The Mount Olive Area Chamber of Commerce is recognizing Washington Business Improvement District Executive Director Melanie Thiel as its Business Person of the Year. 

Thiel will be honored at the chamber’s annual Business Person of the Year event on Wed. June 12 at The Chandelier at Flanders Valley in Mount Olive Township.

The Business Person of the Year is presented to a chamber member business person who has demonstrated outstanding professionalism in service to the business community. 

In a statement from the chamber, “As Executive Director of the Washington Business Improvement District (BID), Melanie Thiel has significantly contributed to the growth and vitality of local businesses in Washington, NJ and has also helped many of the local chamber businesses as well. Through offering essential resources and grants, Melanie has played a pivotal role in enabling businesses to flourish. Her constant dedication to the business community by coordinating and running numerous events annually, including Northwest New Jersey’s largest music and street festival, the Festival in the Borough, ultimately aimed at raising awareness and drawing attention to the businesses in Washington Borough.”

“This is a great honor,” said Thiel. “I am humbled that I have been chosen. I feel that this is an award not just for me, but for the entire Washington business community.”

The WBID joined the chamber several years ago and through the membership, Thiel actively promotes Washington events to a wide ranging audience in the tri county area. 

“The relationship with the Mount Olive Chamber has been extremely beneficial to Washington,” said Thiel. “Not only is it an avenue for us to reach a different crowd for our events, but many times it also translates into sponsorships that help fund these events.” 

Thiel started with the WBID in May 2018 after a long tenure as the Station Manager at WNTI Radio. She was named the Executive Director of the WBID in March 2019.