David Allegretto Named Citizen of the Year

Created: 21 October 2022

David Allegretto Named Citizen of the Year by Ocean City Regional Chamber of Commerce

Ocean City, NJ – The Ocean City Regional Chamber of Commerce is honored to announce the recipient of the Chamber’s 2022 Citizen of the Year Award and Outstanding Business and Beautification Awards. The awards will be presented at the Chamber’s dinner Wednesday, November 16th at 6PM at The Flanders Hotel.

This year, the Citizen of the Year Award will be presented to David Allegretto.

Dave is a 3rd generation local of Ocean City. His grandfather Michael Allegretto immigrated here from Italy. Dave’s parents were both born in Ocean City and would raise their family here and stay their entire lives. Dave attended the Ocean City Public Schools participating in football and baseball and graduated in 1985.

In 2014, he joined Fortress Financial. Dave and his business partners Jeff Shirk, John Shirk and Jason Kiefer help each of their clients manage their financial lives with care and compassion. They give most of the credit for their success to their dedicated and professional staff that treat their clients like family. They also acknowledge that it is God’s grace alone that has allowed them attain the level of success they have experienced.

Dave’s love for the community is obvious as he moved back to the area after college to start his practice and raise his family. David and his wife Kendra have 3 children Jordan, Lainie and Andrew. Dave was active in coaching his and other children in youth sports and was involved in the booster club for the field hockey team and swim team while they were in high school.

Dave served as the founding President of the Ocean City Education Foundation where he helped raise funds to support the Ocean City School System provided extra opportunities for all of kids in the district. They were able to raise funds to build the observatory that now sits at Carey Stadium at the high school.

Dave has been Treasurer, Vice President and President of the Ocean City Chamber of Commerce and currently serves as Immediate Past President. He also currently serves on his the mission team of his church, as well as, helps in their family life center.

The following businesses will also be receiving awards at the dinner:

• The Business Renovation/Improvement Award, an award that is granted to a business that has taken an existing building and made physical and internal renovations to significantly improve its condition, will be presented to Asbury Kitchen, Stainton’s Gallery By The Sea, Ron Jon Surf Shop, Yesterday’s Creekside Tavern, and Long & Foster – The Grisbaum Group.
• Scarborough Inn will be awarded the Outstanding Landscaping/Signage Award for their new landscaping and signage.
• Collective Vibes and Agave Mexican Kitchen will receive the Business New Construction Award.
• The Outstanding New Business Award will be presented to Collective Vibes.
• This year’s Outstanding Civic, Community, Non-Profit Organization Award will be presented to Ocean City Historical Museum.
• Bowfish Kids and Island Beach Gear will receive the Outstanding Use of Technology Award.
• The Outstanding Service to the Community Award will be presented to Greg Donahue.

Special recognition awards will be presented to Diamond Barre Fitness for their 5th Anniversary, Reich Asset Management for their 10th Anniversary, The Sneaker Shop for their 20th Anniversary, Henry’s Landmark Jewelers for their 50th Anniversary, Monihan Realty for their 75th Anniversary, and Sturdy Savings Bank for their 100th Anniversary. Additionally, Wards, Voltaco’s, and The Islander will be honored for all their years of service to Ocean City.

For dinner reservations, $60 per person, or to congratulate the winners in the 2022 Program Book, please call the Ocean City Regional Chamber of Commerce office at (609) 399-1412 or email info@oceancitychamber.com.