From left: Evan Weiss and Ed Potosnak
By Joshua Burd
Gov.-elect Mikie Sherrill has filled two key posts impacting commercial real estate, naming Evan Weiss as CEO of the New Jersey Economic Development Authority while nominating Ed Potosnak as commissioner of the Department of Environmental Protection.
Weiss, a former member of outgoing Gov. Phil Murphy’s administration, brings decades of experience working with the public and private sectors to drive economic development at the local and statewide level, according to a news release. That includes his most recent post as CEO and president of the nonprofit Newark Alliance, a private sector-led, inclusive economic development organization that sought to drive growth and collaboration among business, community and civic partners to strengthen the state’s largest city.
Sherrill said that, as the EDA’s chief executive, Weiss will work with her team and industry partners to accelerate economic opportunity, expand access to capital for small and minority-owned businesses, drive innovation across New Jersey’s economy and help ensure that economic growth delivers what she described as real affordability and opportunity for families across the state. He succeeds former longtime CEO Tim Sullivan and Mary Maples, who has served in the role on an interim basis.
“New Jersey is the best place to live, work and raise a family — but right now the American dream is unaffordable in our state,” said Sherrill, a Democrat who takes the oath of office on Tuesday. “Housing is too expensive, utility bills are sky high and families and small businesses are struggling to get by. I am appointing Evan Weiss to serve as the next CEO of NJEDA because he understands how to bring together government, industry and communities to create opportunity and find innovative solutions to drive down costs. His leadership will help ensure the NJEDA continues to be a strong partner to businesses and entrepreneurs while building an economy that works for families across our state.”
Potosnak, for his part, is a longtime environmental advocate and executive director of the New Jersey League of Conservation Voters. As DEP commissioner, a post that requires Senate confirmation, he’ll lead what Sherrill outlined as the state’s efforts to become more flood-resilient, mitigate harmful so-called forever chemicals and remediate contaminated sites.
The incoming governor also pledged that the DEP would work to cut through red tape, develop clear timelines for permitting and foster economic growth while protecting New Jersey’s air, land and water. He is set to take over the critical agency from Shawn LaTourette, who served as commissioner for Murphy’s second term.
“Ed Potosnak is a proven leader who will be critical in our efforts to preserve New Jersey’s protect residents from flooding and extreme weather and remediate contaminated sites,” Sherrill said in her announcement. “He will bring his experience as a licensed contractor to the department to prioritize cutting through red tape and reducing permitting times. Ed has a strong track record of bringing people to the table to develop solutions that work best for the communities they serve. I look forward to working with Ed, energy and business professionals, and advocates to protect our environment while growing our economy.”
Sherrill and incoming Lt. Gov. Dale Caldwell announced both moves on Friday as they put the finishing touches on their cabinet. They noted that Weiss, who has led the Newark Alliance since 2021, is a former senior adviser for finance and major projects to Murphy, having managed more than $10 billion in federal stimulus and helped deploy capital to advance key statewide priorities, including renewable energy, transit, affordable housing and major infrastructure initiatives such as the Gateway Project.
He also managed key city initiatives across the state, reformed the Urban Enterprise Zone program and shaped the $14 billion New Jersey Economic Recovery Act, the news release said. Prior to serving in New Jersey state government, the University of Chicago graduate was director at the Pennsylvania Economy League and a senior analyst at HJA Strategies.
“Thank you to Gov.-elect Sherrill and Lt. Gov.-elect Caldwell for their confidence in me and the opportunity to serve,” Weiss said. “New Jersey has a strong foundation built on innovation, entrepreneurship and collaboration. I look forward to working with partners across the public and private sectors to grow our economy, attract investment, support small businesses and ensure that opportunity reaches every corner of the state.”
Potosnak, who is also a councilman in Somerset County’s Franklin Township, led the NJLCV for more than decade. The Democrat and former high school chemistry teacher is also a lecturer at Rutgers University, a home improvement contractor and a member of several other environmental advocacy organizations.
“Throughout her career, Governor-elect Sherrill has delivered for New Jerseyans on key environmental issues like flood mitigation, cleaning up toxic PFAS and brownfields sites and investing in cheap, clean energy like solar,” Potosnak said. “As a licensed contractor, I understand the struggles that business owners face while trying to get state permits, and as commissioner, I look forward to streamlining that process so we’re ensuring government is being responsive to job creators while protecting our state’s natural resources.”
