The changing business landscape under the new administration presents both challenges and opportunities. How will key policies impact your industry? What strategies can position your organization for success?

Join NJBIZ and our panel of experts as we discuss “What to Expect in the First 100 Days.”

Moderator – Jeff Kanige

Panelist – Tom Bracken

President & CEO
New Jersey Chamber of Commerce 

Thomas A. Bracken became the New Jersey Chamber of Commerce’s president and CEO in February of 2011, taking the reins of the state’s business advocacy organization as it celebrated its 100th year. 

The Skillman resident and former bank executive served as chairman of the New Jersey Chamber of Commerce’s Board of Directors from 2005 to 2007, and has been involved in the Chamber for four decades. 

In 2017, Bracken helped establish and became co-chair of Opportunity NJ, a coalition of major state business organizations supporting government policies that pave the way for job growth, affordability and prosperity in the state. In 2014, Bracken was named chairman of Forward NJ, a coalition promoting investment in the state’s transportation infrastructure. Also in 2014, Bracken was inducted into the New Jersey Business Hall of Fame. 

Prior to taking the reins of the NJ Chamber, Bracken spent 40 years in the banking and financial services industry, serving as president of TriState Capital Bank’s New Jersey operation from 2008 to 2011. He was president and CEO of Sun Bancorp, Inc. from 2001 to 2007. He also held executive positions with First Union Bank and CoreStates Financial Corporation. He is a former chairman of the Economic Development Corporation of Trenton and of the New Jersey Bankers Association. 

Bracken, a Bucknell graduate, is the chairman of the New Jersey Alliance for Action Foundation; and a board member for Junior Achievement of New Jersey, the New Jersey Hall of Fame, Public Media NJ, and Solix Inc. He currently serves on the United States Chamber of Commerce Economic Task Force and the United States Chamber of Commerce Committee of 100.

Panelist – Luis De La Hoz

Chairman
Board of Directors of New Jersey Statewide Hispanic Chamber of Commerce SHCCNJ

Luis De La Hoz is First Vice President, Regional Director Community Lending NJ at Valley Bank and is responsible for helping local small and mid-sized businesses with their financial needs. He also works with business to develop strategies for growth, with particular emphasis in supporting organizations with Latino and minority leadership. 

Throughout his career De La Hoz has worked with major community involvement organization and other groups in various leadership roles. He is the Chairman of the Board of Directors of New Jersey Statewide Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (NJ-SHCC), the largest Chamber of Commerce by membership in the state. New Jersey BNI Hawks Chapter, Chairman of the Hispanic Small Business Council, Business Track Coordinator – Latinos in Social Media Conference, and Board Member of Middlesex County Workforce Development. 

Prior to joining Valley, De La Hoz was VP Community Business Development BCB Bank, Senior VP of Lending with The Intersect Fund and a manager at MarMar, LLC, providing personal income tax firm servicing low- and moderate-income families in the community.  He is an active media commentator and a top social-media influencer in the Hispanic community, resulting in recurring guest spots on Univision, NJTV, and several radio programs. 

De La Hoz earned his bachelor’s degree in Economics from the Autonoma University of Manizales in Manizales, Colombia, and a certificate in Management from the University of the Andes in Bogotá, Colombia. He also graduated from the Entrepreneur Pioneer Initiative from Rutgers in December 2012.

Panelist – Hal English

President & CEO
Princeton Mercer Regional Chamber of Commerce 

Hal English is President and CEO of the Princeton Mercer Regional Chamber of Commerce located in Princeton, NJ. He also serves as President of the Mercer County Convention and Visitors Bureau and is an elected Robbinsville Township Councilman. 

Hal is the former Director of Community Development for Robbinsville Township and Economic Development Director for Hamilton Township and was a commercial and retail banker responsible for business banking throughout Mercer County.  

He is a fellow of both the National Alliance of Business Leadership and Leadership New Jersey and has served on many boards and commissions in the community such as: Foundation Director at Mercer County Community College and trustee of both the Delaware Valley United Way and Project Freedom. He also served as a board member of Mercer Alliance to End Homelessness, the Trenton Downtown Association and the Hamilton YMCA and mentored as a Big Brother.  

He has received many honors and most proud of his Community Service Award from Contact of Mercer, Humanitarian Award from Kidsbridge, and Community Quarterback Award from United Way of Greater Mercer County and the Legacy Award from Big Brothers Big Sisters.