Three top leaders were inducted into the Business Hall of Fame by Junior Achievement of New Jersey on Thursday.
Investors Bank CEO and President Kevin Cummings, Merck Chairman and CEO Kenneth Frazier and New Jersey Business & Industry Association CEO and President Michelle Siekerka were honored at an event Thursday evening that packed a room with more than 500 attendees.
Siekerka said working with Junior Achievement is an engaging experience, and fits well with the goals of NJBIA.
“What they do to prepare New Jersey’s future work force — we’re proud to partner with them on that,” she said. “This is very special. This is a very special community. When you bring youth together with business, it’s incredible. When I heard these young people speak tonight, I feel so inspired, and I feel like there is hope for the future. Some days, I feel like I get jaded because we’ve got so much negative energy around, and then tonight I get really pumped. So, it’s great for me because I go back to the office tomorrow and I (know) I’m doing it for them. We’ve got to make New Jersey work for them, they have to be here.”
Cummings said having an organization like Junior Achievement is great for New Jersey businesses, especially since they can directly impact the future of the young adults’ lives.
Frazier said the opportunity for the young kids at Junior Achievement is immense, especially in the Garden State.
“We think New Jersey is a great place to do business — that’s why we are headquartered here,” he said.
