Monica C. Smith, who was named a ROI Influencer in philanthropy, also makes this category.
Jim Barrood
CEO and president
New Jersey Tech Council
The head of the most important tech group in the state, Barrood is charged with keeping the diverse ecosystem together. “He’s a key part of the sector,” one insider said. “There are a lot of different parts to technology — different groups and associations — and there’s the fact it touches all sectors. Jim tries to ensure New Jersey has a unified front it can show to others.”
Jim Gunton; Steve Socolof
Founder and managing partner; managing partner
Tech Council Ventures
The two veteran tech industry investors/executives oversee the venture fund for the New Jersey Tech Council. It partners with early-stage entrepreneurs to build leading-edge businesses that drive superior returns for investors and economic growth in the community.
Donald Katz
CEO
Audible
He not only built one of the most successful tech companies in the state — one that has the backing of Amazon behind it — he’s helping to create new ones. He helped found Newark Venture Partners, an early stage venture capital fund investing in innovative business technology companies in an effort to build a technology ecosystem in Newark.
Eric Levine
Shareholder and executive vice president
Lindabury, McCormick, Estabrook & Cooper
Levine, the co-chair of Lindabury’s Cybersecurity and Data Privacy Practice Group, is an expert in the ever-growing and ever-changing field. “If you do not address the issue, and you bury your head in the sand, chances are, if and when you are confronted with a data breach, you will be woefully unprepared,” he said. “Statistics will tell you that small and medium-sized businesses that are unprepared for cyberbreaches tend not to survive them.”
Aaron Price
Founder
NJ Tech Meetup
In 2010, he founded NJ Tech Meetup, one of the first of its kind in the state. And, in 2016, he created Propelify, a tech festival in Hoboken that has brought in as many as 10,000 people. “He is one of the people who understood the value — and the necessity — of creating a tech community where everyone helps each other,” one insider said.
Suuchi Ramesh
Founder, CEO
Suuchi
One of the fastest-growing companies in the state, Suuchi Inc. represents what happens when technology meets manufacturing. Something one insider said is key: “Marrying technology to other sectors is a key to growth.” Said another: “She’s just a great story of a New Jersey company using technology to grow.”
Donald Sebastian; Judith Sheft
CEO and president; Associate VP
New Jersey Innovation Institute
The longtime leaders of NJII were easy picks, because they are examples of how technology and higher ed can work together. Said one insider of Sebastian: “He knows the ecosystem better than anyone, because he’s been in it for as long as anyone.” Of Sheft: “She’s an enthusiastic supporter and a great person to collaborate with.”
Chris Sullens
CEO
CentralReach
The former head of WorkWave is now hoping to expand Florida-based CentralReach at Bell Works. More than that, he’s setting an example for other leaders. “He’s one of the most well-known CEOs,” one insider said. “And, while the company is still small, he’s a good example of a CEO who is committed to nurturing tech at the state.”
Stephen Welby
Executive director and chief operating officer
Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers
The head of one of the most important tech associations in the world is in Piscataway. An industry icon, one insider said, the state is lucky to have him here. “He is one of the smartest people in the state. He understands the future and is impacting it.”
Marcus Weldon
President
Bell Labs
The biggest no-brainer on the list. Bell Lab continues to be active, continues to innovate, continues its legacy role of leading the way in New Jersey. “We should be hearing more about (what) they are doing, because they are doing a lot,” one insider said.
