Governor Phil Murphy today announced his four new appointments to the Economic Development Authority Board of Directors:

Former Commerce Secretary Virgina “Ginny” Bauer;

Newark Alliance CEO Aisha Glover;

Rosemari Hicks, owner of a Camden-based cooperative space;

and Blue Wave leader Marcia Marley.

“This isn’t about a future where a few connected outsiders can succeed, this is about a new way,” said Murphy.

“I am honored to be appointed by Governor Murphy to carry out this critical work of the Economic Development Authority,” said Glover. “Reshaping our state’s EDA was a bold and necessary move to ensure stronger, fairer representation within the Authority and across the state. As we witnessed during the state’s bid for Amazon last year, the core components to recruit, and ultimately retain, new business are already in place in urban areas. We must prioritize these areas, while at the same time, establishing a foundation that will allow for inclusive and equitable growth to take root.” 

“I am pleased to be part of Governor Murphy’s aggressive agenda to retain and attract businesses to our great state,” said Bauer, CEO of GTBM, Inc. “New Jersey continues to lead the nation with the most talented and diverse workforce, complemented with our great location and educational system. I support the Governor’s commitment to provide every tool necessary to expand and develop our economic opportunities through the EDA. I thank him for this opportunity.”

“I want to thank Governor Murphy for developing a board that is more diverse, inclusive and can effectively represent all communities and businesses in our state,” said Hicks, owner of CoWork Street. “I look forward to contributing to a process that leads to a fairer and stronger economy that works for all in New Jersey.”

“I’m deeply honored to be appointed by Governor Murphy to the Board of the New Jersey Economic Development Authority,” said Marley, Founder and President of BlueWaveNJ and PhD in Economics from the University of California at Berkeley. “I have a keen interest in helping to shape a new and inclusive vision for economic development that will keep New Jersey’s economy vibrant, fair, innovative and prosperous.  If we are to reach our goal of shared prosperity, it is important that we create opportunities for those who have been excluded for far too long, especially women and minorities. I look forward to working with Governor Murphy and my fellow Board members to see this vision fully realized.”