Finn Wentworth
By Joshua Burd
Real estate and business titan Finn Wentworth will be among this year’s inductees to the New Jersey Hall of Fame, joining a who’s who of past and present leaders in industry, culture and sports in the Garden State.
Wentworth, an entrepreneur, philanthropist and co-founder of influential former real estate firms such as Gale & Wentworth and Normandy Real Estate Partners, joins 11 others who are part of organization’s 15th class. The Hall of Fame will enshrine the honorees during an Oct. 29 ceremony at the New Jersey Performing Arts Center in Newark.
“The New Jersey greats included in this year’s Hall of Fame inductee list have made great contributions to our state’s history,” Gov. Phil Governor Murphy said. “From sports legends to entertainment stars, business leaders to public servants and scholars, New Jersey has been graced by the likes of many influential people that have shined a light on what our state has to offer. This year’s class is among the best of them.”
Wentworth is one of two inductees this year in the Hall of Fame’s enterprise category, joining former ADP chief executive and philanthropist Josh Weston. Other categories and inductees include:
Sports
- Tiki Barber, former NFL and New York Giants running back for 10 seasons
- Sue Wicks, former WNBA and New York Liberty basketball player from 1997 to 2002
Performing arts & entertainment
- David Chase, filmmaker and creator of the Peabody Award-winning HBO drama series The Sopranos. Chase has written, produced and directed critically acclaimed television shows. He recently co-wrote and produced The Sopranos prequel film, The Many Saints of Newark.
- Tony Orlando, singer whose career spans over 60 years, best known for his work as part of Tony Orlando and Dawn
- Patti Scialfa, singer-songwriter, guitarist and member of Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band since 1984. She has been married to Springsteen since 1991.
Public service
- Stephen N. Adubato Sr., politician and teacher, founder of the North Ward Center
- Charles Edison, 42nd governor of New Jersey from 1941 to 1944, businessman, inventor and animal behaviorist who is the son of inventor Thomas Edison
- George Shultz, economist, businessman, diplomat, statesman and one of only two persons to have held four different cabinet-level posts
Arts & letters
- George Segal, an American painter and sculptor associated with the pop art movement. He was presented with the United States National Medal of Arts in 1999.
- Dorothy Porter Wesley, librarian, bibliographer and curator, and first African American to receive a library science degree from Columbia University.
“We are honored to celebrate the contributions and leadership of these New Jerseyans,” said The Hampshire Cos. Chairman Jon F. Hanson, who was inducted into the New Jersey Hall of Fame in 2018 and now chairs the organization. “This latest class will join the 14 others we have inducted in being highlighted at our upcoming Entertainment and Learning Center at American Dream and will serve as heroes and role models for coming generations.”
Wentworth, who was recognized in 2015 with NAIOP New Jersey’s Lifetime Achievement Award, also has deep ties to the region’s sports and entertainment sector as the former president of what was known as YankeesNets LLC, now Yankee Global Enterprises, and as a key player in the launch of the YES Network.
“As always, this year’s New Jersey Hall of Fame inductees not only have achieved personal greatness in their chosen area but also serve as role models and mentors for future generations of leaders across our state,” New Jersey First Lady Tammy Murphy said. “Our great state has produced yet another incredible group of inductees who will be cemented in history come October. Congratulations and thank you!”
