The National Association of Corporate Directors (NACD) New Jersey Chapter has officially announced the election of Richard Mroz as the new chair of its board of directors, effective June 12. Mroz, who serves as the senior director of Strategy & Regulatory Affairs at Archer Public Affairs, succeeds Jeannie Diefenderfer in the leadership role.
As chair, Mroz will guide the chapter in its mission to empower New Jersey’s corporate directors and boards, helping them enhance stakeholder value through robust education, leadership exchange, and community engagement.
Mroz brings to the role an extensive background spanning law, government, and the private sector. Most notably, he served as the President of the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities (NJBPU), where he functioned as the state’s Chief Energy Officer. His career also includes high-level advisory roles in state and national government, including service as chief counsel to former New Jersey Gov. Christine Todd Whitman and appointments by President George W. Bush.
“Richard brings a remarkable combination of public service, regulatory leadership, governance expertise, and strategic insight,” Judy Reinsdorf, chair of the nominating and governance committee for the NACD New Jersey Chapter said. “Throughout his career, he has demonstrated a deep commitment to responsible leadership, sound oversight, and strengthening institutions.”
In his new capacity, Mroz aims to steer the chapter through an era of rapid technological and economic change. “Strong corporate governance has never been more important as boards navigate an increasingly complex environment shaped by technological change, cybersecurity risks, evolving stakeholder expectations, and economic uncertainty,” Mroz said.
Mroz currently serves on the Board of Directors of the Federal Home Loan Bank of New York, where he chairs the Housing Committee. His previous and ongoing board leadership includes roles in critical infrastructure protection, energy policy, and regulatory strategy.
At Archer Public Affairs, Mroz remains a key advisor for clients in the energy, utilities, infrastructure, and financial services sectors. His colleagues at the firm expressed strong support for the appointment, highlighting his ability to translate decades of high-level policy and regulatory experience into actionable corporate strategy.
“Rick’s election reflects the depth of experience and strategic leadership he brings to corporate governance, public policy, and complex regulatory issues,” Bill Caruso, managing director of Archer Public Affairs said. “We know the chapter will benefit from his decades of experience working across the public and private sectors.”
