Associations--Local Chambers of Commerce
STATEWIDE
BUSINESS ORGANIZATIONS Commerce and Industry Association of New Jersey John Galandak President Founded 1927, member businesses primarily in northern NJ> Tends to be most conservative of major business organizations, sponsors political action committee, Private Enterprise Political Action Committee (PENPAC) to support NJ candidates viewed to back free enterprise positions> Publishes monthly Commerce Magazine, with circulation of 40,000, and industrial directory, wage surveys> Active seminar, workshop program, particularly in labor management, contract negotiation, benefits areas> Foundation for Free Enterprise affiliate sponsors school programs for students aged 12-18 in free enterprise. |
New Jersey Business and Industry Association
Michele Siekerka President & CEO Founded 1910 by group of manufacturers as New Jersey Manufacturers Association originally to lobby against, then provide insurance coverage for new laws mandating employer liability for workplace injuries and requiring workers compensation, changed name in 1976, currently only 15% of members are manufacturers> One of largest statewide employer associations in US with over 22,000 members, some 80% with 1-25 employees> After enactment of workers compensation law in 1911, founders created New Jersey Manufacturers Insurance Co.in 1913, originally association-owned workers compensation company for members, now legally independent, but continues to limit coverage to NJBIA member-employers and their employees, NJM and NJBIA boards of directors include several members on both boards, meetings held on same days at common location> NJM now largest NJ workers compensation carrier, also among state's top insurers of commercial vehicles, private passenger automobiles, homes, apartments and condominiums> Publishes New Jersey Business Magazine with print circulation of over 25,000, sponsors New Jersey Organization for a Better State ('NEW JOBS') political action committee, one of largest PAC contributors in NJ legislative elections> Holds annual public policy conference, sponsors awards program for innovative businesses, also staffs county-based Employer Legislative Committees which meet monthly in most counties. New Jersey Chamber of Commerce
Thomas Bracken President Established 1911, also originally to oppose progressive legislation for minimum wage, workers compensation legislation> Now similar in function, positions to New Jersey Business and Industry Association, but approximately 1,200 members, proportionately more in services, retailing> Regional. county and local chambers operate independently, no legal affiliation with state Chamber, but it sponsors New Jersey Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives for networking , professional development for executives of other chambers throughout NJ> Most large corporations belong to both NJ Business & Industry Association and state Chamber, Chamber board of directors cross-section of top NJ executives> Annual 'Walk to Washington' train trip and Congressional Dinner in February leading event for business-political executive networking, dinner features appearances by members of NJ Congressional delegation> Also sponsors NJ Chamber of Commerce Foundation supporting business curriculum in public schools; increasing employment opportunities for workers> Conducts variety of seminars, publishes monthly newsletter, annual membership directory. Employers Association of New Jersey
John J. Sarno President Founded 1916, composed of some 1,400 members throughout NJ primarily focused on human resource management, including labor relations, personnel management, employee benefits issues> Sponsors Affiliated Physicians and Employers Health Plan, with members eligible to create self-insured healthcare for their employees, also seminars, workshops, provides on-site supervisory training> Publishes legal reference to NJ and federal employment laws, membership bulletins. |
National Federation of Independent Business-New Jersey
Laurie Ehlbeck State Director ‘The Voice of Small Business’, NJ chapter of National Federation of Independent Business founded 1946, nation’s largest association for small and independent business with 325,000 business owners in US, 60% with five or fewer employees> Recent NJ lobbying focus on opposition to paid family and sick leave and other mandated employee benefits, support of elimination of NJ estate tax, simplification of tax, regulatory rules and reporting> Offers various member benefit packages, including health insurance, workers compensation, credit card, discount purchases. New Jersey Association of Women Business Owners Rosanna Imbriano President Founded 1978, largest statewide women business owners' organization in NJ, also operates through six regional units> Holds educational workshops, executive roundtables, and local meetings; provides opportunities for members to meet and do business with corporate procurement officers; sponsors discount programs. |
Executives' Association of New Jersey
Debra Yohannan Executive Director Founded 1935 as Newark Executives’ Association, changed to current name in 1969, now based in Maplewood> Some 50 member companies, restricts membership by allowing only single firm in its respective business category to facilitate networking> Holds weekly meetings in Florham Park at which members share leads and knowledge for mutual business growth. |