On Friday, February 21, Governor Phil Murphy announced the members of the newly established New Jersey Economic Council. Chamber of Commerce Southern New Jersey (CCSNJ) President and CEO Christina Renna was honored to be named as a public appointee to the Council and is the only member of the Council representing the South Jersey region.

Formed under Executive Order No. 369, the New Jersey Economic Council will serve as a vital forum for collaboration between the business community and state government. Per the Executive Order, its mission is to foster dialogue, address key economic challenges, and drive sustainable growth across New Jersey’s public and private sectors.

On her appointment, Ms. Renna stated, “New Jersey’s business community has many opportunities, as well as challenges, several of which can be overcome by open communication and idea-sharing between government and business. Southern New Jersey is unique and has a very difference economic landscape than our northern brethren, which Governor Murphy recognizes and appreciates. I am humbled by the opportunity to assure that the region’s economic opportunities are communicated, our challenges understood, and to give a voice to the South Jersey business community on the Governor’s Economic Council.”

The Economic Council co-Chairs are Tim Sullivan, Chief Executive Officer of the New Jersey Economic Development Authority and Eric Brophy, Deputy Chief of Staff for Economic Development in the Office of Governor Phil Murphy.

Other members include:

Tom Bracken, New Jersey Chamber of Commerce

Carlos Medina, Statewide Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of New Jersey

John Harmon, African American Chamber of Commerce of New Jersey

Jeff Kowalkowski, New Jersey Builders Association

Chrissy Buteas, HealthCare Institute of New Jersey 

Dan Kennedy, NAIOP New Jersey

Zoe Baldwin, Regional Plan Association

Paulina O’Connor, New Jersey Offshore Wind Alliance 

Doug Tomson, New Jersey Association of Realtors

Peter Connolly, New Jersey Manufacturing Extension Program 



To read the Governor’s press release announcing members of the Council, click here.