The New Jersey Gasoline, Convenience Store, and Automotive Association said it has changed its name to the New Jersey Energy Marketers Group (NJEMG), a move the organization said reflects a broader mission and an expanded approach to representing businesses tied to motor fuel, energy, convenience retail and automotive repair.
The association, which has represented New Jersey’s motorist-serving businesses since 1937, said the transition follows months of discussion and planning by its board of directors.
“This is an intentional evolution of NJGCA,” said Eric Blomgren, executive director of NJEMG. He said the organization has changed names several times over its history to reflect industry shifts, and that the new name “better aligns our identity with today’s industry while preserving our core mission of advocacy, education, and member service.”
Blomgren said the rebrand also includes an expansion of membership to more fully represent the industry supply chain, including fuel distributors and other industry suppliers as regular members.
“By broadening our base, we strengthen our collective voice,” Blomgren said. He said NJEMG will continue to provide legislative advocacy, regulatory engagement, industry information and resources intended to support “innovation, fairness, and clarity in an increasingly complex energy and retail environment.”
Blomgren added that the group expects to remain an active resource for policymakers and regulators, focusing on how laws and regulations affect small businesses, employees and consumers in New Jersey.
“Our association has always been at its best when the industry is united,” said Ebbie Ashabi, president of NJEMG. Ashabi said the name change is intended to better reflect both existing members and businesses expected to shape the industry in the coming years.
“With thousands of locations statewide and tens of thousands of employees, our members are essential to New Jersey’s economy and local communities, and they deserve strong, modern representation,” Ashabi said.
The association said its members span more than 6,500 locations statewide, including about 2,300 gas stations. Those stations collectively sell 4.5 billion gallons of motor fuel annually. The group’s members employ more than 45,000 people, with an annual payroll exceeding $1.5 billion, and that most member businesses are independent or franchisee-owned small businesses with fewer than 10 employees.
NJEMG said it will continue operating as a nonprofit trade association serving dues-paying members and advancing the interests of businesses that serve New Jersey motorists, including motor fuel retailers, convenience stores and automotive repair shops.
