Listen to this article

Jersey City Medical Center
Jersey City

For over 140 years, Jersey City Medical Center has served as a pillar of healthcare excellence in Hudson County. As the region’s only state-designated trauma center and provider of open-heart surgery, the Medical Center delivers equitable, world-class care to one of the nation’s most diverse populations. JCMC continues to define regional healthcare standards through strategic investment and technical leadership: Cardiovascular & Oncology: Launched TAVR procedures and the Madeline Fiadini LoRe Foundation Infusion Center, bringing NCI-level cancer care in partnership with Rutgers Cancer Institute. Maternal & Pediatric Care: Home to a Level III Regional Perinatal Center, the Lord Abbett Maternity Wing and the Abercrombie Guild Pediatric Emergency Department, Hudson County’s only dedicated pediatric ED. Validated Quality: The Medical Center is a four-time Magnet designated hospital for nursing excellence, and its recent 2026 accolades include Newsweek’s “Best Maternity Care Hospitals” and named a Best Hospital for Maternity by U.S. News and World Report. Beyond the bedside, Jersey City Medical Center addresses social determinants of health through its Food FARMacy. This initiative integrates clinical care with food security, providing fresh produce and nutrition education to residents diagnosed with chronic illnesses. By combining high-tech surgical growth with high-touch community outreach, Jersey City Medical Center remains a transformative healthcare resource in New Jersey.

Jersey Mike’s Subs
Tinton Falls

From one shop in Point Pleasant founded in 1956, Jersey Mike’s has become one of the fastest-growing eatery chains in the country. The seaside location allowed the store to gain popularity among vacationers from New York and Philadelphia. Now, the Jersey vibe is seemingly everywhere. In recent years, the franchise has hit several milestones – surpassing 3,000 locations systemwide and landing an agreement with a restaurant group to open 300 Jersey Mike’s shops across Canada over the next decade.

The company ranked No. 1 on Entrepreneur magazine’s Franchise 500 in 2026.

In March 2025, private equity giant Blackstone completed an acquisition of a majority stake in Jersey Mike’s reportedly valued at $8 billion. Founder and former CEO Peter Cancro – who famously got his start in the business working in the original Point Pleasant store as a teenager – retained what the parties called a significant equity stake in the company. This year, Jersey Mike’s Subs signed a lease to move to its headquarters to Bell Works Fort Monmouth.

Johnson & Johnson
New Brunswick

Chances are, you have a product manufactured by New Brunswick-based Johnson & Johnson in your medicine chest right now. Founded in 1886, the company is responsible for developing some of the most well-known health care brands in the world, including Band-Aid, Johnson’s Baby powder, Tylenol, Benadryl and Listerine.

J&J has evolved significantly since its founding, especially over the past few years. The biggest move was the spinoff of Kenvue, the world’s largest pure-play consumer health company and now the producer of those iconic brands. Johnson & Johnson now focuses on pharmaceuticals and medical technology.

And it is still big. In April J&J reported first-quarter sales growth of 9.9% to of $24.1 billion and adjusted earnings per share of $2.70. That same month, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration also approved the expanded use of Johnson & Johnson’s Caplyta to help stop relapse in patients with schizophrenia.

Kayco
Bayonne

Headquartered in Bayonne, Kayco is a family-owned, kosher and multicultural food supplier and manufacturer with distribution in more than 40 countries as well as independent grocers and major supermarket chains across the U.S. With more than 5,000 products and 175-plus brands, Kayco offers a wide variety of categories, including juices, confections, snacks, condiments, baking needs and general-purpose products.

In addition to being the nation’s largest kosher food purveyor, Kayco sources and distributes products to the general market to help meet the demands of consumers looking for specialty food products that are healthful, convenient and/or for restricted diets and lifestyles. A family business that spans nine generations, Kayco’s biggest brands include Kedem and Gefen. In recent years, the company unveiled a refresh of one of the most iconic and recognizable names in its kosher division – Manischewitz. Founded in 1888, Manischewitz has been a stalwart in American Jewish culture for over 130 years.

The Kislak Co. Inc.
Woodbridge

The Kislak Co. Inc., headquartered in Woodbridge, is a leading commercial real estate brokerage firm consistently recognized for its investment sales success. Established in 1906, Kislak credits its market leadership position and longevity to its ability to offer clients a personalized, hands-on approach, coupled with the unrivaled expertise of its long-tenured team of professionals. Kislak’s prestigious client base includes individual investors and owners, partnerships, financial institutions, and REITs. The firm’s 35 professionals provide comprehensive market coverage throughout New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Delaware and Florida. Within these markets during the last 10 years alone, the office has closed more than 1,800 transactions valued at over $6.5 billion.

McCarter & English LLP
Newark

McCarter and English is a full-service law firm with more than 425 lawyers across 12 offices – including Newark, New York, Boston, Philadelphia, Miami, Wilmington, Hartford, Stamford, Indianapolis, East Brunswick, Trenton, and Washington, DC – delivering sophisticated legal solutions nationwide.
For more than 180 years, Fortune 100, midmarket and emerging growth companies have relied on McCarter to handle complex transactional, intellectual property, and litigation matters. The firm says its cross-functional teams collaborate seamlessly across offices and practices, offering insight into the regulatory and market forces shaping the industries it serves, including the life sciences, technology, financial, healthcare, insurance and manufacturing sectors.
Clients benefit from the firm’s relationship-driven approach; deep understanding of businesses and their legal needs; and a lean, efficient service model that prioritizes value, transparency and responsiveness. Whether advancing a strategic transaction, protecting innovation, navigating regulatory hurdles, or resolving high-stakes disputes, McCarter & English is committed to helping clients move their businesses forward.

Minno & Wasko Architects and Planners
Lambertville

Minno & Wasko Architects and Planners is an award-winning, mid-sized firm with offices located in Lambertville and Newark. According to the firm, it serves the Northeast region, specifically New Jersey, Philadelphia, New York, and Connecticut. Established in 1995, Minno & Wasko says it is committed to quality design, meticulous detailing, superior materials, and energy efficiency. As the firm grew, it continued to receive recognition from its peers with industry awards. Today, its services include architectural design, planning, interior design, and structural engineering for commercial, mixed-use, and residential properties.

NAI James E. Hanson
Teterboro

NAI James E. Hanson is a full-service commercial real estate firm founded in 1955, focused on helping clients navigate buying, selling, leasing, and managing over 7 million square feet of properties across office, industrial, retail, and investment sectors. As part of the global network of NAI Global, the firm combines strong local market knowledge and international reach with over 325 offices worldwide. The company is currently spearheaded by William “Bill” Hanson, the third generation to run the firm.

NAI James E. Hanson has a strong track record of attracting top-tier talent, including 13 professionals holding the prestigious SIOR designation, the highest of any firm in New Jersey. NAI Hanson has two offices in New Jersey, in Teterboro and Parsippany. With over 85 employees, the company continues to expand.

NAI James E. Hanson is also committed to giving back to the communities it is part of. Partnering with various nonprofit organizations and charities each year – including The Arc of Bergen and Passaic Counties, Jersey Cares and Center for Food Action New Jersey (CFANJ) – the firm organizes food drives, coat drives, school supply drives, fundraisers and gift donations for families in need during the holidays. Hanson encourages all employees to participate and ensures the company makes a contribution equal to the donations raised by the team.

New Jersey Devils
Newark

The New Jersey Devils are part of the 32-team National Hockey League, with teams throughout the United States and Canada. Established in 1982, the team recently celebrated its 40th season in the Garden State. During that time, the Devils have won three Stanley Cup Championships: 1995, 2000 and 2003. The New Jersey Devils organization is a HBSE (Harris Blitzer Sports Entertainment) property.

NJM Insurance
West Trenton

NJM Insurance was founded in 1913 in response to then-Gov. Woodrow Wilson’s push to provide injured workers with medical care and partial wage replacement. The original company, known as New Jersey Manufacturers Casualty Insurance Co., became the state’s largest carrier of workers’ compensation by the 1940s.

The West Trenton-based insurer expanded into other lines, such as automobile and homeowners insurance. It is now considered a leading insurer in the Mid-Atlantic region, offering personal insurance products to consumers in New Jersey, Connecticut, Maryland, Ohio, and Pennsylvania. The company also works with a preferred network of independent agents to deliver business insurance in New Jersey, Connecticut, Delaware, Maryland, New York, and Pennsylvania.

NJM operates in a mutual fashion for the benefit of its policyholders and has been consistently recognized for award-winning customer service, superior claims handling, and overall customer satisfaction. The company prioritizes the community through ongoing charitable contributions toward organizations that support arts and culture, health, education, social services, safety, and financial literacy, as well as year-round employee volunteer efforts at local nonprofits and a formal corporate giving program.
NJM is led by President and CEO Carol Voorhees, a 30-year veteran of the company who has played a key role in driving its strategic growth.

Nokia Bell Labs
Murray Hill

Nokia Bell Labs recently celebrated its 100-year legacy in New Jersey with a celebration at its current base in Murray Hill that drew industry stakeholders, customers, then-Gov. Phil Murphy and others. The milestone came in the wake of the company’s recommittal to the Garden State, with a planned move to the HELIX project in downtown New Brunswick.
That H-2 building is slated to open by 2028. The site will keep the company’s innovative streak flowing here in the Garden State. Nokia Bell Labs is also working to spread that mindset, partnering with the state on a Strategic Innovation Center that will initially open in Union County before later moving to New Brunswick.
Nokia Bell Labs’ work has pioneered advances on Earth, such as the transistor, lasers, the solar cell and digital communications. In 2024, the organization and Intuitive Machines Inc. completed final integrations for a project that aims to launch the first cellular network on the moon. Other initiatives include quantum and artificial intelligence – another area of collaboration with the state – and foundational technologies.

Nylabone
Neptune City

Nylabone, a leader in healthy chewing since 1955, crafts high-quality chew toys, tasty chew treats, exciting play toys, and innovative dental solutions. A family-founded company, Nylabone has a history of helping pet parents take the best possible care of their dogs. It is committed to developing world-class solutions for destructive chewing, separation anxiety, dental health, and more, helping dogs live fuller, happier lives. Recommended by veterinarians, Nylabone products encourage a positive relationship between humans and their furry best friends. To put it simply, “Nylabone Chews Best!” Nylabone is a brand owned by TFH Publications Inc., a subsidiary of California-based Central Garden & Pet Co., which has been a leader in responsible animal care for over 70 years.

More In the Lead honorees:
A-C | D-H | I-N | O-Z