News Release: February 5, 2003
Contact: Steve Wilson, ext. 245New Jersey Business & Industry Association (NJBIA) President Joseph E. Gonzalez, Jr., a fixture in New Jersey politics for more than three decades, will retire on April 1 and Executive Vice President Philip Kirschner will become president of the 19,000-member-company organization, NJBIA Board of Trustees Chairman Bart Luedeke announced today.
NJBIA's Board of Trustees approved the move at its January 31 quarterly meeting. Since both Gonzalez and Kirschner have had long careers at NJBIA and in New Jersey politics, a smooth transition is expected.
"On behalf of all NJBIA members, I express deep gratitude to Joe Gonzalez for his thoughtful, tireless, and effective service, particularly during his seven years as president," Luedeke said. "His leadership has enabled the Association to serve the business community with distinction. I wish Joe good health and much happiness in his well-earned retirement."
In choosing Kirschner as Gonzalez's successor, the Board has found someone who understood the needs of employers, Luedeke said.
"I am genuinely delighted that Phil Kirschner will be assuming the leadership of NJBIA," Luedeke said. "Phil brings to the position a deep knowledge and understanding of the many important issues facing New Jersey employers. His long experience with the Association and its 19,000 members, as well as long-standing relationship with members of the New Jersey Legislature, will ensure a seamless leadership transition."
"We are very fortunate to have someone of Phil's integrity to step into this role at a pivotal moment in the state's history," Luedeke said.
When the transition becomes official on April 1, Kirschner, of Moorestown, New Jersey, will become the ninth president in the Association's 93-year history.
"Joe Gonzalez has set a very high standard as president of NJBIA," Kirschner said. "I greatly appreciate the Board's confidence in me to continue the high standards of service to members for which NJBIA is known."
"With the help of an outstanding staff, NJBIA will provide our members with the very best legislative representation, seminars, and member benefits and continue our stellar growth. I am proud to represent employers who create jobs and participate in their communities," Kirschner said.
Kirschner joined NJBIA in 1990 and has directed NJBIA's Government Affairs department since 1995. In 2001, he was promoted to executive vice president, taking on the added responsibility of the Association's day-to-day administration. He also is executive director of the Employer Legislative Committees (ELCs).
Before joining NJBIA, Kirschner was director of government affairs with the New Jersey School Boards Association and prior to that served as executive director of the New Jersey State Bar Association. He received his law degree from Rutgers University Law School in Camden, graduating with honors in 1976, and his BA from American University in Washington, DC. He is a member of the New Jersey and Pennsylvania Bars.
The transition takes place during a period of dramatic membership expansion. Under Gonzalez, the Association increased the number of member companies by 5,000, including a 2,000 jump in net memberships in the last 18 months alone.
"It has been both a pleasure and an honor to work with such professional people," Gonzalez said. "We have all worked together to further the interests of entrepreneurs in the state of New Jersey and to meet the needs of employers throughout the state. I will carry with me the satisfaction of knowing that the Association is strong and its future bright as I turn it over to Phil Kirschner."
Gonzalez has been a part of Trenton's political scene since he joined the Assembly Republican Office staff in 1970 as its first full-time executive director. He came to the Association in 1983 as vice president to direct the government affairs program and replaced former President Bruce Coe in 1996.
With more than 19,000 member companies, NJBIA is the largest state-level employer association in the nation. NJBIA lobbies state government for probusiness legislation and is pushing its Economic Growth Agenda for 2003.
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