilities Authority (ACUA) — a position he has held for more than 27 years. Dovey oversees a staff of 250, an annual operating budget exceeding $60 million, and an annual capital budget averaging $5 million.

ACUA operates a 40 million gallon-per-day wastewater treatment plant in Atlantic City, NJ, and a regional sewerage collection system that serves 14 municipalities throughout Atlantic County. ACUA also operates a state-of-the-art solid waste facility and administrative headquarters in Egg Harbor Township, NJ, as well as a regional collection fleet that serves more than 100,000 residents and businesses. 

Under Dovey’s leadership, ACUA has been nationally recognized for excellence in innovation, efficiency and environmental stewardship. As a strong proponent of renewable energy and sustainability, he initiated many of ACUA’s green projects, including: landfill gas-to-electricity, a 500-kilowatt solar installation, South Jersey’s first compressed natural gas (CNG) station, New Jersey’s  first wind farm at ACUA’s Wastewater Treatment Facility, and most recently, the installation of the state’s first  and largest energy storage battery project. His continued focus on delivering excellent customer service and engaging with the community has made ACUA a highly regarded agency both locally and throughout the state.

Dovey’s career is decorated with leadership roles at numerous environmental and community organizations. He currently serves as Treasurer of the Atlantic County Economic Alliance; Supervisor of the Cape Atlantic Conservation District Board; a member of the Sustainable Jersey Board of Trustees; Chair of the Egg Harbor City Industrial Commission; a member of the Stockton University Foundation Board; and as a member of the Board of Directors for Coastal Conservancy, Inc.  He is also a member of several advisory boards at Stockton University, Rowan University of Engineering, Atlantic Cape Community College and Atlantic County Institute of Technology.

Dovey previously served as Chairman of New Jersey Solid Waste Advisory Council; President of the Association of Environmental Authorities of New Jersey; Chairman of the Community FoodBank of New Jersey, Southern Branch; President of the Atlantic County School Board Association; Vice President of the Egg Harbor City Board of Education; and Chairman of the 2011 United Way of Atlantic County Campaign.

As an environmental leader, Dovey is often called to advocate on behalf of the wastewater and solid waste industries. He is frequently asked to lend his knowledge on environmental topics and issues at industry conferences and events.

Prior to joining ACUA, Dovey led the Atlantic County Regional Planning and Development Department and previously served as Manager of the Rutland County Solid Waste District in Vermont.

Dovey holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Urban Studies from Stockton University (formerly Richard Stockton College of New Jersey). He resides in Egg Harbor City, NJ, with his wife, Mary.

Danielle V. Combs is a leader, activist and servant. She serves in many capacities including in her role as the Administrative Director of the NAACP New Jersey State Conference. Danielle recently graduated with honors from Stockton University, obtaining her Bachelor's of Arts Degree in Political Science. 

Simply put, Danielle is a servant who enjoys serving others. As a woman of God, Danielle has served effortlessly at Bethany Baptist Church in Lindenwold, NJ where she is a proud member. Additionally, Danielle is also a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. In the wake of social unrest, Danielle helped revitalize Stockton University's NAACP student chapter and served as its president. She also organized the Juneteenth March for Justice on the Galloway campus in the summer of 2020 where over 400 participants were in attendance. 

Danielle commits much of her time to advocating for the rights of others to be upheld as well as holding legislators accountable. In her current role as Administrative Director, she continues to be the strong voice and representative for individuals who feel as though their voice doesn't have any power. In the near future, Combs aspires to go into law to protect vulnerable and underserved members of society.