June 25, 2007 (TRENTON, NJ) – On June 21, the New Jersey Chamber of Commerce installed William J. Marino as chairman of the Board of Directors. Marino, who is the president and CEO of Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey, joined the Chamber Board of Directors in June 1994.

“I look forward to promoting policy solutions that will benefit New Jersey’s economy and help businesses thrive in our state,” said Marino. “New Jersey faces many economic challenges. I hope to build on the Chamber’s Platform for Progress to help meet some of those challenges. The Chamber is prepared to offer practical solutions and work with state leaders to eliminate obstacles to economic growth to ensure New Jersey is as competitive as it can be.”

The Platform for Progress is the business community’s long-term action plan for improving the state in the areas of economic development, education, environment, government reform, health care and transportation. The Platform Coalition of businesses, chambers of commerce, associations, civic groups and individuals has grown to 180 since it was launched less than two years ago. The goal is to make New Jersey a pro-investment state that is reaching its true economic potential.

Marino, a leading health care advocate in the state, previously served the Chamber as its Board first vice chairman, second vice chairman and secretary. He became president and CEO of Horizon BCBSNJ in January 1994.

“Bill Marino is a long-standing member of the state’s business community and his wealth of knowledge and experience makes him the perfect individual to serve as chairman,” said Joan Verplanck, president of the New Jersey Chamber of Commerce. “The Platform for Progress coalition has been a great vehicle for the employer community to present those in Trenton with innovative ideas for growing the economy. Bill’s leadership will keep the momentum going as we adjust our campaign to the always changing landscape.”

Marino and his wife, Paula, have four children and three grandchildren and reside in Morris Township.

Chamber Executive Committee – 2007-09

The balance of the Chamber’s Executive Committee was also installed on June 21. The Chamber officers include:
First Vice Chairman: Dennis Bone, President, Verizon New Jersey
Second Vice Chairman: Jeffrey Scheininger, President, Flexline/U.S. Brass & Copper Corporation
Treasurer: William Cozine, Consultant, KPMG, LLP
Secretary: Elizabeth Christopherson, Executive Director, NJN Public Television and Radio
Immediate Past Chairman: Thomas Bracken

At Large Members: Aldonna Ambler, President & CEO, Ambler Growth Strategy Consultants, Inc.; Peter Cocoziello, President & CEO, Advance Realty Group; Robert Doherty, Market President-Northern & Central New Jersey, Bank of America; Hazel Gluck, Senior Partner, MBI GluckShaw; Ralph Izzo, Chairman of the Board, President & CEO, Public Service Enterprise Group; Walter Lynch, President, New Jersey American Water; Gil Medina, Executive Managing Director, New Jersey Region, Cushman & Wakefield; Robert Podvey, Esq., President, Podvey, Meanor, Catenacci, Hildner, Cocoziello & Chattman; and Arthur Ryan, Chairman & CEO, Prudential Financial.

The New Jersey Chamber of Commerce is a business advocacy organization based in Trenton. Created in 1911, the State Chamber represents its members on a wide range of business and education issues at the State House and in Washington, and offers programs designed to enhance productivity and reduce costs for its members. Please visit www.njchamber.com for a complete list of board members.

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Press contact MichaelSchneider
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China Business 2007: Expanding Opportunities for New Jersey Companies

WHAT: As part of an eight city tour, The U.S. Chamber of Commerce China Business 2007 Initiative, in partnership with New Jersey Chamber of Commerce, will host senior Chinese Embassy officials, including Chinese Ambassador to the U.S. Zhou Wenzhong, executives from the American Chambers of Commerce in China, and other business experts for a discussion about opportunities for New Jersey companies in China. They will provide information on topics such as finding suitable partners, licensing, sales and marketing, distribution and trading, customs clearance, and regulatory issues in China. Members of the New Jersey business community will provide accounts about their experiences in the Chinese market.

China is New Jersey’s biggest growth market, in dollar terms. Export shipments to China rose from $259 million in 2000 to $579 million in 2004, an increase of $320 million. In 2005, China was the second largest exporter of goods to New Jersey (second only to Canada) with a 24% hike in exports to New Jersey - the biggest increase of any country in the top 20 exporters to New Jersey. With an annual current account balance of $130 billion and reserves of foreign exchange and gold nearing $800 billion, China will grow in importance as a source of Foreign Direct Investment.

WHEN: June 12, 2007
8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Press Availability at 11:00 a.m.
Keynote Address at noon

WHERE: Kean University
Kean Hall
Room 127
Union, New Jersey

WHO: Chinese Ambassador to the U.S. Zhou Wenzhong

BACKGROUND:

The New Jersey Chamber of Commerce is a business advocacy organization based in Trenton. Created in 1911, the State Chamber staff represents its members on a wide range of business and education issues at the State House and in Washington. The organization also links the state’s local and regional chambers on issues of importance through its grassroots legislative network. For more information please visit www.njchamber.com.

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Press contact MichaelSchneider
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