New Jersey Conference of Mayors installs Mayor Jaclyn Veasy as President during 61st Annual Spring Conference

The New Jersey Conference of Mayors marked a defining moment in its 61st Annual Spring Conference last week with the installation of Mayor Jaclyn Veasy of Evesham Township as President of the New Jersey Conference of Mayors.

Mayor Veasy delivered her inaugural remarks during the conference’s Grand Luncheon at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Atlantic City on May 20, following a keynote address by Governor Mikie Sherrill. The luncheon brought together mayors from every corner of New Jersey, members of the Governor’s Cabinet, state leaders, business partners, and municipal stakeholders for a premier event focused on the future of local leadership in the Garden State.

“This is a moment to celebrate the power of mayors, not only as leaders of our communities, but as partners in shaping the future of New Jersey,” said Mayor Jaclyn Veasy, President of the New Jersey Conference of Mayors and Mayor of Evesham Township. “Our theme, Local Leadership to Legislative Action, reflects the work mayors do every day: turning the challenges we see on our streets, in our downtowns, in our schools, and in our neighborhoods into solutions that can move our state forward.”

As part of NJCM’s leadership transition, the organization recognized its newly sworn-in Executive Board members, including President Mayor Jaclyn Veasy of Evesham Township; First Vice President Mayor Sheena Collum of South Orange Village Township; Second Vice President Mayor Michael Stanzilis of Mount Arlington Borough; Third Vice President Mayor Al Ferro of Millstone Township; Fourth Vice President Mayor Dina M. Grilo of East Newark Borough; Immediate Past President Mayor Jason F. Cilento of Dunellen Borough; Presidential Appointee Mayor Jen Blumenstock of Garwood Borough; and Legislative Committee Chair Mayor Timothy C. McDonough of Hope Township.

NJCM also swore in its newly elected Board of Directors members, including Mayor Terrance Benson of Lumberton Township; Mayor Emily Jabbour of Hoboken; Mayor Andrew Nowick of Lambertville; Mayor Michael Todd of Robbinsville; Mayor Kevin Kane of Freehold Borough; Mayor Rachel McGreevy of Neptune City; Mayor John Imperiale of Harvey Cedars Borough; Mayor Michele Dale of West Milford Township; Mayor Marie Galate of Hopatcong; Mayor Elizabeth Fagan of Summit City; Mayor Randy Piazza Jr. of Phillipsburg; and Mayor Brian Tipton of Harmony Township. Together, these municipal leaders will help guide NJCM’s advocacy, programming, and statewide engagement in the year ahead.

The Grand Luncheon was one of the most visible examples of this year’s conference theme, with Governor Sherrill addressing New Jersey’s mayors and members of her administration participating directly in the conference programming. Lieutenant Governor Dr. Dale G. Caldwell and cabinet officials joined mayors for continued dialogue on the issues shaping communities across the state, including public health, environmental protection, agriculture, public safety, military and veterans affairs, technology, transportation, civil service, maternal and infant health, and government accountability.

“The strength of New Jersey begins in its municipalities,” said Amanda M. De Palma, Executive Director of the New Jersey Conference of Mayors. “When mayors come together with the Governor, Lieutenant Governor, cabinet leaders, legislators, and partners from across the public and private sectors, we are doing more than hosting a conference. We are building the relationships, trust, and shared understanding needed to solve problems and deliver for residents.”

This year’s Spring Conference included policy sessions, legislative roundtables, networking opportunities, and the Mayors’ Awards Breakfast. Programming focused on the real issues facing local governments, including affordability, redevelopment, artificial intelligence, public safety, infrastructure, health and wellness, and legislative priorities that impact municipalities statewide.

As the oldest and largest statewide mayoral conference in the nation, the New Jersey Conference of Mayors remains a bipartisan voice for local leadership and a trusted forum where mayors come together to learn, lead, and help shape the future of New Jersey.