Crunching Numbers
1/3
In a recent Rutgers University survey that polled about 300 South Jerseyans, how many respondents said there needs to be more train and bus services between 6 and 9 a.m., while roughly 25% want more late-night routes.
18,351
The number of winter coats the Volunteer Center of South Jersey recently distributed around the state through its annual Jersey Cares Coat Drive.
13
How many years the commercial real estate firm WCRE has been in operation, an anniversary it marked last month.
Four
How many consecutive years Cooper University Health Care has appeared on Forbes’ Best in State Employers in New Jersey list. It’s recently been included in the publication’s top 200 places to work nationwide by being named among America’s Best Large Employers for 2025.
$295,700
The amount that nonprofit Camden Lutheran Housing paid for vacant land near Cornelius Martin Park to not only build 26 affordable-housing townhomes but also make local infrastructure improvements. The Camden Planning Board approved the project last month.
9,500,851
What the latest U.S. Census estimate indicates is New Jersey’s current population, showing both a 1.3% increase from 2023 and more than 200,000 new residents since 2020—the most of any Northeast state.
900,000
After the Day of Love & Compassion volunteer event that New Jersey Bankers Association held for Valentine’s Day, about how many meals the organization has donated in total for its One Million Meals campaign.
$10M
The total amount in bonuses that Hard Rock Atlantic City recently gave to employees after a record-breaking year in 2024.
$520 million+
New Jersey American Water’s recently announced end-of-year investment total for 2024, which includes improvements to water and wastewater systems throughout its statewide service areas.
Breakdown
Gov. Phil Murphy delivered his ninth and final budget address Feb. 25.
What Happened: Murphy presented a proposed $58.05 billion budget—the largest ever in the state’s history—outlining New Jersey’s spending priorities for fiscal year (FY) 2026. The budget includes a surplus of $6.3 billion.
What It Means: Locally, senators from South Jersey have already expressed concern about raising taxes for online gaming and sports betting. Bipartisan condemnation included comments from Sens. John Burzichelli (D) and Michael Testa (R), both of whom sit on the Senate Budget Committee. Their joint statement notes that, “Any effort to increase this tax on New Jerseyans threatens all of the progress New Jersey has made, especially at levels that would make New Jersey’s customers too heavily taxed. A tax increase would negatively impact jobs, industry investment, and our New Jersey customers, and it could affect future revenue growth for the state.” Representatives from other industries, from real estate to K-12 education, have also expressed their concerns about the likes of tax hikes on home sales and how education cuts will impact young students; meanwhile, the manufacturing tax credit program has been lauded for its potential to expand the industry’s facilities and workforce.
What’s Next: The budget will be a work in progress for the coming months, as it’s typically crafted before the end of June. Its hearing schedule was expected to begin in early March and conclude mid-May; from there, its revised form must first clear the budget committee and pass both full chambers before heading to Murphy’s desk for his signature before July 1, the constitutional start of FY 2026.
On the Move
Last month, Inspira Health made two announcements about its team members: Ruth K. Bash, MPA, FACHE, was promoted to senior vice president and chief experience officer effective Feb. 2, while Dr. Richard G. Stefanacci, DO, MGH, MBA, AGSF, CMD, was appointed to the role of medical director for Inspira Living Independently for Elders.
The New Jersey-based, physician-led health care organization Consensus Health announced Feb. 10 that Christine Hayek has been appointed as its chief operating officer.
Earlier this year, Jaclyn Rhoads, Ph.D., the longtime assistant executive director of the Pinelands Preservation Alliance, was named as the organization’s new executive director.
Will Forcello has been promoted to senior managing director and New Jersey market leader at the commercial real estate services and investment firm CBRE.
Law firm Capehart Scatchard recently announced that Charles F. Holmgren, a shareholder in its litigation department, assumed the role of hiring shareholder as of Feb. 20. Capehart Scatchard additionally announced that Sanmathi (Sanu) Dev has been appointed chairperson of the school law department, in which she has served as an experienced shareholder.
Thomas Edison State University has appointed four new members to its board of trustees: alumnus Gregory Brewer, president/CEO of Right at Home Care and Assistance; Dr. Diane Campbell, former vice president for Student Affairs at Mercer County Community College; Marc Citron, partner at Saul Ewing LLP; and Frank Lucchesi, director of External Affairs South at PSEG.
Effective March 10, Krista Hoglund, ASA, MAAA, MBA, has been appointed as president of Jefferson Health Plans.
DIGroupArchitecture has recently announced four promotions among key leadership positions: Scott Hoffman, principal; Jaime Masler Beach and Kelli Glasgow, associate principals; and Dalina Cruz, senior interior designer.
Duly Noted
Deborah Heart and Lung Center’s Vice President of Government, Community and Military Relations Christine Carlson-Glazer, MPH, recently has been selected to serve in the Air Force’s Air Mobility Command Civic Leader Program, representing Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst.
On Feb. 21, Gov. Phil Murphy announced the inaugural appointees to the newly created Governor’s Economic Council, tasked with facilitating dialog between the state’s business community and government leaders. Those individuals are: Tom Bracken, New Jersey Chamber of Commerce; Christina Renna, Chamber of Commerce Southern New Jersey; Carlos Medina, Statewide Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of New Jersey; John Harmon, African American Chamber of Commerce of New Jersey; Jeff Kowalkowski, New Jersey Builders Association; Chrissy Buteas, HealthCare Institute of New Jersey; Dan Kennedy, NAIOP New Jersey; Zoe Baldwin, Regional Plan Association; Paulina O’Connor, New Jersey Offshore Wind Alliance; Doug Tomson, New Jersey Association of Realtors; and Peter Connolly, New Jersey Manufacturing Extension Program.
It was announced late last month that Burlington County Commissioner Deputy Director Allison Eckel was selected as president of the Southern New Jersey County Commissioners Association for 2025. Tyler Burrell, also a Burlington County commissioner, was named to the association’s treasurer role.
