An organization committed to the ongoing economic revitalization of Newark found its new leader, following the departure of Aisha Glover in September 2020 to join the Audible team.
Evan Weiss, who currently serves as senior advisor for financial and strategic projects for Gov. Phil Murphy, will take up the CEO role for Newark Alliance on Dec. 1, the nonprofit announced on Oct. 14.
“The Newark Alliance is gaining one of the most trusted and gifted economic development minds in the Garden State,” said the governor in a prepared statement. “Evan is a versatile professional who has helped our state develop and execute highly innovative business growth, infrastructure and economic development programs, particularly as we have begun our recovery from the economic ravages of the COVID-19 pandemic.”
Evan Weiss will take up his post as CEO of Newark Alliance in December. – NEWARK ALLIANCE
Since joining the Murphy administration in 2019, Weiss’s efforts led to a funding plan for the Gateway Tunnel project and the U.S.’s first purpose-built offshore wind port, Newark Alliance said in his hiring announcement, in addition to advising on financing for the entirety of the state’s major infrastructure projects and affordable housing initiatives.
In a statement, Newark Mayor Ras Baraka said he was looking forward to collaborating with Weiss.
“His skills and acumen in the areas of economic and business development will be an invaluable asset as we recover from the COVID-19 pandemic and rebuild Newark’s economic vitality,” he said.
Prior to his work in New Jersey state government, Weiss was founding director of PEL Analytics, a division of the Pennsylvania Economy League, Newark Alliance said. There, he assisted multiple states in setting up Opportunity Zone programs and cultivated strategic plans for cities including Trenton, Philadelphia and Scranton.
In December 2020, De’Shawn Wright joined Newark Alliance as interim CEO from Uber Technologies, where he was senior manager for public policy managing public affairs, policy and communications in the Tri-State Region. He will remain on staff until Dec. 31 to facilitate the transition in leadership, after which he will depart from the organization.
“I am excited and honored to join the Newark Alliance at this critical time in the city’s trajectory,” Weiss said in a prepared statement.
Editor’s note: When this article was published interim CEO De’Shawn Wright’s future trajectory with Newark Alliance was unknown; it was updated at 9:20 p.m. EST on Oct. 14, 2021, to reflect that he will leave the organization as of Dec. 31, 2021.
