A new leader for the New Jersey state agency that doles out hundreds of millions of dollars in tax incentives to real estate developers is slated to start work right away in his role.
The New Jersey Economic Development Authority approved Evan Weiss as its new CEO in a Wednesday vote. He succeeds Tim Sullivan in a permanent capacity. Earlier this month, newly installed New Jersey Gov. Mikie Sherrill recommended Weiss to lead the EDA.
He previously served as president and CEO of the Newark Alliance, a private-sector economic development organization that aims to drive growth and collaboration among business, community and civic partners to strengthen the Garden State's largest city.
Prior to that, Weiss served as a senior adviser for finance and major projects to New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy. In that capacity, he managed more than $10 billion in federal stimulus funds "and helped deploy capital to advance key statewide priorities, including renewable energy, transit, affordable housing, and major infrastructure initiatives such as the Gateway Project," according to the EDA.
"Evan Weiss understands how to bring government, industry and local communities together to expand opportunity and deliver real solutions that lower costs and drive economic development," Sherrill said in a statement. "I am confident that Evan's leadership will strengthen the NJEDA's role as a catalyst for growth, so that we can build a more affordable, competitive economy that creates opportunity across every corner of our state."
Weiss previously served as director at the Pennsylvania Economy League and was a senior analyst at HJA Strategies. He has also served as a member of the board of NJ Transit, New Jersey City University and New Jersey Community Capital. He is a graduate of the University of Chicago.