New Jersey Conference of Mayors Celebrates 60 Years of Mayoral Leadership as Mayor Jason Cilento of Dunellen is Sworn In as President

May 23, 2025, Atlantic City, NJ — The New Jersey Conference of Mayors (NJCM) proudly hosted its 60th Annual Spring Conference, From Main Street to State Street: The Power of Mayoral Leadership, a landmark gathering of municipal leaders, policy experts, and stakeholders from across the state. Taking place at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Atlantic City from May 20 to May 22, the three-day conference drew one of the largest turnouts in the organization’s history as it celebrated six decades of mayoral leadership and welcomed the 2025-2026 Executive Board and Board of Directors.

The newly sworn-in Executive Board is led by Mayor Jason Cilento of Dunellen, along with 1st Vice President Mayor Jaclyn Veasy of Evesham, 2nd Vice President Mayor David Fried of Robbinsville, 3rd Vice President Mayor Sheena Collum of South Orange, 4th Vice President Mayor Michael Stanzilis of Mount Arlington, President's Appointee Mayor Matthew Moench of Bridgewater, and Legislative Committee Co-Chairs Mayor Paul Medany of Deptford and Mayor Timothy McDonough of Hope, and Immediate Past President Mayor Bob Conley of Madison.

Reflecting on the last year, immediate past President Mayor Bob Conley of Madison stated, “It has been a great honor to serve as President for the past year. Through the work of those who preceded me and with the dedication of our staff and executive board, the NJCM has had a tremendous year fighting for the issues that affect our residents and supporting all the mayors throughout New Jersey. I proudly hand the gavel over to Mayor Jason Cilento.”

Mayor Cilento was formally introduced as the new NJCM President during the Grand Luncheon, a signature event at the heart of this gathering. In his address, Mayor Cilento presented an advocacy-driven vision for the organization and outlined his priorities for the 2025-2026 term.

“It is an honor to be sworn in as President of the New Jersey Conference of Mayors,” said Mayor Jason Cilento. “I am excited for the year ahead and look forward to building on the foundation laid by Mayor Conley, former presidents, and our membership. For the 2025-2026 term, the NJCM will be prioritizing the restoration of energy taxes to municipalities, advancing affordable housing solutions, improving NJ Transit and municipal infrastructure, and building our relationship with the Governor’s Office to ensure that the decisions made in Trenton reflect the needs of New Jersey residents. Together, we will ensure our voices are heard, from Main Street to State Street.”

A critical area of focus that he highlighted is the necessity for municipal voices to be heard during the development of the State Plan, which influences and affects everything that the NJCM and New Jersey’s municipalities do. To strengthen these efforts, Mayor Cilento introduced a new role within the NJCM, the Legislative Relations and Municipal Advocacy Liaison, who will support the President, Legislative Committee Chairs, and mayors across the state by coordinating testimony, drafting resolutions, and helping the NJCM shape strategy on key issues. Additionally, a Membership Engagement Committee will support the NJCM’s efforts by fostering deeper collaboration, allowing members to stay informed and connected.

“This year’s conference marks a powerful milestone not only in our history but in our future,” said Amanda De Palma, Executive Director of the New Jersey Conference of Mayors. “As we celebrate 60 years of mayoral leadership, we are also charting a bold course forward. Under Mayor Cilento’s leadership, NJCM is deepening its advocacy, expanding our reach, and strengthening the collective voice of New Jersey’s mayors. I am proud to support this next chapter and the impactful work ahead.”

Spanning three days, attendees engaged in robust programming focused on innovation, governance, and empowering local communities. A series of panel discussions moderated by mayors of the NJCM Executive Board encouraged local leaders to refine and redefine their skills, share ideas, and analyze how they can better serve their communities. These panels explored the power of local media, the use of AI in municipal government, unlocking innovative revenue for municipalities, building stronger relationships within local government, the importance of partnerships, and leadership in New Jersey.

As a testament to the NJCM’s growth across the state, the organization has built relationships with New Jersey’s gubernatorial candidates who participated in the Spring Conference both in-person and virtually. Finally, the event concluded on Thursday, May 22, with the panel session, Bridging Transitions: Former Governors on Leadership and Governance in New Jersey, with special guests Governor Donald DiFrancesco and Governor Chris Christie, underscoring the NJCM’s reach to the highest levels of state government.

Following the conference, NJCM remains focused on fostering collaboration, strengthening municipal leadership, and delivering solutions that meet the needs of New Jersey’s communities.

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About the New Jersey Conference of Mayors (NJCM):

Founded in 1963, the New Jersey Conference of Mayors (NJCM) is the largest statewide organization in the nation, exclusively representing the interests of mayors. NJCM advocates on behalf of all 564 municipalities in New Jersey, serving as a powerful, bipartisan voice for local government at both the state and federal levels. Through events, education, and legislative advocacy, NJCM supports these local leaders with the tools and connections they need to lead effectively and strengthen their communities. To learn more, visit www.NewJerseyConferenceofMayors.com.