Honored Were Four Legislators, Three Murphy Administration Executives and Two Business Leaders at an Awards Reception at Manasquan River Golf Club
The New Jersey Chamber of Commerce honored four legislators, three Murphy administration executives, a regional chamber executive and an environmental lawyer for going above and beyond in supporting New Jersey’s business community – at a reception at Manasquan River Golf Club in Brielle.
The Chamber’s 2023 Legislative and Business Awards reception on Oct. 11 attracted 250 guests, including members of both parties – many of whom said it is imperative for the parties to put politics aside and pave the way for more economic development and jobs in the Garden State.
“I have been one of the most vocal and outspoken people in Trenton, but there is a (proper) way to do it,” said Sen. Holly Schepisi (R-39/Bergen and Passaic Counties), an award recipient. “Everybody I talk to just wants us to work together to improve the economy and improve opportunities. Regardless of what happens in November, we must pledge to listen to each other and listen to the people and make this state more business friendly.”
Her fellow honorees shared similar thoughts – appealing for civility in the political arena and in the state-at-large.
“As a legislator, it is important is to listen,” said Sen. Joe Lagana (D-38/Bergen and Passaic Counties), an honoree. “By having a partnership with the business community, we can learn the consequences and implications of a bill. We are in this together.”
Diane Gutierrez-Scaccetti, chief of staff to Gov. Murphy and commissioner of the N.J. Department of Transportation, was succinct: “The New Jersey Chamber has always been a partner,” Gutierrez-Scaccetti said. “They are always there to help us.”
The four recipients of the Legislator of the Year Awards are:
- Senator Joe Lagana (D-38/Bergen and Passaic Counties)
- Senator Holly Schepisi (R-39/Bergen and Passaic Counties)
- Assembly Speaker Craig Coughlin (D-19/Middlesex County)
- Republican Leader John DiMaio (R-23, Hunterdon, Somerset and Warren Counties)
The four recipients of the Business Advocate of the Year Awards are:
- Dennis Toft, Member of the Firm, CSG Law
- Diane Gutierrez-Scaccetti, Chief of Staff, Office of the Governor; and Commissioner, N.J. Department of Transportation
- Eric Brophy, Economic Development Advisor, Office of the Governor
- Chuck Richman, Economic Development Advisor, Office of the Governor
The recipient of the N.J. Chamber Alliance Partner of the Year Award is:
- Dawn Hunter, Executive Director, Greater Vineland Chamber of Commerce
“Our state and business outlook is in the best shape it has been in decades,” said Assembly Speaker Coughlin (D-19/Middlesex County). “We worked with a lot of people in this room on streaming an expediting the licensing process. We have invested in the infrastructure and higher education, and we will reap the benefits in the years to come.”
Assemblyman Dimaio (R-23, Hunterdon, Somerset and Warren Counties) added, “It has been one of my top legislative priorities to grow the economy and make New Jersey a place where businesses and industries come to succeed. Together with strong voices like the New Jersey Chamber, the state’s business climate can and will improve.”
Eric Brophy and Chuck Richman, economic development advisors in the Murphy administration, were honored for leading Gov. Murphy’s efforts to improve New Jersey’s permit processes, and expedite them within various state agencies.
“Our goal has been to make things better and easier for people to get things done,” Brophy said. “The first thing that popped up for us was to make it easier to approve site plans.”
Richman said their goal has largely been to clean up old regulations that were designed to solve one problem but, in the long run, created more problems. “Rules have been written to solve specific issues without broader context on how to do things better,” he said. “We can get bills passed that lead to more predictably, and lead to more permits passed without sacrificing safety.”
Dennis Toft, environmental attorney at CSG Law, agreed. Toft, who was honored for his work providing countless hours of guidance and expertise to the N.J. Chamber on regulatory issues, said, “We live in a challenging state, a coastal state with more contaminated sites than any state in the country. Frequently environmental legislation gets passed without thinking through the unintended consequences. I look forward to continue working with the Chamber and legislators to approve projects that are good for business, and good for human health and the environment.”
Dawn Hunter, executive director of the Greater Vineland Chamber of Commerce, was honored for being an effective business advocate, and a good partner with the New Jersey Chamber.
Hunter implored leaders in business and government to work together, over seeking glory.
“Leave jealousy to someone else because it accomplishes nothing,” Hunter said. “Being a partner leads to more to success because we do it together. Together, we’re stronger.”
PROFILES
Legislator of the Year Awards Recipients
Sen. Joseph Lagana has been a key player in New Jersey’s battle against New York City’s proposed Congestion Pricing tax on vehicles entering Midtown Manhattan, a plan the New Jersey Chamber vehemently opposes. He serves as vice chair of the Labor Committee and is a member of the Judiciary Committee. Sen. Lagana has been a staunch supporter of reducing property taxes, strengthening school safety measures and providing mental health resources to students – our future workforce. He joined the Senate in 2018 and previously served three state Assembly terms.
Sen. Holly Schepisi, Republican Conference Leader, was selected as an honoree because when developing policy impacting employers and the economy she regularly seeks the New Jersey Chamber of Commerce’s input – and she’s most often receptive to our counsel. She is a collaborator who seeks bi-partisan support on issues benefitting New Jersey’s economy, which has resulted in impactful and meaningful legislation. Sen. Schepisi also advocated for lower property taxes and cost of living in New Jersey so more residents are able to live and retire in their home state.
Assembly Speaker Craig J. Coughlin continues to support of New Jersey companies, especially the state's over 937,000 small businesses, which are the backbone of New Jersey's economy. Speaker Coughlin championed, and Gov. Murphy signed into law, a package of bills earlier this year designed to create more jobs, streamline state programs and reduce red tape for entrepreneurs and small business owners seeking to invest or grow in the state. He regularly seeks counsel from the New Jersey Chamber of Commerce leaders on critical business and economic issues – and he participated on a panel of legislative leaders in March at our 2023 Business Summit & Expo focusing on how to grow New Jersey's economy. We also support his priorities of addressing the state's food insecurity problem and providing property tax relief to residents.
Assemblyman John DiMaio has been a staunch supporter of repealing the Corporate Business Surtax, and reducing property taxes. He supported the reestablishment of the former Red Tape Review Commission to make it easier to do business in New Jersey. The Republican Leader was a panelist during the N.J. Chamber’s 2023 Business Summit. He has been a consistent attendee of the N.J. Chamber Open House, and is always open to meeting and discussing legislative issues important to the business community. He serves as the Assembly Republican Leader, and has served as the Budget and Appropriations Officer.
Business Advocates of the Year Awards Recipients
Dennis Toft, a member at CSG Law, is an environmental attorney regarded as one of New Jersey’s leading Brownfields redevelopment practitioners. He has dedicated many hours chairing the New Jersey Chamber of Commerce’s Environment and Energy Initiative, providing guidance and expertise on a wide variety of legislative and regulatory issues. Toft leads by example and often takes extra steps to assist and support the N.J. Chamber’s advocacy efforts. He regularly appears before the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, the Army Corps of Engineers, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, municipal land use boards and the Office of Administrative Law, as well as in state and federal courts.
Diane Gutierrez-Scaccetti, Chief of Staff of the Gov. Murphy Administration and Commissioner of the New Jersey Department of Transportation, was recently selected by Gov. Murphy to be his administration’s chief of staff, and the Chamber embraces the appointment. Improving the state’s transportation network has always been a top priority for the New Jersey Chamber of Commerce, since our infrastructure is the foundation of our economy. Gutierrez-Scaccetti has done an outstanding job prioritizing transportation projects that will keep New Jersey’s economy moving. She has a strong record of accomplishment, is an excellent administrator and is dedicated to making New Jersey a better place to live and work. All these admirable qualities make her an excellent chief of staff.
Eric Brophy and Chuck Richman, economic development advisors in the Murphy administration, spearheaded Gov. Murphy’s efforts to improve New Jersey’s permit processes, and expedite them within various state agencies. They have organized and conducted monthly stakeholder meetings held at the New Jersey Chamber of Commerce’s Trenton headquarters to discuss their reform efforts. One significant result was the passage and signing of bill A-573, which makes several changes to the Uniform Construction Code Act and codifies a three-day construction inspection turnaround. It allows developers to contract with private on-site inspection agencies if local construction officials cannot complete the inspection within three days. This bill brings New Jersey in line with several states, making it quicker to obtain approvals and ultimately keep projects moving.
New Jersey Chamber Alliance Partner of the Year Award Recipient
Dawn S. Hunter, executive director of the Greater Vineland Chamber, is a dedicated member of the New Jersey Chamber Alliance Coalition, a group of statewide chamber of commerce executives who regularly discuss policy initiatives and ways to make the state a better place to work and live. She often consults with the New Jersey Chamber’s government relations staff about legislative and regulatory issues, and communicates business priorities to her chamber’s membership and to the state legislators representing District 1. Dawn is a regular at New Jersey Chamber events, including the annual New Jersey Business Summit & Expo in Atlantic City.