Gil Medina, an executive vice president at CBRE and a global leader in commercial real estate services, has been elected chair of the N.J. Chamber of Commerce board of directors, last night in Florham Park.
Medina, who previously served as the Chamber Board’s first vice chair, has been an active member of the board of directors for over 25 years. He will serve a two-year term as chair, succeeding Gary Dahms of T&M Associates.
“It’s an honor to be chosen to lead this organization’s Board at such a pivotal time for our country and our state,” Medina said.
“New Jersey has all the ingredients to thrive — talent, infrastructure, and innovation. The Chamber will continue to push for policies that unlock that potential: a business-friendly environment, employment opportunities for our citizens, lower taxes, and less red tape. Together, we can create an environment that supports economic growth, quality of life and economic prosperity for our citizens.”
In addition to Medina’s election, the Chamber board approved the following officers for the 2025 to 2027 term:
- First vice chair: Lisa Chowansky, President, HC Constructors Inc.
- Second vice chair: Sam Donelson, SVP, AECOM
- Treasurer: Diane Wasser, Partner-in-Charge, New Jersey, EisnerAmper
- Secretary: Ted Zangari, Chair, Redevelopment Law & Public Policy Practice, Sills Cummis & Gross
Dahms, the CEO and chairman of T&M Associates, will serve as the immediate past president. He was saluted for leading the board through a period marked by post-pandemic recovery and economic uncertainty.
“I commend Gary for his strong and thoughtful leadership during a challenging time for our business community,” Medina said. “I look forward to building on the momentum he helped create.”
Medina is well-known in New Jersey as an economic development leader due to his in-depth private sector experience and his government service.
At CBRE, he currently provides strategic real estate advisory services to clients in the corporate, government, nonprofit, and higher education sectors. He is also a licensed attorney, certified public accountant, and a recognized expert in economic development.
As former New Jersey Commerce Secretary, Medina was the point-person in the creation of incentive, finance and regulatory programs that constituted the state’s core economic growth policies.
Medina has served on the boards and advisory boards of leading organizations, including St. Joseph’s Health; the Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy at Rutgers University; the Puerto Rico Science, Technology & Research Trust; Solix Corporation; Thomas Edison State University; and Rutgers University School of Business.
“We are fortunate to have someone of Gil’s caliber leading our board,” Chamber CEO Tom Bracken said. “His experience, energy, and commitment to New Jersey’s business community will be a tremendous asset as we work to strengthen our economy.”
The Chamber Board also confirmed the members of its 2025 to 2027 Board Executive Committee:
- Walter Brasch, Chief Success Officer, Prager Metis CPAs
- Bill Hagaman, CEO Emeritus, Withum
- Kim Hanemann, President & COO, PSE&G
- Ali Houshmand, President, Rowan University
- Steve Klein, Chairman & CEO, Northfield Bank
- Chris Lepre, EVP, Commercial Business, Horizon BC/BS of N.J.
- Doug Mokoid, President, Jersey Central Power & Light
- Braxton Plummer, Director of State and Local Government Affairs – NJ, Verizon
- Dennis Toft, Member, CSG Law
Houshmand becomes chairman of the New Jersey Chamber of Commerce Foundation, succeeding Steve Rose, President, Passaic County Community College, who served as Foundation chairman for six years.
New members elected to the Board at the June 4 meeting include:
- Nick Dinallo, SVP, N.J. Brokerage Team, JLL
- Sean Kennedy, N.J. Director – Consulting Services, CGI
- Jeffrey Knight, Office managing partner – Short Hills, KPMG LLP
- Jason Pucci, CEO, Kislak
- Eduardo Villa, N.J. office managing partner, Tax Partner, Ernst & Young
- Wesley Wilcox, Partner, G.S. Wilcox & Co.
