No. 2: Chris Paladino

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If it’s big, chances are Chris Paladino had something to do with it. As president of the New Brunswick Development Corp., Paladino has set the standard for what it means to be a developer in New Jersey. Under his leadership, DEVCO has initiated, developed and managed nearly 5.4 million square feet in residential, commercial, academic and institutional activity valued at over $2 billion by focusing on a unique brand of public-private joint venture partnerships.

Most recently, DEVCO helped bring the state’s first freestanding cancer hospital to New Brunswick in conjunction with RWJBarnabas Health and Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey. The 510,000-square-foot Jack and Sheryl Morris Cancer Center will house inpatient, outpatient and ancillary services, as well as state-of-the-art laboratories where research faculty can provide hands-on educational opportunities for students, and enable physician-scientists to translate scientific findings directly to patients.

Previously, DEVCO and Pennrose LLC opened the $172 million, 23-story New Brunswick Performing Arts Center and residential tower in September 2020 — a partnership with Rutgers University, the George Street Playhouse, Middlesex County, the Crossroads Theatre and American Repertory Ballet.

Paladino is also completing the $220 million Atlantic City Gateway project which includes a new dorm for Stockton University. The public-private partnership includes a city campus for Stockton, and the headquarters for South Jersey Industries – a utility giant whose board of directors Paladino joined this year.