Leslie Anderson
CEO and president
New Jersey Redevelopment Authority
The sudden interest and effort to bring development to underserved communities is nothing new for Anderson, who has been doing amazing work there for decades.
Ras Baraka
Mayor
City of Newark
Baraka, even during a pandemic that has disproportionately impacted his city, has continued to push both commercial and residential projects — and had great success in both areas.
Cory Booker
U.S. senator
State of New Jersey
He may have a federal job, but Booker’s commitment to the state and Newark remains strong as he actively pushes Opportunity Zones and other economic avenues.
Jim Cahill
Mayor
City of New Brunswick
The longtime mayor’s efforts on economic development have transformed New Brunswick into one of the state’s most important (and, when COVID slows, most vibrant) cities.
Tai Cooper
Vice president
New Jersey Economic Development Authority
She is well connected in both the political and business worlds and serves as a key player on all economic development initiatives involving the restart and recovery of the state.
James Davis
Mayor
City of Bayonne
It’s a city on the rise. He is killing it with Harbor View Marketplace, as well as redeveloping the old Chevron site into a massive motion picture and film studio and production facility.
Steve Fulop
Mayor
City of Jersey City
Long a leader in creating both social gains and economic development simultaneously, Fulop has kept the health of his small business community at the forefront of all of his COVID actions.
Joe Kelley
Deputy chief of staff for economic growth
Governor’s Office
The go-to guy for all things economic development in the Governor’s Office, Kelley has worked to ensure the economic health of the state’s business always is top of mind with the governor.
Allison Ladd
Deputy mayor
City of Newark
The pandemic has brought so much of Newark to a standstill, but it hasn’t stopped Ladd from implementing — and accelerating — the mayor’s vision and mission for more housing.
Adrian Mapp
Mayor
City of Plainfield
The city’s two transit stops have more than $600 million of private investment in the pipeline, set to bring in 2,000 residential units and 500,000 square feet of retail and commercial space.
Sheila Oliver
Lieutenant governor, commissioner of Department of Community Affairs
State of New Jersey
Her work in Atlantic City and as head of the DCA cannot be overstated. Gov. Phil Murphy leans heavily on her experience and expertise.
Kevin O’Toole
Chairman
Port Authority of N.Y. and N.J.
From tunnels to bridges to airports, there are an endless number of projects the Port Authority is — and will be —involved in.
Tim Sullivan
CEO and president
New Jersey Economic Development Authority
The future of commercial real estate is based squarely on the health of the businesses that occupy the space. No organization is doing more to help small businesses survive than the EDA.
