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Marlene Asselta
Southern New Jersey Development Council

Asselta serves as president of the Southern New Jersey Development Council, where she has dedicated nearly four decades to strengthening South Jersey’s economy. Since 1985, she has led the organization as a collective voice for more than 300 businesses and institutions across the region’s eight counties, advancing policies that promote sustainable, long-term growth and economic competitiveness.

Asselta’s leadership continues to guide the organization as SNJDC celebrates its 75th anniversary, marking a milestone in its legacy of regional advocacy and impact. Her influence extends beyond relationship-building, bridging business and government leadership to deliver strategic advocacy and insight that position South Jersey to compete statewide and beyond.

Asselta’s work spans more than 30 industry sectors, including health care, transportation, manufacturing, tourism and energy, supporting a diverse and durable regional economy. A respected advocate and consensus builder, she has been instrumental in elevating South Jersey’s visibility in statewide economic conversations. Her leadership has earned numerous distinctions, including the New Jersey Chamber of Commerce’s Alice H. Parker Outstanding Woman of Inspiration Award. In an environment often defined by short-term priorities, Asselta is distinguished by her sustained focus on job creation, expanded opportunity for all, and the region’s long-term economic strength.

Geoff Ballotti
Wyndham Hotel & Resorts

From Wyndham Hotel & Resorts’ global headquarters in Parsippany, Ballotti runs the world’s largest hotel franchising company — and he’s doing it with a leadership style that puts people first. When COVID hit, as CEO, Ballotti didn’t just talk about supporting franchisees — he immediately suspended all receivables with no interest charges. That bold move built the trust that transformed the company, with franchisee retention rates improving throughout the pandemic.

He also pioneered a permanent hybrid work model for many positions, giving employees certainty and flexibility when other companies flip-flopped. Under his watch, Wyndham has been named one of the Best Places to Work in New Jersey multiple years running, which isn’t just corporate fluff — it reflects real investments in the state’s workforce.

The Parsippany campus features wellness trails, community gardens that donate produce to local food banks, and flexible work arrangements that respect people’s lives. Ballotti’s also been honored by UJA-Federation of New York for his philanthropic work: one event raised $600,000 for communities in crisis; and hospitality industry leader Jonathan Tisch praised Ballotti’s commitment to treating all people with dignity and respect. Ballotti’s building something bigger than just a hotel empire from New Jersey — he’s proving that putting people first actually works.

Mick Beekhuizen
The Campbell’s Co.

When Beekhuizen took the helm of Camden-headquartered The Campbell’s Co. in February 2025, it marked new leadership for one of New Jersey’s most iconic employers. But Beekhuizen was not some parachute-in executive. He first joined Campbell’s in 2019 as CFO and, since 2022, led the company’s $5.3 billion Meals & Beverages division — proving himself from the inside.

His track record speaks for itself. Beekhuizen played a key role in the $2.7 billion acquisition and integration of Sovos Brands, which brought Rao’s – one of the fastest-growing brands in food – into Campbell’s portfolio.

That strategic move didn’t just look good on paper — it set up the company for sustained growth and real investment in the Garden State. Beekhuizen has continued to drive strong business performance and industry-leading employee engagement — not just revenue numbers, but actual workplace culture. A 155-year-old company with industry-leading engagement? This is leadership that gets it done.

Cathleen Bennett
New Jersey Hospital Association

As CEO of the New Jersey Hospital Association since November 2017, Bennett represents some 400 hospital, health system and post-acute care members, bringing the kind of insider knowledge that makes a big, positive difference. She previously served as New Jersey’s 20th health commissioner under Gov. Chris Christie, so Bennett gets the industry from both sides — regulator and advocate.

When COVID hit, Bennett provided critical guidance to state hospitals on handling the influx of COVID-19 patients, helping them navigate one of health care’s most challenging periods. But Bennett’s vision goes beyond crisis management.

She’s championed population health initiatives focused on keeping people well in their communities; workforce efforts to expand the pipeline of health care professionals during a nationwide shortage; and intense advocacy in Trenton and Washington, D.C., to protect access to care amid health care funding cuts. Most recently, Shore Medical Center honored her with its 2025 Surgical Chairman’s Award for her advocacy on behalf of community hospitals. That’s the real deal — recognition from the people she serves.

Maria Black
ADP

Black runs Roseland-based ADP as chief executive officer, and she’s doing it with leadership that employees respect. In 2025 rankings, ADP, which pays 1-in-6 Americans, claimed the No. 1 CEO spot and the No. 8 for culture, beating out many tech giants; ADP also made Fortune’s Most Admired Companies list for the 20th straight year.

That rare alignment between CEO approval and workplace culture also shows in the company’s financial results: ADP delivered FY2025 net income growth of 9%, to $4.1 billion; and revenue grew 7%, to $20.6 billion. But she’s not just about the numbers.

In 2024, Black pivoted ADP’s focus to embrace the generative AI boom, launching ADP Assist, a new conversational AI interface that dramatically reduced the number of employee support calls. She has a passion for progress through programs supporting women leadership and veterans. She also chairs the ADP Foundation and serves on the Business Roundtable and Wall Street Journal CEO Council. The real story? Black started as a sales associate in 1996 and worked her way to CEO in 2023 — someone who actually understands the business from the ground up, leading one of New Jersey’s most significant employers with genuine impact.

Jennifer Borek
Genova Burns LLC

Borek made history in January 2026 when she became managing partner of Genova Burns LLC — the first woman to hold the top leadership role in the storied firm’s more-than 35-year history. This isn’t just about breaking barriers — it’s about earned leadership.

With over 20 years of experience, Borek established herself as leader of the Commercial Litigation Practice before taking the helm of the Newark-based firm. Her track record speaks for itself: In 2025, she and her team prevailed in a lengthy bench trial in Atlantic County, obtaining an order rescinding an improper transfer of title to real property for their client.

She’s also successfully defended a public agency in a bid protest matter that resulted in a published decision at the Appellate Division in 2022. The recognition keeps coming: Borek was recognized in 2025 by NJBIZ Leaders in Law, and named to the 2025 New Jersey Super Lawyers list, which is reserved for less than 5% of attorneys statewide. Beyond wins, she’s been a passionate advocate for women in traditionally male-dominated industries, deeply committed to mentorship, and paving the way for the next generation of female legal professionals.

Tom Bracken
New Jersey Chamber of Commerce

New Jersey Chamber of Commerce president and CEO Bracken is seen everywhere across New Jersey — business roundtables, television interviews and in the halls of the State House. He will go anywhere, advancing a singular mission: Make New Jersey a great place to live, work, and do business.

Since taking the reins of the Chamber 15 years ago, he has pushed for reductions in the state’s tax burden, cuts in government red tape, and investments in infrastructure. More recently, he is working with the newly inaugurated Sherrill administration to help pave the way for policies that will help New Jersey’s economy thrive. He is impressed by how Sherrill kicked off her tenure: assembling a strong cabinet and instituting a 90-day pause on adopting new state regulations.

Bracken and his Chamber team also bring us the state’s biggest business networking events – the Walk to Washington & Congressional Reception, and the ReNew Jersey Business Summit. The Summit, coming up March 31 and April 1 in Atlantic City, will examine the economic challenges and opportunities ahead for New Jersey. On the national stage, Bracken serves on the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Economic Task Force and its Committee of 100.

Dr. Robert Brenner
Valley Health System

Brenner oversees Valley Health System’s three entities as CEO – The Valley Hospital, Valley Medical Group, and Valley Home Care. The Valley Hospital received the America’s 100 Best Hospital Award by Healthgrades for four years in a row (2023–2026). And it is one of five hospitals in New Jersey, and the only hospital in Bergen County, to receive the award for 2026.

Valley has also been recognized as one of America’s Best-In-State Hospitals in New Jersey for 2026 by Newsweek and Statista Inc. During the past year, Brenner has led Valley through the successful repurposing of its Ridgewood campus, which is home to full-service outpatient laboratory services, outpatient diagnostic imaging, outpatient endoscopy services; Valley’s Wound, Ostomy and Continence Center; The Valley Breast Center; Valley’s Recovery and Wellness Center; and Earl A. Wheaton, Jr., MD, Family Care Center.

In October, Brenner cut the ribbon on the new Valley Health System – Montvale Campus, located at The Shoppes at DePiero Farm. As Brenner marks the hospital’s 75th year, he and Valley remain committed to expanding convenient care options closer to patients’ homes, where they need it most.

Tad Brown
Harris Blitzer Sports & Entertainment

Since August 2021, Brown has served as CEO of Harris Blitzer Sports & Entertainment, overseeing the Philadelphia 76ers, New Jersey Devils, and Newark’s Prudential Center — turning HBSE into one of the world’s most valuable sports empires. By July 2025, HBSE’s portfolio was valued at $14.6 billion, ranking third on CNBC’s global list of sports empires.

Locally, Brown led the effort to elevate Newark into a global entertainment destination. Prudential Center hosts over 210 events annually, positioning Newark competitively in the New York-to-Philadelphia entertainment corridor. The Philadelphia 76ers call Camden their practice home and, with the leadership from Brown and his team, have impacted thousands of members of the community through the sport of basketball and volunteer efforts.

Brown served on Gov.-elect Sherrill’s transition committee and sits on Newark Mayor Ras Baraka’s task force examining development opportunities around Prudential Center as well as working to transform the broader Penn Station district. Before joining HBSE, Brown spent 15 years as CEO of the Houston Rockets, where he helped position the team as one of the NBA’s premier global franchises, as well as a cornerstone of the Houston community. Brown gets it — sports can transform communities, and he’s proving it in New Jersey.

Charles Burton
LeFrak

As head of government and community relations for LeFrak, Burton helps reshape community development in New Jersey. He helped the company capitalize on New Jersey’s film production boom, welcoming major film and TV productions to Newport.

Last year, Newport announced the completion of New Jersey’s largest solar panel installation on a high-rise multifamily residential building at The Beach in Jersey City’s Newport neighborhood — a 180kW, 450-panel rooftop system that will offset 13% of the building’s carbon emissions; equivalent to removing 37 cars from the road every year.

But Burton’s portfolio goes way beyond one building. He championed LeFrak as it invested over $100 million in energy conservation and decarbonization efforts at its properties nationwide, including partnering with electric vehicle-sharing platform Envoy to bring EV carsharing to Newport. That is in addition to positioning Newport, Jersey City as a destination for AI firms. His approach? Make it easy for advances while ensuring community safety and engagement.

Burton previously worked for the New Jersey Turnpike Authority and the New Jersey Legislature, bringing serious government relations experience to the private sector. He gets that sustainable development isn’t just about green tech — it’s about building communities where people actually want to live.

Mitch Cahn
Unionwear

Unionwear President Cahn has built the company into an apparel juggernaut, and one of the largest private employers of Newark residents. The company makes hats, tote bags, backpacks, and messenger bags for the armed services, presidential candidates, fashion brands and domestic manufacturers — focusing on being “Union Made in the USA” and, more specifically, made in Newark.

As the vice chairman of the Newark Regional Business Partnership, a veteran NJ Manufacturing Extension Program director, and former Newark Workforce Development board chair, his impact goes far beyond one company. He’s constantly challenging the state to raise the profile of the state’s manufacturing sector.

Unionwear’s Harris-Walz merchandise went viral in 2024, and the company expects a similar response as the only vendor of USA-made merch for America 250 events and corporate promos. A perfect storm of generational events that follow – the USA-hosted World Cup and Olympics bookend midterm, primary, and presidential elections over the next three years – prompted Unionwear to launch the first fully automated backpack and canvas tote bag facility in North America.

Cahn received the Manufacturing Lifetime Achievement Award from NJBIA and will receive the AFL-CIO’s Businessman of the Year this year. He’s proving that ethical, union-made American manufacturing isn’t just viable, it’s thriving in Newark

Jeff Cantor
New Jersey State Veterans Chamber of Commerce

The founder and CEO of the New Jersey State Veterans Chamber of Commerce, which launched in November 2018, isn’t a typical business leader. Retired U.S. Army Col. Cantor served in 2003 as the civil affairs commander for the Iraq city of Kirkuk, where he helped turn a local Ba’ath party headquarters into a job training center to prevent insurgency through employment.

He brought that problem-solving mindset home. In 2015, New Jersey passed a law setting aside 3% of all state contracts for disabled veteran-owned businesses, but for three years after it became law, hardly any funds were awarded to disabled veteran-owned businesses. Cantor made it his mission to fix this. By 2022, that number jumped to $54 million, or roughly 0.9% of state contracts; still not the mandated 3%, but progress. In the wake of Superstorm Sandy, he raised over $100,000 for veterans and their families.

Cantor works at Braven Health, part of Horizon Blue Cross & Blue Shield, finding ways to enhance health care for veterans. He also runs the Veterans Foundation of America, a charitable nonprofit that focuses on veterans’ physical and mental health. Cantor doesn’t just advocate, he delivers results for New Jersey’s 400,000-plus veterans.

Peter Connolly
New Jersey Manufacturing Extension Program

Connolly became CEO of the New Jersey Manufacturing Extension Program in June 2023, bringing 40 years of executive experience in the aerospace and defense industry and over 13 years on NJMEP’s board. Over a 20-plus year period, NJMEP has helped New Jersey manufacturers realize some $8 billion in value, and under Connolly’s leadership, that momentum continues.

In October 2025, he hosted the state’s largest manufacturing networking event, ‘MADE in NJ’ Manufacturing Day, featuring moderated sessions with both gubernatorial candidates and hundreds of manufacturers, industry stakeholders, students, educators, and legislators.

But Connolly gets that the industry needs fresh talent. He launched the Future Makers & Creators Tour, visiting at least 21 schools in every county throughout New Jersey, with students experiencing Augmented Reality welding, 3D printing, and direct connections with local manufacturers. He’s also expanding access: In 2024, he announced NJMEP would open a South Office at Rowan University’s South Jersey Technology Park to better serve South Jersey manufacturers.

Recently, Connolly was appointed to the board of directors for the Foundation for Manufacturing Excellence and Junior Achievement, giving New Jersey manufacturing a voice on national and educational stages. He’s proving that manufacturing isn’t dying in New Jersey — it’s evolving and thriving.

Anthony Coscia
Windels Marx

Coscia has been called one of the most successful “under the radar” people in the state, which is wild when you consider his resume. Coscia – a partner at the New Brunswick law firm Windels Marx and one of the state’s top real estate attorneys – serves as chairman of the Amtrak Board of Directors (he’s served on the board since 2010) and further serves as vice chairman of the Gateway Development Commission.

As former chair of both the Port Authority and the New Jersey Economic Development Authority, Coscia has been connected to nearly every major project in the region for decades, including the on-again, off-again $16 billion Hudson tunnel project. Coscia previously ran the NJEDA, then the Port Authority, then Amtrak.

He played a leadership role in the rebuilding of Lower Manhattan after 9/11 while Port Authority chairman, and served on Gov. Murphy’s Restart and Recovery Commission during COVID. Coscia is literally helping to build the infrastructure that will define New Jersey’s next century.

Max Crane
Sills Cummis

Crane has built one of New Jersey’s most successful commercial law firms by understanding what clients need. His leadership is marked by adaptability and strategic foresight, all while remaining client-focused and balancing diverse stakeholder expectations. He has instilled a business-oriented, solutions-focused mindset into the firm’s DNA.

Under his guidance, Sills Cummis was named “New Jersey Firm of the Year” 2025 by Benchmark Litigation, the ninth consecutive year of this honor (the 2026 award hasn’t been announced yet), and is consistently ranked among the top-grossing regional law firms.

But Crane isn’t just chasing revenue — he pairs strong legal work with practical business insight. In 2024, recognizing that both clients and attorneys were spending more time in South Florida, Crane launched the firm’s Florida office — a strategic move that positioned Sills Cummis for national growth while maintaining its Northeast roots.

He also gives back, previously serving on the board of trustees for Students 2 Science, and the Montclair Art Museum. Bottom line: Crane joined the firm in 1984 as an associate and worked his way to the top, delivering sustained and growing profitability while expanding strategically. That’s real leadership.

Gary Cross
Maher Terminals LLC

Cross has spent more than 45 years in the container terminal industry, rising through Maher’s ranks from the safety department in 1978 to CEO and president in 2013. That institutional knowledge matters when you’re running the largest privately held marine terminal in North America, handling nearly 2 million containers annually, and the largest employer of ILA labor in the country.

Under his leadership, Maher invested over $650 million in its Port Elizabeth terminal, and plans to invest hundreds of millions more as part of its expansion and newly-signed lease extension until 2063, all while transitioning to electric equipment under his Net Zero 2040 strategy — a full decade ahead of the Paris Agreement.

In 2022, Cross was inducted into The Maritime Association’s Hall of Fame, and in 2025 he was named Person of the Year by the Foreign Freight Forwarders & Brokers Association. During his tenure, Maher repeatedly has been recognized by both its shipping line and trucking customers for providing best-in-class service. Maher has also been recognized for its safety and accident prevention in six of the last eight years. Cross is proving that you can run a massive logistics operation while caring about your workforce and the environment.

James Davis
Quest Diagnostics

Davis became CEO and president of Quest Diagnostics in November 2022; he was elected chairman in March 2023. Leading more than 55,000 colleagues from the company’s Secaucus headquarters, he’s not just maintaining the status quo — Davis is pushing the boundaries of what diagnostic testing can do.

Quest processes over 220 million requisitions annually, serving one-third of all U.S. adults each year. Under Davis’s leadership, the company is pioneering the future of diagnostics, with a vision where blood-based diagnostics increasingly replace imaging tests and AI increasingly assists in pathology

His New Jersey impact is significant. Davis successfully opened Quest’s 250,000-square-foot flagship laboratory in Clifton — one of the largest automated clinical laboratories globally. Davis is proving you can innovate at scale while staying committed to the Garden State.

Joseph DeCotiis Sr.
DeCotiis, FitzPatrick, Cole & Giblin

As managing partner of DeCotiis, FitzPatrick, Cole & Giblin, DeCotiis Sr. leads the firm’s executive committee and is responsible for building measurable success through innovative growth strategies. Under his leadership, the Paramus-based firm has grown to more than 50 attorneys and staff, with additional offices in Edison and Lacey Township, becoming a powerhouse in New Jersey’s legal landscape.

His many roles have included service as general counsel to the New Jersey Turnpike Authority and Bergen Community College, as well as leading public-private partnerships involving water privatization and the redevelopment of former industrial sites.

What else sets DeCotiis apart? He’s a second-generation attorney at the firm his father founded in 1986, bringing both fresh perspective and deep institutional knowledge. Beyond professional accomplishments, DeCotiis co-founded Dearheart Charitable Foundation Inc., assisting cancer patients undergoing treatment and recovery. Additionally, DeCotiis founded the Back Bay Artificial Reef Foundation, a nonprofit organization dedicated to enriching the lives of neurodiverse individuals and disabled veterans through inclusive, water-based educational and recreational experiences. He’s building on his family’s legacy while carving his own path — delivering real results for New Jersey’s public and private sectors.

Paul Di Maio
Delta Dental of New Jersey and Connecticut

Before becoming president and CEO of Delta Dental of New Jersey and Connecticut in January 2025, Di Maio served as senior vice president and chief administrative officer. He is recognized as a leader who deeply understands the organization, which serves more than 2.2 million people across New Jersey and Connecticut.

Under Di Maio’s leadership, the company’s revenues have increased dramatically, with a foundation that has awarded grants spanning 13 counties, reaching more than 14,500 children, seniors, individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, and veterans. The Delta Dental Foundation has awarded $1 million annually in grants to dental clinics, hospitals, and health centers that provide care to underserved populations.

Di Maio is also addressing the dental workforce shortage head-on, as the foundation has committed more than $3 million to eliminate dental assisting and hygiene workforce shortages across the state, investing in the next generation of dental professionals. Di Maio also serves on the boards of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Coastal and Northern New Jersey, Community Foundation of New Jersey, and the New Jersey Chamber of Commerce. Di Maio is focused on ensuring the company’s financial success positively impacts local communities.

Linda Doherty
New Jersey Food Council

For more than 30 years, Doherty has been the driving force behind the New Jersey Food Council, a business trade association representing the state’s $156 billion food distribution industry. Under her leadership, the association has grown in influence in New Jersey and the nation, achieved substantial legislative and regulatory victories, navigated the COVID crisis, and built the Educational Scholarship Foundation.

Established in 2006, the foundation comprised three NJFC student scholarships totaling $6,000, but it has now grown to 32 scholarships totaling $102,500. Supporting the next generation is a priority for Doherty, who states that one of her great successes has been the launch of the NJFC Leadership Development Program, which provides emerging professionals with the tools, hands-on experiences and connections they need to thrive in the food industry.

Her legislative victories include the April 2025 passage of the organized retail crime law, with Doherty declaring that “New Jersey is taking a defiant stance” against professional theft rings. She has also successfully navigated legislation on plastic bag bans, food waste reduction and pandemic-related challenges, and was named to the NJBIZ 2025 Power 100 list, proving that trade associations can deliver real results

Joaquin Duato
Johnson & Johnson

From Johnson & Johnson’s world headquarters in New Brunswick, chairman and CEO Joaquin Duato leads approximately 138,000 employees at an iconic company. He started with J&J in 1989 at Janssen Pharmaceuticals in Spain, working his way up over 33 years.

Under his leadership, J&J is making massive U.S. investments that benefit New Jersey. The company announced it will invest more than $55 billion in the United States over the next four years, including four new manufacturing plants, with an estimated economic impact of more than $100 billion annually.

J&J is also accelerating health care innovation using data science and the latest technology, addressing some of the most challenging diseases.

Duato’s leadership goes beyond business metrics. For nearly a decade, he served as executive sponsor of the African Ancestry Leadership Council, an employee business resource group providing mentorship and professional development.

He was recently named Business Leader of the Year by the Spain-U.S. Chamber of Commerce, and was previously named an Honorable Mentor by the Healthcare Businesswomen’s Association for developing and promoting female leaders. He successfully oversaw the strategic separation of Kenvue, J&J’s consumer health business. Duato shows how to lead a Fortune 50 company while championing inclusion, innovation, and investment in New Jersey.

Saad Ehtisham
Atlantic Health

Appointed president and CEO in July 2025, Ehtisham brought more than two decades of health care experience to Morristown-based Atlantic Health. And he’s got some serious credentials, including recognition as one of Modern Healthcare’s Top 25 Minority Executives in Healthcare, and being named Healthcare Administrator of the Year by Northwest University of Charlotte in 2023.

Here’s what matters for New Jersey: Atlantic Health contributes $2.9 billion to the state economy and has some 24,000 full-time and other employees, making it a critical economic engine for the region. The system serves more than half of New Jersey, covering 14 counties and 7.5 million people through eight hospitals and over 550 sites of care.

Ehtisham’s track record speaks for itself. As senior vice president and president of acute care operations at Novant Health in North Carolina, he achieved significant growth and clinical excellence recognitions from U.S. News & World Report. And Ehtisham is not just an administrator — he started as a nurse, earning his BSN from Texas Woman’s University before completing his MBA, MHA, and Doctor of Health Administration. That clinical foundation, combined with his patient-centric mindset, positions Ehtisham perfectly to lead one of New Jersey’s most important health care systems into the future.

Christopher Eisgruber
Princeton University

Eisgruber has served as Princeton University’s 20th president since 2013, guiding the institution through a decade of expansion and into what he has described as a period requiring sharper focus on core priorities. He has positioned Princeton as a national leader on key issues, such as access, affordability, academic freedom and more.

During his tenure, Princeton has drawn sustained national attention for efforts to increase enrollment of low-income and first-generation students, while also making major investments in research, facilities, and interdisciplinary initiatives. Those investments include work tied to artificial intelligence, such as the New Jersey AI Hub, of which Princeton is a founding partner.

In his 2026 “State of the University” letter, Eisgruber framed the coming years as a transition shaped by institutional values amid changing economic and political conditions. “The publication of Princeton’s strategic framework in 2016 laid the foundation for a historic ten-year investment in people, program, and place,” said Eisgruber. “We have expanded the undergraduate student body, created a new transfer program focused on military veterans and community college students, improved undergraduate financial aid and graduate fellowships, launched new academic programs and strengthened existing ones, and invested boldly in facilities that support Princeton’s academic and cocurricular programs.”

Nariman Farvardin
Stevens Institute of Technology

Farvardin has served as president of Stevens Institute of Technology since 2011, guiding the Hoboken-based university through a decade of rapid growth and national recognition. During his tenure, Stevens climbed to No. 76 among national universities, rising 12 spots in 10 years, while undergraduate applications surged 294% and enrollment increased 62%.

Farvardin has overseen more than $500 million in campus investments, highlighted by the University Center Complex, and nearly tripled research funding through initiatives such as CRAFT and the Stevens Institute for Artificial Intelligence. He also introduced SUCCESS, a forward-looking core curriculum and announced the Stevens School of Computing, set to launch this fall.

In October, he announced The Stevens Investment, which will provide free undergraduate tuition beginning fall 2026 for students from families earning $75,000 or less. “At Stevens, we recognize that exceptional students come from all backgrounds and economic circumstances,” he said. “Our role as an institution is to identify that potential and work to remove barriers that might prevent these talented individuals from accessing the transformative education Stevens provides.”

Dale Florio
Princeton Public Affairs Group

Florio is one of the state’s most influential public affairs professionals, with more than four decades of experience advising organizations on government relations, policy and regulatory matters in New Jersey.

He is the founder of Princeton Public Affairs Group, a Trenton-based firm he established in 1987 that has grown into the state’s leading lobbying and public affairs operation. PPAG has ranked as New Jersey’s top lobbying firm for 22 consecutive years, most recently reporting nearly $11 million in receipts in 2024.

Florio works closely with corporate, nonprofit and association clients, helping them navigate complex legislative, executive and regulatory environments at the state and local level. Under his leadership, PPAG has built a bipartisan team and expanded its services to include strategic communications and federal government affairs through affiliated firms.

In addition to his client work, Florio has remained actively engaged in public service and civic leadership. He has served on local governing bodies, held leadership roles within county and state political organizations, and advised multiple gubernatorial administrations on policy and transition matters.

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