Event To Honor 3 Cape May County Leaders For Service

WILDWOOD, NJ — Scouting America’s Garden State Council will honor three Cape May County leaders later this month at its 2026 Cape May County Distinguished Citizens Award Reception in Wildwood.

The council announced that Assemblyman Antwan L. McClellan, Assemblyman Erik K. Simonsen and Barbara Stafford Jones, president and CEO of the Cape May County Chamber of Commerce, will be recognized at the event.

The reception is scheduled for Tuesday, Oct. 27, at 5:30 p.m. at the Wildwoods Convention Center. According to the announcement, proceeds from the event will benefit Scouting America Garden State Council, which serves more than 4,500 youth each year across southern New Jersey.

The Distinguished Citizens Award is presented every year to honor people whose leadership makes a lasting impact on Cape May County and beyond, and who set an example for the next generation of Scouts, according to the council. The evening is expected to bring together business, civic and community leaders for networking, a cocktail reception, dinner and awards. Registration, sponsorship opportunities and event details are available at gardenstatescouting.org/cape-may-dca/.

“Assemblyman McClellan, Assemblyman Simonsen and Barbara Stafford Jones each devote themselves to making Cape May County a better place to live, work and raise a family,” said Patrick Linfors, Scout Executive and CEO of the Garden State Council. “Their leadership in public service and in the community reflects the same character, service and commitment to others that Scouting works to instill in every young person we serve.”

McClellan has represented New Jersey’s 1st Legislative District since 2019 and serves as deputy minority leader of the Assembly Republican Caucus, according to the announcement. A lifelong Ocean City resident, he previously served on the City Council and Board of Education. The announcement also says he is a public information officer and personnel director for the Cape May County Sheriff’s Office and serves in several community leadership roles.

Simonsen has also represented the 1st Legislative District since 2019, according to the announcement. He previously served as a Lower Township councilman and mayor. The council said Simonsen is a retired educator who spent more than 30 years in education, including as a special education teacher, assistant principal, wrestling coach and athletic director at Lower Cape May Regional High School.

Stafford Jones leads the Cape May County Chamber of Commerce as president and CEO, where the announcement says she supports local business, tourism and economic development. She is also a former co-owner of SERVPRO of Cape May and Cumberland Counties and serves on several regional boards, including Atlantic Cape Community College and the Cape May County Coast Guard Community Foundation.