The New Jersey Food Council (NJFC) has officially launched a national search to identify its next president and chief executive officer, marking a major leadership transition for one of the state’s most influential trade organizations.
The announcement follows the February retirement notice from Linda Doherty, who has served as the face of the council for 23 years as part of her more than three decades of service with the organization. Doherty’s tenure will officially conclude next January, and the council aims to have a successor in place by this fall to ensure a seamless transition.
Headquartered in Trenton, the NJFC serves as the primary legislative and regulatory advocate for New Jersey’s massive food retail and supplier industry. The sector acts as a powerful economic engine for the Garden State, generating $157 billion in economic activity and encompassing an extensive network of supermarkets, grocery stores, wholesalers, convenience operators, independent distributors, and processing partners.
“The New Jersey Food Council plays a critical role in shaping the future of one of this state’s most vital industries,” NJFC Board Chair Jason Read said. “We are looking for a leader who understands the complexity of our operating environment, who can build and sustain relationships at the highest levels, and who will carry this organization forward with the same credibility and effectiveness that has been our hallmark for decades.”
The incoming executive will take the helm of a politically connected and financially stable organization that represents roughly 400 companies and 1,200 retail food storefronts, which collectively employ more than 200,000 associates across the state.
The council has secured several major legislative and regulatory victories recently, including spearheading critical Organized Retail Crime (ORC) legislation, successfully delaying complex regulatory proposals, securing workforce training and food safety grants, and expanding its corporate sponsorship base.
To find its next leader, the NJFC has partnered with executive search firm Stanton Chase International. Rosemary Gantz, National Search Director at the firm, will spearhead the recruitment process. Gantz noted that the position offers a prominent platform for an executive eager to operate at the direct intersection of commerce, statewide advocacy, and public policy.
The President & CEO will report directly to the NJFC Board of Directors and maintain full operational oversight of the association’s public relations, financial management, member engagement, and lobbying strategies in Trenton and Washington, D.C.
