Resolve will work with clients across the public, private, and nonprofit sectors on strategic messaging, crisis communications, media relations, and integrated public affairs campaigns.

The company will operate in strategic partnership with River Crossing Strategy Group, leveraging more than 20 years of experience in helping clients succeed in governmental and advocacy settings.

Resolve has hired Toral Patel, formerly of the Governor’s Communications office, and will continue to build a team of best-in-class professionals throughout the year.

“We live in a rapidly evolving policy and economic environment,” said Bryan. “Resolve will help organizations communicate effectively within the ever-changing public affairs landscape, combining strong messaging, strategic thinking, and disciplined execution to help clients achieve their goals.”

“The next phase of communications isn’t about better messaging—it’s about alignment with how decisions actually get made,” said Shuffler. “Resolve was built on that premise: combining communications strategy with a real understanding of what drives policymaker behavior, so clients can advocate more effectively and achieve actual results.”

“Communications is constantly evolving in today’s media landscape,” said Patel. “I look forward to helping our clients shape strategies that reflect the moment while positioning them for what’s ahead. I’m thrilled to join Resolve Strategic Communications and excited to be at the helm of work that drives meaningful impact for our clients.”

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“Virtual reality offers a safer, more efficient way to train the next generation of bricklayers while helping us better connect with younger workers,” said John Capo, director, BACNJ. “This new training model represents a major step forward for our industry and has the potential to transform how we develop skilled professionals.”

This initiative aims to transform how skilled workers are trained for safety-critical and technically demanding jobs while upholding the union’s longstanding commitment to craftsmanship and tradition. By combining immersive virtual reality with real-time AI feedback, trainees can refine their skills in a safe, controlled environment without risk.

When students put on the goggles designed by the Department of Defense Contractor Envision Innovative Solutions, they are immediately transported into a fully immersive, brick-by-brick simulated jobsite experience, using handheld tools that mirror real-world equipment to practice techniques and procedures. This allows them to learn in a deeply engaging and meaningful way, building muscle memory and situational awareness. The technology also allows apprentices to experience scenarios that were previously inaccessible, giving them the opportunity to practice complex tasks and build confidence before ever stepping onto a scaffold.

“This marks an exciting development in our work over the past year with the Bricklayers union to integrate virtual reality into training,” said Christopher J. Nagy, Ed.D., M.A., C.A.P.P., NAGY Education Group. “This technology is important to the Bricklayers’ training program because it helps to assess apprentice candidates’ hand-eye coordination and their ability to work with heights, setting a new standard for how we prepare the next generation of skilled workers.”

The construction industry is facing a notable shortage of skilled tradespeople, with about 40% of the workforce over 45 and only about 9% new workers under the age of 25. Meanwhile, demand for trades workers is rising due to significant infrastructure investments, putting increasing pressure on apprenticeship programs to produce job-ready candidates swiftly, according to the NAGY Education Group.

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The dedicated capacity will be deployed across multiple locations and will include some of the initial deployments of the NVIDIA Vera Rubin platform. This distributed approach is designed to optimize performance, resilience, and scalability for Meta’s AI operations.

“This is another example that leading companies are choosing CoreWeave’s AI cloud to run their most demanding workloads,” said Michael Intrator, co-founder, CEO, chairman of CoreWeave.

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JLL represented the seller, North Jersey Development Group, in the disposition and procured Faropoint as the buyer.

The portfolio consists of two shallow bay industrial assets built in 1987 and 1990, situated on a combined 10.7 acres with direct access to Interstate 80 at Exit 37. Located just seven miles from the Interstate 287 and Interstate 80 interchange, the properties provide connectivity throughout the densely populated New York metropolitan area and access to more than 8.1 million consumers within a 60-minute drive time.

The fully leased portfolio is occupied by six tenants in the manufacturing, light industrial and warehousing distribution industries with an average tenant tenure of 15 years. Both properties feature 20-foot clear heights with separate loading and functional layouts with units ranging from approximately 5,000 square feet to approximately 24,000 square feet.

The JLL Capital Markets team representing the seller was led by Managing Directors Nicholas Stefans and Jason Lundy, along with Senior Analyst Luke Ceccoli.

“The shallow bay industrial sector continues to be one of the most sought-after sub-asset classes due to the lack of availability, minimal development pipeline and increasing tenant demand,” said Stefans. “Faropoint’s presence within the submarket gave them a competitive advantage in understanding market fundamentals and providing a seamless execution.”

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“We are excited to cohost the 2026 National Small Business Week Virtual Summit to offer small businesses information to help them take advantage of President Trump’s America First economic agenda and the SBA’s modernized capital access programs,” said SBA Administrator Kelly Loeffler. “Through tax cuts, deregulation, and fair trade, Main Street is positioned for another record year in 2026 – and the SBA will continue to support their comeback with training, capital, and contracting to empower the local businesses who serve as the backbone of communities across America.”

“Small businesses are the foundation of our local and national economies, and the expert advisors in our network are committed to supporting their success,” said Charles “Tee” Rowe, president & CEO, America’s SBDC. “We are honored to co-host this year’s Virtual Summit, ensuring that practical, no-cost resources and mentorship are accessible nationwide.”

The Virtual Summit will feature educational workshops presented by cosponsors, information about accessing federal resources, as well as networking and mentorship opportunities.  Participants will learn about topics varying from manufacturing, digital marketing, human resources (HR), artificial intelligence (AI), business planning, and online business resources.

The National Small Business Week virtual summit is part of SBA’s broader annual program, where an in-person National Awards Ceremony will take place on Sunday, May 3 in Washington, D.C. That week, Administrator Loeffler will conduct a nationwide roadshow to highlight exceptional job creators across Michigan, Pennsylvania, North Carolina, and Georgia.

Details on National Small Business Week, the award winners, and the virtual summit are featured on www.sba.gov/NSBW and will be updated as additional information and activities are confirmed. Local events will be featured on www.sba.gov/events and by searching #SmallBusinessWeek in the search bar.

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For decades, New Jersey had operated under a statutory restriction that acted as a de facto moratorium, prohibiting the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) from approving certain permits for new nuclear facilities.

“One of the outdated laws required any new projects to point to a method of disposal that quite literally does not exist,” Sherrill said at the bill signing at the Salem Nuclear Generating Station. “It was written in the 1970s and tied to a technological requirement that made sense then, but not today.”

She called it a textbook example of the kind of inefficient government that she campaigned to change.

The new bill requires projects to use modern, safe, cutting-edge storage methods that have been used in more than 35 states for the last 40 years with a 100% safety record, according to Sherrill.

Nuclear power already plays a big role in the state’s power generation, and the Salem site, which includes three nuclear power plants, remains one of the biggest nuclear generating sites in the country, providing nearly half of all electricity produced in New Jersey. Nuclear power also accounts for more than 80% of the state’s clean carbon-free power.

The site helps power 3 million homes, provides 1,600 local jobs and employs 1,000 contractors, contributing $1.2 billion in economic impact to the state.

Without the complex, Sherrill said that New Jerseyans would collectively be paying $400 million more for electricity every year.

As electricity costs continue to rise in the state, driven primarily by an unprecedented increase in demand in the face of limited supply, new power generation is key.

“For costs to come down, we need more energy supply,” Sherrill said, adding that New Jersey is well-positioned to be a leader in next-generation nuclear energy to help provide that supply.

“Our regional power grid is under strain from surging demand and limited new supply,” New Jersey Business & Industry President & CEO Michele Siekerka said. “Expanding nuclear power is part of a long-term, comprehensive solution for closing the gap between supply and demand that has driven up utility costs for businesses and residents.”

Sherrill also announced the formation of a Nuclear Task Force, established under Executive Order 2, which will begin its work of advancing the state’s pursuit of new nuclear energy.

The task force will convene leaders from government, industry, the environment, and labor to explore opportunities, organizing its work across five focus areas including: financing, supply chains and technology development, workforce growth and training, regulatory and permitting framework, and public trust and confidence. The task force’s goal is to ensure that the state is ready to capture the benefits of new nuclear power, while maintaining the highest standards of public safety and transparency.

“By lifting outdated barriers and bringing together leaders across government, industry, and labor, we’re setting the stage for our state to pursue new advanced nuclear power. This will help New Jersey secure a stronger, cleaner, more affordable, and reliable energy future – while keeping the state at the forefront of innovation, job creation, and economic growth,” Sherrill said.

Initial Members of the Nuclear Task Force Include: 

• Elizabeth Noll, Senior Strategist for Energy, Office of the Governor, Co-Chair  

• President Christine Guhl-Sadovy, President of the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities, Co-Chair  

• Colin Emerle, Senior Counsel, Office of the Governor, Counsel to Task Force  

• Commissioner Ed Potosnak, Department of Environmental Protection  

• Evan Weiss, CEO Economic Development Authority   

• General Yvonne Mays, Department of Military Affairs  

• Aaron Binder, State Treasurer  

• Charles McFeaters, President and Chief Nuclear Officer, PSEG Nuclear  

• Patrick O’Brien, Director of Government Affairs and Communications, Holtec  

• Michele Siekerka, President and CEO, NJBIA  

• Joseph Egan, New Jersey State Electrical Workers Construction Division Association President  

• Mike Hellstrom, Vice President and Eastern Region Manager, LIUNA  

• Marion Abdou, Former Commissioner at the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities  

• Dr. Matthew McKinzie, Senior Director, Data & Policy Analysis, Natural Resources Defense Council

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The awards program recognized innovative, pioneering, and landmark construction initiatives that significantly impacted New Jersey’s economy while highlighting the collaboration required among project partners to ensure success. The Energy Efficiency Program at Holy Name Medical Center was honored for demonstrating how strategic planning, technical expertise, and strong partnerships can deliver measurable energy savings and long-term operational improvements.

At the request of PSE&G, Armistead Mechanical, Inc. and its project partners were selected for the award in recognition of its collaborative execution and commitment to advancing energy-efficient infrastructure solutions.

“We were honored to be recognized alongside our partners for this important project,” said Kevin Armisted, president and CEO of Armistead Mechanical, Inc. “This award reflects the strength of teamwork and a shared commitment to delivering innovative, energy-efficient solutions that benefit both our clients and the broader New Jersey community.”

The recognition underscores Armistead Mechanical’s continued focus on high-performance building systems, responsible energy management, and collaborative project delivery that helps drive economic growth and infrastructure advancement across the region.

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The Fan Hub will serve as the NYNJ Host Committee’s official New Jersey fan experience, activated throughout the duration of the FIFA World Cup tournament on select dates. The site will feature live match viewings, immersive fan experiences, cultural programming, musical performances, and community-driven events designed to welcome residents and fans from around the world.

“As we prepare to welcome the world to this generational event, it’s critical that New Jersey communities are at the center of the experience,” said Tammy Murphy, New York New Jersey Host Committee Board Chair. “The Jersey Fan Hub will create an accessible and exciting space for residents and visitors alike to come together, celebrate the global game, and experience the pride, diversity, and spirit that define our region.”

The NYNJ World Cup 26 Jersey Fan Hub will give fans the experience of watching matches on the stadium floor and feature a 60’ screen on the pitch. Hype House, opened in April 2026, will serve as a rallying point for fans with 20 large screen TVs, a 360-degree bar, and a built-in stage for musical performances and appearances. Fans will also be able to explore brand activations from NYNJ Host City Supporters, including Bristol Myers Squibb, Hackensack Meridian Health, Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey, and PSEG.

“Today’s announcement is about creating places where fans can come together and experience the energy of the World Cup beyond the stadium,” said Alex Lasry, CEO of the New York New Jersey Host Committee. “This venue is already a central destination for sports and live entertainment in the region, making it a natural fit for the kind of dynamic, community-driven experience we’re building. The Jersey Fan Hub will bring that energy to life—connecting fans through the game in a way that’s accessible, authentic, and distinctly New York and New Jersey.”

The Jersey Fan Hub is part of a wider regional fan footprint, which includes official fan experiences across New York City. These include the NYNJ World Cup 26 & Telemundo Fan Village at Rockefeller Center and the NYNJ World Cup 26 Fan Zone Queens at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center, reinforcing a World Cup experience that extends into communities across the region.

The official programming schedule and ticketing information for the Fan Hub will be announced soon. Tickets will be available for $10 plus applicable fees, with free entry for youth ages 12 and under.

SI Stadium will offer additional programming throughout the tournament, including concerts featuring global headliners. For more information on additional programming, or to be the first to know about future announcement or ticket purchase information, visit SportsIllustratedStadium.com.

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“Spacecraft using storable hypergolic propellants have long relied on pressure-fed systems. It’s a proven approach, but the system architecture adds mass and volume that could otherwise go to payload or propellant margin,” said Max Wolfinger, vice president, space systems at Marotta Controls. “With the BPE-35 Propellant Gear Pump handling propellant delivery, the pressurization system mass can be significantly reduced, and that recovered mass budget can go somewhere useful.”

Marotta’s BPE-35 Propellant Gear Pump is designed to better equip spacecraft designers as they design for greater demands: carry more payload, reach a higher orbit, hold more propellant margin for on-orbit maneuvering. The positive displacement pump uses an external gear design on both the fuel and oxidizer sides, driven by an electrically controlled brushless DC motor sized for integration with modern spacecraft power systems. The compact design is suitable for both MMH and NTO, which simplifies fluid management and reduces cost for the propulsion system.

The pump is a natural fit for programs where propulsion performance directly impacts mission duration or objectives. These include responsive space missions requiring rapid maneuvering, cislunar transfer vehicles, and high delta-V defense applications (e.g., those tied to the Golden Dome initiative).

“Hypergolic propulsion is the right answer for a wide range of demanding missions,” Wolfinger added. “The hardware gap has been the limiting factor. We’ve proven the architecture works, and now we are unveiling our technology to the market as high flow bipropellant propulsion needs continue to emerge.”

Marotta will be exhibiting at the Space Symposium in Colorado Springs, Colo., the week of April 13, at stand #330. Representatives will be available to discuss the BPE-35 Propellant Gear Pump and potential development partnerships.

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Dream Fan Fest positions American Dream as one of the only destinations in the region activating for the full duration of the FIFA World Cup 2026 tournament, delivering daily, programming alongside its hospitality, entertainment, and retail offerings.

“This is a once-in-a-generation opportunity for our region, and American Dream will be at the center of off-the-pitch activity,” said Adam Petrick, chief marketing officer of American Dream. “From gameday hospitality to non-matchday experiences, we are creating memorable moments for millions of visitors from around the world. Unlike traditional fan fests, we will activate for the entire tournament in a climate-controlled environment with unmatched programming.”

The celebration will span the entire property, with programming distributed across multiple venues.

Guests can attend daily viewing parties enhanced by brand activations, live entertainment, and celebrity appearances. The property, in partnership with FIFA, will also offer thousands of parking spaces on match days.

American Dream’s 250 retailers, 65 dining venues, and more than 30 attractions will participate. Its 11 full-service restaurants will offer curated menus and host gameday hospitality experiences for fans, brands, and partners. Key venues, including The Rink, Dream Live Performing Arts Center, Expo Center, and DreamWorks Water Park, will host live performances, concerts, and postgame events.

Several recent and upcoming additions further strengthen the property’s connection to the global game. Adidas has opened its U.S.-exclusive soccer-focused flagship store, while The Messi Experience – honoring global icon Lionel Messi – is slated to debut soon. The property is also home to The Soccer Factory, a museum celebrating Diego Maradona, along with numerous other sports, luxury and lifestyle brands.

In collaboration with the Hispanic Chamber, 1,000 New Jersey small businesses will have the opportunity to showcase their products and services at La Plaza de Fútbol.

In the lead-up to the tournament, American Dream will host a series of marquee moments, including giveaways and special events, culminating with the FIFA World Cup Trophy Tour by Coca-Cola at The Rink on June 3 and 4.

For more information, visit: www.americandream.com/dream-fan-fest

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Coughlin serves as president of the Bayonne Chamber of Commerce, president of the American Heart Association of NJ, Rotarian, director of gift of Life Bergen County, and director of the International Humanitarian Foundation, among other roles.

“Tom embodies what Five Rivers Bank stands for,” said C. Mark Campbell, outgoing president and CEO. “He’s a builder. He’s a connector. And in his first weeks here, he’s already demonstrated strong leadership and clear direction on growing our impact.”

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“Leading this firm has been one of the great privileges of my career,” Hayes said. “We have made tangible progress growing the platform, strengthening our practices, and investing in markets where our clients need us most. Mike brings the relationships, judgment, and vision to continue that momentum. I leave this role with real confidence in where we’re headed.” Hayes will remain involved in the firm’s ongoing strategic growth initiatives in addition to his private client practice.”

“We are incredibly grateful to Greg for his leadership and his many contributions to the firm’s growth and success,” said Byrne. “Day Pitney is in a position of strength, and we will build on that success through a deliberate strategic growth plan, while being attentive to the market dynamics and technological shifts in the legal industry.”

Byrne has served on the firm’s executive committee for three years and, before that, was the chair of the firm’s real estate practice for over 10 years. He transitions to the role of managing partner at a moment of significant momentum for the firm. Since spring 2023, Day Pitney has added 40 partners, including 21 lateral hires and 19 partner promotions, deepening its presence in key markets, with significant expansion in Boston, Florida, New Jersey, and Washington, D.C.

As managing partner, Byrne will initially focus on two core initiatives–a deliberate, partnership-driven strategic growth plan and the implementation of innovative and emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence. In his first months as managing partner, he will also conduct a structured listening tour and strategic review designed to align the firm around clear priorities and opportunities for growth.

Byrne will continue his commercial real estate transactions practice, representing a broad range of clients on real estate finance transactions, acquisitions, dispositions, leasing, development, and joint ventures. His clients include life insurance companies, banks, pension funds, investment banks, commercial lenders, corporations, private equity funds, religious organizations, utility companies, and high-net-worth individuals. He has been ranked in Chambers USA for Real Estate in Connecticut and named to the Best Lawyers® in real estate law.

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“Brighton Best is a globally recognized distributor, and its decision to invest here speaks to the long-term strength of Logan North and the Southern New Jersey market,” said Alex Motiuk, director of acquisitions at Greek Real Estate Partners. “After evaluating multiple locations in the region, they ultimately chose Logan Township for its infrastructure, accessibility and long-term growth potential. We are proud to deliver a customized facility that supports their continued expansion.”

Greek Design | Build will oversee the ground-up construction and custom interior fit-out tailored to BBI’s operational requirements as the company continues its domestic and international growth. The project underscores GREP’s vertically integrated development platform, managing every phase from land disposition and entitlement through construction and delivery.

“BBI’s decision to select this location and our development team to construct a best-in-class asset further underscores the investment grade nature of this location at Logan North Industrial Park,” said Alexander Cocoziello, principal and chief investment officer at Advance Realty Investors.  “Our team looks forward to executing this project on behalf of our partnership with Torchlight as we continue to advance our business plan.”

Founded in 1925, BBI has grown from a regional fastener supplier into a global enterprise operating in 31 locations across six countries and supplying more than 7,000 distributors worldwide. The company offers an extensive portfolio of fasteners, anchoring systems, construction products, safety supplies, and professional-grade tools.

Through strategic acquisitions and international expansion, BBI has established itself as one of the largest fastener master distributors in the global marketplace. Headquartered in Long Beach, California, it continues to expand its U.S. footprint through strategic investments in modern distribution facilities. This project marks a significant step in strengthening the company’s East Coast operations.

“Logan Township’s strategic location and the strength of our development partners made this the ideal solution for our continued growth,” said Peggy Hsieh, COO of BBI. “This new property will allow us to enhance distribution efficiencies, expand inventory capacity and better serve our customers across the region.”

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Launched in October 2025, Elevate Play addresses the modern-day “play deficit” – as only one in five children in New York and New Jersey meet daily activity recommendations and youth average more than five hours of screen time – through productive development work in schools that brings positive play to recess and reducing barriers to live events, particularly for children in historically marginalized communities.

“Bank of America is a powerful partner in Gotham’s mission to expand access to the game and deepen our impact across New York and New Jersey,” said Alex Chang, Gotham FC chief revenue officer. “With its support of Elevate Play, we will continue reaching more young people and families with meaningful opportunities to engage in sport while growing on and off the pitch. We are incredibly appreciative of their commitment to this work and in helping us build stronger, more connected communities through soccer.”

“The great state of New Jersey has always been a soccer powerhouse, from hosting the first international soccer match ever played in the United States, through the present day, ” said Alberto Garofalo, president, Bank of America New Jersey. “We’re teaming up with Gotham FC and their Elevate Play initiative to help create more opportunities through sports throughout the region.”

Elevate Play was originally created in collaboration with founding philanthropic partner, the Laurie M. Tisch Illumination Fund, as part of its Play to Thrive initiative, and nonprofit community partner Playworks NY/NJ, which provides low-income schools across the New York and New Jersey year-round, on-site support services to helps kids stay active and build valuable skills through play.

Together, the Illumination Fund, Playworks, Gotham FC and Bank of America as a presenting partner will deliver 20 school-based trainings through Playworks’ proven curriculum, while providing 10,000 youth, educators and caregivers with complimentary access to 2026 matches.

“Addressing the play deficit in our communities requires sustained, collective investment in young people,” said Laurie M. Tisch, president of the Laurie M. Tisch Illumination Fund. “As the founding philanthropic partner of Elevate Play, we are proud to have helped launch this initiative with Gotham FC, reflecting the club’s deep commitment to social impact. Welcoming Bank of America as presenting sponsor will expand its reach and deepen its impact, giving more children across New York and Northern New Jersey access to the physical, social, and emotional benefits of play.”

“Playworks is delighted and honored to partner with Gotham FC and the Illumination Fund to launch Elevate Play, drawing on more than 30 years of experience, to further expand access to safe, healthy play and inspire children through the excitement of a professional soccer match,” said Robin Grossman, executive director of Playworks NY/NJ, during the program’s October launch. “Play is a fundamental human need. When children play, they build resilience, compassion, and confidence. Through play, they learn to make friends, solve problems, and believe in themselves – even in challenging times.”

Gotham FC will also partner with Bank of America to create the Bank of America Soccer With Us clinics – free, hands-on soccer experiences reaching underserved communities – alongside financial literacy programming, goal-setting workshops and confidence-building sessions designed to equip the next generation for success on and off the pitch.

“We’re incredibly excited to partner with the championship-winning Gotham FC  – a team that, like Bank of America, embodies excellence, teamwork, and a deep commitment to community,” said José Tavarez, president, Bank of America New York City. “Through this partnership, we’re enthusiastic to expand participation and access to soccer through clinics and educational programming across New York and New Jersey.”

The partnership will come to life through a custom content series highlighting Elevate Play’s impact and a player-led franchise aligned with Bank of America’s “What would you like the power to do?” campaign.

Bank of America will be integrated throughout the Gotham FC matchday and fan experience, with a dynamic presence at Fan Fest, presented by CarMax; in-stadium exposure; player engagement opportunities; and hospitality benefits at Sports Illustrated Stadium. Through the Bank of America Rewards program, Gotham FC will also deliver meaningful, repeatable value to Bank of America clients with best-in-market experiences and offerings beyond the pitch.

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Founded by John Lonsdorf, Robert Gagauf and Robert Wille on April 6, 1986, the agency opened as Roberts & John Advertising and Public Relations in Livingston, building early expertise in commercial real estate, consumer products and healthcare that continues to define the agency today.

Scott Marioni joined the agency in 1999, just as search engines and online publishing platforms were beginning to reshape how audiences found and consumed information. By 2001, that growth prompted the agency to rebrand to R&J Group, reflecting an expanding range of capabilities and a deepening expertise across its core practice areas.

In 2005, Marioni and Lonsdorf became partners and launched R&J Public Relations in Bridgewater, sharpening the agency’s strategic focus at a time when search, blogs and emerging digital platforms were shifting power away from traditional advertising and making public relations the more critical communications tool. As social media began rewriting the rules of public discourse, the agency evolved and its service offerings expanded in tandem with the tools and technologies defining the era. Tiffany Miller joined the following year and would become instrumental in shaping the agency’s client service philosophy and growth.

Over the next several years, as smartphones put the internet in everyone’s pocket, social media moved from novelty to necessity, and audiences fragmented across an expanding universe of digital platforms.

In 2012, R&J responded to the change by acquiring Fifth Room Creative, a web design and development agency, giving clients access to fully integrated digital and creative capabilities alongside its public relations expertise. As mobile advertising surged and content strategy became central to how organizations built and protected their reputations, the agency rebranded to R&J Strategic Communications in 2015. The new name reflected its expertise in creating, implementing and managing integrated media campaigns across owned, earned, shared and paid channels to elevate brands and businesses.

In 2018, Marioni was named President of R&J, and in 2019, Miller was promoted to Executive Vice President and named partner, completing a leadership transition that had been years in the making. When Lonsdorf retired in late 2024, he left the agency in the hands of a team that had spent decades helping build it.

“From the beginning, we built this agency around one idea: help clients communicate in a way that actually connects with people. The tools and platforms have changed more than we ever could have imagined in 1986, but that principle has stayed the same,” said Lonsdorf. “What makes me most proud is not just the work we’ve done, but the team that has carried that mindset forward and continues to adapt as the industry evolves.”

Today, R&J serves clients across commercial real estate, healthcare, human services and nonprofits, while actively navigating what may be the most significant communications shift yet: the rise of generative AI and its implications for how content is created, distributed and trusted. For the organizations R&J works with, that shift is already reshaping how they reach audiences, build credibility and protect their reputations.

“Every major shift in communications has forced us to rethink how we help our clients reach and engage the audiences that matter most to them,” said Marioni. “From the rise of search and social to today’s AI-driven landscape, we have made a conscious decision to evolve with purpose, not react to change. That mindset has allowed us to grow alongside our clients and position them for what’s next, not just what’s now.”

“Reaching this milestone is a reflection of the relationships that have shaped this organization, from our clients and partners to the team members who bring our work to life every day,” said Miller. “We are grateful for the trust that has allowed us to grow over the past 40 years. As we look ahead, our responsibility is to build on that foundation, lead with purpose and continue making a difference for our clients, our team and the communities we serve.”

To mark the anniversary, R&J is launching its Moments That Made a Difference campaign, a year-long content series at randjsc.com that walks through six distinct eras of the agency’s history, each defined by the communications forces of its time. The series features perspectives from the agency’s founder, leadership team, clients and colleagues. The challenges R&J has navigated over 40 years, earning trust in a fragmented media environment, guiding clients through crises and making sense of technologies that did not exist yesterday, are the same challenges facing organizations today.

To explore the full anniversary series, visit randjsc.com and follow R&J Strategic Communications on LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook and X.

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Companies that have signed a “most favored nation” pricing deal and are actively building facilities in the US to onshore production of patented pharmaceuticals and their ingredients will have a 0% tariff. For those that don’t have a pricing deal but are building such projects in the US, a 20% tariff will apply but will increase to 100% in four years.

The tariffs stem from a Section 232 investigation under the Trade Expansion Act, invoking national security grounds, with the administration citing that, “a self-sufficient domestic manufacturing and industrial base for pharmaceutical products is vital for the ability to support national defense requirements and public health.”

Essentially, companies neither holding agreements nor in active negotiations to onshore production face the full levy. Generic pharmaceuticals and their associated ingredients, including biosimilar products, plus orphan drugs, are not subject to the tariffs.

The administration said that large companies have 120 days before the 100% tariffs kick in, while mid- and small-sized companies have 180 days.

A number of major drugmakers have already struck deals to avoid the tariffs. Pfizer Inc., Eli Lilly and Co., AstraZeneca PLC, Novo Nordisk, and Johnson & Johnson secured three-year reprieves by agreeing to Most Favored Nation pricing. J&J also pledged a $55 billion U.S. investment, including two new manufacturing plants.

According to the administration, the impending Section 232 tariffs have already spurred approximately $400 billion in new investment commitments from US and foreign pharmaceutical companies.

Reacting to the Section 232 announcement, BioNJ President and CEO Debbie Hart said in a statement that, “BioNJ stands firmly in support of the fundamental mission of ensuring that the US remains the dominant source of biomedical innovation worldwide — with New Jersey being home to one of the central nuclei of that innovation.

“We are deeply concerned that the tariffs announced in the proclamations yesterday will ultimately generate obstacles that impede that competitiveness. These policies are uniquely damaging to the engines of biomedical innovation: small- and medium-sized biotechnology companies and ultimately will affect the entire system that produces the medicines that Patients need,” she said.

Chrissy Buteas, president and chief executive officer of the HealthCare Institute of New Jersey (HINJ), commented, “As the life sciences work to increase our domestic R&D and manufacturing capabilities, strengthening national security and American jobs while still researching and discovering cutting-edge medical advances, these tariffs become a barrier to those efforts. We remain committed to working with policymakers on solutions that lower barriers to innovation, accelerate the development of new treatments and cures, and reinforce the US’ and New Jersey’s global leadership in biopharma and medical technology innovation.”

Additional Adjustments to Steel, Aluminum and Copper Imports 

Trump also signed a proclamation yesterday to strengthen tariffs imposed on imported steel, aluminum, and copper. 

The proclamation defines the way that tariffs are assessed, now basing the levies on the full value of the metals paid by US customers rather than the amount it costs to produce them in a foreign country. 

• The proclamation also establishes clear rules for calculating Section 232 metal tariffs. 

• Articles made entirely or almost entirely of aluminum, steel, or copper will pay a flat 50% on their full value — for example, steel coils and aluminum sheet. 

• Derivative articles substantially made of steel, aluminum, or copper will pay a flat 25% on their full value. 

• Certain metal-intensive industrial equipment and electrical grid equipment will pay 15% through 2027, to accelerate the massive industrial base buildout currently underway across the United States. 

• Products made abroad but entirely with American steel, aluminum, and copper will be subject to lower tariffs of 10%. 

• Products made of 15% or less steel, aluminum, or copper will no longer be subject to Section 232 metals tariffs.

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“We are incredibly honored to be recognized in Financial Times’ Americas’ Fastest Growing Companies 2026 list,” said Gigi Schweikert, chief executive officer of Lightbridge Academy. “This recognition is a testament to the dedication of our franchisees, our staff, and the families who trust us to care for and educate their children. Our growth is driven by a relentless focus on delivering exceptional early childhood education, investing in our team, and equipping our franchisees with the tools and support they need to thrive. As we continue to expand our footprint, we remain grounded in our mission to ensure every child in our care has the foundation they need to learn, grow, and flourish.”

The Americas’ Fastest Growing Companies 2026 ranking identifies organizations that achieved the strongest revenue growth between 2021 and 2024. Companies were evaluated based on having a revenue of at least $100,000 generated in 2021, a revenue of at least $1,500,000 generated in 2024, and for the company to operate as an independent organization. Data was collected through official sources like publicly available earning presentations, investor relations, websites, and annual reports.

This latest recognition is announced as Lightbridge Academy has received multiple distinguished industry accolades for the brand. Most recently, Lightbridge Academy earned a place in the 2026 Inc. Regionals: Northeast list, received the Franchise Business Review’s Franchise Satisfaction Award, and ranked #129 on Entrepreneur’s Franchise 500 list.

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“People made up their minds about casino expansion a long time ago,” said Dan Cassino, a professor of government and politics at Fairleigh Dickinson University, and the executive director of the FDU Poll. “Unless something dramatic happens, putting the issue in front of voters is going to lead to the same outcome as it did before.”

Currently, casino gambling in New Jersey is limited to Atlantic City, and changing that would require an amendment to the state constitution. Such amendments have to be passed by the State Legislature in consecutive sessions, then approved by voters in a referendum; such a referendum could come to voters as early as November. The proposed casinos outside of Atlantic City would be at existing racetracks at the Meadowlands and Monmouth Park, and would be expected to compete with new casinos being opened in New York. A previous referendum to expand casino gambling in New Jersey suffered a decisive defeat in 2016, with 77% opposed, and only 23% in favor.

The latest figures are almost identical to responses to the same question fielded by the FDU Poll as far back as 2014. Then, 42% of voters said that they supported casino expansion; in 2016, it was 41%. Today, support has ticked up to 44%, a statistically insignificant change. The percentage opposed has stayed remarkably stable, at about 50 percent.

“The only thing that’s changed since last time this was tried is more casinos opening in New York,” said Cassino, the appropriately named pollster. “That matters a lot to the folks who want to open casinos, but it doesn’t seem to matter to the voters.”

Finding a substantial change in voter attitudes on casino expansion requires going back to March 2009. Seventeen years ago, 24% of voters in New Jersey were in favor of casino expansion, with 70% opposed.

As in past years, opposition to casino expansion is highest among older voters: 58% of voters 65 and older say that they oppose openings outside of Atlantic City, with only 38% in favor. Also opposed are the youngest voters, those 30 and under, who are the most likely to make use of betting apps. In that group, 45% are in favor of expansion, with 49% opposed.

“Older voters remember the commitment that casinos were only ever going to be in Atlantic City, and they’re holding the state to those promises,” said Cassino.

Within the Legislature, opposition to casino expansion has been spearheaded by representatives of the areas around Atlantic City, who have argued that expansion would take away business from the existing casinos. Among voters, opposition to expansion is higher in those counties than in neighboring regions, with 43% approving, and 50% opposing. The highest level of opposition, though, comes from the area surrounding the Meadowlands, where one of the casinos would be located. Only 38 percent of residents in Bergen and Passaic counties say that they support casino expansion, with 56 percent opposed.

The survey was conducted between March 20 and 28, 2026, using a voter list of registered voters in New Jersey carried out by Braun Research of Princeton. Respondents were contacted via either live caller telephone interviews, or text-to-web surveys sent to cellular phones, resulting in an overall sample of 805 registered voters in the state. Surveys were carried out via live caller telephone interviews to landlines (127) and cellphones (275) and the remainder (404) were done on a web platform via weblinks sent via SMS to cell phones. Surveys were conducted only in English.

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The need-based scholarship will be awarded by the NJCU Foundation to students who demonstrate financial need, with recipients selected by the Foundation based on an applicant’s circumstances and potential for success.

Silverman’s gift also serves as the lead and inaugural donation for a planned centennial campaign—details of which will be announced at a later date—that will benefit student scholarships on the Jersey City campus following the merger of NJCU with Kean University in Summer 2026. NJCU was chartered in 1927 as Jersey City State Normal School, and 2027 will mark the 100th year of the campus in the state’s second largest city.

Silverman, a former longtime member of the NJCU Foundation Board of Directors where he served from 2012 to 2022, including a term as vice chair, cited President Andrés Acebo’s investiture ceremony in September 2025 as the catalyst for re-engaging with the university after stepping back from active involvement in recent years.

“What inspired me was Andy’s investiture. He approached it not as a ceremony, but as a tribute to this community,” Silverman explained. “Being there rekindled something in me: a belief in NJCU, in its purpose, and in the people it exists to uplift. Like many, I had stepped back after losing faith in the university’s previous direction. But that moment, shaped by President Acebo’s conviction, passion, and deep commitment to our students, called me back with clarity and renewed purpose.”

Silverman emphasized that NJCU’s mission and student population make philanthropic support particularly impactful. “NJCU serves a population where this scholarship is really going to make a difference in the life of a student,” he said. “It’s a significant investment. Rather than donating to a huge university with billions of dollars, you can really make a difference in the lives of students from our community every year. I encourage others who are in a position to give back, to consider the impact a gift such as this will have.”

Silverman was honored during the 2022 NJCU Leadership Awards gala in recognition of his lasting impact on Jersey City and the greater Hudson County area.

President Acebo celebrated the gift, saying “Paul Silverman and his family’s generous commitment to our students demonstrates their profound understanding that education is the foundation upon which strong communities are built. As someone who has literally shaped the skyline and neighborhoods of Jersey City, Paul recognizes that investing in our students is the most important investment we can make in our community’s future. His gift will support the very students who define our campus community—hardworking individuals, predominantly first-generation working-class scholars, who are determined to succeed notwithstanding significant challenges and obstacles. We are deeply grateful for Paul’s renewed partnership with our campus mission and his unwavering belief in the transformative power of education.”

The establishment of the Silverman Family Scholarship continues Paul Silverman’s long history of supporting education and community development in Hudson County. As co-founder with his brother Eric of the prominent real estate development firm SILVERMAN, he has played a pivotal role in revitalizing Jersey City’s downtown and waterfront districts since 1981. Under their leadership, SILVERMAN has developed over 1,000 new residences and hundreds of thousands of square feet of commercial and industrial space.

Widely regarded for his work as a developer of residential, commercial, retail and industrial real estate in New Jersey, including restoration of historic buildings, renovation of existing buildings, and new construction, he is also a noted supporter of the arts and other causes. He has also served as Chairman of New Jersey Beer Co., a microbrewery producing craft beer since 2011.

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Landiolol is a fast-acting, intravenous beta blocker indicated for the short-term reduction of ventricular rate (the number of times the heart’s ventricles contract per minute) in adults with supraventricular tachycardia, including atrial fibrillation and atrial flutter as well as pediatric patients with supraventricular tachycardia – according to manufacturer AOP Orphan Pharmaceuticals GmbH (AOP Health US). The medication is administered intravenously – via an IV line – in the inpatient hospital setting, often in critical care situations.

The medication had been approved for use in Europe, Japan, and Canada, and was FDA-approved for use in the United States in November 2024.

“We are excited to be at the forefront of caring for critically ill patients with cardiac arrhythmia by making new treatment options available to our patients at The Valley Hospital,” said Yonathan Litwok, MD, director of cardiac critical care at The Valley Hospital. “Valley’s cardiac critical care team stays up to date with the latest innovations and treatments in our field, to provide our patients with high-quality care.”

“I am proud of the continued innovation displayed by our team at The Valley Hospital,” said Suneet Mittal, MD, Chair of the Cardiovascular Service Line for Valley Health System. “We will continue to seek new treatments and therapies to advance the high-quality care we are able to offer our patients.”

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The New Jersey industrial market demonstrated robust performance to start the year, recording 8.6 million square feet of new leasing activity. The market also achieved 3.7 million square feet of positive net absorption, supported by high tenant demand and the successful delivery of several new projects. As a result of this strong activity, the industrial vacancy rate tightened to 9.3%. Meanwhile, the overall net asking rental rate reached $16.66 per square foot.

“The large leasing volume we saw this quarter shows the lasting strength of New Jersey’s industrial corridor,” said Felix Soto, research manager at Cushman & Wakefield. “With strong growth and less available sublease space, the market remains highly competitive. We expect this energy to continue as companies seek prime distribution locations to support their supply chains.”

In the New Jersey office market, conditions experienced a modest adjustment following three straight quarters of occupancy gains. First-quarter leasing activity totaled 1.2 million square feet, with demand heavily concentrated in premier Class A properties. The overall office vacancy rate stood at 21.8 percent. Despite the slight softening in absorption, average overall rental rates showed upward pressure, rising to $32.43 per square foot.

“While the office sector saw a slight pullback early in the year, market conditions are notably healthier than they were a year ago,” said Bill Simoneau, Senior Research Manager at Cushman & Wakefield. “The steady reduction in available sublease space and the higher rents commanded by top-tier assets indicate that companies are actively investing in better work environments. We expect the desire for high-quality spaces to drive office leasing decisions throughout the rest of the year.”

Additionally, a new Cushman & Wakefield analysis on office-to-other-use conversions highlights a significant pipeline of inventory being removed from the market, which is expected to further influence leasing dynamics. Approximately 24.2 million square feet of office space across New Jersey is proposed or undergoing conversion, with more than 10 million square feet still occupied. As these tenants are displaced, many are expected to remain in-state, intensifying competition for high-quality space and reinforcing the ongoing flight-to-quality trend across the region.

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This 12-month hybrid learning program will be implemented by the New Jersey Small Business Development Center at WPU in coordination with local economic development agencies and federal partners, including USDA Rural Development and the U.S. Small Business Administration.

“Rural small businesses are the backbone of our local economies”, said Stern. “This program ensures that rural entrepreneurs have access to the training, technology and financial resources they need not only to compete, but to thrive.”

The project is expected to create or save up to 46 jobs while assisting participating rural businesses strengthen their operations, pursue new growth opportunities, and secure funding to expand.

This investment is part of USDA’s ongoing commitment to ensure rural communities have the tools and resources necessary to build resilient and sustainable local economies.

USDA Rural Development is committed to improving the economy and quality of life in rural America. Through loan, grant and loan guarantee programs, USDA assists communities with infrastructure improvements; business development; housing; community facilities such as schools, public safety and health care; and high-speed internet access.

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“I am thrilled that ofi has chosen New Jersey as the location of its East Coast Distribution Center. Their decision will benefit our economy, and it reflects a substantial investment in the hard-working people of South Jersey,” said Gov. Mikie Sherrill. “My administration remains committed to strengthening New Jersey’s standing as a premier destination to start and grow a business.”

“We are excited to welcome ofi, a cutting-edge leader in its field, to the great State of New Jersey,” said Evan Weiss, CEO of the New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJEDA). “ofi’s investment into New Jersey is a testament to the state’s global competitiveness, prime location, and high-quality talent pool. This new distribution center will be an economic gamechanger for the South Jersey region, helping to create new jobs and long-term sustainability.”

The East Greenwich location is strategically located less than 20 miles from the Philadelphia port and less than 100 miles from New Jersey’s major ports in Newark and Elizabeth.

“We are delighted to join the East Greenwich community and thank them for their very warm welcome and incredible support,” said M.Sathyamurthy, CEO and managing director, ofi Americas. “We chose this location for our East Coast Distribution Center due to a number of criteria, most notably, the exceptional workforce and the easy access to distribution channels. This new distribution center will help drive growth for our private label retail and ingredients businesses, support our manufacturing footprint and strengthen our global sourcing strategy for customers.”

“Enterprise Singapore values our collaboration with partners like the NJEDA and Choose New Jersey in supporting Singapore-based companies to expand in the United States, creating economic value and jobs,” said Lim Seow Hui, director (Americas), Enterprise Singapore. “ofi’s investment in the new East Coast Distribution Center exemplifies how such partnerships strengthen global supply chains and help deliver reliable access to food ingredients. We continue to stand ready to support ofi’s expansion in the US, together with our key partners.”

“We are proud that ofi decided to expand its presence in the great State of New Jersey,” said Choose New Jersey interim President and Chief Executive Officer, Jen Lenhardt. “ofi’s investment in New Jersey’s food and beverage sector underscores the state’s global competitiveness, strategic location, and world-class talent. This new distribution center will strengthen South Jersey’s economy, create jobs, and showcase New Jersey as a premier destination for international businesses looking to grow and thrive.”

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The State of New Jersey observes Apprenticeship Month during the entire month of April, aligning with National Apprenticeship Week recognized by the U.S. Department of Labor from April 26 through May 2. Statewide events are planned by employers, organizations and educational institutions including Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory, New Jersey Health Care Employers District 1199J, the Essex County Schools of Technology, and many more.

“The apprenticeship model has a proven history of connecting workers to meaningful careers, and we are leveraging this to open doors in emerging industries across New Jersey,” said Acting Labor Commissioner Kevin D. Jarvis. “By adapting this time-tested approach to meet workforce demands, we are ensuring that the apprenticeship model continues to serve as a bridge between learning and earning for generations of workers to come.”

Since establishing the NJDOL Office of Apprenticeship in 2018, New Jersey has invested approximately $115 million in grant funding to develop apprenticeship programs, pre-apprenticeship and work-based programs, resulting in:

• 1,000+ new Registered Apprenticeship programs (170% increase);
• 27,693 newly onboarded apprentices; and
• 10,811 currently active apprentices across 1,639 programs.

Among its many active grantees, NJDOL has most recently awarded eight grants within the manufacturing sector totaling $2,325,300 and 34 grants within the healthcare sector totaling $15,939,027.

The Office of Apprenticeship also provides funding to assist employers in developing apprenticeship and pre-apprenticeship opportunities through the following grant programs:

• Growing Apprenticeship in Nontraditional Sectors (GAINS) creates apprenticeship opportunities in high-growth industries;
• Pre-Apprenticeship in Career Education (PACE) prepares participants for apprenticeships, post-secondary training programs, or the workforce while removing economic barriers through stipends for supportive services like childcare and transportation; and,
• Youth Transitions To Work (YTTW) connects high school students and out-of-school youth (ages 16-24) to high-skill, high-wage apprenticeships and careers by linking schools with apprenticeship programs.

In addition to grant funding, the Office of Apprenticeship has also provided financial backing to grow innovative programs through several Memorandums of Understanding (MOU). Examples include:

• The College Credit for Apprenticeship Initiative in partnership with Thomas Edison University: Through an MOU signed in 2025,  NJDOL provides $5 million to develop college-credit pathways for registered apprenticeship programs over the course of three years to integrate workforce training with academic credentials like an associate’s or bachelor’s degree.
• A Teacher Apprenticeship program in cooperation with the New Jersey Department of Education: This program was unveiled on Apprenticeship Day 2025, with NJDOL funding an $800,000 grant to establish new USDOL-approved registered teacher apprenticeship programs while offsetting associated costs. Ramapo College and Rutgers University in New Brunswick were each awarded $400,000. Currently, Ramapo College has 30 USDOL-registered apprentices in the K-12 Teacher occupation program and Rutgers University has a total of 35 USDOL-registered apprentices.

“By partnering with the New Jersey and Federal Departments of Labor through this landmark grant, Ramapo College is turning the ‘earn-and-learn’ dream into a reality for the dedicated paraprofessionals who are already the heart of our classrooms,” said Dr. Adam Fried, Ed.D., Assistant Dean of Teacher Education at Ramapo College. “As the state’s first registered teacher apprenticeship provider, we aren’t just filling vacancies, we are empowering our own local talent to nearly double their earning potential while pursuing their passion for teaching. This investment allows us to strengthen the educator pipeline with experienced professionals who deeply know their communities, ensuring that every student in New Jersey is met by a highly trained, certified teacher who is ready to inspire the next generation.”

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Funding for the center, which serves as the company’s national headquarters, was supported in part by the New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJEDA).

GalenusCare improves outcomes for individuals with complex, chronic conditions through personalized, pharmacist-led care supported by advanced clinical science and technology. In the United States, 42% of adults 65 and older take five or more prescription medications—a condition known as polypharmacy—which significantly increases the risk of preventable and predictable adverse drug events such as falls, emergency department visits, hospitalizations, and premature death. Each day, an estimated 750 older adults are hospitalized and more than 400 die due to medication-related complications. GalenusCare helps care teams proactively identify, manage, and prevent this risk through advanced analytics and precision pharmacy services.

“This opening marks an important step forward in our mission to redefine medication management for medically complex populations” said Dr. Calvin Knowlton, CEO and co-founder of GalenusCare. “Our purpose is to shift the paradigm from preference-based trial and error medication regimens to using science and advanced pharmacist practitioners to optimize medication combinations that are both personalized and precise.  Precision pharmacy should be a foundational part of care delivery—enabling earlier intervention, reducing avoidable harm, and improving outcomes at scale. We’re grateful to our partners and community members for their ongoing belief in our vision and the meaningful impact we can achieve together.”

“With NJEDA’s support, GalenusCare is advancing accessible, high‑quality care for New Jersey residents while expanding its reach nationwide,” said NJEDA Chief Economic Transformation Officer Kathleen Coviello. “We are proud that Dr. Knowlton continues to choose New Jersey as the place to build and grow his companies. Founders like him are essential to strengthening our innovation economy, creating good‑paying jobs, and reinforcing New Jersey’s leadership in health care and technology.”

“Medication management should strengthen care—not complicate it,” said GalenusCare President & Co-Founder Dr. Orsula Knowlton, “Our model integrates pharmacist collaboration and clinical insights directly into care team workflows, helping teams deliver safer, higher-quality care with greater efficiency.”

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“Industrial dominance is essential to our national security and strength, and the Trump administration has taken historic action to incentivize “Made in America” through tax cuts, deregulation, fair trade and energy dominance – all of which are restoring American industries and jobs,” said SBA Administrator Kelly Loeffler. “The SBA is taking another step to support reindustrialization with our new Made in America loan guarantee, which will give US manufacturers additional financing to expand operations, modernize equipment, and supercharge domestic production.”

The ITL program unlocks long-term, affordable financing to support American producers – offering borrowers additional flexibility through an increased SBA guarantee of 90% compared to the standard 75% guarantee for the agency’s flagship 7(a) Loan Program. This expanded support is expected to give lenders greater confidence to deploy capital into domestic manufacturing, driving investments in machinery, facilities, and production capacity.

Starting May 1st, manufacturers across NAICS Sectors 31–33 will become eligible for the expanded ITL Program. Eligible businesses may use the funds to:

• Upgrade or replace equipment to improve productivity and reduce unit costs.
• Modernize facilities and production lines to meet customer and national security requirements.
• Diversify supply chains away from foreign adversaries and bring critical production back to the United States.
• Build more resilient inventory positions.
• Expand operations and capacity through strategic acquisitions.

“The Made in America Loan Guarantee will be a game-changer for manufacturers across our region as President Trump and Administrator Loeffler double down on rebuilding the American supply chain,” said SBA Regional Administrator Matt Coleman, who oversees the agency’s operations in New York, New Jersey, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. “From precision manufacturers in the Empire and Garden States to food processors and logistics innovators in Puerto Rico, small businesses are ready to expand, modernize, and build the next generation of American industry – while creating good paying jobs for the middle class. This 90% guarantee gives local lenders the confidence to say ‘yes’ to fueling new jobs, stronger supply chains, and a more secure, self-reliant America.”

In support of this agenda, the SBA launched its Made in America Manufacturing Initiative last year. The agency waived loan fees for small manufacturers in Fiscal Year 2026 and established the first-ever loan program dedicated to American manufacturers. The SBA also launched its Make Onshoring Great Again Portal, a free tool designed to connect small businesses with a database of more than one million domestic suppliers and producers – and cut over $100 billion in red tape crushing small businesses, including manufacturers.

Lenders and small businesses interested in the updated International Trade Loan program can contact SBA’s national team of Finance Managers for more information. SBA’s Finance Manager team not only supports the ITL program but also serves as the agency’s working capital specialists and can help lenders and borrowers understand how ITL can be paired with SBA’s expanding suite of working capital solutions – including the MARC and Working Capital Pilot.

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The free platform rewards fans for exploring local businesses throughout the tournament across all 21 New Jersey counties and New York City’s five boroughs. Fans can check in, earn points, and unlock prizes. The NYNJ Host Committee will offer up to eight opportunities for participants to attend FIFA World Cup matches as guests of the NYNJ Host Committee — including the Final match at New York New Jersey Stadium on July 19. Businesses opt in at no cost, offer a simple deal or promotion, and get discovered by millions of World Cup visitors.

Details:

• Join for free — Businesses opt in through a free application process to be featured on the Welcome World Rewards platform as a go-to spot for World Cup fans.
• Get discovered — fans use the platform to find places to eat, shop, and explore nearby.
• Drive real foot traffic — visitors earn rewards for checking in at participating businesses.
• Offer a simple incentive — a game-day special, discount, or offer of your choice.
• Benefit from bigger rewards — the Host Committee is working to offer high-value prizes (including potential match tickets) to drive participation.

Businesses can apply now  through May 15th and can also attend the Get World Cup Ready: Google Business Profile Virtual Workshop on April 14th.  Participants will receive a digital welcome kit with setup support and promotional assets to help them get started.

The program is designed to ensure that the World Cup’s projected $3.3 billion economic impact reaches neighborhoods across the entire region. The opportunity will help local businesses be part of one of the most watched events in the world.

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Led by Assistant Professor Boyang Li, Ph.D., of the Department of Computer Science and Technology, the study examined how the phrasing of prompts affects the performance of vision-language models (VLMs), particularly their tendency to generate incorrect responses, commonly known as “hallucinations.”

Working with Assistant Professor Meng Xu, Ph.D., and four student researchers from Wenzhou-Kean University who are currently studying at Kean’s Union campus, Li found that linguistic tone has a measurable impact on the reliability of artificial intelligence systems. Their findings, detailed in the paper “Tone Matters: The Impact of Linguistic Tone on Hallucination in VLMs,” have been accepted for presentation at the 2026 IEEE/CVF Winter Conference on Applications of Computer Vision (WACV). The research provides new insights and practical guidance for evaluating AI systems.

“As AI becomes more integrated into everyday life, ensuring its reliability is essential,” said Patricia Morreale, Ph.D., chair of the Kean Department of Computer Science and Technology. “This research reflects the responsibility of universities like Kean to advance AI thoughtfully and accurately.”

Li’s long-term research focuses on AI safety, examining both technical design and human interaction with AI systems. This project specifically examined how tone and phrasing interact with models that interpret both images and text.

“The research has centered on AI safety from both the human and technology sides,” Li said. “In this case, we are asking if a model will respect the truth even when a user’s tone tries to turn it in another direction.”

To test that question, the research team conducted a five-level experiment using multiple AI models. In one sequence, the team presented models with images of clocks, watches and name tags and asked them to identify the time or a name, even when the text in the image was actually a random assortment of numbers and letters.

Level One prompts were straightforward. By Level Five, the prompts became increasingly elaborate and demanding.

As the language grew more insistent, researchers observed that some models began guessing rather than acknowledging uncertainty.

“When we increase the pressure in the prompt, the model may start guessing even when there is no real answer in the image,” Li said. “The tone of the user should not change what is and isn’t true.”

The team also discovered that when prompts became overly forceful, some models activated internal safeguards and refused to respond.

Li hopes the research framework will contribute to stronger standards for evaluating AI platforms before they are released publicly.

“Before a model is released, it should pass a benchmark that evaluates whether it consistently respects the truth,” Li said. “If a user strongly pushes for the wrong answer, the model still should not provide it, especially today when misinformation spreads so easily.”

Li also credits Kean’s broader investment in artificial intelligence. The University introduced the state’s first bachelor’s degree in artificial intelligence in the Fall semester, part of a growing AI ecosystem that includes an AI Center of Excellence.

“Kean’s support for AI research has been tremendous,” Li said. “The University’s leadership recognizes that AI is starting to shape society. That support allows us to invest our time into research that can benefit the public.”

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“The accounting and advisory profession continues to evolve, and clients increasingly demand depth, specialization, and independence alongside scale,” said Joseph Damiano, CEO of SAX Advisory Group. “FAZ Forensics exemplifies the technical rigor and objectivity required in complex forensic engagements. This combination strengthens our ability to serve clients as their most trusted advisor across valuation, forensic, litigation, tax, and advisory services.”

FAZ Forensics adds 18 team members to SAX, including five partners, along with two new offices in Saratoga Springs, NY and Boston, MA. With this transaction, SAX now comprises 80 partners and over 500 professionals, with offices across New Jersey, New York, Massachusetts, and Mumbai, India, supported by a remote workforce spanning 28 U.S. states. SAX Wealth Advisors, the firm’s wealth management arm, oversees over $4.8 billion in assets under management, including $1 billion in retirement plan assets*.

This transaction marks SAX’s fourth combination in 2026 and the sixth since its recent minority investment from Cobepa, an independent investment company. The Cobepa partnership continues to accelerate SAX’s strategic growth, expanding its East Coast footprint, enhancing service capabilities, and fostering innovation – while the firm remains proudly independent.

“First and foremost, this was a deliberate decision to align with a firm that shares our values, culture, and uncompromising standards for independence and integrity,” said Stephen Ferraro, Partner of FAZ Forensics. “We look forward to joining SAX partner Megan Sartor and her talented team as SAX Forensics continues providing expert business valuation, forensic accounting, and litigation support services. By combining with SAX Advisory Group, we will significantly expand our capabilities and resources while continuing to deliver the objective, high-quality forensic work our clients rely on.”

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After four years as COO, more than 14 years with Schindler, and over 30 years in the elevator industry, Paul Bloom will officially transition into retirement on July 1, 2026. Over the coming months, Heller will work closely with Bloom to ensure a smooth and seamless transition.

“Paul’s leadership, integrity, and unwavering commitment to operational excellence have left a lasting impact on Schindler and our customers,” said Ray Bisson, US CEO. “As he transitions into retirement, we are grateful for the strong foundation he helped build. Jeremiah brings deep operational expertise, global perspective, and a proven track record of delivering results. I am confident he is the right leader to build on that legacy and lead our U.S. operations forward.”

Heller brings nearly two decades of industry experience to the role and was most recently senior vice president, Area West, where he led sales and operations across the western United States. Under his leadership, the region delivered strong performance while strengthening operational execution and customer satisfaction.

Heller joined Schindler in 2012 as a district manager before embarking on an international assignment in Saudi Arabia in 2015. There, he initially served as field operations director and later as the managing director of Schindler Olayan Elevator Company. In 2019, he transitioned to the Jardine Schindler Group as the managing director of The Philippines, where he successfully led a turnaround of operations. He was subsequently appointed managing director for Hong Kong, Macau, and Taiwan, and served on the Jardine Schindler Group Executive Committee.

In his new role, Heller will be responsible for overseeing Schindler’s US business operations. He will be based at the company’s U.S. headquarters in Morristown, and will report to Bisson.

“I am honored to be named as COO for the US,” said Heller. “I look forward to working closely with our talented teams to build on Schindler’s strong foundation, strengthen operational execution, and continue advancing customer excellence while driving sustainable growth.”

Heller holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Michigan and a Master of Business Administration from Baker College. He also served as a Captain in the US Army.

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The loan facility received ratings of A3 by Moody’s and A (low) by DBRS, respectively, representing the first investment-grade rated financing secured by high-performing computing (HPC) infrastructure and an associated customer contract.

“We’re proud to partner with leading financial institutions on this landmark transaction as we continue to innovate within the capital markets while further reducing our cost of capital,” said Brannin McBee, chief development officer and co-founder of CoreWeave. “This reflects confidence in AI adoption and represents continued market validation of our model that is proving both repeatable and scalable, enabling us to meet accelerating demand from our customers.”

The loan facility enables CoreWeave to borrow up to approximately $7.5 billion initially, with the ability to increase total borrowing capacity to $8.5 billion as underlying assets reach stabilization. The facility is designed to provide enhanced access to low-cost capital to support CoreWeave’s continued investment to meet customer demand.

MUFG and Morgan Stanley served as co-structuring agents and joint bookrunners with Goldman Sachs and JPMorgan serving as additional coordinating lead arrangers for the transaction, which was meaningfully oversubscribed. The facility was anchored by Blackstone Credit & Insurance and included participation from a diverse group of global financial institutions, asset managers, and insurance investors.

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After the sale is completed, Unilever will solely operate across beauty, wellbeing, personal care and home care sectors.

In the transaction, Unilever and Unilever shareholders will receive a proportionate mix of McCormick’s existing voting and non-voting common stock, equating to 65.0% of the fully diluted combined company equity, equivalent to $29.1 billion based on the last 1-month volume-weighted average McCormick share price of $57.84. Unilever will also receive $15.7 billion in cash, subject to certain closing adjustments, that will offset one-off separation and tax costs; pay down debt to its current level of c.2.0x net debt to EBITDA following closing; and support €6 billion of share buy-backs expected to run between 2026 and 2029.

The transaction reflects an enterprise value of $44.8 billion for Unilever Foods, equivalent to an EV/Sales ratio of 3.6x and a 13.8x EV/EBITDA multiple based on the last 1-month volume-weighted average McCormick share price of $57.84 which is in line with the current trading multiple for Unilever, and in line with the most attractive foods company valuations.

McCormick will retain its existing name, its Hunt Valley, Maryland global headquarters, and NYSE listing. It will also establish international headquarters in the Netherlands, where Unilever has its world-leading R&D capability.

The acquisition is expected to be completed by mid-2027, subject to McCormick shareholder approval, receipt of required regulatory approvals and the satisfaction of other customary closing conditions. The combined company expects to realize approximately $600 million of annual run rate cost synergies net of growth reinvestments; with full value expected to be achieved at the end of three years. Incremental cost and revenue synergies of $100 million will be reinvested to further drive growth.

Brendan Foley will be the chairman, president and chief executive officer of McCormick, and Marcos Gabriel will be the executive vice president and chief financial officer. Executives from both McCormick and Unilever Foods will serve in key leadership roles. Upon closing, Unilever will appoint four of the twelve members of the combined company Board of Directors.

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The data analysis by the New Jersey Hospital Association (NJHA) identified that cancer mortality declined 18.8% between 2016 and 2024 in New Jersey. This period spans the federal COVID-19 public health emergency, declared in January 2020 and lifted in May 2023.

“New Jersey’s healthcare system maintained continuity of care for patients battling cancer – even in the midst of a deadly pandemic that demanded a systemwide response,” said NJHA President and CEO Cathy Bennett. “That’s testament to the planning, resilience and incredible focus of New Jersey’s hospitals and clinical teams.

“The decline in New Jersey’s cancer mortality in the pandemic years is the equivalent of 2,595 lives saved,” added Bennett.

New Jersey’s results differ from the national experience, as reported in a February 2026 study published in JAMA Oncology. Comparing cancer deaths from 2015-2019 before the pandemic with outcomes among people diagnosed with cancer during COVID’s peak years of 2020-2021, researchers found 13.1% more deaths within one year of diagnosis than expected – equivalent to an excess of 17,390 deaths among those diagnosed in 2020-2021.

For its analysis, NJHA’s Center for Health Analytics, Research and Transformation (CHART) reviewed data from the New Jersey Behavioral Risk Factor Survey (NJBRFS), the New Jersey Hospital Discharge Data Collection System (NJDDCS) and death records to assess cancer prevalence, hospitalizations and age‑adjusted cancer mortality from 2016 to 2024:

Cancer prevalence data provides a population-level snapshot of cancer diagnoses in the state. While cancer prevalence dipped in the first year of the pandemic – possibly due to disruptions in screening and testing that delayed diagnoses – overall cancer prevalence increased from 54 per 1,000 population in 2016 to 64 in 2024, an increase of 18.5%.

Cancer hospitalizations increased by 67% between 2016 and 2024. The data shows a rise from 2020 onward driven primarily by growth in same-day medical/same-day surgery care, reflecting a broader national shift toward outpatient and ambulatory cancer care. Inpatient cancer cases remained stable throughout the study period.

Among the 18.8% overall decline in age‑adjusted cancer death rates, males consistently experienced higher cancer mortality than females, but both groups showed a downward trend over the study period. A declining age-adjusted mortality rate indicates improved cancer treatment outcomes.

Additional details can be found in NJHA’s data brief, Cancer Trends Post-Pandemic: Charting Impacts in New Jersey, at www.njha.com/CHART.

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“Awiqli® meets a real need as the first FDA-approved, once-weekly basal insulin for adult patients with type 2 diabetes. It’s helping to reframe what basal insulin care can look like,” said Anna Windle, PhD, group vice president, clinical development, medical & regulatory affairs at Novo Nordisk Inc. “It is an important advancement for adults with type 2 diabetes who may benefit from an alternative treatment option.”

This approval is based on results from the ONWARDS type 2 diabetes phase 3a program for once-weekly Awiqli® injection which comprises four randomized, active-controlled, treat-to-target trials in approximately 2,680 adults with uncontrolled type 2 diabetes, used in combination with a mealtime insulin or in combination with common oral anti-diabetic agents and/or GLP-1 receptor agonists.

The clinical program evaluated once-weekly Awiqli® vs. daily basal insulin and demonstrated efficacy in the primary endpoint of reduction of A1C across the ONWARDS pivotal clinical trial program for adults with type 2 diabetes. Across these ONWARDS trials, the safety profile of Awiqli® was overall consistent with the daily basal insulin class. Common adverse events include hypoglycemia (low blood sugar), serious allergic reactions (whole body reactions), reactions at the injection site, skin thickening or pits at the injection site (lipodystrophy), itching, rash, swelling of your hands and feet, and weight gain.1

“The introduction of daily long-acting basal insulin injections more than 20 years ago, with the concept of “treat-to-target,” was a major contribution for adults with type 2 diabetes needing basal insulin therapy. However, some adults living with type 2 diabetes may still find it difficult to begin and stay on this type of daily basal insulin therapy. This underscores the need for new alternative insulin options that may help patients work with their health care providers to determine what treatment works best for them,” said Julio Rosenstock, MD, a Principal Investigator for the ONWARDS trial program and Clinical Professor of Medicine at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center. “Research supports weekly injectable diabetes medications can be associated with improved patient adherence. Having a weekly basal insulin option like insulin icodec-abae, may reshape insulin management in adults with type 2 diabetes, giving them a routine that feels more manageable as they work toward their blood sugar goals.”

Awiqli® will be available nationwide in the US in the coming months.

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A review of five popular Easter candies sold at a major national retailer shows prices have risen 67% since 2020, even as average household Easter candy budgets have grown only about 15% over the same period.

That mismatch means a family of four spending the same roughly $93 Easter candy budget as in 2020 now walks away with about 40% less candy by weight.

To buy the same amount of candy by weight purchased in 2020, a household would need to increase spending from $93.20 to approximately $155 in 2026 – a $62 increase for identical product volume.

The disconnect stems from how price increases accumulated over time. Year-over-year changes appeared moderate. For instance, 0% in some periods, 12% in others, then 0% again, followed by 22%.

However, the cumulative effect shows that the change has been significant. Between 2020 and 2026, the average price per ounce across five tracked Easter candies increased from $0.37 to $0.62.

“It’s the classic boiling frog scenario that actually shows up in groceries year-round. You don’t jump out of the pot because the water heats up one degree at a time. Each individual increase feels tolerable – annoying, maybe, but not catastrophic. So you adjust. By the time you realize how hot the water has gotten, you’ve already lost significant purchasing power,” explained Sam Bourgi, senior analyst at InvestorsObserver.

The Easter aisle also didn’t escape shrinkflation, as one popular brand reduced the package instead of increasing the price. Cadbury Mini Eggs shrank from 10oz to 9oz in 2022 with no price change.

In 2020, Easter candies ranged from $3.49 to $3.99 – a tight window that made it easy to spot good and bad deals. By 2026, that range had exploded to $4.79 to $8.29. Similar products now vary by several dollars, making it harder to know what’s reasonable.

The Hershey’s Milk Chocolate bar stands out as the most extreme case in the research, with a 107.8% price-per-ounce increase over six years. The package size never changed – shoppers got the same 1.55-ounce bar throughout. But the price moved many times.

Its price grew steadily from $3.99 in 2020 to $6.39 by 2022. Then in 2024, it dropped to $5.49 – a $0.90 decrease that suggested relief might be coming. That relief lasted one year. By 2025, the price had jumped to $8.29, surpassing all previous levels.

“When a price drops and then spikes even higher, it feels more unfair than a steady increase. The drop resets your expectations (you think things are getting better) which makes the spike feel manipulative rather than just market-driven,” said Bourgi.

This research has revealed a pattern held across brands: steady, incremental changes that consumers absorbed without recognizing the total impact.

Methodology

This research tracked five top-selling Easter candies from 2020 to 2026 using Target.com prices sourced from the Wayback Machine and current listings, selected based on Instacart’s bestseller data.

InvestorsObserver research team calculated price-per-ounce changes and household budget impact using the National Retail Federation’s $23.30 per-person Easter candy spend in 2020.

Key limitations include single-retailer pricing, and potential gaps in archived promotional data.

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For more than two decades, Tyrrell has served as a faculty member in the Hospitality, Tourism and Event Management program in the School of Business at Stockton. He served as the interim director for the New Jersey Center for Hospitality and Tourism Research Center, before it was commissioned as LIGHT and played a role in the institute’s initial formation.

“Having been part of LIGHT’s development from its early stages, I’ve seen firsthand the impact it can have in connecting research, industry and student opportunity,” Tyrrell said. “I look forward to expanding our partnerships, advancing meaningful research, training industry professionals and continuing to support the growth of Atlantic City’s gaming, hospitality and tourism sectors.”

Bokunewicz, also a professor of Hospitality, Tourism and Event Management at Stockton and a former executive in the casino industry, has served as LIGHT’s faculty director since 2020.

Among LIGHT’s accomplishments during her time as its director, Bokunewicz oversaw the launch of the International Journal of Gaming, Hospitality and Tourism, the start of two industry-focused certificate programs at Stockton, the presentation of more than 20 webinars and the publication of the Atlantic City Casino Industry Impact Report in collaboration with the Casino Association of New Jersey.

Under Bokunewicz’s leadership, LIGHT has also built a reputation as a trusted source for media across the country for research and analysis of the Atlantic City casino industry and the South Jersey economy.

“It has been one of the greatest honors of my career to serve as the faculty director of LIGHT because of the privilege of working with our esteemed advisory board of Atlantic City industry leaders and Assistant Director Sarah Grady to advance LIGHT’s mission,” Bokunewicz said. “We have accomplished a lot together in the last six years.”

William Minnis, the interim dean of Stockton’s School of Business, praised Bokunewicz saying he was “deeply grateful for her outstanding leadership and the strong foundation she has built for LIGHT’s continued success.” He also said Tyrrell’s appointment “marks an exciting new chapter for both the institute and the university.”

“Brian’s long-standing commitment to Stockton and his expertise in hospitality and tourism make him exceptionally well suited to lead LIGHT,” Minnis said. “He brings both continuity and a forward-looking vision that will strengthen the institute’s impact on our students, our research enterprise and the regional economy.”

Prior to working at Stockton, Tyrrell served on the faculty at the University of Nevada Las Vegas’ William F. Harrah College of Hotel Administration. He received his Ph.D. in Hospitality and Tourism Management from Purdue University in Indiana where for three years he both taught and conducted research for the institution.

“I’m honored to step into this role at LIGHT and build on the institute’s legacy that Jane has worked so hard to establish over the past several years,” Tyrrell said.

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Monahan has served as Wealth Market Leader for Pennsylvania and Southern New Jersey since 2023. In her expanded role as regional president, she will guide M&T’s regional leaders including members of its retail banking, business banking, commercial banking, wealth management, government banking, healthcare and charitable teams. Monahan will also lead the accomplished, cross-functional team to continue collaborating across the local footprint.

An active member of the Greater Philadelphia community, she will continue to serve on several boards, including the executive committee of the Southern New Jersey Chamber of Commerce and Mission Kids.

“I am proud to lead this outstanding team as M&T continues to deepen its impact and advance our mission as a community leader and innovator in Pennsylvania and Southern New Jersey,” Monahan said. “We recognize that banking is a highly personal choice. M&T’s commitment to unparalleled service and dedication to the needs of our clients and communities where we live and work will remain a cornerstone of everything we do. I look forward to working closely with all our stakeholders to deliver excellence every day.”

M&T Bank’s local presence spreads from Philadelphia and surrounding areas, through the seven counties of Southern New Jersey. In her role, Monahan will work seamlessly with M&T’s other community bank regions in Pennsylvania and New Jersey, collectively collaborating to bring our unique offering to make a difference in people’s lives.

“The ability to deliver the scope, resources and capabilities of a diversified financial institution in a way that feels accessible and relevant in each of our markets has long set M&T apart,” said Augie Chiasera, M&T bank senior executive vice president and head of community markets. “As regional president, Denise will work closely with the Philadelphia leadership team to bring teams and capabilities together across the market to deliver what clients value most: a seamless experience with one connected bank powered by collaboration and shared purpose. Her leadership will play a vital role in expanding our regional banking business, elevating M&T’s presence in the market, and enhancing the service we provide to clients and communities.”

In the Philadelphia and Southern New Jersey region, M&T Bank employs over 500 people across its corporate offices and branches. Last year, M&T provided more than $2.6M in charitable grants, sponsorships and tax credits to 177 community impact organizations in Philadelphia.

Lisa Roberts, head of wealth for Wilmington Trust added: “Denise is already a role model for M&T and Wilmington Trust teammates locally and she is well-positioned to drive growth, strengthen client relationships and deepen our community impact across the territory.”

Prior to joining M&T Bank, Monahan spent 32 years at PNC Bank, where she served in roles across sales, credit, project management and training and development. She holds a Bachelor’s in Education from Saint Joseph’s University. She has extensive board leadership experience across education, the arts, child and family advocacy and business organizations. She has also served on the Saint Joseph’s University board of trustees, including chairing the governance committee, and is a two-time president of the board of the Ronald McDonald House of Southern New Jersey.

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All three fellowships have been approved and accredited by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME).

Eleonora Teplinsky, MD, head of Breast and Gynecologic Medical Oncology for Valley-Mount Sinai Comprehensive Cancer Care, will serve as director of the Hematology and Oncology Fellowship Program. Kevin Wood, MD, will serve as associate director. Applications for the program will be accepted in July 2026, with the matriculation of the first class of two fellows in July 2027.

Himanshu Gupta, MD, director of Cardiac Imaging for Valley Medical Group, will serve as director of the Cardiovascular Disease Fellowship Program. Stephanie Kochav, MD, will serve as associate director. Applications for the program will be accepted in July 2026, with the matriculation of the first class of four fellows in July 2027.

Puneeta Sharma, MD, chief medical officer of Valley Medical Group, will serve as director of the Hospice and Palliative Medicine Fellowship Program. Ayelet Spitzer, DO, will serve as associate director. Applications for the program will be accepted in July 2026, with matriculation of the first class of two fellows in July 2027.

“Valley is proud to be continuing our partnership with the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, one of the largest graduate medical education programs in the United States, to expand our medical education program offerings in northern New Jersey with the addition of fellowships,” said Robert Brenner, MD, MMM, FACHE, President and Chief Executive Officer of Valley Health System. “Our goal is to ensure that the next generation of physicians is well trained to serve the community.”

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“With Amy at the helm, we are confident that Choose New Jersey will continue to attract impactful investments and jobs that move New Jersey’s economy forward,” said Ralph LaRossa, chair of Choose New Jersey and chair, president, and CEO of PSEG. “With experience in both the public and private sectors, she is well-positioned to attract and retain businesses to New Jersey. The Board of Directors looks forward to partnering with her to advance Governor Sherrill’s economic priorities.”

Herbold currently serves as senior vice president of corporate and regulatory affairs for the Triple Five Group, where she supports a range of high-profile development initiatives.

“New Jersey’s impact on the global economy is undeniable. Our state represents the 22nd largest economy in the world and serves as a destination for entrepreneurs to start and grow their businesses, fueling job growth and creating opportunities for New Jersey families. My administration is committed to fostering an environment where innovation can flourish and where New Jerseyans can thrive,” said Gov. Mikie Sherrill. “Amy has a proven track record of advancing the growth of one of our state’s premier economic and tourist hubs. I am confident that her leadership will drive meaningful and substantial investments in New Jersey. I look forward to working with Choose New Jersey to attract investment, strengthen key industries, and create jobs across New Jersey.”

“I’m honored to lead Choose New Jersey at such a pivotal moment and grateful to the Board of Directors for their confidence in me,” said Herbold. “New Jersey has all the assets to compete—and win—on a global stage: talent, location, infrastructure, and innovation. I look forward to working with Governor Mikie Sherrill and our partners across business and government to drive investment, create jobs, and tell New Jersey’s story to the world, benefitting our local communities statewide.”

Herbold earned her J.D. at Seton Hall University School of Law and is a graduate of Trinity University.

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With the acquisition, SAX is expanding its capabilities in turnaround management, profit optimization, M&A due diligence, lender services, and performance analytics.

“Mid-market consumer product companies don’t need another advisor telling them what happened last quarter. They need someone who can show them what’s happening right now and help them act on it,” said Joseph Damiano, CEO of SAX Advisory Group. “CoMetrics has built exactly that capability. Hands-on operators with proprietary technology that gives clients real-time visibility into their business. Bringing that into the SAX platform means our clients get one team that sees the whole picture: operations, capital structure, and performance data, all under one roof.”

“This partnership is a significant advancement for our consumer products clients,” said Joshua Chananie, head of SAX Consumer Products. “Integrating DataMetrics with our advisory capabilities gives clients real-time visibility into their key performance indicators   – that drives financial performance and sustainable growth.”

CoMetrics’ entire professional staff and its three partners have joined SAX. With this transaction, SAX now comprises 73 partners and over 500 professionals across offices throughout the East Coast and one international location, supported by a remote workforce spanning 28 states. SAX Wealth Advisors, the firm’s wealth management arm, oversees over $4.8 billion in assets under management, including $1 billion in retirement plan assets*.

This marks SAX’s third combination in 2026 and fifth since its minority investment from Cobepa. SAX brought in a capital partner specifically to stay independent while continuing to execute against its strategic growth plan. The partnership has expanded what SAX can deliver to clients, through acquisitions, new capabilities, and adjacent services, while the relationships clients started with remain the relationships they keep.

Allan D. Koltin, CEO of Koltin Consulting Group, who advised both firms on the combination, commented, “Among the Top 60 CPA firms nationally, SAX continues to be recognized as one of the highest-performing firms in the country. The firm is now expanding its M&A and lateral talent strategies and attracting exceptional talent eager to join. Gary Herwitz and his CoMetrics team are one of the preeminent advisory firms in the consumer products industry and, with the SAX platform behind them, should accomplish great things together.”

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“This collaboration strengthens our ability to serve the Middlesex area’s small business community in a meaningful and consistent way,” said Lilian Mauro, regional director of NJSBDC at TCNJ. “Our satellite office at NBT allows us to provide direct, hands-on guidance for new and established business owners to ramp up, stabilize and/or grow. Our goal is to ensure practical tools, sound strategy and support is available to help them make informed decisions and build long-term sustainability.”

NBT provided funding to host the satellite office at its location as part of its dedication to advancing economic vitality in the region and ensuring local entrepreneurs have access to information and resources needed to thrive. Through this expanded presence, those interested can access individualized guidance on business startup and registration; business plan development; marketing strategy and digital presence; financial management and bookkeeping; access to capital (grant eligibility/SBA loan prep); small business certifications as well as government contracting information and A.I. readiness strategies. Services are provided in English and Spanish.

“Partnering with NJSBDC at TCNJ is an exciting leap forward in our work to stimulate inclusive economic development in New Brunswick and beyond” stated Jaymie Santiago, president and CEO of New Brunswick Tomorrow. “Our investment in this satellite office is an investment in Central Jersey’s entrepreneurs and small business owners. At NBT, we know that when small businesses succeed, families build wealth and neighborhoods thrive.”

NJSBDC at TCNJ’s satellite office at NBT operates as part of regional service area, which spans Mercer, Middlesex, Hunterdon and Somerset counties. Interested new and established business owners must request an appointment in advance for in-person consultation at the Center’s NBT satellite office by calling 609-771-2947, sending an email to tcnj@njsbdc.org or by completing a request for counseling form here.

Those who wish to stop by to pick up information about NJSBDC at TCNJ small business resources can do so on Thursdays from 10am and 5pm ET at NBT’s 360 George Street office. NBT’s office can be reached during its normal business hours at 732-246-0603.

Photo Caption from Left to Right: Mayra Gonzalez, Project Manager NJSBDC at TCNJ Lilian Mauro, Regional Director NJSBDC at TCNJ Charles Bergman, New Brunswick Tomorrow Senior Director, Neighborhood Initiatives Manuel J. Castaneda NBT Vice President Operations Mariana Diaz-Nagore, Mexican Consul in New Brunswick Kelly Brozyna, NJSBDC State Director Jovanny Belisario, Associate Director, Economic Development New Brunswick Tomorrow Jessica Poidomani, Business Development Specialist NJSBDC at TCNJ.

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Under the collaboration, Made Scientific will leverage its expertise in advanced therapies and bioprocessing — along with its Made Scientific Foundry scholar program, the academic pillar of Made Scientific’s Workforce Development & Training offering — to support the creation of industry-aligned curriculum. Designed to prepare the next generation of cell and gene therapy (CGT) professionals, the  program will combine academic rigor with practical, hands-on experience grounded in the same standards, tools, and workflows used in active CGT manufacturing environments. Launching Spring 2027, the course will equip graduate students with the skills and real-world knowledge required to make an immediate impact in the biotech industry.

“By combining Made Scientific’s hands-on manufacturing expertise and our workforce development & training program with NJIT’s academic excellence, we are creating a truly differentiated learning experience — one that will produce industry-ready professionals capable of driving innovation in CGT manufacturing,” said Syed T. Husain, chairman & CEO of Made Scientific.

“This partnership brings industry-leading CGT expertise into our graduate curriculum in a way that is immersive, practical, and immediately relevant,” said Moshe Kam, dean of NJIT’s Newark College of Engineering. “Together, we grow and strengthen the advanced therapies workforce and support New Jersey’s position as a global leader in biomanufacturing.”

“Talent is everywhere, but opportunity must be created. This partnership is a great opportunity to equip NJIT graduate students with the hands-on knowledge and industry fluency to enter the workforce in cell and gene therapy and related fields ready to contribute from day one while strengthening New Jersey’s position as a national leader in biomanufacturing innovation,” said Teik Lim, president of NJIT.

The announcement marks the continuation of a long-standing partnership between the two organizations. Originating from NJIT’s New Jersey Innovation Institute (NJII), Made Scientific exemplifies the transformative impact that strong collaboration between higher education and industry can have on innovation and economic growth.

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Rated 4.8 stars globally, the exhibition faithfully recreates all 34 of Michelangelo’s ceiling and altar masterpieces using licensed high-resolution imagery and an advanced printing technique. From The Creation of Adam to The Last Judgment, every fresco is rendered in vivid detail, allowing visitors to explore the emotion, depth, and artistry of the Vatican’s most celebrated space—without crowds, time limits, or a trip to Rome.

The exhibition has earned high praise for its accessible approach to art appreciation, enabling visitors to see every detail, brushstroke, and color of the frescoes at their own pace, with informative signage and audio guides enhancing the experience.

Tickets are now available at houseoflive.com/sistine-chapel-new-jersey. The exhibition will run for a limited time. General Admission tickets start at $28, with discounted admission for seniors, military, students, and children. VIP Tickets include any time entry and a souvenir guidebook.

20% Off Tickets Until April 12th

To celebrate its opening, the exhibit is offering 20% off tickets now through Sunday, April 12.

“We are thrilled to bring this immersive experience to New Jersey,” said Martin Biallas, CEO of SEE® Global Entertainment, the producer of the exhibition. “Whether you’re an art lover, history enthusiast, or someone encountering this masterpiece for the first time, this exhibition allows you to experience Michelangelo’s genius in an intimate and unforgettable way.”

“We’re thrilled to welcome Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel: The Exhibition to Westfield Garden State Plaza and offer our guests an unmissable world-class experience close to home,” said Sue Newsom, vice president, center management, Westfield Garden State Plaza. “Bringing these iconic frescoes to life at full scale gives a rare chance to engage with one of history’s greatest masterpieces right here at GSP for a limited time.”

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CHOP Cardiac Center, Somerset will offer cardiology clinic visits for new and existing patients, along with non-invasive testing such as EKG, IAC accredited pediatric echocardiograms (ECHO), and Holter tests. This location will also offer fetal echocardiography with access to expert fetal cardiology services and consultation in partnership with CHOP’s Fetal Heart Program, a national leader in the evaluation, diagnosis and treatment of fetal heart disease.

“We are excited to continue providing CHOP’s world-class pediatric cardiac services in a convenient location for families in central New Jersey,” said Vivek Allada, MD, medical director of outpatient and community cardiology at CHOP. “As the top-ranked pediatric cardiology program in the region, we remain committed to delivering the highest quality care closer to home for our New Jersey patients and families.”

CHOP’s Cardiac Center sees patients at 16 outpatient CHOP Care Network locations throughout Pennsylvania and New Jersey – including outpatient clinics and surgery centers in Voorhees, Plainsboro and Mays Landing, NJ. In addition to outpatient clinics, CHOP cardiac experts partner with more than 30 community hospitals in the region to provide consultations, electrocardiography and echocardiography services.

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Martinez brings over 30 years of experience in executive leadership, organizational strategy, governance alignment, and capacity building. In her most recent role at Rising Tide Capital, she served as president and chief advancement and innovation officer. Martinez has played a key role in strengthening the organization’s advancement strategy, deepening partnerships, improving operational alignment, and positioning the organization for continued growth.

Board of Trustees Chair Aicha Balla described the appointment as a clear sign of strong leadership and enduring strength for the organization. “Rising Tide Capital exists to change lives, and Dr. Martinez has spent years demonstrating that she understands exactly what that responsibility requires,” Balla said. “Her appointment signals that Rising Tide Capital is built to endure and to thrive beyond any one leader.”

For Demmellash, the transition marks the achievement of a long-term goal. “Building Rising Tide Capital has been the work of my life,” she said. “Watching it grow into an institution capable of maintaining its mission through generations of leadership is exactly what Alex and I aimed to accomplish. Dr. Joynicole is prepared to lead this next chapter, and the organization is ready.”

Building on this shared vision for the future, Martinez said, “I am honored to lead this organization and its community of incredible team members, donors, and partners. My deep respect and admiration for Rising Tide Capital and its mission come from personal experience and passion. As we move forward, our commitment to this work grows stronger and bolder every day. We will succeed as a community, and it is an honor to be part of it.”

Under Martinez’s leadership, Rising Tide Capital is expected to expand access to entrepreneurial education and funding opportunities, strengthen its expanding national network, and seek partnerships that accelerate inclusive economic growth. This transition signifies a defining moment designed for scale as the organization advances toward its next stage of impact and welcomes partners, investors, and champions to help realize that vision.

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“Starting Found Immigration gave me an opportunity to redefine what clients should expect from an immigration law firm,” said Attreed. “Our goal is to provide thoughtful, individualized guidance so every client feels supported and informed throughout their immigration journey.”

The firm serves clients both locally and nationally, offering services that include:

• Family-Based Immigration: Assistance with marriage-based green cards, sponsoring close relatives for U.S. permanent residency, adjustment of status, consular processing, fiancé visas, and naturalization.
• Employment-Based Immigration: Strategic support for work visa categories such as H-1B, O-1, L-1, EB-1, EB-2 NIW, and PERM labor certification.
  Immigration Strategy & Consultations – Customized legal planning to help clients understand their options and take the most effective path forward.

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Under the three-year agreement, NJBPU will support coursework and paid fellowships that provide students with hands-on experience across key components of utility ratemaking, including rate design, revenue requirements, and regulatory policy.

The program was developed in response to evolving workforce needs in utility ratemaking, as experienced professionals approach retirement and industry demands grow increasingly complex. Nationally, more than a quarter of utility employees are over age 55, and nearly half of electric and gas utility workers are projected to be retirement-eligible within a decade. The Board and Rutgers designed this program to build on existing expertise while expanding the pipeline of trained rate professionals across regulatory, utility, consulting, and consumer advocacy sectors.

“This partnership is another milestone for New Jersey’s energy future,” said NJBPU President Christine Guhl-Sadovy. “Protecting customers and modernizing our grid requires deep expertise in ratemaking — and this program will ensure we have the talent to meet that challenge for decades to come.”

NJBPU Deputy Executive Director Stacy Peterson commented, “This program introduces foundational utility‑ratemaking concepts at a pivotal stage in students’ education, while building a strong pipeline of future experts in the field.”

The certificate curriculum and fellowship structure were designed under the leadership of Deputy Executive Director Peterson, who has spent more than two decades at NJBPU, rising through roles as Accountant, Deputy Director of Energy, and Director of Energy before assuming her current position in 2021. Her expertise spans cost-of-service analysis, rate design, and the Basic Generation Service process, and she has represented the Board in federal, legislative, and interagency policy discussions.+

The program’s launch coincides with Governor Mikie Sherrill’s recent Executive Orders to address utility affordability while accelerating New Jersey’s clean energy transition. As NJBPU works to balance near-term bill relief with long-term grid modernization, the need for sophisticated ratemaking analysis has never been greater.

For students, the program offers a direct pathway into a high-demand field spanning regulatory agencies, utilities, consulting, and consumer advocacy. For customers, it strengthens the Board’s ability to evaluate utility proposals and design rates that are fair, transparent, and aligned with New Jersey’s energy goals.

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The legislation will:

• Modify project maturity requirements in order to expand the number of projects eligible to receive incentive awards under the second segment of the transmission-scale GSESP, thereby increasing competition among bidders and protecting ratepayers from inflated pricing resulting from a supply-constrained solicitation pool.
• Extend the deadline, from June 30, 2026, to December 31, 2026, for BPU to approve the first and second segments of incentive awards for eligible transmission-scale energy storage systems under the GSESP. BPU estimates an additional 500 MW would be brought forward due to this change.

“By strengthening the Garden State Energy Storage Program, we’re cutting through unnecessary delays and opening the door to more competitive, cost‑effective storage projects that will help us meet our needs and build a cleaner, more reliable grid. I’m grateful to our partners in the Legislature for acting quickly to deliver this win for New Jersey’s energy future,” said Sherrill.

“By increasing our capacity for clean energy storage, we can work to ease our dependency on fossil fuel-burning plants,” said Senator Bob Smith (D-Middlesex/Somerset). “When there’s high demand, and not enough energy from solar or wind to go around, we end up turning to fossil fuels, ultimately harming our environment and driving up utility prices. Taking initiative to expand our energy storage capacity ensures that we can consistently rely on clean energy to power the grid.”

“Expanding battery storage is one of the more effective ways to increase New Jersey’s electricity capacity and to help lower prices for ratepayers,” said Senator John Burzichelli (D-Cumberland/Gloucester/Salem). “This is a winning formula. Relaxing the requirements for storage facilities to connect to the grid is a productive step to increase our supply of renewable energy in the midst of a climate crisis while simultaneously tackling rising utility bills.”

This follows actions taken by the Sherrill administration to tackle rising energy costs and expand energy generation in New Jersey, including:

• Signing Executive Orders 1 and 2 on day one, freezing utility rate hikes and declaring a state of emergency to accelerate in-state energy generation.
• Approving six new energy projects within 45 days of taking office — three large-scale solar projects that will provide 24 MW of electricity, and three battery energy storage projects that will provide 355 MW of large-scale battery storage.
• Launching the next phase of the Garden State Energy Storage Program.
• Opening up 3,000 MW of community solar for new applications.
• Opening 300 MW of the Competitive Solar Incentive Program for new projects.

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“That will be felt particularly hard in big cities with large populations and fewer spaces to add more cell phone towers,” said Associate Professor Ying Wang who studies wireless communications at Stevens Department of Systems Engineering. “In busy cities — especially during things like traffic management, disasters or search-and-rescue — we need fast, reliable wireless communication,” she adds. But regular cell towers don’t always provide strong coverage everywhere and networks can get overloaded or damaged.”

Wang’s solution to the problem is using a swarm of drones, which can serve as temporary cell phone towers during an outage or a slow network performance episode. “Instead of fixed towers, the aerial vehicles move and act as distributed radio units,” she explained. Think of them as pop-up cell phone network or a network-on-demand.

Working together with Stevens PhD candidate, Ishan Aryendu, Wang designed a network of such flying cell phone towers that can be quickly deployed when ad-hoc connectivity is needed. Named AURA-GreeN, for Aerial Utility-driven Route Adaptation for Green cooperative Network, the system operates as a small application, called an xApp, within a smart network controller that runs on the modern Open-RAN framework, which provides the mobile network architecture.

The system continuously monitors real-time network conditions — such as signal quality, interference and traffic load—and uses that information to make intelligent decisions. Specifically, it determines which aerial vehicles should transmit data, how to divide and allocate the available wireless spectrum, how to route the data through the network and how to operate within overall power limits. “The system decides where they should go and how to use the wireless spectrum, so data gets from source to destination quickly and reliably,” explained Wang.

At the same time, AURA-GreeN carefully balances multiple goals: keeping communication delays low, using spectrum efficiently, maintaining reliable service and ensuring energy-efficient operation. “It keeps the ‘age of information’ low, meaning the data you see is always very fresh and closely reflects what is happening right now,” said Aryendu. “We saw that there was a significant improvement in the age of information, about 460 percent.”

Wang and Aryendu outlined their idea in a recent study, published in the IEEE Transactions on Vehicular Technology in February 2026.

These flying cell phone towers can also be deployed during concerts and other big social events, which often strain mobile networks, says Aryendu. “During the Super Bowl, there was a bunch of drones equipped with cameras flying all over the place, capturing video footage from the event. All those drones could serve a double purpose by providing connectivity to the users inside the stadium without overwhelming the existing communication infrastructure. This makes our idea even more feasible, because we are not using extra energy to fly the drones; we are piggybacking on drones that already provide the coverage of the event.”

Although the main goal of the AURA-GreeN system is to improve coverage, reliability and data freshness in dynamic urban aerial scenarios or during natural disasters, the concept challenges the traditional view of the communication infrastructure, Wang notes. “The majority of the day-to-day communication infrastructure was built on the ground, which is normal and expected, because the majority of the human activities take place on the ground. In the future that doesn’t have to be the case. We can deploy these flying networks using drones and other flying vehicles like air taxis,” she said.

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The achievement follows Hartz’s steady evolution over the years. Formerly a one-stop shop for all petcare needs, Hartz transformed its business to solely focus on their signature, nationally trusted dog and cat products. This resulted in elevating the compay’s visual look and feel. The modernized rebrand ushered a commitment toward entertaining, educating, and empowering Millennial and Gen Z pet families on social media, especially via partnerships with influencers and content creators.

“Hartz has a rich history in cat treats, animal health, animal hygiene, dog treats, and pet toys,” explains Hartz President and Chief Executive Officer Tina Le Lay. “From a masterbrand perspective, it was important for us to give back insights, resources, and a platform for cat and dog families to share their experiences. It’s a great privilege to see Hartz ascend into the centennial club, and we couldn’t have done it without our passionate community.”

To kick off the festivities, Hartz has launched a short-form, anthemic film–highlighting the physical and emotional bond between pet parents and their furry companions. Most notably, all of the video footage is user-generated content sourced entirely from the brand’s employees. See: Hartz 100-Year Anniversary | Anthem Film: YouTube Hyperlink

Hartz will be rolling out interactive activations at the pet industry’s top trade shows, Global Pet Expo and SUPERZOO. During National Pet Month (May), Hartz’s staff members will dedicate a full week of volunteer service at local animal shelters. During National Foster a Pet Month (June), the brand will help capture and tell the stories, throughout social media, of at-risk shelter pets looking for their forever homes in key cities across the country.

Hartz Senior Vice President of Marketing Dai Kageyama adds, “100 is the number to swing big, and, believe me, we’re just getting started. Looking ahead, Hartz has some major product innovations and national endeavors in the works that we can’t wait to spread the news on. This milestone is only the beginning; we are excited for this next chapter and look forward to continuing to serve pets and their parents for the next century.”

The birthday couldn’t come at a better time. Pet ownership continues to experience a surge in growth. Nearly 94 million U.S. households own at least one pet. The U.S. petcare market is forecasted to rise from ~$165.6 billion in 2026 to ~$228 billion by 2031.

According to Hartz Senior Director of Marketing (Cross-Category) Stacy Kisla, “During the planning stages, we mapped out relevant pet-focused holidays, such as National Pet Month and National Foster a Pet Month, to align our focus with moments when the next generation of pet parents would be actively seeking trusted guidance. Once we meet them where they’re at, Hartz can show what a century of unconditional love looks like. Here’s to the next 100 years.”

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