2019 Distinguished Citizens Honorees

Commissioner Marlene Caride
Michael Hettesheimer ‘99
Ira J. Kaltman

March 2, 2019
Rockleigh Country Club
Rockleigh, NJ

Commissioner Marlene Caride

Marlene Caride took the oath of office as Commissioner of Banking and Insurance on June 27, 2018. She was named Acting Commissioner by Governor Phil Murphy and began serving on January 16, 2018. Marlene is the first Hispanic to head the department, where she oversees New Jersey’s insurance, banking and real estate industries.

Prior to joining the department, Marlene was a member of the New Jersey General Assembly representing the 36th Legislative District. During her three terms in the Assembly, Marlene served on the Assembly Financial Institutions and Insurance Committee, the Assembly Appropriations Committee and the New Jersey Legislative Select Committee on Investigation. She also chaired the Assembly Education Committee and was vice-chair of the Assembly Transportation and Independent Authorities Committee.

Marlene was a partner in the Union City, N.J., law firm of Gonzalez & Caride. She also served as the municipal prosecutor for the Ridgefield Municipal Court and Zoning Board attorney for the municipalities of South Hackensack, N.J., and Saddle Brook, N.J.

Earlier in her career, Marlene served as legal counselor to the West New York Parking Authority and the alcoholic beverage control (ABC) prosecutor for the city of West New York, N.J. She also served as a special civil part mediator for the Hudson County Superior Court Law Division.

Marlene is a member of the Bar of the Supreme Court of the United States, the New Jersey State Bar Association, the Hudson County Bar Association and the Hispanic Bar Association of New Jersey.

Marlene earned a law degree from California Western School of Law and a bachelor’s degree in education from Fairleigh Dickinson University. She resides in Ridgefield, N.J.

Michael Hettesheimer ‘99

Michael Hettesheimer ’99 is President of Spartech Solutions, LLC in Dover, New Jersey. Spartech is an independent supplier of information technology hardware, software, and support services for all IT needs. Michael founded the company in 2007 with the goal of putting a “Personal Touch” on a business relationship and specializing in excellent service. They offer a wide variety of Enterprise Hardware Solutions and specialize in many hard-to-find spare parts as well as custom professional services. The company has 72 employees worldwide which includes Ramapo alumni. Michael continues to mentor and provide Ramapo students with engaging and challenging internship opportunities. With offices in Dover, New Jersey, Atlanta, Georgia and London, England; Spartech is a staple in the IT community.

Michael’s entrepreneurial talents are most visible in his ownership of Spartech Solutions, LLC., Dover, Sheimer’s Deli & Catering in Denville, Sign-A-Rama in Fairfield, as well as Sparc Management which purchases rental properties throughout New Jersey.

Michael was a member of the Zeta Beta Tau (ZBT) fraternity while at Ramapo and held various leadership positions. He graduated with a B.A. in Communications in 1999. Michael’s brothers, Paul and James are also Ramapo graduates. His niece, Rebecca is currently an undergraduate in the College’s Nursing program.

Michael and his wife, Fran, live in Boonton Township, and are the proud parents of Michelle, Michael, Matthew and Mark. The “Specialty Sandwiches” offered at Sheimer’s Deli are dedicated and named after his Ramapo fraternity brothers. Michael grew up in Kearny, N.J.

Ira J. Kaltman

Ira J. Kaltman grew up in Teaneck, N.J. He is the partner in charge of the Tax Department of Beattie Padovano, LLC, a full service thirty attorney law firm in Montvale, N.J.. The firm has several specialty areas including commercial real estate, community association law, corporate law, commercial litigation, land use, and banking law, as well as employment law, health law, and environmental law. Ira’s specialty is in the tax area where he has headed the Tax Department for over twenty years.

In his forty-plus years of practice, Ira has lectured and written over fifty articles on issues related to taxation, estate planning, asset protection, and tax exempt organizations. He also specializes in planning for public charities and private foundations. Ira has lectured extensively on various tax issues and has hosted and appeared on many regional radio programs. He has testified on pending tax legislation before the House Ways and Means Committee of the U.S. Congress. Ira has also taught Business Law and upper level economic courses at William Paterson University.

Ira raised his two now adult children in Ridgewood, New Jersey and is a recent proud grandfather. He has served on many charitable boards throughout his career. He currently serves on the Planned Giving Committee of the Board of Governors of the Ramapo College Foundation and the Board of Trustees of Bergen Community College Foundation.

Ira’s lifetime passion is photography, both film and digital. He also relaxes by playing golf.

Ira received his B.A. in Economics from Rutgers College in New Brunswick where he was a Henry Rutgers Scholar. He obtained an M.A. in Economics from Brown University. Ira received his law degree from Rutgers Law School and a Master of Laws in Taxation from New York University Law School.

Ira is admitted to practice law in New Jersey and New York.