The New Jersey Chamber of Commerce has named George Helmy, Executive Vice President and Chief Corporate Affairs Officer at RWJBarnabas Health, to its Board Executive Committee. The appointment was confirmed by the Chamber’s Board of Directors during its Oct. 15 meeting.
In addition to Helmy’s elevated leadership role, the Chamber elected seven new board members representing key sectors across New Jersey’s economy, including health care, higher education, entertainment, infrastructure, legal services, finance, and workforce development.
Helmy, who joined the NJ Chamber Board of Directors in December, brings extensive public policy, legislative, and corporate governance experience to the Executive Committee.
His background includes serving as Chief of Staff to former New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy and filling the unexpired term of former U.S. Senator Bob Menendez in 2024.
Helmy also serves as Chairman of the Finance and Facilities Committee on the Rutgers University Board of Governors and holds a commissionership at the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, where he sits on committees overseeing capital planning, governance, and ethics.
“George has a deep understanding of New Jersey’s government, business community and the issues that shape our state’s economic future,” Tom Bracken, President and CEO of the N.J. Chamber of Commerce, said. “His experience in both the public and private sectors will be a tremendous asset to our Executive Committee. He will continue to help us advance policies that strengthen New Jersey’s business climate, encourage economic growth and make our state more competitive.”
The Chamber’s Board of Directors expanded its leadership base with the confirmation of seven prominent executives from across the Garden State:
- Glenn Carroll — New Jersey Managing Principal, Deloitte
- Paul Josephson — Partner, Duane Morris LLP
- Kara Kopach — Director of Studio Operations, Netflix
- Fran O’Connor — Senior Vice President and Business Development Director, HNTB
- John Pelesko — Interim President, New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT)
- Lauren Repole — Senior Vice President and Deputy General Counsel, Atlantic Health
- Scott Shaw — President and CEO, Lincoln Technical Institute
“We welcome these respected leaders to the New Jersey Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors,” Bracken added. “Each of them brings a wealth of business experience that will strengthen our Board and help us achieve our goal of growing New Jersey’s economy and making the state more affordable for everyone.”
The NJ Chamber Board of Directors provides strategic guidance to Chamber staff on critical policy issues that directly impact New Jersey’s short- and long-term economic growth.
