NJBIZ Conversations

Jim Kirkos and the organization he leads – the Meadowlands Chamber – are helping business owners and executives prepare for a the weeks-long FIFA World Cup 2026 tournament, which will be played at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford this summer. Here, Kirkos discusses those preparations, the lessons learned from previous events like Super Bowl XLVIII in 2014, and how businesses can take advantage of the opportunity.

In February, NJBIZ Editor Jeffrey Kanige and Managing Editor Jessica Perry returned to the Newark Summit – a real estate conference focusing on businesses in New Jersey’s largest city. During the summit, they interviewed some fellow attendees – business leaders with an interest and affinity for Newark. Listen now!

Atlantic Health CEO Saad Ehtisham took on the role in July 2025 after longtime leader Brian Gragnolati retired. Here, Ehtisham talks about what drew him to New Jersey, the biggest challenges he sees in leading Atlantic Health and the outlook for the industry as a whole.

In May 2025, Bergen County and Hoboken-based Balcony forged an agreement under which the company would digitize 370,000 property deeds for the clerk’s office. The two parties said the move represented the largest blockchain-based deed tokenization project in U.S. history. Here, Balcony CEO Dan Silverman explains how he moved from real estate development into technology, the advantages of Balcony’s system and where the company goes from here.

Michael Maron, CEO of Holy Name Medical Center in Teaneck, talks about the lessons he and his staff took away from the COVID-19 pandemic, what last year's $75 million donation from the Douglas M. Noble Family Foundation will allow the hospital to accomplish and what it will take to survive and thrive in what has become a tough climate for health care providers.

A recent study by Prudential Financial found that most workers nearing retirement age with investable assets of at least $100,000 are confident that they will have enough to retire. But the company's Global Retirement Pulse Survey also suggested that these folks – Pru calls them the "mass affluent" – may not be as prepared as they could be. David Blanchett, Prudential's head of retirement research and a portfolio manager and PGIM – Pru's investment management arm – discusses the survey's findings, its implications and what workers at various stages of their careers should be doing now. 

Think Simplicit works with other businesses to outfit and maintain commercial buildings. Here, founder Matthew Negron discusses his business philosophy, what he looks for in acquisition targets and where he sees the most promising opportunities.

Chrissy Buteas, president and CEO of the Healthcare Institute of New Jersey, talks about what she’s experienced in her time on the job, how the industry is coping with policy changes coming out of Washington and the outlook for a sector that remains critical to the state’s economy.

Chris Maher, CEO of OceanFirst Financial Corp., offers an assessment of the economy and looks toward 2026. And he's joined by OceanFirst Executive Vice President and Chief Commercial Real Estate Officer George Destafney, who analyzes the commercial real estate landscape.

Provident Bank started with one office in Jersey City 185 years ago. Today, the bank is a prominent financial services institution with a market capitalization of more than $2.4 billion and about 1,800 employees.  In this edition of NJBIZ Conversations, CEO Anthony Labozzetta talks about what the bank has become and how it continues to serve its communities even as it grows. Labozzetta also offers insights on the national and regional economies and the banking industry in general.

Most NJBIZ readers are likely aware that the state's health care system has been plagued by continuing shortage of nursing professionals. Health care executives and other stakeholders are constantly exploring new ways to alleviate the problem. Judy Schmidt knows the problem inside and out. Schmidt is the CEO of the New Jersey State Nurses Association, a post she has held since 2015.  In this edition of NJBIZ Conversations, Schmidt discusses the roots of the shortage, how technology can ease the problem and what the Legislature could and should be doing to help.

Jonathan Goodman is the founder and CEO of Halyard Consulting, a Jersey City-based firm focused on helping businesses use AI. Floyd Jeter is the city's chief diversity officer and a candidate for an at-large council seat. In this Election Edition of NJBIZ Conversations, Goodman and Jeter describe how AI works in the campaign, what they've learned from the experience, and the lessons for small organizations with limited resources.

The New Jersey Business Action Center is a tremendous resource for business owners and executives. Melanie Willoughby, who runs the agency, discusses NJBAC's programs designed to help the manufacturing industry, individuals hoping to break into the cannabis industry, businesses trying to improve their online presence and more. 

Hamilton-based First Bank and CEO Patrick Ryan is one of the state’s top community bankers and among the most knowledgeable. In this edition of NJBIZ Conversations, Ryan offers his assessment of the economy and interest rate environment and discusses what’s ahead for First Bank.

Ben LoPiccolo is the founder of the Ben LoPiccolo Development Group – or BLDG-UP – a real estate investment advisory and consulting firm based in Jersey City. And he is president of the Jersey City Apartment Owners Association, an advocacy group. Here, LoPiccolo talks about what’s going on in Jersey City and how the state can encourage development of more affordable housing.

Pete Dontas, managing director and New Jersey market executive at Wells Fargo, assesses the attitudes and outlook of business leaders, the biggest challenges ahead, and how the Federal Reserves is likely to respond to changing conditions.

Lowenstein Sandler Partner Chris Porrino enjoys a reputation for being nonpartisan. For example, Porrino is representing the Trump Organization in its dispute with the state over liquor licenses at the company’s New Jersey golf courses. At the same time, he is representing Gov. Phil Murphy in an investigation over immigration practices being conducted by Alina Habba, President Trump’s choice to serve as U.S. attorney for New Jersey. In this edition of NJBIZ Conversations, Porrino talks about what it’s like to handle those two cases and weighs in on the proper role of the attorney general’s office — something the next governor will have to figure out.

Princeton-based Protega Pharmaceuticals focuses on producing abuse-deterrent pain management products, which go a long way toward reducing substance abuse. In this edition of NJBIZ Conversations, Protega Chief Operating Officer Paul Howe describes the company’s products, its research and what the market looks like.

Brian Higgins – a former chief of the Bergen County Police – is the founder and president of Group 77, a security and public safety consulting firm based in Mahwah. In this edition of NJBIZ Conversations, Higgins discusses the security needs of workplaces, along with the financial implications for building owners. He also talks about the issues surrounding next summer’s World Cup soccer games at the Meadowlands and elsewhere around the country.

Ewing-based Orcosa developed the The RITe Platform, which produces an easy-to-take orally disintegrating tablet that rapidly infuses an active ingredient through the tissue in the cheek – enabling therapeutic effects quickly and efficiently. In this episode of NJBIZ Conversations, co-founders Bryan Ridall and Vincent Mileto discuss Ocrosa's origins, the promise of its technology and where the life sciences company is headed next.

PACE – Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly – is a Medicare and Medicaid program that helps people meet their health care needs in home or the community instead of in a nursing home or another kind of institution. In this edition of NJBIZ Conversations, Trinity Health PACE CEO Dan Drake explains how the program works, enumerates the benefits and assesses the outlook given budget cuts coming out of Washington.

Camden Mayor Victor Carstarphen discusses the city’s renaissance, what it will take to keep the momentum building and his relationships with one of the city’s most prominent citizens — South Jersey power broker George Norcross.

OceanFirst Financial CEO Chris Maher provides insight on how events unfolding here and around the world – from the escalating conflict in the Middle East to a heatwave to uncertainty over trade and immigration policies – might affect the economy and how business owners and executives can cope unpredictable world events and domestic political upheaval.

Gensler's Morristown office is led by Reid Brockmeier and Becky Button. In this edition of NJBIZ Conversations, Brockmeier and Button discuss the design firm's work in and around Morristown, what clients are looking for as the business climate and work environment changes and the characteristics that make cities successful.

Getting screened for cancer is daunting and scary. You know what would make it less daunting and scary? If dogs were involved. At SpotitEarly, a cancer diagnostic startup based in Englewood, dogs are very involved. SpotitEarly uses dogs' remarkable sense of smell to diagnose four common types of cancer: lung, breast, colorectal and prostate. In this edition of NJBIZ Conversations, SpotitEarly CEO Shlomi Madar elaborates on the company's technology and where it goes from here.

Some of New Jersey's most significant economic development activity is taking place in Middlesex County, which is practically bursting with new construction that will bring more tech, eds and meds to Central New Jersey. John Pulomena, who has been the county administrator since 2008, sits in the middle of all this work. In this edition of NJBIZ Conversations, Pulomena talks about what's going on in New Brunswick and throughout the county, and how all that development fits together.

Flemington-based Sunsign uses the sun to power signs, as the name implies. The company is the brainchild of Cliff Hoinowski, a former CEO at parking management firm CitiPark. That’s where he figured out that portable, solar-powered signs would work well for a variety of businesses. In this edition of NJBIZ Conversations, Hoinowski describes how he founded the company, the process of designing and building the signs, and where the company goes from here.

Sandra Fava gave up a Big Law career to start her own firm. Based in Morristown, Fava Law focuses exclusively on family law matters, including divorce; child custody and support; alimony/spousal support; appellate matters; prenuptial agreements; and domestic violence. Here, Fava talks about what prompted her to set out on her own, the challenges she faced, her advice to others thinking of doing the same sort of thing and what the future might hold for her practice.

One of the most prominent regional bankers in New Jersey is Ira Robbins, the CEO of Valley Bank. On his watch, the bank has grown from $29 billion in assets to $62 billion. In this edition of NJBIZ Conversations, Robbins assesses the current strength of the economy, the Fed's actions on interest rates and the outlook for Valley and other businesses.

Jeff Miller, CEO of Synchronoss Technologies, discusses the company's pivot to a high-level cloud solutions provider, how it employs artificial intelligence, what other businesses need to know about AI and his outlook for the economy over the next 12 months.

Dealmaking activity started strong in 2024, then leveled off. The result was a mediocre year for M&A. Eric Lewandowski, a partner at Sax LLP and leader of the firm’s Transaction Strategy and Transformation Practice, reviews the factors contributing to the 2024 numbers and assesses the outlook for M&A and private equity in 2025.

CSG Law kicked off the new year with a new leader, as Marie Mathews took over as managing member of the Roseland-based law firm. In this edition of NJBIZ Conversations, Mathews discusses her priorities for the firm, how the legal business has changed over the years and her role in mentoring young attorneys.

Circulate NJ was established to educate the public about the logistics industry and the role it plays in the economy. In this edition of NJBIZ Conversations, David Greek — managing partner of Greek Real Estate Partners and Circulate NJ chair — talks about why the organization was created, its core message and how the members intend to spread that message. Greek also discusses trends in the market and what he expects through the rest of the year.

The New Jersey Criminal Sentencing and Disposition Commission issued its most recent report last fall with four reform recommendations. Commission Chair Chris Porrino, a former state attorney general, said the panel believes the proposals “will move New Jersey towards a more rational, just, and proportionate sentencing system." In this edition of NJBIZ Conversations, Porrino — now a partner at Roseland’s Lowenstein Sandler — discusses the rationale for all the proposals and assesses the likelihood that they will be adopted. In addition, he talks about the legal issues likely to face the next governor and attorney general as the election campaign begins its long trip to November.

Hackensack Meridian Health CEO Robert Garrett sat down with NJBIZ to talk about his work with the World Economic Forum, how technology – particularly AI – is helping to improve health care outcomes and what’s going on at HMH.

Businesses are looking ahead to the coming year and what they need to know as they make decisions in investment, spending, hiring, expansion and other plans. In this edition of NJBIZ Conversations, Christopher Maher, the CEO of OceanFirst Financial and a former director of the Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia, talks about what to expect coming off a relatively robust 2024.  

Eric Shoenfeld and Al Navarro, founders of Chester-based Mint Advertising, discuss the state of the advertising industry, Mint’s role in the business and the challenges ahead for both the firm and the sector as a whole.

Following a successful introduction last year, the 2nd Annual Newark Summit for Real Estate, Economic Development & Placemaking made its return to New Jersey’s largest city. Presented by roundtable&advisory, the event featured a full day of networking, panel discussions and exhibitors. NJBIZ sat down with several notable attendees, who shared their thoughts on the Summit as well as their insights on the industry.

Mayor Ras Baraka was on hand for the second annual Newark Summit for Real Estate. For two years running, the Brick City’s chief executive took to the stage to discuss development in the city during a fireside chat. Baraka – also a 2025 gubernatorial candidate – stopped by to chat with NJBIZ about the summit, what it means for the city and more.

Most businesses still manually key in invoices and automation remains relatively rare. Jeff Weinstein, CEO of Hamilton-based TranscendAP, wants to change that.  In this edition of NJBIZ Conversations, Weinstein describes TranscendAP's platform, how the company uses artificial intelligence in its application and its move to work more closely with higher education institutions. 

When last we checked in on Cranford-based National Tree, the company was grappling with post-pandemic fallout. So how are things going this year, with many experts expecting a record year for holiday sales? In this edition of NJBIZ Conversations, Chris Butler – the CEO of the nation's largest importer and wholesaler of artificial Christmas trees and other holiday decorations – returns to provide an update on where the company is now. Have demand and customers returned?

Adam Perle, the president and CEO of ArtPride New Jersey, explains how the arts fit into the broader economy and how the arts community works together.

It's been a decade of profound changes and challenges for the New Jersey Business & Industry Association. In this episode of NJBIZ Conversations, Michele Siekerka, president and CEO of the NJBIA, reflects on her 10 years leading the organization, the biggest challenges her members face right now and what her priorities are for the future.

Life sciences trade association BioNJ represents more than 400 research-based life sciences organizations across New Jersey, from startups to big biopharmaceutical companies. In this edition of NJBIZ Conversations, BioNJ President and CEO Debbie Hart assesses the state of the industry; explains the importance of projects such as HELIX, HAX and SciTech Scity; and some of the tests the industry will likely face over the next 12 to 18 months.

While New Jerseyans are rightfully proud of their state's education system – which is regularly cited as an asset in attracting businesses and economic development – good schools should not be taken for granted. In this edition of NJBIZ Conversations, Tahina Perez, the executive director of Teach for America New Jersey, discusses how the organization works to improve educational equity, the central importance of communities to successful schools and what businesses can and should do to help maintain a quality system.

The accounting profession has been undergoing significant changes over the past several years. Consolidation is thinning the ranks of medium-sized firms. Technology is altering the way accounting is practiced and the ways in which CPA firms are run. And the pipeline of new accountants is running perilously low. In this episode of NJBIZ Conversations, Aiysha Johnson, the CEO and executive director of New Jersey Society of CPAs, provides updates on the issues NJCPA is tackling, especially consolidation, technology and recruitment and retention.

Any regular grocery shopper has almost certainly seen Upfield's products on store shelves. Famous names under the Dutch food producer's umbrella include I Can't Believe It's Not Butter and Country Crock. In this edition of NJBIZ Conversations, Upfield President Jim Breach discusses the company's commitment to sustainability, its latest efforts on research and distribution and what happens at its Hackensack test kitchen.

Following the recent worldwide technology outage, many businesses could be forced to deal with unexpected changes to their insurance coverage, among other repercussions. In this edition of NJBIZ Conversations, Lowenstein Sandler Partner Lynda Bennett, chair of the firm's Insurance Recovery Group, explains what business owners and executives should watch for and what they can do to mitigate the harm. She also provides an assessment of the insurance market in general.

Angelo Genova, the founder and chairman of top New Jersey law firm Genova Burns, discusses development in Newark and other urban areas, the legal business in the state and the past few tumultuous months in New Jersey politics.

A lot of business leaders worry about finding and hiring qualified employees. The International Union of Operating Engineers Local 825 is doing something about the labor shortage. In this edition of NJBIZ Conversations, IUOE Local 825 Business Manager Greg Lalevee describes the genesis of its apprenticeship program with Hudson County Community College, how it works, and what participants and the union get out of it. Lalevee also provides an update on several major infrastructure projects around the state, including Gateway.