NJBIZ Conversations

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...

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 i...

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...

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 th...

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...

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 Ros...

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 i...

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 a...

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...

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 centra...

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...

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 H...