Panel 1: New Jersey’s Economic Climate
Founder, Editor and Co-Owner , ROI-NJ
Moderator, Panel 1: New Jersey’s Economic Climate
Tom Bergeron manages the content on ROI-NJ, a digital and print new outlet covering the world of business and politics in New Jersey that he helped launch in the fall of 2017. The 25-year veteran of journalism previously worked at The Star-Ledger, Yahoo! and NJBIZ. A graduate of the University of Virginia, he lives in Morris Plains with his wife and their five children. When he is not writing and reporting, he can be found coaching youth sports teams – having led more than 150 teams in the past 20 years.
President & CEO , NJ Chamber of Commerce
Panelist, Panel 1: New Jersey’s Economic Climate
Thomas A. Bracken became the N.J. Chamber’s top executive in 2011, as it celebrated its 100th year. The former bank executive served as chairman of the N.J. Chamber's Board of Directors from 2005 to 2007, and has been involved in the Chamber for four decades. In 2017, Bracken helped establish and became co-chair of Opportunity NJ, a coalition of state business organizations supporting government policies that pave the way for job growth, affordability and prosperity in the state. In 2014, Bracken was named chairman of Forward NJ, a coalition promoting investment in the state’s transportation infrastructure. Also in 2014, Bracken was inducted into the New Jersey Business Hall of Fame.
President and Owner , HC Constructors
Panelist, Panel 1: New Jersey’s Economic Climate
For over 20 years, Lisa Chowansky has been leading HC Constructors, Inc, a general contractor specializing in sitework, underground utilities, and concrete. After graduating from Penn State University, Chowansky spent the first 10 years of her career working as an account executive for Johnson & Johnson Health Care Systems. During that time, she was the recipient of the Johnson & Johnson Achievement Award in recognition of her outstanding contributions to the company. Chowansky also serves as a board member on the NJ Supplier Diversity Development Council.
President & COO , PSE&G
Panelist, Panel 1: New Jersey’s Economic Climate
Kim Hanemann became president and COO of PSE&G on June 30, 2021. PSE&G is one of the nation’s largest combined electric and gas companies and is New Jersey’s oldest and largest publicly owned utility, serving approximately 2.6 million customers, nearly three-quarters of the state’s population. Previously, Hanemann had been PSE&G’s senior vice president and chief operating officer. In that role, she was responsible for PSE&G’s electric, gas and customer operations, as well as the company’s asset management and centralized services organization. She also oversaw the on-time, on-scope and on-budget execution of the company’s large construction projects.
Founder, President & CEO , African American Chamber of Commerce of NJ
Panelist, Panel 1: New Jersey’s Economic Climate
John Harmon serves as an advocate on behalf of the 1.1 million African American residents and the over 80,000 black-owned businesses statewide to ensure that policy at every level of government provides fairness, equity and access to a level playing field in the marketplace. Harmon is the former president and CEO of the Metropolitan Trenton African American Chamber of Commerce and is a board member and former chairman of the board for the National Black Chamber of Commerce. Harmon was recently appointed to the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors and is a member of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Committee of 100. Harmon was recently acknowledged by ROI-NJ, for the second consecutive year, as the No.1 most influential Person of Color in New Jersey.
President & CEO , NJBIA
Panelist, Panel 1: New Jersey’s Economic Climate
As head of the NJBIA, Michele Siekerka advocates on behalf of New Jersey’s large and small businesses for policies that make New Jersey more affordable and regionally competitive. Siekerka is leading an NJBIA-established coalition comprised of more than 100 business and nonprofit associations across the state to tackle the challenges that the state is facing during COVID-19.