South Jersey’s business community is driven by leaders who bring vision, innovation and a deep commitment to the region’s continued growth. Across industries—from health care and higher education to finance, real estate, manufacturing and beyond—these executives, entrepreneurs and change-makers are helping shape the future of our communities while creating opportunities for those who live and work here.

 

Our annual look at the 50 most powerful people in South Jersey business recognizes the individuals whose leadership, influence and ability to inspire others continue to make a meaningful impact. Their decisions strengthen organizations, fuel economic progress and help ensure South Jersey remains a dynamic place to build careers, grow businesses and call home.

 

With more than two decades of banking experience, Andreacci leads a team providing financial solutions and customized commercial financing for businesses throughout the region.

 

Asselta brings more than 20 years of nonprofit, government and economic development experience to her role, leading FBSJ’s work to provide food assistance, nutrition education and pathways to stability for neighbors across Burlington, Camden, Gloucester and Salem counties.

 

Marlene Z. Asselta, President, Southern New Jersey Development Council (SNJDC)
Asselta leads the Southern New Jersey Development Council, expanding regional economic development while championing volunteerism, civic leadership and partnerships among business, government and community organizations to strengthen South Jersey’s economy through collaboration statewide.

 

Steve Beatty, President, New Jersey Education Association (NJEA)
A high school social studies teacher, Beatty is currently on leave to serve as NJEA president, advancing advocacy for educators and students statewide.

 

The 15th leader in Campbell’s history, Beekhuizen has played a key role in strengthening the company’s portfolio through the acquisition of Rao’s.

 

Cathy Bennett, President & CEO, New Jersey Hospital Association (NJHA)
Bennett, a Haddonfield resident, has led the NJHA since 2017 as its president and CEO. Under her guidance, NJHA pursues its mission to improve the health of New Jerseyans and provides industry leadership on quality and patient safety, population health, data insights, education and advocacy.

 

Tom Bracken, President & CEO, New Jersey Chamber of Commerce
Bracken is one of the most visible and influential voices for business in New Jersey, regularly engaging in roundtables, town hall meetings and State House discussions.

 

Kenneth J. Calemmo Jr., COO, Cooper Levenson
Calemmo oversees the operations and strategic growth of one of the region’s leading multi-state law firms. Beyond the firm, he is a recognized leader in economic development and community advancement, serving on the board of trustees of the Atlantic County Economic Alliance and as founder and chair of the Chelsea Economic Development Corporation.

 

Chang has dedicated his career to improving community health. As president of Jefferson Health – East, he is transforming the landscape of care in Cherry Hill, Stratford and Washington Township. His purpose-driven leadership helps ensure every patient has access to high-quality care through Jefferson’s integrated network.

 

Peter Connolly, CEO, NJMEP
Connolly helps lead statewide efforts to strengthen manufacturing through workforce development, innovation and strategic partnerships. With more than 40 years of leadership experience in the aerospace and defense industry, he has championed initiatives that connect students, veterans and manufacturers while advancing collaboration, industry competitiveness and the long-term growth of New Jersey’s manufacturing sector.

 

Carlisle leads the local commercial and business banking teams and customer portfolios throughout Monmouth, Ocean, Atlantic, Cape May, Gloucester, Salem, Cumberland, Camden and Burlington counties while partnering with TD’s specialty business lending and consumer teams to expand client relationships.

 

Stephen F. Dougherty, Executive Director, South Jersey Transportation Authority
Dougherty is responsible for the day-to-day operations of high-volume operations like the Atlantic City Expressway, Atlantic City International Airport and Transportation Services.

 

Rev. Bill Golderer, President & CEO, United Way of Greater Philadelphia and Southern New Jersey
Golderer leads United Way’s mission, mobilizing over 100,000 donors, advocates and volunteers to drive regional impact. As senior pastor of Arch Street Presbyterian Church and founder of Broad Street Ministry and Rooster Soup Company, he inspires diverse communities through service, compassion and a commitment to uplifting those in need.

 

John Griffith, President & CEO, American Water
Griffith leads a team of 7,000 professionals delivering water and wastewater services to 14 million people across 24 states. He previously directed corporate strategy and operations, and earlier managed financial leadership spanning planning, risk, accounting, treasury, supply chain and business development.

 

Heath heads Samaritan, the region’s home-based health care provider serving over 13,000 patients, clients and their families annually. Under his leadership, Samaritan has expanded its Care Pathways, including hospice, palliative care, grief support, social connection services and the Boccolini Institute, strengthening comprehensive compassionate care across the region.

 

Andrew Hendry, Region President, Atlantic City Electric
Hendry leads external engagement with officials, business and community partners, advancing customer-focused, reliable, affordable, sustainable energy solutions.

 

Amy Hennessey, Executive Director, Employing Bricklayers Association
Hennessey began her career in banking and insurance before transitioning into commercial construction, where she developed a passion for building relationships and supporting industry growth. She is a trustee for BAC Local 1 and the Labor District Council and has led initiatives including masonry education at Drexel University, financial education for Philadelphia Vo-Tech students, support for the ACE Mentor Program, CMU Check-Off marketing and serves as president of the Philadelphia Fire Department Foundation, supporting firefighters and community programs.

 

Herbold leads Choose New Jersey, bringing 20-plus years of government and private-sector experience in stakeholder engagement and economic development.

 

Ali A. Houshmand, Ph.D, President, Rowan University
Houshmand has been instrumental in fostering public-private partnerships and creating opportunities to collaborate with business and industry. Under his leadership, enrollment has more than doubled, making Rowan the fastest-growing public research university in the Northeast.

 

Kristi M. Howell, President & CEO, Burlington County Regional Chamber of Commerce
Howell is an accomplished business leader with more than two decades of experience driving growth, government relations and community development across New Jersey. Her expertise lies in strategic planning, legislative advocacy, stakeholder engagement and organizational transformation.

 

Kocsis represents contractor members engaged in commercial, institutional and industrial building construction, as well as heavy, highway, marine, site development and utility construction. For more than 35 years, he has led ACCNJ, working on labor negotiations and jurisdictional disputes statewide. Kocsis currently serves as treasurer of the New Jersey Infrastructure Bank, is a member of the New Jersey Transportation Trust Fund Authority and is a member of the Moles, a fraternal construction organization.

 

Kris Kolluri, Esq., Executive Director, New Jersey Turnpike Authority
Kolluri leads New Jersey’s statewide public transportation system and oversees major toll road operations, managing extensive transit networks and critical infrastructure.

 

Greg Lalevee, IUOE, General Vice President and Business Manager, Local 825
Lalevee, a former crane operator, leads an organization of nearly 8,000 heavy equipment operators throughout New Jersey and five counties in New York. While union membership has been declining nationally, Lalevee has seen ongoing growth in membership during his tenure. Local 825 has become the single source for the most qualified and most productive engineers available. In return for their expertise and hard work, their needs are protected through better wages, benefits and working conditions.

 

Haris Laufer, Chair, New Jersey Cannabis Regulatory Commission
Laufer has a strong public service background, including roles as senior advisor to Senate President Nicholas P. Scutari and chief of staff for Sen. Raj Mukherji.

 

Rodger Levenson, Chairman, President & CEO, WSFS Bank
Levenson joined the WSFS Executive Management team in 2006. He serves on several boards, including on the U.S. Federal Reserve Board’s Federal Advisory Council, Chamber of Commerce for Greater Philadelphia Executive Committee, Board of Directors of Delaware Prosperity Partnership and on the Delaware Business Roundtable Executive Committee.

 

Kevin B. Mahoney, MBA, Chief Executive Officer, University of Pennsylvania Health System
Mahoney leads health system operations across six hospitals, 11 multispecialty centers and hundreds of outpatient facilities in Pennsylvania, Delaware and New Jersey.

 

Amy B. Mansue, CEO, Inspira Health
Mansue has dedicated four decades of her career to advancing health care, both in the public sector and within leading health systems across New Jersey. Known for visionary leadership, she is committed to creating exceptional health care experiences, promoting employee wellness, forming partnerships and strengthening communities.

 

David Mayer, Executive Director & CEO, South Jersey Port Corporation
In his role as head of the South Jersey Port Corporation, Mayer is leading a strategic vision centered on growth, sustainability, operational excellence and community impact. He is advancing major infrastructure modernization projects, expanding workforce development pathways and guiding the port’s long-term energy master plan to support future regional economic development.

 

Anthony J. Mazzarelli, MD, JD, MBE, Co-President & CEO, Cooper University Health Care
A board-certified emergency physician, as co-CEO Mazzarelli has helped position Cooper as a national model for compassionate, patient-centered care.

 

Scott Mertz, President, NAI Mertz
Since 2001, Mertz has completed 1,550-plus transactions worth more than $2 billion in gross transaction value, representing over 45 million square feet. He is among his company’s top producers and a global leader, earning numerous industry recognitions.

 

Monahan oversees regional banking operations across Philadelphia and Southern New Jersey, bringing extensive experience in credit management, commercial banking, wealth management, sales and training. She provides a broad perspective to solving client and community challenges and has been a key member of the leadership team since joining in 2017.

 

Michael Munoz, Senior Vice President and President of Diversified Markets, AmeriHealth
Munoz manages business performance, operations and growth strategy across the organization, bringing more than 25 years of health insurance industry experience. He has a proven record in product innovation, strengthening broker and employer relationships, and delivering results in a complex health care market, while fostering collaboration, accountability and improved access to affordable care.

 

Kevin M. O’Dowd, JD, Co-President/CEO, Cooper University Health Care

Since 2014, O’Dowd has helped steer Cooper’s growth with more than 14,000 team members, three hospitals and more than 130 offices across South Jersey.

Howard N. Orel, MD, FAAP, President & CEO, Advocare
The founding CEO of the large physician-owned medical group, Orel has dedicated his career to preserving independent physician practices while advancing innovative models of care.

 

Melissa J. Orsen, Senior Vice President & Chief Strategy Officer, South Jersey Industries (SJI)
Orsen provides strategic direction and drives sustainable growth and alignment across SJI. She has served as chair of the New Jersey Utilities Association’s Board of Directors, and serves on boards for the Drumthwacket Foundation and the New Jersey Chamber of Commerce.

 

Vito S. Pantilione, President & CEO, Parke Bank
Pantilione has served as president and chief executive officer of Parke Bank and Parke Bancorp since their founding in 1998 and 2005, respectively. With more than 40 years of banking and finance leadership, he previously served as president of First Commercial Bank of Philadelphia and executive vice president of First Federal Savings of Hammonton. He also owned and operated several successful mortgage companies and holds an honorary doctorate from Philadelphia University.

 

Pullin is a nationally recognized health care leader, advocate for health equity, author and host of an award-winning podcast.

 

Annette C. Reboli, MD, Dean and Professor of Medicine, Cooper Medical School of Rowan University (CMSRU)
As dean and professor of medicine, Reboli provides leadership in all aspects of medical education and institutional governance. Her scholarly work and funded research in infectious diseases, particularly invasive candidiasis, and her expertise in academic medicine are recognized internationally.

 

Christina M. Renna, President & CEO, Chamber of Commerce Southern New Jersey (CCSNJ)
When South Jersey needed a way to connect workers, patients, students and customers across seven counties, Renna’s CCSNJ helped deliver it: SJ Connects, a $5 million free shuttle service, that launched this year across South Jersey.

 

Renna leads SJI, advancing New Jersey’s clean-energy future while delivering safe, reliable, affordable natural gas service to 750,000 customers.

 

As president, Rollo is focused on advancing Archer’s tradition of client service, collaboration and excellence while guiding the firm’s continued growth.

 

Roman, the youngest president in the history of ABC New Jersey, leads one of the state’s largest and most influential construction trade associations, representing more than 1,300 merit shop contractors and industry firms. A respected advocate for New Jersey’s construction industry, she leverages her extensive political and public affairs expertise to champion policies that promote economic growth, workforce development, and free enterprise. Under her leadership, ABC New Jersey has strengthened its voice in both Trenton and Washington, D.C.

 

Seery brings expertise in organizational leadership, business development, strategic partnerships, marketing and community engagement. Working alongside business, nonprofit and public-sector leaders, she champions collaboration, innovation and sustainable economic growth throughout the region.

 

Shields brings decades of higher education leadership to his role as interim chancellor. A committed advocate for expanding access to higher education, Shields emphasizes mission clarity, humancapital investment, and transparent accountability. At Rutgers–Camden, his priorities include strengthening enrollment, advancing student success and expanding the university’s impact across South Jersey and beyond.

 

Michele Siekerka, Esq., President & CEO, New Jersey Business & Industry Association (NJBIA)
Siekerka advocates for statewide business policies that make New Jersey more affordable and competitive. She also leads the NJBIA-founded New Jersey Business Coalition, uniting more than 100 business and nonprofit associations to advance shared priorities.  

 

Sullivan has overarching responsibility for Michaels’ asset management operations, risk management, refinance and dispositions platforms, and the support functions of IT, human resources and corporate marketing.

 

Under Sproule’s leadership, EASRCC has expanded work opportunities, strengthened apprenticeship programs and advanced labor standards. He has driven organizing efforts, secured key industry partnerships and advocated for pro-worker policies. Sproule also oversees as chairman of the benefit funds, workforce development initiatives and political engagement to protect union jobs. He represents EASRCC on various boards and remains focused on strengthening opportunities for union carpenters.

 

Tocco is a seasoned financial executive and transformational leader with over 20 years of experience across commercial, business and retail banking.

 

Weiss works with Gov. Mikie Sherrill and Lieutenant Gov. Dr. Dale Caldwell across state government, and with key industry and community partners to accelerate economic opportunity.

 

Since founding WCRE in 2012, Wolf has grown the company into a respected regional platform serving clients throughout New Jersey, Pennsylvania, New York, and nationally through CORFAC International. He specializes in office, retail, industrial, health care and investment real estate, representing tenants, landlords, investors, institution, and corporate clients.