Edward H. Salmon, Ed.D., has more than forty years experience in increasingly responsible positions in government, education and the private sector. Is an expert in creating and managing relationships, team building, and planning/organizing/cultivating partnerships to accomplish goals. Positions held include Governor’s Cabinet, President of the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities, Assemblyman, Freeholder Director, Mayor, President/CEO of AUS Consultants, Vice Chairman of AUS, Inc., and Founder/Chairman of Salmon Ventures Limited.

EXPERIENCE

2003 to Date

Chairman and co-founder of Salmon Ventures Limited (SVL), a national firm providing professional consulting to utilities, industry, government and education. SVL provides a wide range of services and recognized expertise in the water, energy and communication industries.

1997 to 2002

AUS is a worldwide market research and consulting company with corporate headquarters in Moorestown, New Jersey. Responsible for creating a new operating division of AUS Consultants (Pathways) that provided regulatory, governmental and technical assistance to utilities, industry, government and educational institutions. Also responsible for developing an Energy Aggregation Team to aid municipalities, counties, school districts, industry and business in reducing energy costs and Educational Technology Unit to assist schools and colleges.

In May 2002, was promoted to the positions of Vice Chairman of AUS Inc., and President/CEO of AUS Consultants.

1991 to 1996

New Jersey Board of Public Utilities, President. Responsible for creating, implementing, and overseeing public policy affecting all of New Jersey’s investor-owned utilities including telecommunications, cable, electric, gas, water and wastewater. Managed a staff of 250 people and a budget of $22 million.

Commissioner. Responsible for creating long-range communications plans for the State of New Jersey as an appointed member of the Governor’s Task Force on Communications/Information Technologies and Services. Also created and implemented public policy extending competition in the telecommunications, electric and natural gas industries.

National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners (NARUC). Dr. Salmon served two years as NARUC’s Vice President, Chair of NARUC’s Executive Committee, Founder of NARUC’s Washington Action Committee, and a member of the Communications Committee. In addition, he was President of the Great Lakes Conference (16 states) and on the Board of Directors for the National Society of Rate of Return Analysts and the National Regulatory Research Institute. Presently, Dr. Salmon serves as President of NARUC’s Commissioners Emeritus.

1988 to 1991

New Jersey General Assembly. Enhanced New Jersey’s economic development strategies as Chair of the Assembly Economic Growth, Agriculture, Tourism and Shore Protection Committee. Was a sponsor of significant legislation affecting New Jersey’s short-term and long-term competitiveness, including the Jobs, Education & Competitiveness Bond Act (1988), Urban Enterprise Zones, tourism initiatives, agricultural and commercial fisheries financial assistance programs, the Water Resources Development Bond Act (1987), and the Housing & Jobs Bond Act (1991). Achieved “Legislator of the Year” awards from six state-wide organizations.

1964 to 1991

City of Millville Public School System. Was a teacher, coach, team leader, department chair, and District- wide director responsible for creating and implementing health and physical education curriculum. Coach Salmon’s impressive 86% win record twice resulted in him being named New Jersey Basketball Coach of the Year and to be entered into the South Jersey Coaches Hall of Fame.

1977 to 1988

Cumberland County Board of Chosen Freeholders. Was a Freeholder Director of the elected governing body of one of New Jersey’s 21 counties. Responsible for county-wide taxation, social planning, transportation and economic programs with a budget of more than $50 million. Instituted a mechanism through which Cumberland County businesses and industries could do business with the Atlantic City casino industry. Built consensus to site New Jersey’s first county-wide state-of-the-art solid waste landfill. Launched a county-wide Enrichment Center for the Blind built primarily with State funds.

1973 to 1977

City of Millville, Mayor. Received 87% of the vote to become Millville’s youngest Mayor. Responsible for expanding and promoting the city’s industrial park via approximately 80% Federal funding. Revamped municipal government to place an emphasis on the development of business and industry. Expanded the municipal airport with Federal funds resulting in the attraction of new airport industry.

EDUCATION

DEGREES:

-                      Thomas A. Edison State College, Trenton, NJ – Doctor of Humane Letters honoris causa

-                      University of Delaware – Ed. D. – Educational Leadership

-                      Rowan University of New Jersey – M.A. +30

-                      Gettysburg College, Gettysburg, PA – Bachelor of Arts CONTINUING EDUCATION:

-                      Kidder Peabody Utility Rates & Regulation Seminar

-                      New Mexico State University Rates & Ratemaking School

FORMER CORPORATE BOARDS

-                      Sun National Bank – Secretary/Chairman – Nomination & Governance Committee

-                      Served on the Board of Directors for American Water Works in the following states: Pennsylvania, Virginia, West Virginia, Kentucky, Tennessee, Illinois, Indiana, Arizona, New Mexico, California, Hawaii, Iowa, Maryland, Michigan, and Ohio

CIVIC/COMMUNITY

PRESENT:

-                      Chairman, New Jersey Energy Coalition

-                      Board President, Next Generation Aviation Research & Technology Park, Inc.

-                      President, NARUC Commissioners Emeritus (10th term)

-                      Chairman, Steering Committee of the William J. Hughes Center for Public Policy at Richard Stockton College of New Jersey

-                      Chairman, CEO/Executive Advisory Committee for the Boy Scouts of Southern N.J.

-                      Board of Trustees, Ocean City Tabernacle Association

-                      Executive Board - South Jersey American Heart Association

-                      Member, West Park United Methodist Church, Hopewell Township, N.J.

PAST:

-                      Board of Directors, Society of Utility and Regulatory Financial Analysts

-                      Board of Trustees, National Regulatory Research Institute

-                      Chairman, South Jersey Federal Economic Development District

-                      Chairman, Southern New Jersey Technology Consortium

-                      Trustee, Rowan University

-                      Gubernatorial Appointee:  1979 County College Commission

-                      Founder of “Sound Off for South Jersey”

-                      President, Southern New Jersey Boy Scout Council

-                      President, Ocean City Masonic Club

-                      Board of Directors, Enrichment Center for the Blind

-                      Campaign Chairman for the United Fund, March of Dimes, American Cancer Society and Heart Association

HONORS / SPECIAL RECOGNITION

-                      New Jersey Jaycees 1972 Outstanding Young Man of the Year.

-                      86% win record as a high school coach.

-                      Twice named New Jersey Basketball Coach of the Year.

-                      Inductee of the South Jersey Coaches Hall of Fame.

-                      South Jersey’s Outstanding Citizen of the Year in 1973, 1981, and 1991.

-                      Six recognitions as Legislator of the Year.

-                      Silver Beaver Award, Boy Scouts of America.

-                      1995 New Jersey Fitness Leadership Award.

-                      Elected President of NARUC’s Commissioners Emeritus in 2001.

-                      Named one of the Top Ten Innovative Entrepreneurs for the Greater Delaware Valley in 2001.

-                      In 2003, received the Mayor Emeritus Award from the New Jersey Conference of Mayors.

-                      Honored by the New Jersey Utilities Association with the 2004 Distinguished Service Award.

-                      Inducted in 2005 to the Hall of Fame by the Thunderbolt Club along with the 1968 Millville Senior High School Basketball Team as their coach.

-                      Selected “2005 Citizen of the Year” by the Southern New Jersey Council of Boy Scouts.

-                      Chosen as the 2006 Spring Commencement Speaker for Richard Stockton College of New Jersey.

-                      Received Liberty Bell Award in 2006 for community service and civic responsibility from the Cumberland County Bar Association.

-                      Honored by the Rutgers University Rand Institute as 2006 South Jerseyan of the Year.

-                      In 2007, selected to serve as Chairman of the Founders Committee for the William J. Hughes Center for Public Policy at the Richard Stockton College of New Jersey.

-                      Received Founders Award from the Southern New Jersey Development Council in 2007.

PERSONAL

Married for 55 years to the former Marilyn Lurae Groninger, Ed and Marilyn have two children (James Edward and Kristine Leigh), two children through marriage (Vivian Rosado Salmon and Scott James Burnley), and eleven grandchildren (Joshua Paul, Rosa Isela Marisa, Preston Edward, Miriam Alicia, Lurae Elisabeth, Lupita Vivian, Leigha Isabel, Ericka Marilyn, James Edward, Amanda Isabelle and Edward Hiatt).

Keynote Speaker, Presenter, and Moderator:

From 1991 to date, Dr. Salmon has been a keynote speaker, presenter, and moderator at numerous conferences, conventions, and seminars throughout the country.  Examples include:

-                      Federal-State-Local INVITATION TELECOM SUMMIT convened by Vice President Gore and sponsored by the Annenberg Washington Program.

-                      PUBLIC UTILITY COMMISSIONERS 2000 – a Summit Conference for State Public Utility Commissioners convened by the National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners (NARUC) and the National Regulatory Research Institute (NRRI).

-                      KEYSTONE TELECOMMUNICATIONS INFITATIONAL SUMMIT of key federal, state,

and industry leaders held in Keystone, Colorado.

GOVERNMENT

-                      NORTHEAST-MIDWEST CONGRESSIONAL COALITION: The Capital Hill Conference on Telecommunications Infrastructure. Speech: New Jersey’s Telecommunications Infrastructure.

-                      NATIONAL CONFERENCE OF STATE LEGISLATURES:  Annual State-Federal

Assembly.  Speech:  Cable Television Industry and New Jersey.

-                      Testified before CONGRESSIONAL and STATE LEGISLATIVE COMMITTEES regarding key utility issues.

INTERNATIONAL

-                      Russian delegation of officials, municipal administrators, and high ranking industrial executives.  Speech:  How America Regulates Utilities.

-                      Government officials from the Country of India.  Speech:  How New Jersey’s BPU Works.

-                      Japan’s KANSAI Electric Utility Leaders. NARUC/KANSAI Senior Executive Meeting in New York City.  Group discussion on electric utility issues.

EDUCATION

-                      Princeton University:  Woodrow Wilson School of Public and International Affairs.

Speech:  The Changing World of Electricity.

-                      University of Colorado:  Doctoral Program in Telecommunications.

Speech:  The Road to Competition.

-                      University of Delaware:  College of Urban Affairs and Public Policy.

• Telecommunications Forum.

Speech: Federal Legislation – Necessary or Not.

• Taft Institute of Government.

Speech:  Overview of New Jersey State Government.

• Graduate Students Seminar.

Speech:  The World of Utility Regulation.

• Tele-Technology:  Building and Using the Information Highway.

Speech:  State Regulations of Telecommunications and Industry Convergence.

-                      New Mexico State University:  16th Annual Public Utilities Conference.

Speech:  Electric Industry and the Challenges in a Changing Environment.

-                      University of Rutgers:  Graduate School of Management.

Speech:  Economic Innovations in Public Utility Management.

-                      University of Georgia:  15th Annual Telecommunications conference.

Speech: Alternative Regulation for New Jersey.

-                      Columbia Institute for Tele-Information:

Speech:  New Jersey & Fiber Optics – Perfect Together.

FINANCIAL

-                      EXNET Utility Financial Conference: Financial Strategies for the Competitive, Post Monopoly World.

Speech:  The Role of the PUC in Providing Financial Support.

-                      Merrill Lynch:  Seminar on Purchased Power Contracts.

Speech:  Regulatory Issues Associated with Purchased Power Contracts.

-                      Standard & Poor’s, Moody’s, and Fitch Investors Service: Visitation and Presentation on New Jersey BPU and its Utilities.

-                      DeLoitte & Touche: Northeast Public Utilities Conference: Speech: Key Utility Issues in a Changing World.

-                      Regulatory Research Associates of New York.

Speech: Wall Street and the New Jersey Utilities.

-                      National Society of Rate of Return Analysts: Annual National Society of Rate of Return Analysts (NSRRA) Conference.

Speech: Rate of Return and the Electric Industry.

ORGANIZATIONS

-                      New York Academy of Sciences: Telecommunication Public Policy Seminar.

Speech:  New Jersey & Telecommunications: Perfect Together.

-                      National Association of Water Companies (NAWC): 1993, 1994 and 1995 Annual Conference. Presentations: Service Our Customers, Financial Excellence, and D.C. Objectives of the Water Utility Industry.

-                      Department of Energy (DOE) – National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners (NARUC): 4th Annual Natural Gas Conference.

Speech: National Gas Vehicles – Opportunities and Challenges.

-                      American Bar Association: 1995 Spring Conference. Speech: From Monopoly to Competition - Get With It.

-                      Nuclear Energy Institute (NEI): The Nuclear Energy Assembly.

Speech: Nuclear Competitiveness in the New Environment.

-                      KMB Video Journal on Telecommunications Policies and Practices for Leaders in Industry, Government, and Education. Selected to be a presenter at five KMB Invitational Conferences.

-                      National Association of Black Telecommunication Professionals: 5th Annual Convention.

Speech: 1996 Telecommunications Act – The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly.

-                      Mid-Atlantic Independent Power Producers. Speech: New Jersey’s Energy Master Plan.

-                      Citizens for a Sound Economy: Annual Forum.

Speech: Connecting Consumers with the Future.

-                      Stone & Webster’s Utility Management Development Program.

Speech: The Changing World of Today’s Utilities.

-                      COMNET Conference & Exposition.

Speech: Shoot-Out at the Local Exchange.

-                      Broad Band Technologies, Inc. Presents Switched Digital Video Conference.

Speech: Impact of Regulatory and Legislative Developments.

-                      Strategic Research Institute Conference on Video Dial Tone.

Speech: Satisfying the States’ Public Interest and Financial Concerns About VDT.

Richard E. Tolson, Labor Consultant, Tolson Consulting

For the past 30 years, I have been a Union representative and watched as Labor leader after Labor leader retire and take all their valuable years of experience and relationships with them as they move into a well deserved retirement. Further, I’ve watched as well intended Labor efforts become increasingly siloed and Labor organizations operating independently have not achieved the progress that could be achieved through broader coalitions. Organized Labor can do better! We aim to better connect efforts of existing Unions to one another and broaden the tent to build more modern coalitions tethering Unions to social and economic justice groups, as well as academia and other players who recognize and advocate for a level playing field for all workers. Additionally, we offer government relations services to companies and serve as a conduit between elected officials, employers and Labor Unions. Utilizing the experience, relationships and successes built over three decades in the Labor movement, my goal is to continue to advance the cause of workplace fairness. It’s more important now than ever! If there is a need you believe I can help support for you, your organization, your staff or membership, please don’t hesitate to call.
In solidarity,
Richard E. Tolson

Background

• Union Representative for International Union of Bricklayers and Allied Craftworkers 1990-2020
• Statewide director- 2006-2020 • President Local #5- 1998-2002
• Secretary/Treasurer Local #5- 2002-2006 • Organizer- 1990-1995
• NJ State Building Trades Vice-President 2006-2020
  NJ State AFL-CIO Executive Board 2006-2020
• NJ State Economic Development Authority 2007-2014
  Casino reinvestment Development Authority 2012-current Vice-Chairman-2018-current
• Bachelor of Arts- Labor Studies- National Labor College Services
• Labor Relations- 30 years experience of Labor and Management negotiations
• Training and Education- instruction in Labor History, member engagement, Labor Law
• Organizing- instruction in top/down, bottom/up, jobsite activity, planning, implementation, and results
• Legislative- contacts and relationships at both the State and Federal level

Kim Schalek Downes, is the Vice President of Business Development, Government and External Affairs for New Jersey American Water, the state’s largest regulated water and wastewater utility serving approximately 2.9 million people across the state. 

Downes leads the company’s development strategy including the acquisition of water and wastewater systems and other growth opportunities.  Through her leadership of public policy and legislative strategy, communications, community and political engagement, Downes helps New Jersey American Water deliver on its commitment to provide customers and communities with safe, clean, reliable and affordable water and wastewater services.

Downes has more than 35 years of experience in government relations, public policy and strategic consulting. Prior to joining New Jersey American Water, she was the CEO and President of Salmon Ventures (SVL), a New Jersey-based public affairs and management consulting firm she founded in 2003.  At SVL, she led projects and partnerships with state and national utility companies, government agencies, school districts and healthcare organizations. 

She was instrumental in establishing the New Jersey Energy Coalition (NJEC) in 2008, where she served as Chair, overseeing staff, guiding communications, expanding membership and developing program initiatives to elevate dialogue around energy policy in New Jersey. 

Earlier in her career, Downes held a variety of government positions with increasing responsibility, including serving as Aide to a New Jersey State Assemblyman and Mayor, Grants Director, and Vice President and Executive Coordinator at AUS, Inc., a public sector consulting firm. 

Downes earned her Bachelor of Arts in Political Science with a concentration in Policy and Management Studies from Dickinson College. She currently serves as Vice Chair of the William J. Hughes Center for Public Policy Advisory Board at Stockon University, is a board member of the Battleship New Jersey and the Burlington County Regional Chamber of Commerce. She is also a member of The CEO Group. 

New Jersey American Water, a subsidiary of American Water, is the largest regulated water utility in the state, providing safe, clean, reliable and affordable water and wastewater services to approximately 2.9 million people.

American Water is the largest regulated water and wastewater utility company in the United States. With a history dating back to 1886, We Keep Life Flowing® by providing safe, clean, reliable and affordable drinking water and wastewater services to more than 14 million people with regulated operations in 14 states and on 18 military installations. American Water's 6,700 talented professionals leverage their significant expertise and the company’s national size and scale to achieve excellent outcomes for the benefit of customers, employees, investors and other stakeholders.

Steven J. Barzer has had a fifty year career in the insurance and international business consulting and development fields. Throughout his career Steve held executive positions in Marsh as Senior VP in Charge of Global Client Development advisor to the Bass family on acquisitions in the insurance brokerage sector, was on management committee of Bayly, Martin and Fay when it was acquired by the Aon Corporation. He constantly maintains relationships throughout his global network. Steve currently serves on the Board of The World Trade Center, The Global Independence Center at the University of Pennsylvania, The Hughes Center for Public Policy and served as chairman of the Greater Atlantic City Chamber of Commerce, the Southern New Jersey Development Council, Stockton University and the Atlantic Care, foundation as well as many other institutions.

The New Jersey Governor, Thomas Kean, appointed Steve as Chairman of the Governor's Advisory Commission on Gaming. Steve has undergraduate and MBA degrees from Wharton School - University of Pennsylvania and holds professional designations of CPCU and CLU. Earlier in his career Steve was commissioned in the United States Coast Guard attaining the rank of Lieutenant Commander.

While at Penn, Steve was a member of varsity swimming team crew and ice hockey club. Steve rowed competitively and won several Canadian and National Championships. Steve is a qualified scuba instructor and a licensed pilot. During his free time, Steve is "trying to keep up with his grandchildren".

Tom Cirignano, president of Cirignano Contracting, Inc. in Absecon,  has been involved in the contracting industry for over 40 years, starting in 1978 as an apprentice paperhanger at Bally's Hotel and Casino in Atlantic City, NJ.

In 1990, after moving up through the ranks, he opened Cirignano Contracting, a local painting company. Over the last 28 years, the company has grown, with offices in Absecon, NJ and Philadelphia, PA. Cirignano Contracting does work throughout New Jersey and Eastern Pennsylvania and employs over 175 men and women.

Tom has been the President of the Garden State Council of the Painting and Decorating Contractors of America (PDCA) for the past 15 years. This group represents all the union painting contractors in the State of New Jersey and works with other union organizations. In addition, Tom sits on various boards of the Painters District Council 711. They include Health and Welfare, Joint Trade Board, Vacation Stars and Finishing Trades Instute.

Over the years Tom has been involved with numerous organizations including churches, schools, local sports and the scouts. Currently, he is active as a trustee on The Grace Project, which is a group that has built and maintained a school in the Republic of Kenya for underprivileged kids.

Tom lives in Sweetwater, NJ with his wife Pam and two daughters Rose and Anna.

Vincent D’Alessandro is the President of OceanFirst Bank’s Southern Region, which currently includes branches and administrative offices located throughout Atlantic, Cape May, Cumberland, Gloucester, Salem, Burlington, and Camden Counties in New Jersey.

Vincent graduated from Toms River HS South in 1985 as class Valedictorian and from Rutgers University in 1989 with a degree in Business Administration, Political Science, and Education and then completed his MBA at the Stonier School of Banking at the University of Pennsylvania with a leadership certificate from the Wharton School of Business.  Included with his degrees from RU is State Certification in Teaching from New Jersey. 

Vincent’s professional career began in 1989 which included various commercial, credit, and leadership roles at First National Bank of Toms River, Summit Bank, PNC Bank, Shore Community Bank and has been with OceanFirst Bank since 2008.  These professional experiences include completion of a management training program immediately following graduation from Rutgers and then commenced into a banking career with roles in Commercial Credit and Administration, Commercial Lending, Commercial Team leadership, Private Bank management, and a current responsibility leading the South Jersey Region of OceanFirst Bank in all revenue producing lines.

Vincent has had extensive involvement with various non-profit organizations and is currently involved on the Boards of the Shore Medical Center Foundation, Atlantic Cape Community College Foundation, the HERO Campaign, South Jersey CEO Group, MBCA of Atlantic City, Chamber of Commerce Southern New Jersey, and Businesses Committed to South Jersey.  Previous organizational board involvement included Ocean County Foundation, American Cancer Society, Ocean of Love, United Way of Ocean County, Ocean County YMCA, Barnegat Little League, Stafford Township Schools, and Toms River Country Club. 

Vincent is an avid golfer and has played competitive golf since the age of eight, progressing to Division I collegiate golf at Rutgers University. He has been married to wife Susan since 1990 and has one son, Christopher age 18, who is carrying on the family golf tradition, playing for Arcadia University.

 

After serving as Business Administrator for seventeen years for the City of Ocean City, New Jersey, Mr. Deaney joined Jersey Professional Management (JPM) in 2006 where he now serves as Vice President for South Jersey. He was also Township Manger for Medford Township from 1980 until 1989 and Town Manager for the Town of Newton from 1971 until 1980. He is a life member of the International City Management Association and a former President of the New Jersey Municipal Management Association.

During his time with Jersey Professional Management, Mr. Deaney has shared his knowledge in a variety of ways by assisting and personally conducting general Administrative Reviews, Salary and Compensation Reviews, Shared Municipal Court Studies, and Annexation/Consolidation Studies for communities including Margate, Cape May, West Cape May, Cape May Point, Ocean City, Sea Isle City, Tinton Falls, Eatontown, Oceanport, Audubon, Haddonfield, Haddon Township, Evesham Township, Corbin City and Upper Township.

In 2007 Mr. Deaney served for six months as Temporary Business Administrator for Sea Isle City during a period of transition to a new form of government. In 2010 he served in a similar capacity for six months for the City of Wildwood while they searched for a new Administrator.  He presently serves as a consultant to Margate City after completing eleven year tenure as interim Business Administrator. Other interim positions were also held in West Wildwood, Ocean City and North Wildwood from 2009 to 2011.

Mr. Deaney has fifty-two years’ experience and special expertise working with local elected officials in New Jersey and was Mayor of Ocean City in 1992 for several months following the death of the former Mayor. He has familiarity with New Jersey State personnel laws and regulations and has had human resource responsibilities in each of his executive positions. For the past twelve years he has reviewed court documents, written reports and provided expert testimony in a number of municipal, county and private court cases in Southern New Jersey.

Mr. Deaney holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Gettysburg College and a Master in Government Administration degree from the Wharton Graduate Division of the University of Pennsylvania. He brings a broad based knowledge of the history and practice of local government in New Jersey having served in appointed positions for parts of six decades in all corners of the state.

Mark Giannantonio brings more than 35 years of Atlantic City gaming expertise to his role as President & CEO for Resorts Casino Hotel.  He joined Resorts in September 2012 when it was announced that Mohegan Sun would take over the management of the property.

Before joining Resorts Casino Hotel, Giannantonio was a Senior Gaming Consultant with Spectrum Gaming, where he applied his experience in a more global atmosphere.   He previously held various executive positions within the casino industry, most recently as President & CEO of Tropicana Casino & Resort.

A lifetime Atlantic County resident, Giannantonio serves on the Board of the New Jersey Casino Reinvestment Development Authority (CRDA).  He is also the chair of the Advisory Board of the Lloyd D. Levenson Institute of Gaming, Hospitality and Tourism (LIGHT) at Stockton University and a member of the Board of the Atlantic City Police Foundation. Additionally, he serves on the Steering Committee of the William J. Hughes Center for Public Policy.

Giannantonio is a proud graduate of Stockton University, Class of 1987.

Professional Overview

Patrick Gill is a co-founder and CEO of eOutdoors, Inc., based in Egg Harbor Twp, NJ (USA) and has over 25 years of business experience in eCommerce, retail, and marketing management with a range of start-up ventures, established businesses and non-profit foundations. Beginning with one online storefront, TackleDirect.com - World's Premier Fishing Outfitter, in 1997, the company has evolved into an international multi-brand and multi-channel specialty retailer that has ranked in the Internet Retailer 500 for several years and is in a growing number of outdoor niches. TackleDirect now operates multiple online stores and marketplaces, two physical retail stores, and has sold outdoor gear to customers in 190 countries around the globe. Patrick held internet and marketing management positions with several successful start-up companies as well as consulting roles with Fortune 100 companies. Patrick studied Architecture at Roger Williams University.

Professional Positions & Speaking Engagements

American Sportfishing Association “ASA” Board Member (Vice-Chairman), Executive Committee, Retailer Committee Chairman, Excise Tax Legislation work with Government Affairs team, 2018 – 2023
eCommerce Operations Summit
National Etailing and Mailing Organization of America (NEMOA)
Internet Retailer Conference & Exhibition (IRCE)
Global eCommerce Leaders Forum
The Economist and UPS – The $1 Trillion Question
Vermont Web Marketing Summit – Keynote Speaker
9 Years Board Member, HERO Campaign for Designated Drivers
4 Years Bronto Customer Advisory Panel
2 Years X=Experience Panel - NetElixir University
Event Auction Committee - Shore Medical Center, A Cause To Celebrate

Sponsored

Recreational Fishing: Is There A Future? – Cape May Chamber of Commerce

Personal

Patrick and his wife, Melissa reside in Ocean City, New Jersey (USA) with their three young children, Adelynn, Dawson and Harper. 19 Year Member of Christ Church Philadelphia. Leisure activities include surfing, fishing, biking, sporting clays, architecture and traveling, including 12 foreign countries.

Jim Gilroy

State Government Affairs

PSEG

Education 
Degrees: H.S. Philadelphia Public Schools.
University of Pennsylvania B.S. in Ed.
Paralegal Institute, Paralegal certificate

Civic Community
Board member of the Philadelphia Parkinson Council
Board member University of Penna. Institute on Aging
Committee Person 35 years Lower Merion Township, Pa.
Vice President Lower Merion Democratic Club
Member: Margate N.J. Democratic Club
Member: Steering Committee William J Hughes Public
Policy Center

Civic Contributions
Co-Founder feeding program “Let us Eat, Please”.
A summer feeding program that serves children by extending school breakfast and lunches during the summer months. Distributed through Atlantic County schools.

Experience
Swenson & Cohen. Paralegal staffer
U. S. Congressional Staffer:
Congresswomen Marjorie Margolies Mezvinsky

Arlene is a widow with two sons, a daughter and three grandchildren, and resides in Margate New Jersey. She was an avid golfer and played competitive golf at various courses in Montgomery Co. Penna. Over the years, Arlene has served on various church and synagogue boards. She served as a “host mother” for foreign students studying at The Curtis Institute in Philadelphia Pa. She is a “life long learner” and continues to take courses through : “FELS” - Friends of Encore Learning of Stockton, proceeds funding Stockton University Foundation scholarships.

Dr. Anne Harlan is a retired Director of the Federal Aviation Administration's William J. Hughes Technical Center, serving in that role from 1997 – 2006, and as Deputy Director from 1995 - 1997.  As the Director she was responsible for the strategic leadership and operation of the Federal Aviation Administration’s premier research and development facility, a complex scientific and engineering organization involved in the complete life cycle of aviation systems, ranging from concept exploration, simulations, modeling and analysis, system engineering and integration, system development, deployment and in-service modifications to existing aviation systems and procedures. This involved oversight of a $350M annual budget funding the work of 3000 scientists, engineers, computer scientists, pilots and other federal and contract employees.  She also worked closely with other tenant organizations located at the FAA Technical Center including the Federal Air Marshal Training Center, the research and development laboratories of Homeland Security, the New Jersey Air National Guard, Coast Guard Air Station Atlantic City, and the Atlantic City International Airport.

Anne received her M.A. and Ph.D. from the Ohio State University and was a faculty member at the Harvard Business School where she taught in the MBA program and worked with doctoral candidates overseeing research projects.  In addition, she has experience in the private sector as a management consultant to numerous U.S. and international corporations such as Mobil Oil, General Electric and American Express where she focused on designing and implementing system improvements to overall effectiveness, executive succession and strategic management. 

Anne is a commercial, multi-engine instrument rated pilot. In addition, she is an Associate Fellow of the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics, a Senior Member of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers and serves on several boards including the National Aviation Research and Technology Park where she is Vice President and the Stockton University Hughes Center for Public Policy. In her spare time, she is an avid birder, photographer and musician.  She lives in Egg Harbor Township, NJ with her husband Jay Nichols.

Until her retirement in mid 2023, Lori Herndon, RN, BSN, MBA, was president and CEO of AtlantiCare, a member of Geisinger. She was responsible for the multifaceted health system’s strategic growth, operations and development. She led more than 5,800 AtlantiCare employees and 900 physicians and providers who serve the community in five New Jersey counties.

AtlantiCare comprises AtlantiCare Regional Health Services including AtlantiCare Regional Medical Center (ARMC) with three locations, ambulatory services, and AtlantiCare Physician Group; the AtlantiCare Foundation, and AtlantiCare Health Solutions, an accountable care organization.

Herndon joined AtlantiCare in 1983 as a staff nurse in ARMC’s Intensive Care Unit (ICU), and has served in executive roles for the system since 2007. Prior to her current role, she concurrently served as executive vice president, AtlantiCare, and president and CEO, ARMC. Her roles at ARMC included president and CEO; administrator, ARMC Mainland Campus; administrative director, Maternal Child Health Services; director, Total Quality Management; clinical manager, Medicine/Surgery; and director, Nurse Recruitment.  

A trusted leader, mentor, clinician, and community member, Herndon is committed to listening to, learning from, and collaborating with patients, staff, the community, and all stakeholders to build healthy communities. The clinical, business, and community partnerships she has fostered to address social determinants of health have led to best practices in healthcare that have gained national and international attention. Herndon was a key member of the team that sought strategic clinical and process integration with Geisinger, which AtlantiCare joined in 2015.

Under Herndon’s hospital leadership, ARMC became the 105th hospital in the nation to attain status as a Magnet^® designated hospital and has since been redesignated three times; AtlantiCare was named a Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award Winner in 2009; AtlantiCare was included in Modern Healthcare’s Best Places to Work in Healthcare 2010 and received the CMS Five Star Quality rating in 2019.

Herndon co-chaired AtlantiCare’s Patient and Family Advisory Council, which comprises current and former patients and staff, and other members of the community, from its inception in 2011 through 2016. She serves on the boards of the Stockton University Foundation, Atlantic City Police Foundation, Atlantic County Economic Alliance, and the OceanFirst Bank Advisory Board. In addition, she serves as secretary of the New Jersey Hospital Association Board of Trustees. She was chair of the American Heart Association’s 2010 Southern New Jersey Spring Start! Heart Walk and its 2012 Go Red for Women Luncheon.

Herndon is a member of the American College of Health Care Executives; and a lifetime member of the Ruth Newman Shapiro Cancer and Heart Fund and the ARMC Mainland Campus Auxiliary. She was the recipient of the New Jesey Institute for Nursing Don and Diva recognition in 2019; the Greater Atlantic City Chamber of Commerce’s 2018 Business Leader of the Year award and in 2013; was named to the Atlantic County Women’s Hall of Fame. Also in 2013, Stockton University’s William J. Hughes Center for Public Policy honored her with its “Distinctive Alumni Leadership Award.” The Boy Scouts Jersey Shore Council honored her as distinguished citizen of the year in 2014.

Herndon earned her Master of Business Administration degree at St. Joseph’s University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; her Bachelor of Science degree in nursing at the Richard Stockton College of New Jersey, Pomona, New Jersey; and her registered nurse degree at Geisinger Medical Center School of Nursing, Danville, Pennsylvania.

Herndon resides in Brigantine with her husband Dorie. They have two adult sons, Dorie and Eric.

William J. ("Bill") Hughes, Jr. is an experienced litigator representing clients in federal white collar investigations and criminal defense, complex commercial litigation in the areas of cybersecurity, antitrust, fraud, intellectual property, director and officer (D&O) liability defense, commercial and shareholder disputes.

With a background as an Assistant U.S. Attorney and Trial Attorney for the United States Department of Justice, Bill has a unique understanding of federal investigations and procedures.  In his role as Assistant U.S. Attorney, Bill was responsible for litigating and investigating a variety of cases including:  counterfeiting, bank robbery and theft, firearms violations, police bribery, assaults, narcotics cases - including Title III wiretaps and foreign extradition, money laundering, government loan fraud, credit card fraud, and criminal copyright and trademark infringement.  As a Trial Attorney for the Department of Justice, Bill was assigned to the Computers and Finance Section of the Antitrust Division where he handled antitrust merger and civil non-merger investigations and litigation.

Bill has received numerous service awards from federal agencies including, U.S. Customs Service, U.S. Marshal's Service, U.S. Secret Service, Drug Enforcement Administration and United States Postal Service.

Prior to joining the Department of Justice, Bill served as a Judicial Clerk with the Honorable John F. Gerry, Chief Judge of the United States District Court for the District of New Jersey and Chairman of the Executive Committee for the United States Judicial Conference.

Bill achieved an L.L.M. in Taxation from Georgetown University Law Center in 1998, a Juris Doctor with honors from Rutgers University Law School in 1993, a Master of Arts in Public Policy and Political Science from the Eagleton Institute of Politics and Public Policy in 1991, and a Bachelor of Arts in Government from Franklin and Marshall College in 1989.

An active member of Boy Scouts of America, Jersey Shore Council, Bill serves as Vice President, having previously served as President.  Bill is also a board member and previous Chairman of Atlantic County Crimestoppers Foundation.

David R. Mayer was elected Mayor of Gloucester Township in November of 2009, sworn in on January 2, 2010 and recently re-elected in 2013. Since taking office, David has worked on improving the Township’s finances and stabilizing taxes. He introduced six budgets which each held the line on the municipal tax rate and implemented many sustainable and green initiatives. He promoted new community policing initiatives and significantly enhanced economic development opportunities, including the recently opened Gloucester Township Premium Outlets – one of the largest economic development projects in the South Jersey region.

David began his public career in 1989 as an aide for Robert E. Andrews, who was Freeholder Director then. He continued working in Andrews’ successful congressional campaign and became Director of the Congressman’s district office. From 1995 to 2004, David served as Chief of Staff to Camden County Clerk, James Beach.

David’s service as an elected official began in May of 2002 when he was elected to the Gloucester Township Council. It was David’s strong opposition to dual office holding that made him resign from the council position and enter the race for State Assembly in the Fourth District in 2003. David was elected to the State Assembly both in 2003 and 2005, where he served on the Assembly Transportation and Education Committees and sponsored many pieces of legislation including the New Jersey Stars Program.
David earned a B.A. in Psychology from Rutgers-Camden, a Masters Degree in Public Policy and Administration, Rutgers-Camden, and a Law Degree from Rutgers School of Law-Camden. He has been teaching courses in political science, public administration and public policy at Camden County College, Rutgers-Camden and Rowan Universities.

David currently serves as Director of Government Affairs for New Jersey American Water.

David and his wife, Michelle, the Surrogate of Camden County, have five children and live in the Sicklerville section of Gloucester Township.

Mayor Frank Minor has served the people of New Jersey with honor. When you learn more about him you will understand why he is directly connected to the needs of New Jersey families and the concerns of the business community. Frank is committed to a new direction and developing real solutions to solve the problems facing New Jersey now and into the future. Frank is an independent thinker, trained and educated to get results.

As a former business owner, Frank understands the difficulties facing our business community during these tough economic times. He is uniquely qualified to help tackle these problems and develop real solutions to rising taxes and health care costs.

Mayor Minor has consistently introduced and passed budgets with no tax increases, allowing families to keep more of their hard earned money, without sacrificing services or safety.

The Honorable Frank W. Minor, mayor of Logan Township, was born in Queens, New York and raised in Brooklyn New York. Growing up in a poor neighborhood taught him the value of family and education. His parents instilled in him a strong work ethic that follows him to this day.

Mayor Minor is a graduate of Syracuse University, where he received his Bachelor’s of Arts Degree in Sociology. He was first elected to office in 2003, and is currently serving his second term. In 2005, he was elected to serve on the New Jersey Conference of Mayors Board of Directors. In 2008, he was elected Delegation Floor Whip for the New Jersey Delegation at the Democratic National Convention in Denver Colorado, working to elect Senator Barack Obama as the 44th President of the United States of America.

Frank and his wife Sarah have been residents of Logan Township for 33 years and are the proud parents of two children, Brooke and Jordan.

As president and chief executive officer of SJI, Mike Renna is at the helm of one of New Jersey’s most dynamic and successful energy companies.

Mr. Renna joined SJI in 1998 and through his hard work and commitment to success, he advanced through a number of managerial and professional positions. Prior to his leadership role at SJI, Mr. Renna held the titles of president of South Jersey Energy Solutions and South Jersey Energy, the region’s largest energy marketer. He was appointed to the South Jersey Energy Solutions executive committee in November 2012 and to the SJI Board of Directors in 2014.

An alumnus of the University of Delaware, where he earned his undergraduate degree in finance, Mr. Renna also holds a Master of Business Administration degree from Cornell University. He serves on various boards of directors including the New Jersey Chamber of Commerce, the United Way of Greater Philadelphia and Southern New Jersey and Choose New Jersey. Additionally, Mr. Renna sits on the board of trustees for The Hun School of Princeton. He is also a member of the steering committee for the William J. Hughes Center for Public Policy at Stockton University, participates in the University of Delaware’s Student Mentoring Program and is a member of the Jefferson Health New Jersey Business Council.

Eric Scheffler is the Executive Director of the Casino Reinvestment Development Authority (CRDA).

Scheffler was elected Sheriff of Atlantic County in November 2017 and served in that position until January, 2024. Eric retired as a Lieutenant with the Atlantic City Police Department. During his tenure there, he served in both the Patrol and Training Divisions. His hard work and dedication led to his promotion to Shift Commander in the Patrol Division and to Commander of the Training Unit. During his career, his commitment to his own professional development led to Eric becoming a certified instructor in twenty-two different law enforcement training curriculums. He also personally created eleven law enforcement instructor courses. Nineteen police departments in New Jersey are currently using his programs, including the Atlantic County Prosecutor’s Office. Eric also worked as a paraprofessional at Mainland Regional High School where he mentored at-risk youth as well as intellectually and developmentally disabled students. He has also volunteered his time as a founding member of Mainland’s “One Life Committee”, tackling heroin and opioid addiction issues in our schools. In addition to his tireless commitment to this diverse population, Eric created an “Option-based” protocol empowering teachers and students to make decisions in the event of an active shooter/violent intruder event.

Immediately upon commencing his tenure as Atlantic County Sheriff, he began to redirect the Atlantic County Sheriff’s Office mission to focus on professional development programs that empower and emphasize leadership development and enhanced organizational efficiency and effectiveness. At the foundation of his beliefs, is the idea of “Partnerships and problem solving” which stand as the pillars of a solid community oriented policing strategy. Sheriff Scheffler has begun forming those partnerships to problem solve with many community leadership groups to address our most pressing issues such as the heroin/opioid epidemic, homelessness, mental health, and violence plaguing our country. Scheffler believes we are affected as a community by these issues regardless of political affiliation, socio-economic status, geography or race. He believes we are much stronger when we emphasize our commonalities as human beings and Americans, as opposed to arguing our beliefs based on opposing political ideologies.

One of the issues that Eric is passionate about is “post-traumatic stress” or “PTS(D)” experienced by First Responders and the importance of developing resiliency to deal with the cumulative trauma these professionals endure. The reality is that our First Responder community is one of the most underserved populations when it comes to mental health awareness and the effects of trauma/PTS. For many, it could be a “career ender” due to the stigma associated with coming forward to ask for help. This perspective needs to change in the public safety realm. Stress is a normal reaction to abnormal events and must be treated as such. First responders must know that there is help available and trauma is treatable.

The Atlantic County Sheriff’s Office is committed to creating change within our organization and providing our members with services and treatment guidance if they find themselves in a personal crisis. In any organization, its people are its greatest asset… and we intend to honor that mantra by providing a safe environment for our personnel to seek assistance.

Scheffler is an Atlantic County native. He was raised in Margate, NJ and currently resides in Northfield NJ with his wife Maria and their family. Eric has dedicated his life to public service protecting Atlantic County families and schools.

KEVIN M. SWEENEY
REAR ADMIRAL, USN (RET)

Rear Admiral Kevin Sweeney is a highly respected national security expert with decades of leadership experience both in and out of government. He is Founder and Principal of KSweeney Consulting, LLC, a national security consulting firm, and a Senior Advisor at both McKinsey & Company and The Roosevelt Group. He serves as an Independent Board Member for Fincantieri Marinette Marine Corporation, AIRBUS U.S. Space and Defense Inc., the U.S. Partnership for Assured Electronics, and the St. Patrick
Catholic School in Norfolk, Virginia, as well as a Trustee for the James Barry-Robinson Home for Boys.
Rear Admiral Sweeney served as Chief of Staff to the 26th Secretary of Defense James N. Mattis from January 2017 to January 2019. He was the primary advisor to the Secretary across the full spectrum of national security issues, from great power competition to counterterrorism missions, and oversaw the Department of Defense’s strategic initiatives and daily operations around the world.
Rear Admiral Sweeney served more than 32 years as a Surface Warfare Officer before retiring from the U.S. Navy in 2014. Highlights in uniform include two years as Commander of Carrier Strike Group TEN and the Harry S. Truman Strike Group; Commander of Destroyer Squadron 26; and Commanding Officer of the USS Cole, where he oversaw the ship’s restoration and return to fleet operations following the 2000 terrorist attack in Yemen. He also closely advised senior civilian and military leaders within the Department of the Navy, U.S. Joint Forces Command, NATO’s Allied Command for Transformation, and U.S. Central Command.
Between his retirement from active duty and return to the Department of Defense as a senior Presidential Appointee, Rear Admiral Sweeney held several leadership roles in the private sector. As Interim President and CEO of the Hampton Roads Economic Development Alliance, he guided the joint public-private corporation through a strategic review that successfully restructured corporate governance and realigned resources and internal processes. In addition, he served as Vice President of Track Patch 1 Corporation, a
start-up dedicated to developing an innovative radio frequency patch to monitor the safety of Alzheimer’s patients. Rear Admiral Sweeney also served on several boards during this time, including the Eastern Virginia Medical School Board of Visitors, the Old Dominion University Research Foundation Board of Trustees, and the Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center Foundation Board of Directors.
Rear Admiral Sweeney holds a BS in Resources Management from the U.S. Naval Academy. He graduated with distinction from the Naval Postgraduate School with an MS in Financial Management, holds an MA in National Security and Strategic Studies from the Naval War College, and completed the Senior Executive Fellows Program at Harvard University’s Kennedy School of Government.

Michael Tuosto is General Manager – Public Affairs for Public Service Enterprise Group (PSEG) where he has responsibility for public affairs for the corporation. Active in both electric and gas industries, he served on a number of industry committees in Washington and chaired the American Gas Association’s Washington Representatives’ Committee. His current assignment focuses on the Corporation’s nuclear interests and issues, primarily in New Jersey and Delaware.

In 2010, Mike and his team at PSEG’s Salem and Hope Creek Nuclear Generating Stations, received the national Top Industry Practice Award from the Nuclear Energy Institute in Washington, DC, for their work in Strengthening Public Confidence in Nuclear Operations.

Prior to assuming his present position, Mike served in various supervisory and managerial line positions with PSE&G. As Corporate Human Resources officer, he was responsible for coordinating all contacts between PSE&G and those federal and state government agencies charged with fair employment enforcement responsibilities. He has written a number of articles including “Woman in Non-Traditional Jobs—Facilitating the Transition.”

Mike served as Chairman of the Electric Industry’s Human Relations Committee and chaired the Nation Drug Abuse Task Force. A primary result of the Task Force’s effort was the publication of the Electric Utility Guide to Effective Drug and Alcohol Policy Development.

Mike has served as President of Beta Gama Sigma, the National Business Honor Society’s Metropolitan New York Chapter, the Rutgers Alumni Federation and Chair of the New Jersey Utilities Association’s Human Resources Committee. Currently, Mike serves on the State Affairs Committee of the Chamber of Commerce of Southern New Jersey, The Government Affairs Committee of the Delaware State Chamber of Commerce and the Advisory Committee of the William J. Hughes, Public Policy Institute at Stockton College of New Jersey.

Mike received his B.S. Degree cum laude from Rutgers University and was awarded his MBA from the State University, graduating summa cum laude. A Rutgers Trustee for thirteen years, he chaired the Board and was subsequently elected to the Rutgers Board of Governors. At the completion of his two 6 year terms on the governing board, he was elected Trustee Emeritus of the University.

Mike and his wife, Gerry are the parents of a daughter Cheryl and twin sons, Michael and Robert. His home is in North Brunswick, NJ.