Award Reception is at EisnerAmper Headquarters in Iselin on Oct. 22
The New Jersey Chamber of Commerce announced that five state legislators will receive the Chamber’s biannual Legislator of the Year Awards. The State Chamber further announced that three leaders – inside and outside of government – will receive awards for their outstanding work to make New Jersey a great place to live and work.
The recipients are being honored by the Chamber for their overall support of the business community and for their work advancing New Jersey as a more business friendly state. The N.J. Chamber selected the lawmakers based on their voting records, bill sponsorships and initiatives.
The eight recipients will be recognized at the New Jersey Chamber of Commerce Legislative & Business Awards Reception on Oct. 22 at EisnerAmper headquarters in Iselin.
The event is open to members of the media.
To register, contact
The five recipients of the Legislator of the Year Awards are:
- Senator Andrew Zwicker (D-16 / Hunterdon, Mercer, Middlesex and Somerset)
- Senator Vincent Polistina (R-2 / Atlantic)
- Assemblyman Robert Karabinchak (D-18 / Middlesex)
- Assemblyman William Spearman (D-5 / Camden, Gloucester)
- Assemblyman Robert Clifton (R-12 / Burlington, Middlesex, Monmouth, Ocean)
The two recipients of the Business Advocate of the Year Awards are:
- Lisa Chowansky, President, HC Constructors Inc. and First Vice Chair, N.J. Chamber Board of Directors
- Jacquelyn Suarez, Commissioner, New Jersey Department of Community Affairs
The recipient of the N.J. Chamber Alliance Partner of the Year Award is:
- Chris Phelan, President, Hunterdon County Chamber of Commerce
“The honorees were selected because each has taken substantive action to improve New Jersey’s economic climate and each has been at the forefront in the fight for tax and regulatory reform and fiscally responsible infrastructure investment,” said Tom Bracken, president of the New Jersey Chamber of Commerce. “New Jersey faces many challenges, and the business community is fortunate to have individuals such as these taking action to help make our state more affordable and more competitive.”
To register for the event, click here.
Profiles
Legislator of the Year Awards Recipients
Senator Andrew Zwicker,chair of the Senate Legislative Oversight Committee and a member of the Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee, has been a steadfast advocate for New Jersey’s business community. He has championed legislation to expand tax credits under the New Jersey Angel Investor Tax Credit Act, create a new Department of Commerce and Innovation, and provide grants enabling colleges and universities to host scientific conferences. Beyond his legislative work, Senator Zwicker brings his expertise in science and innovation to his role as head of strategic partnerships and public engagement at Princeton University’s Plasma Physics Laboratory.
Senator Vincent Polistina has sponsored legislation to help grow South Jersey’s economy and improve affordability for working families and retirees. He advocated for establishing a tourism district in Atlantic City to improve public safety and economic opportunity. He supported the renewal of the Transportation Trust Fund legislation which will help increase economic productivity and foster long-term economic growth by creating construction employment and making our transportation system more efficient, reliable and safe. He also supported the bill to extend outdoor dining which was signed by the governor. In addition to his public service, Sen. Polistina is an engineer with Polistina and Associates, where he specializes in the design and construction management of water and wastewater systems.
Assemblyman Robert Karabinchak has been a consistent partner to the N.J. Chamber and the business community, advancing legislation to modernize and streamline the state’s permitting and construction processes. His efforts are helping to expedite projects, reduce red tape, and drive economic growth. He has sponsored numerous Chamber-supported bills signed into law by the governor, including the New Jersey Design Professional Self-Certification Act; the 'Next New Jersey Program' to support artificial intelligence investments; and a measure exempting sales tax on materials, supplies, and services for affordable housing projects. Assemblyman Karabinchak continues to support efficiency in the construction sector by sponsoring bills that would require local governments to accept electronic payment for code fees and ensure timely inspections.
Assemblyman William Spearman, chair of the Assembly Commerce, Economic Development and Agriculture Committee, has been a strong and accessible advocate for the business community. He regularly engages with the N.J. Chamber’s government relations team to ensure legislation supports economic growth and job creation. He has sponsored key Chamber-supported bills, including legislation providing tax credits to businesses that support pre-employment training programs and a measure directing the Department of Environmental Protection to conduct a recycling needs assessment. Assemblyman Spearman has also co-sponsored legislation requiring the state to regularly update the New Jersey Disparity Study, increase state agency contract opportunities for minority- and women-owned businesses, and provide assistance to manufacturers while promoting manufacturing careers to students.
Assemblyman Robert Clifton has been a staunch advocate for economic growth and competitiveness in New Jersey. He supported the renewal of the Transportation Trust Fund, which is creating construction jobs, strengthening infrastructure, and fostering long-term productivity. He is also a co-sponsor of legislation to re-establish the Red Tape Review Commission, aimed at cutting redundant regulations and paving the way for new economic development. Assemblyman Clifton has co-sponsored several Chamber-supported bills signed into law by the governor, including measures revising the calculation of minimum loss ratio requirements for health benefits plans in the individual and small employer markets and strengthening penalties for organized retail theft. He is also a co-sponsor of legislation requiring the N.J. Economic Development Authority to establish a loan program to help new farmers finance capital purchases.
Business Advocate of the Year Awards Recipients
Lisa Chowansky, President of HC Constructors Inc., is a highly respected leader in New Jersey’s business community, recognized for her professional success, civic engagement, and philanthropy. She serves as first vice chair of the New Jersey Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors’ executive committee and is a director emeritus of the New Jersey chapter of Professional Women in Construction. She also champions greater access to public contract opportunities for minority-owned businesses through her service on the board of the New Jersey Supplier Diversity Development Council. A committed supporter of workforce development, Lisa and her husband, Harry, host an annual fundraiser benefiting the New Jersey State Chamber of Commerce Foundation and its Jobs for America’s Graduates program, which prepares young people for academic and career success.
Jacquelyn Suárez, Commissioner of the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs, is the first Hispanic leader to serve in this role and has distinguished herself as an accessible and results-driven public servant. She oversees one of the state’s largest departments, managing a $1.5 billion budget and more than 1,000 employees, while advancing the department’s mission to support residents, local governments, businesses, and community organizations in strengthening the quality of life for New Jersey families. Commissioner Suárez has played a key role in helping the N.J. Chamber craft and advance legislation to streamline the state’s permitting process, and she remains a visible presence at events across New Jersey, including Chamber programs. She earned her J.D. from Rutgers School of Law and is a member of both the New Jersey and New York bar associations.
New Jersey Chamber Alliance Partner of the Year Award Recipient
Chris Phelan, President and CEO of the Hunterdon County Chamber of Commerce, has been a driving force behind downtown revitalization efforts in Flemington and a dedicated advocate for the business community. He is an active member of the N.J. Chamber of Commerce, regularly participating in events and contributing his insight as a member of the Chamber Alliance, a coalition of chamber executives that meets to address statewide issues. Under his leadership, the Hunterdon County Chamber has supported the N.J. Chamber Young Professionals Network by co-hosting networking programs. Chris has a long record of community service, including serving as a board officer with the Raritan Township Office of Emergency Management. His career in chamber leadership spans the state, as he previously served as president and CEO of both the Middlesex County Regional Chamber of Commerce and the Warren County Chamber of Commerce.