New board members will oversee the thriving nonprofit’s work of building strong communities through local journalism and civic engagement

New Jersey, February 13, 2023 – The Corporation for New Jersey Local Media (CNJLM) today announced the addition of two prestigious members to its governing board: former state senator, assemblymember, and civic leader Gordon MacInnes; and Richard T. Nolan, Jr., partner and chair of the Public Finance Practice at McCarter & English.

A longtime civic, philanthropic, and political leader, Gordon MacInnes brings a long history of success in politics, policy, and nonprofit governance to CNJLM. MacInnes has served twice in the New Jersey state legislature, first as an assemblymember in 1973, and subsequently as a state senator in 1993. In addition to serving as an assistant education commissioner from 2002 to 2007, MacInnes has also held leadership positions at New Jersey Network, the Fund for New Jersey, and Citizens for Better Schools. Most recently, he served as President of New Jersey Policy Perspective from 2012 to 2018, leading the organization’s efforts to advance economic justice and shared prosperity in the Garden State.

“I’m greatly honored to join the board of such a unique and essential organization that is striving to preserve a source of weekly information about municipal, county, and school district actions,” said MacInnes, “as well as the reports on high school athletics, obituaries, and charitable and community organizations. This is a critical time when there is so little other local coverage available to interested and active residents.”

Richard T. Nolan, Jr. is a partner at McCarter & English with more than 30 years of experience in public finance law, focusing on complex financings for environmental infrastructure, healthcare facilities, and higher and secondary education institutions. In addition to his business acumen, Nolan brings a wealth of nonprofit leadership to CNJLM’s board. Nolan has served as a member of the Board of Trustees of Xavier High School, New York City, for thirteen years. In 2008, he was elected to serve as Chairman of the Xavier Board of Trustees, and in 2011 was elected to a second term as Chairman. Currently, Nolan serves as Chairman of the Xavier Board’s Governance Committee and as a member of its Executive Committee. For seven years, he served as Chairman of the Board of Directors of Mount Manresa Jesuit Retreat House, on Staten Island, New York, where he led Manresa’s recovery response services to the community in the aftermath of Superstorm Sandy. In addition, Rich is a member of the Board of Trustees of the Morris Museum, where he is a member of the Governance, Advancement and Audit Committees of the Board.

“CNJLM addresses a compelling need within the communities that it serves through its commitment to community journalism and informed community engagement,” Nolan said of his reasons for joining the nonprofit’s governing board. “I’m happy to support such efforts and to contribute to this valuable work.”

“These two new board members bring a wealth of experience, expertise, and passion to our growing board,” said Board Chair Lisa Bhimani, MD. “CNJLM is overjoyed to welcome Gordon and Rich to our leadership team. We know their guidance will take this young, vibrant organization to the next level.”

“The depth and breadth of knowledge and vision that Gordon and Rich add to our board is inspiring,” said Amanda Richardson, executive director of CNJLM. “They, along with the rest of our board, truly understand our commitment to building strong communities through journalism and civic engagement, and I look forward to working with them.”

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Corporation for New Jersey Local Media builds strong communities through journalism and civic engagement. The organization seeks to enhance civic engagement by promoting professional community journalism, fostering public discussion of critical issues, and expanding access to educational programs. Learn more at www.newsweneed.org.