Listen to this article

Pantone
Carlstadt

Headquartered in Carlstadt, Pantone is the world’s leading authority on color intelligence, providing the universal language that enables color-critical decisions across every stage of the creative and manufacturing workflow. Trusted by more than 10 million designers and producers worldwide, Pantone shapes how color is understood, communicated, and applied across industries globally.

The Pantone Color Institute serves as the research and creative engine behind some of the most recognized color moments in culture, including the annual Pantone Color of the Year, Fashion Runway Color Trend Reports, and expert color consulting for brands and manufacturers worldwide.

Pantone backs that cultural authority with a powerful platform that puts decades of proprietary color expertise directly in the hands of creatives at every stage of the process. Leveraging advanced X-Rite technology, Pantone delivers precise color consistency across materials. Digital tools like Pantone Connect help designers and brands work accurately between physical and digital color, ensuring what’s imagined translates precisely to what’s produced across every material and medium.

Performance Marketing
Egg Harbor Township

Performance Marketing and Signage (PM) has been a cornerstone of innovation and community impact in South Jersey for 25 years. Founded in 2001, PM specializes in delivering creative marketing solutions, digital strategies, event management, and signage services that drive measurable growth for businesses and communities. Serving industries such as construction, architecture, engineering, utilities, and nonprofits, PM is renowned for its Urban Enterprise Zone frameworks, which significantly boost local economies, including a 177% increase in business participation in Lakewood Township.

PM’s commitment to community development extends to supporting nonprofits like the Southern New Jersey Development Council, the Garden State Council of Scouting America, and the Cumberland Cape Atlantic YMCA, empowering them to achieve their missions through strategic marketing and leadership. With a forward-looking approach, PM integrates AI and automation technologies to provide smarter tools and insights, helping clients scale efficiently in a rapidly evolving market.

Provident Bank
Iselin

Founded in Jersey City in 1839, Provident Bank is the oldest community-focused financial institution based in New Jersey and is the wholly owned subsidiary of Provident Financial Services Inc. (PFS). With assets of $25.20 billion as of March 31, 2026, Provident Bank offers a wide range of customized financial solutions for businesses and consumers with an exceptional customer experience delivered through its convenient network of more than 140 branches across New Jersey and parts of New York and Pennsylvania, via mobile and online banking, and from its customer contact center. The bank also provides fiduciary and wealth management services through its wholly owned subsidiary, Beacon Trust Company, and insurance services through its wholly owned subsidiary, Provident Protection Plus Inc.

Prudential Financial
Newark

Prudential Financial Inc. has called Newark home for the entirety of its 150 years. From its start in 1875 as a company providing affordable life insurance for individuals and families, the company today is a global financial services leader and active global investment manager, through PGIM, with a presence in more than 50 countries and serving over 50 million customers. It boasts approximately $1.576 trillion (versus $1.522 trillion for the year-ago quarter) as of May 5. Prudential says it is dedicated to expanding access to tools and advice to help more people build financial security. Its services include life insurance, investments, retirement, annuities and financial advisors in addition to offering tools and education. Through its Prudential Foundation as well as cross-sector partnerships, Prudential has invested more than $4 billion toward employee ownership, sustainable investing, community development and homeownership, according to the company. In Newark alone, Pru says it has delivered $1 billion in investments to the city. It also continues to sponsor local programs, like the Prudential North to Shore festival.

Public Service Enterprise Group
Newark

Public Service Enterprise Group is a predominantly regulated infrastructure company operating New Jersey’s largest transmission and distribution utility, serving approximately 2.4 million electric and 1.9 million natural gas customers. PSEG also owns an independent fleet of 3,758 MW of carbon-free, baseload nuclear power generating units in N.J. and Pennsylvania. PSEG aims to power a future where people use energy more efficiently, and it’s safer and delivered more reliably than ever. PSEG is a member of the S&P 500 Index and has been named to the Dow Jones Best in Class North America Index for 18 consecutive years. PSEG’s businesses include Public Service Electric and Gas Co. (PSE&G), PSEG Power and PSEG Long Island.

R&J Strategic Communications
Somerville

R&J Strategic Communications is an integrated digital marketing and public relations agency specializing in commercial real estate, healthcare, human services and nonprofit communications. Celebrating 40 years, the agency is a trusted communications advisor to organizations navigating complex industries and a rapidly changing media landscape.
Founded in 1986, R&J has evolved alongside the industry, from the rise of search and social media to today’s AI-driven environment. The agency helps clients stay ahead of change, not react to it.

R&J creates and manages integrated campaigns across owned, earned, shared and paid channels, aligning strategy and messaging to reach target audiences and drive measurable results. Its PR, digital and creative teams work as one to deliver cohesive, data-informed programs that strengthen visibility, credibility and market position.
Driven by its mission to Make a Difference, R&J partners with clients to define success, execute effectively and navigate what comes next.

Riker Danzig LLP
Madison

Founded in 1882 by brothers Chandler and Adrian Riker, Riker Danzig has stood at the forefront of New Jersey’s legal community for nearly 145 years. What began as Riker & Riker grew into one of the state’s most formidable full-service law firms following its landmark 1948 merger with prominent trial attorney Charlie Danzig — a union that cemented a legacy of excellence still felt today.

From the start, the firm attracted and cultivated extraordinary talent. Its alumni and partners include four New Jersey attorneys general, four New Jersey Supreme Court justices, a U.S. attorney general, a U.S. ambassador, and numerous federal and state judges — a testament to the caliber of people Riker Danzig both draws and develops.

Today, approximately 120 attorneys practice across virtually every area of law from offices in Madison, Trenton, and midtown Manhattan. The firm serves some of the nation’s largest public corporations alongside emerging businesses and middle-market companies, delivering sophisticated litigation, corporate, transactional, and regulatory counsel.
What has never changed is the firm’s core commitment: pairing aggressive advocacy with practical, client-centered solutions. Riker Danzig builds lasting partnerships by putting client interests first, aligning legal strategy with business goals, and pursuing results that exceed expectations — all while honoring a deep, enduring responsibility to the communities it serves.

Six Flags Great Adventure
Jackson

For more than 50 years, Six Flags Great Adventure has provided thrill seekers, families, tourists and locals an evolving and entertaining destination in Jackson. The park is well-known for its roller coasters, like the record-breaking fan favorite Kingda Ka, which came down in recent years to make way for another ride. Opened in March 2025, The Flash: Vertical Velocity marked North America’s first super boomerang coaster, according to Six Flags. It comes as part of a more than $1 billion investment the organization plans to make over the next two years at its parks.

Glamping also returns for the season this year at the more than 500-acre resort. The exclusive offering provides an opportunity to get away, with accommodations, VIP dining, spa services and more all set within the on-site safari. In addition to the theme park, the Ocean County amusement park features Hurricane Harbor water park (with 25 attractions), the Wild Safari (and its more than 1,200 animals) and the Savannah Sunset Resort and Spa. In addition to fun, the park also supports the state through its massive hiring efforts. In recent seasons, Great Adventure has aimed to fill 4,000 open positions.

Smarties Candy Co.
Union

Welcome to Smarties Candy Co., a dynamic family-owned business since its establishment in 1949 by the visionary Edward Dee. Today, the company is proudly women-run, led by fifth generation candy makers, co-Presidents Sarah Dee, Jessica Dee Sawyer and Liz Dee, alongside the incredible Smarties Team.

Smarties Candy Co. takes pride in crafting joy through a wide array of delectable treats. With over 2 billion candy rolls produced annually, a commitment to quality and innovation shines through. The company’s candy-making legacy thrives in two state-of-the-art facilities located in Union, and Newmarket, Ontario, where Smarties are meticulously crafted 24 hours a day.

Smarties are more than an iconic candy; they’re a tradition, a symbol of celebration, and a burst of flavor that transcends generations. As the company continues to build sweet memories, Smarties Candy Co. remains dedicated to spreading happiness wherever candy is enjoyed.

Stephen Gould
Madison

Over the course of the past 80-plus years, Stephen Gould has been recognized as a leader within the packaging industry, growing to become one of the largest privately owned packaging sales organizations in the U.S, with 2021 revenue surpassing $940 million. Throughout its history, the company has evolved its expertise from a simple industrial packaging supplier to a complex turnkey partner, with the ability to design, prototype and produce packaging across all mediums, while also providing supply chain management, warehousing and logistics services.

Stephen Gould said it excels through a people-first approach and relentlessly working to get quality products to market, while building trust with our customers and various partners through every engagement. Now in its third generation of family leadership, SG continues to set the standard for performance and service as we pursue creative advances in design, engineering and supply chains that can solve any packaging challenge on both a local and global scale.

T&M Associates
Middletown

Headquartered in Middletown, T&M Associates is a national consulting, engineering, and environmental services company. The company was founded in 1966 and maintains its deep Jersey roots and ties amid its milestone 60th anniversary.

“Not common in our industry. … We are owned by more than a handful of employees. We have no interest in being bought- and no interest in being bought out by private equity. So, it’s a legacy company that’s going to remain a legacy company,” chairman and CEO Gary Dahms told NJBIZ.

T&M is continuing to grow. The firm’s work generally falls into one of five key markets – water, environmental, transportation, community and land development, and buildings and facilities; with the primary driver being infrastructure in all those markets. A heavy emphasis at T&M is focused on company culture and philanthropy through its T&M Associates Foundation, which emerged from the 50th anniversary theme of 50 Ways of Giving. (The company ended up doing some 90 events that year.)

“I’m hoping something like that comes out of the 60th. But whatever it is, it’s going to be a great celebration … And I get to celebrate my 40th anniversary at the same time, which is also nice. It should be a good year.”

Turtle Back Zoo
West Orange

Turtle Back Zoo in West Orange traces its history to In 1962 when the Essex County Park Commission awarded a $400,000 contract to build a zoo on a 15.5 acre section of the South Mountain Reservation in Essex County. The facility was planned as a seasonal zoo designed for children with exhibits based on Hans Christian Anderson nursery rhymes and other children’s stories. There were also farm animals and a miniature antique train ride that took visitors on a mile round trip ride through the zoo’s surrounding woodlands.

In 2006 Turtle Back Zoo earned accreditation by the American Zoo and Aquarium Association, signifying that the zoo adheres to the highest standards for zoos in the country.

In 2025, the zoo opened the $17 million Barry H. Ostrowsky Animal Hospital. At the time, the county said 10,000-square-foot facility will provide updated and expanded care for Turtle Back’s animals and enable the zoo to meet changing requirements from the Association of Zoos and Aquariums and the USDA. In addition, visitors can view the activities in the nursery and treatment area.

Valley National Bank
Morristown

Valley National Bank is the principal subsidiary of Valley National Bancorp and is a regional financial institution with approximately $64 billion in assets. Founded in 1927, Valley has more than 200 offices nationwide and serves clients across New Jersey, New York, Florida, Alabama, California, Illinois, Pennsylvania and Arizona. Valley delivers a full range of consumer, commercial, and wealth management solutions designed to support everything from home ownership and business growth to long-term financial planning. Big enough to support complex financial needs and small enough to stay deeply connected, Valley is grounded in a relationship-led approach focused on understanding people first. That same relationship-led approach guides Valley’s commitment to community investment and responsible corporate citizenship. For nearly 100 years, Valley has remained focused on connecting with people, understanding communities, and earning trust, while helping individuals, families, and businesses navigate life’s most important financial decisions.

Wakefern Food Corp.
Keasbey

Founded in New Jersey in 1946, Wakefern Food Corp. has grown from a cooperative of eight independent grocers into a supermarket industry leader and retail powerhouse in the Northeast.

Headquartered in Keasbey, Wakefern is a retailer-owned cooperative whose members independently own and operate supermarkets under the ShopRite, Price Rite Marketplace, The Fresh Grocer, Dearborn Market, Di Bruno Bros., Gourmet Garage, Fairway Market and Morton Williams banners. With retail sales of $20.7 billion in 2025, Wakefern’s member companies operate stores in nine states — New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Connecticut, Maryland, Delaware, Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Rhode Island.
Wakefern’s unique cooperative model empowers local, family-owned businesses to grow and compete. In addition to running their neighborhood supermarkets, Wakefern members also live, work and give back in the communities they serve by supporting thousands of local organizations.

Wakefern is also a proud sponsor of Special Olympics New Jersey, with nearly 500 Wakefern team members volunteering each year to prepare and serve meals for athletes and their families. Since 1999, ShopRite Partners In Caring has donated $65 million to food banks. And as the title sponsor of the ShopRite LPGA Powered by Wakefern, ShopRite and Wakefern have donated $45 million to regional organizations, hospitals and community groups through their longstanding partnership with the LPGA.

WB Law Coffee Co.
Newark

WB Law Coffee Co. has been in business since 1909, making it the oldest family-founded and operated coffee company in New Jersey – and the second oldest in the U.S.
Based in Newark, the company roasts and distributes coffee to restaurants, cafés, delis, c-stores and foodservice institutions across the Mid-Atlantic region. The company began when Walter Law, an English immigrant, quit his job as a tea broker on Wall Street. Working out of his father’s garage in Dunellen, he started distributing tea and coffee to businesses throughout Central Jersey.

The enterprise survived the Great Depression and expanded, prompting his three sons to pitch in and help pack and roast. When the U.S. entered World War II, Law’s sons all chose to defend their country. However, of the three boys, only one returned – Warren. After that, Warren took on the responsibilities of running the company, growing the business and moving it to its current production facility. His son-in-law, David M. Mendez, joined the company in 1978 and became president in 1984. His son, David W. Mendez, joined business 20 years ago. Then, in January 2020, WB Law Coffee transitioned ownership to David W. Mendez, marking the fifth generation involved with the company.

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