Chrissy Buteas, the highly respected chief government affairs officer for the New Jersey Business & Industry Association, is leaving the organization for a high-profile job at Altice USA, it was announced Monday.
Chris Emigholz, the current vice president of government affairs at NJBIA, will be elevated to the chief government affairs role.
Buteas will serve as vice president of government affairs for Altice USA, a national communications and media company. In this role, she will lead teams in New Jersey, New York and Connecticut. She will be based in Long Island City.
Buteas will remain with NJBIA through the end of September.
NJBIA CEO Michele Siekerka had praise for both Buteas and Emigholz.
“We are extremely grateful for the leadership, intellect, strategy and passion that Chrissy has brought to NJBIA over the past four years,” Siekerka said. “Her tireless efforts have ensured that NJBIA is the strongest voice for business in New Jersey.
“She will be greatly missed here at NJBIA, but we wish her all the best with her exciting new opportunity, and we very much look forward to working with her in the future.”
Siekerka said NJBIA is fortunate to have Emigholtz, too.
“Chris is well-known and well-respected in Trenton for his knowledge and expertise on economic development and taxation issues in New Jersey,” she said. “He is a true champion of New Jersey’s business community who will grow into a great leader of our tremendous government affairs team.”
Emigholz served as NJBIA’s associate vice president of education & workforce development policy from 2005-2010, before working as associate executive director/budget director for the Senate Republican Office. He rejoined NJBIA as vice president of government affairs in 2019.
Most recently, Emigholz was the driving force behind legislation to reduce the $1 billion unemployment insurance tax increase on New Jersey small business and a law enacted by Gov. Phil Murphy this summer that expands teen worker hours.
Siekerka also announced the promotion of Vice President of Government Affairs Ray Cantor to deputy chief government affairs officer and Director of Government Affairs Alexis Bailey to vice president.
Emigholz will lead a government affairs team that also includes Director of Economic Policy Research Kyle Sullender and associates Marcy DePula and Jaimie Freeman.
