Michael Renna, the president and CEO of SJI, has been named the inaugural recipient of the Good Guy Award by the New Jersey Business & Industry Association (NJBIA). The award was presented at the 11th Annual Women Business Leaders Forum, an event that celebrates the advancement of women in business and promotes diversity in leadership.

NJBIA President and CEO Michele Siekerka praised Renna for his commitment to inclusivity and for ensuring his team “represents the whole of the workforce.” She also highlighted his dedication to the community, noting that SJI employees donated over $176,000 in critical support to local organizations in 2024 alone.

Renna has led SJI for over a decade, during which the company has not only expanded its utility footprint in New Jersey but also become a national leader in energy infrastructure. Under his leadership, SJI developed one of the country’s largest renewable natural gas (RNG) platforms, including the Linden Renewable Energy (LRE) Project, which is poised to be the largest RNG project in North America once operational.

In his acceptance speech, Renna emphasized the importance of corporate social responsibility. “It is important that we continue to remind ourselves of the indelible impact that our contributions can have on others and in the communities we serve,” he said. In addition to his role at SJI, Renna serves on several boards, including the NJBIA and Junior Achievement of New Jersey, further demonstrating his commitment to community and business leadership.