Meet NJBIA’s Trustees

On Nov 19, 2025

Coming from a diverse range of industries and backgrounds, NJBIA’s Board of Trustees represents the diversity and strength of New Jersey’s business community. In this year-long series, we spotlight these leaders, delving into their professional lives, but more so their off-the-grid penchants and activities.

Richard T. Thigpen

• Senior Vice President – Corporate Citizenship 
• Public Service Enterprise Group

Richard T. Thigpen is senior vice president for Corporate Citizenship of Public Service Enterprise Group (PSEG) and chair of the PSEG Foundation. He is responsible for supporting areas of the business that are impacted by public policy through advocacy, including federal, state, and local government affairs, sustainability, charitable activities, and corporate social responsibility. He joined PSEG in 2007 as vice president for State Governmental Affairs, PSEG Services Corp.

Thigpen’s favorite musician is Bob Marley. “I saw him and the Wailers perform in college,” he recalls. “Many of his songs speak to my beliefs and my experiences as a child of the African diaspora.” Though he likes to watch football and soccer – team sports that require lots of strategy and athleticism – his favorite sports team is in baseball. “It’s the St. Louis Cardinals,” he says. “I fell in love with the Cardinals as a child living in St. Louis and that love has endured over the years.”

Dave Vitali

• Public Policy Manager, DE/NJ/PA
• Amazon

David Vitali manages state & local government affairs for Amazon in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Delaware. He joined the company in 2022. Previously, he served as vice president for Optimus Partners, LLC, where he advocated at all levels of New Jersey government on behalf of clients. Prior to this, Vitali worked as a policy adviser for Gov. Chris Christie and deputy chief of staff to Lt. Gov. Kim Guadagno. 

His favorite TV show is the X-Files. “I rewatched the entire series recently, which reminded me how much I wanted to join the FBI as a kid. The show stands up as one of the most ahead-of-its-time and creative series ever,” he says.

During the summer, when Vitali is not getting his three daughters ready for school, he enjoys starting his day at 4 a.m., bass fishing from his kayak. “Being alone on the water in the dark with frogs, turtles, herons and bats frees the mind!” he says.

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