Commerce Bank Heliport

The heliport's closure was a direct result of corporate restructuring and a fundamental change in management philosophy. The facility was intrinsically linked to the travel habits of Commerce Bank's founder and CEO, Vernon Hill. Following his ouster from the company in mid-2007 and the subsequent acquisition of Commerce Bank by TD Bank, which was finalized on March 31, 2008, the corporate helicopter was sold off as an unnecessary extravagance by the new, more conservative management. With no aircraft to serve, the heliport was permanently closed.

The site is now a large corporate office and retail branch for TD Bank, the successor to Commerce Bank. The physical helipad, a circular asphalt pad with a faded 'H' marking, is still visible on the ground in the northwest corner of the property, adjacent to the building and parking lot. However, it is completely inactive and no longer maintained or certified for aviation use. It now exists simply as a remnant piece of pavement on the corporate campus grounds.

The Commerce Bank Heliport was a private facility that played a significant role in the unique corporate culture of Commerce Bank during its peak. It was not used for public or general aviation but served exclusively as a base for the bank's corporate helicopter, a Sikorsky S-76. The bank's founder, Vernon Hill, famously used the helicopter to conduct hundreds of 'surprise' visits per year to the bank's extensive network of branches throughout New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, and Delaware. This practice was a hallmark of his hands-on, high-energy management style, aimed at ensuring his 'Wow!' customer service standards were met. The heliport at the major Toms River corporate office was a key node in this private transportation network, symbolizing the bank's rapid growth, wealth, and operational intensity.

There are no known plans or prospects for reopening the heliport. Its original purpose was tied specifically to the unique business model and management style of a previous corporate entity and its founder. The current owner, TD Bank, operates with a different corporate culture and travel policy that does not include the use of a private helicopter fleet. Therefore, the facility is considered obsolete, and its reopening is highly unlikely.