The New Jersey Business & Industry Association (NJBIA) will recognize seven business leaders, including three state legislators, at its 2026 Public Policy Forum scheduled for January 30. The event will take place at the Princeton Marriott at Forrestal and is set to begin at 8:30 a.m.
Honorees include Barbara DeMarco and Lynn Nowak of Porzio Governmental Affairs, who will receive the Candy Straight Woman Trailblazer Award for their advocacy for women in politics and business. Assemblyman Gerry Scharfenberger (R-13), Assemblyman William Spearman (D-5), and Senator Latham Tiver (R-8) are recipients of the Paul L. Troast Award, which recognizes legislative service to the business community and efforts to improve New Jersey’s economic climate.
Denise Beckson of Morey’s Piers & Beachfront Water Parks and Ward Sanders of the New Jersey Association of Health Plans will be honored with the Leonard C. Johnson Award for their service as advocates for New Jersey employers.
“We’re thrilled to honor these outstanding business leaders,” said NJBIA President and CEO Michele Siekerka. “While they all come from diverse backgrounds and experiences, they share unique leadership qualities that are absolutely essential to New Jersey’s business community and to our business climate.
“This will be an outstanding forum, with important content as the state transitions to new leadership. We look forward to presenting these awards to these individuals as part of an informative event with tremendous subject matter experts.”
The agenda includes a legislative leaders panel along with other featured speakers. Registration information is available online.
NJBIA is recognized as the largest statewide employer association in the nation, representing private-sector employers across industries such as manufacturing, retail, wholesale, contracting, and services (official website; official website). The association works to advance competitive excellence among its members by providing advocacy, practical information, cost-saving benefits, and fostering partnerships between businesses, government entities, and academic institutions (official website).
Sponsors for this year’s forum include a range of organizations such as Amazon, AT&T, Hackensack Meridian Health, Johnson & Johnson, PSE&G, Prager Metis CPAs, Porzio Government Affairs, Morey’s Piers, Fidelity Investments, Horizon Blue Cross/Blue Shield of New Jersey among others.
