July 25, 2018 | Press Release.pdf

Governor Murphy Congratulates Lian & Mueller for Service to Individuals with Disabilities

PRINCETON, NJ (July 25, 2018) – Recently, Community Options presented the Betty Pendler Award to Community Options Enterprises Chairman Philip Lian and his wife Joan Mueller. Following that, a letter from New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy’s office arrived congratulating Lian and Mueller for the accolade and also for their years of service to individuals with disabilities.

The Betty Pendler Award recognizes leadership and philanthropy on behalf of people with disabilities. Each year, the award is given to those who exemplify the mission of Community Options and demonstrate their commitment to ensuring that people with disabilities live their best lives in communities of their choosing. Past recipients of include Ambassador Nikki Haley, Governor Tom Kean, Elaine Katz of Kessler Foundation, Senator Joe Kyrillos, and Gail B. and Senator Robert Gordon.

Lian was recently appointed Chair of the Board of Directors of Community Options Enterprises (COE). COE operates entrepreneurial businesses that actively integrate people with disabilities into the workforce.

“Phil is as brilliant as he is benevolent with his support and time,” said Robert Stack, President and CEO of Community Options. “His advice is invaluable, and his expertise and values are second to none.”

Mr. Lian brings more than 30 years of finance, insurance, and risk management expertise. For the past twelve years, he has managed his own financial services and insurance practice. Throughout his tenure as a Board Member of COE, Mr. Lian has been instrumental in expanding critical housing and employment programs for individuals with disabilities. His leadership helped establish two new programs in New Jersey; the Red Ribbon Academy in Hillsborough, which opened in 2016, and Vaseful in Princeton, opening later this year. The Red Ribbon Academy provides quality day services that foster growth and progress to adults with disabilities who are medically fragile. Vaseful, which currently has one location in Edison, is a full-service retail flower and gift shop. While serving local and online customers as a traditional florist, this unique business also provides employment and training for people with disabilities in an integrated setting.

Mr. Lian serves as a trustee for the Wagner Free Institute of Science of Philadelphia and Xaverian High School. He also chairs the Insurance Committee and is a member of the Finance Committee for the Union League of Philadelphia. Mr. Lian holds a B.A. degree from Fordham University with majors in Finance and Economics.

Governor Murphy is a supporter of Community Options and visited one of their entrepreneurial businesses, the Daily Plan It, in 2016.

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About Community Options, Inc.:

For over 29 years, Community Options has developed housing and employment programs for people with disabilities – serving thousands of people through over 40 offices across 11 states. Community Options provides advocacy assistance to empower people with disabilities because all people – regardless of ability level – should live and work in the community with dignity, choice and self-determination.
For more information please visit our website: www.comop.org and to follow along with the ComOpCares campaign, search #ComOpCares on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.