Hackensack Meridian Health is promoting Kenny Esser to senior vice president, chief of staff, corporate services and governance, government relations.
HMH officials said the promotion is a way to recognize the work Esser has done since joining the organization in October 2018.
In addition to being responsible for central coordination of activities for CEO Bob Garrett, Esser serves as the liaison to the board of trustees. He also has assumed responsibility for government affairs and has played a significant role in securing funding for Hackensack Meridian School of Medicine at Seton Hall University and led the launch of HMH’s Take Vape Away campaign.
With this promotion, Esser will now have oversight, with the chief marketing officer, of the organization’s internal and external communication strategies.
Garrett applauded Esser on the promotion.
“Kenny has proven himself to be an outstanding leader,” Garrett said. “We are fortunate to have him as part of the network’s leadership team and look forward to continuing our journey to transform health care in New Jersey and beyond.
“This promotion is well-deserved.”
Prior to joining Hackensack Meridian Health, Esser was the manager of program growth and strategy for Public Service Electric & Gas. He led the development and implementation of the organization’s utility of the future strategy. Esser was a senior associate with Gabel Associates, where he advised clients on energy investment opportunities. His experience also includes serving as chief energy adviser for the Governor’s Office and a policy adviser for energy and economic growth for the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection.
Dedicated to giving back, Esser’s community service activities, past and present, include serving as: a member of the board of trustees for Lead New Jersey; a founding member of ChargEVC, a coalition promoting electric vehicle use; an elected member of the Burlington County Democratic Committee; and a board member for ChargeForth, a 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to promotion of electric vehicles and decarbonization of transportation infrastructure.
Esser received a Bachelor of Arts in political science from Rutgers University.
