Former Govs. Christie, Kean Among Awardees at Annual Event

NJBIA will honor a host of longtime leaders in the energy and environment sector whose work has made a significant impact on New Jersey when the association hosts the 5th Annual Energy and Environmental Policy Conference on Oct. 28-29 at the DoubleTree by Hilton Somerset Hotel and Conference Center.

The two-day conference will feature nearly 50 speakers dealing with New Jersey’s energy and environment, including gubernatorial candidates Mikie Sherrill and Jack Ciattarelli. 

The 2025 honorees for the event include:

• Gov. Chris Christie (who will also serve as a keynote speaker).

• Amy Cradic, New Jersey Resources SVP & COO of Non-Utility Businesses, Strategy and External Affairs and former NJDEP Assistant Commissioner

• Toby Hanna, ERM Partner (retired)

• Gov. Tom Kean

• Joe Kyrillos, former state Senator

• Marilyn Lennon (posthumous) former NJDEP Assistant Commissioner and PS&S Energy Leader

• Dr. Krishna Singh, Holtec International Chief Executive Officer

• Gary Sondermeyer, Bayshore Recycling Vice President of Operations and former NJDEP Chief of Staff

“We are delighted that this conference has grown into such an important forum dealing with critical issues shaping energy policy, including decarbonization, climate change, and every form of energy available,” said NJBIA Deputy Chief Government Affairs Officer Ray Cantor.

“We also appreciate the opportunity to recognize these New Jersey executives whose past advocacy and leadership have steered energy and environmental policy in this state and whose insights can help us explore innovative solutions for the future,” Cantor said.

For more information about the NJBIA 5th Annual Energy and Environmental Policy Conference, including speakers panel discussion topics, and registration information, go here.

Media interested in covering this event can RSVP with NJBIA Chief Communications and Media Officer Bob Considine at bconsidine@njbia.org.  

Gov. Chris Christie 

Christie was inaugurated as the 55th Governor of New Jersey on Jan. 19, 2010. He was re-elected with 60% of the vote in November of 2013 and served two terms.

He was a Republican candidate for President in both 2016 and 2024. Governor Christie was elected Chairman of the Republican Governors Association in 2014, leading the organization to the election of 31 Republican Governors.

Christie is recognized for his leadership in advancing New Jersey’s energy and environmental resilience. Under his administration, New Jersey became a national leader in solar power, ranking second in the country for installed capacity and creating a strong framework to expand renewable energy use. He also signed the landmark Offshore Wind Development Act.

In the wake of Hurricane Sandy, Christie prioritized coastal restoration and resilience projects that safeguarded communities while restoring vital natural defenses. His administration also supported energy efficiency initiatives that helped businesses and residents reduce costs and conserve resources.

Prior to his service as Governor, he was nominated by President George W. Bush and he served as the United States Attorney for the District of New Jersey from January 2002 to December 2008.

In 2019, he authored The New York Times best seller, “Let Me Finish,” about his life and his candidacy for President. In 2021, he authored Republican Rescue, dealing with his prescription for the future of the national GOP. In February 2024 he released his third book, “What Would Reagan Do?"

He is the Managing Member of the Christie Law Firm and Christie 55 Solutions, LLC in Morristown.

Amy Cradic 

Cradic joined New Jersey Resources (NJR) in February 2018.

As Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of Non-Utility Businesses, Strategy and External Affairs, she leads NJR Clean Energy Ventures, NJR Energy Services and NJR Storage & Transportation. She also oversees the company’s Corporate Strategy, Government Affairs, Communications and Sustainability functions.

Cradic has been a driving force behind NJR’s enterprise-wide sustainability strategy. This has included the establishment of an Office of Sustainability, positioning NJR at the forefront of decarbonization innovation.

As head of NJR’s renewable energy subsidiary, Clean Energy Ventures, Cradic progressed the company’s leadership role as one of the largest owner-operators in New Jersey’s solar marketplace, with over $1.2 billion invested in solar projects. Amy also oversees NJR Storage & Transportation, which owns and operates FERC-regulated natural gas pipeline and salt cavern storage facilities in Pennsylvania and Mississippi, respectively.

Before joining NJR, Cradic served the New Jersey Office of the Governor in several capacities, including as Senior Policy Advisor, Deputy Chief of Staff for Policy and Cabinet Liaison before becoming Chief of Staff to the Governor.

Prior to that, Ms. Cradic served as Assistant Commissioner for the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection.

Toby Hanna 

Hanna spent his 33-year consulting career helping companies navigate air quality and climate change regulations.

With a solid understanding of these organizations’ business and sustainability goals, as well as the goals of the state and federal agencies involved, Hanna was known for his ability to negotiate favorably in support of hundreds of companies in New Jersey, the U.S. and abroad.

Here in New Jersey, he worked hard to make regulation and policy manageable for the regulated community, having a hand in nearly all of the current air quality, environmental justice, and greenhouse gas regulations.

Hanna, a three-time cancer survivor, has served on New Jersey’s Clean Air Council for over 25 years, representing the New Jersey Society of Professional Engineers under gubernatorial appointment. He spent 25 years at ERM, a global Environmental, Health & Safety, and Sustainability consultancy, building and leading ERM’s 300+ consultant global practice for air quality and climate change services.

Gov. Tom Kean 

Thomas Howard Kean served two terms as governor of New Jersey from January 1982 to January 1990.

The state’s 48th governor, he is a descendant of its very first constitutional governor, William Livingston, who was elected by the first state Legislature in August 1776.

As a former teacher, education policy was of special importance for the governor. Following the report “A Nation At Risk,” which warned of the growing threat the United States faced if the quality of education continued to decline, Kean began an even greater effort for education reform.

On the national level, Kean also was named chairman of the Education Commission of the States, a forum that allowed governors, legislators, educators and others to discuss and evaluate programs across the country. He was succeeded as chairman by then Arkansas Gov. Bill Clinton, with whom Kean would develop a lasting friendship.

Kean’s environmental record was highlighted by his aggressive push for legislation to protect freshwater wetlands and create a buffer zone adjoining the wetlands new construction could not take place.

Employing a tactic of Governor Byrne’s in the battle to preserve the Pinelands, the Governor issued an executive order imposing a moratorium on the granting of permits in wetlands areas, thus exerting great pressure on the Legislature to take action on the pending bill.

Kean also faced repeated incidents of toxic waste spills, including a 50-mile-long slick of medical waste that washed up on the Jersey shore in the height of the summer beach season in August 1987 and the discovery of high levels of dioxin in the Ironbound section of Newark.

Public concern over the health impacts of toxic chemicals also led to the controversial enactment in August 1983 of “Right-to-Know’ law requiring manufacturers to list the chemical names of all hazardous and nonhazardous chemicals with which workers could come into contact.

Sen. Joe Kyrillos 

Kyrillos concluded a 30-year career in the New Jersey Legislature in 2018. After two terms in the General Assembly, he was elected to the state Senate in 1992.

He started the consulting firm SK Partners, works with investment advisory firm Newport Capital Group, Red Bank, and is affiliated with Newmark, a global real estate company.

During a visible and productive career representing Monmouth and Middlesex counties, Kyrillos emerged as a statewide leader in job creation, economic growth, shore protection, and good government.

He serves on the boards of Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey and MIAX Emerald, chairs the advisory board of OceanFirst Bank, and on non-profit boards.

A former chairman of the New Jersey Republican State Committee, Kyrillos chaired Governor Christie’s 2009 campaign, two presidential campaigns, and was the 2012 Republican nominee for U.S. Senate.

Marilyn Lennon 

Lennon, who died in 2021 at the age of 67, had a remarkable and impactful career, and her legacy is sustained by her many friends and colleagues, including members of NJBIA.

Known for her ability to build strong relationships and influence outcomes, her approach to communication emphasized direct conversation and consistent engagement. Her extensive network and dedication to connecting people fostered lasting friendships and professional collaborations.

Throughout her distinguished career, Marilyn held leadership positions in diverse organizations. She founded her own planning firm in the 1970s, with an office in Atlantic City, before joining PS&S as leader of environmental services.

Subsequent roles included Vice President of KeySpan Energy’s Environmental practice, Director of Strategic Planning at the New Jersey Turnpike Authority. She was also the Assistant Commissioner for Land Use at the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection for six years.

Dr. Krishna Singh 

Singh is the Founder and CEO of Holtec International, which he established in 1986 and nurtured its steady rise into a multi-national company with its business footprint in 18 countries on five continents.

He is also a professor at the University of South Florida’s (USF) Institute for Advanced Discovery and Innovation where he collaborates with the USF faculty in the areas of advanced thermal storage and efficient harnessing of solar energy.

Gary Sondermeyer 

Sondermeyer is Vice President of Operations for Bayshore Recycling of Woodbridge.

Bayshore is one of New Jersey’s largest recyclers, managing nine separate recycling operations on its 58-acre campus. He also serves as Co-Chair of the Legislative Committee of the Association of New Jersey Recyclers and recently stepped down as Chair of the Board of Trustees of the Sustainable Jersey Program and Vice Chair of the Governor’s Plastics Advisory Council.

Sondermeyer joined Bayshore after 30 years of service at the NJDEP.  He served as the agency’s Chief of Staff for 10 years under six New Jersey governors.