8-K

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 8-K

CURRENT REPORT

PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE

SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

Date of report (Date of earliest event reported): November 20, 2008

CENTER BANCORP, INC.

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)

New Jersey	2-81353	52-1273725
(State Or Other Jurisdiction Of Incorporation)	(Commission File Number)	(IRS Employer  Identification No.)
2455 Morris Avenue, Union, New Jersey		07083
(Address of principal executive offices)		(Zip Code)

Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (800) 862-3683

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions (see General Instruction A.2. below):

o Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

o  Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

o Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act(17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

o Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

Item 5.02. Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers; Compensation Arrangements of Certain Officers.

On November 20, 2008, the Registrant's Board appointed one new member of the Registrant's Board, Nicholas Minoia. The appointment is effective January 1, 2009. Mr. Minoia, age 53, is, and has been for more than the past five years, a principal of Diversified Properties, L.L.C., a full-service real estate group.

Mr. Minoia has not yet been named to any committees of the Registrant's Board. It is anticipated that committee designations will be made during the first quarter of 2009.

2

SIGNATURE

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

	CENTER BANCORP, INC.
	By:	/s/ Anthony C. Weagley
	Name:	Anthony C. Weagley
	Title:	President and Chief Executive Officer
Dated: November 26, 2008

EX-99.1

Center Bancorp, Inc. Names Nicholas Minoia to the Board of Directors

UNION, NJ -- (Globe Newswire) -- 11/26/08 -- Center Bancorp, Inc. (NASDAQ: CNBC), parent company to Union Center National Bank of Union, New Jersey, announced that at its Board meeting on November 20, 2008, the Corporation named Nicholas Minoia to the board of directors effective January 1, 2009.

Mr. Minoia is a developer and principal of Diversified Properties (Summit, New Jersey). A former founding partner of Pinnacle Communities and past President of Westminster Communities, Mr. Minoia is a well-known, respected builder and developer with over 25 years of diverse experience.

In the last two decades, Mr. Minoia has been a dynamic central figure in the development and redevelopment of thousands of residential units, including single-family homes, active adult communities, town homes and condominium units.

In a joint statement Alexander A. Bol, Chairman of the Board and Anthony C. Weagley, President & CEO indicated that "Mr. Minoia exhibits the talents that will bring an additional dimension to our Board and compliments the depth and mix of expertise of the current board during a period of accelerated change and business expansion, particularly in the lending arena."

Mr. Bol further indicated, "Our Board members welcome his commitment to the Corporation, demonstrated by his willingness to serve as we continue to execute our strategic plan building our market share and business relationships in the Northern New Jersey area."

Mr. Minoia has been named to the Board of Directors of the Registrant.

About Center Bancorp

Center Bancorp, Inc. is a Financial Services Holding Company and operates Union Center National Bank, its main subsidiary. Chartered in 1923, Union Center National Bank is one of the oldest National banks headquartered in the state of New Jersey and currently the largest commercial bank headquartered in Union County. Its primary market niche is its commercial banking business. The Bank focuses its lending activities on commercial lending to small and medium sized businesses, real estate developers and high net worth individuals.

The Bank, through its Private Wealth Management Division which includes its wholly owned subsidiary, Center Financial Group LLC, and through a strategic partnership with American Economic Planning Group, provides financial services including brokerage services, insurance and annuities, mutual funds, financial planning, estate and tax planning, trust, elder care and benefit plan administration. Center additionally offers title insurance services, in connection with the closing of real estate transactions, through two subsidiaries, Union Title Company and Center Title Company.

The Bank currently operates 13 banking locations in Union and Morris counties in New Jersey. Banking centers are located in Union Township (6 locations), Berkeley Heights, Boonton/Mountain Lakes, Madison, Millburn/Vauxhall, Morristown, Springfield, and Summit, New Jersey. The Bank also operates remote ATM locations in the Chatham and Madison, New Jersey Transit train stations, and the Boys and Girls Club of Union.

While the Bank's primary market area is comprised of Morris and Union Counties, New Jersey, the Corporation has expanded to northern and central New Jersey. At September 30, 2008, the Bank had total assets of approximately $1.0 billion, total deposit funding sources, which includes overnight repurchase agreements, of $677.1 million and stockholders' equity of approximately $80.6 million. For further information regarding Center Bancorp, Inc., call 1-(800)-862-3683. For information regarding Union Center National Bank, visit our web site at http://www.centerbancorp.com

CONTACT: Center Bancorp, Inc.

Investor Inquiries:

Anthony C. Weagley, President & Chief Executive Officer

(908) 206-2886

Investor Relations:

Joseph Gangemi

(908) 206-2886