Debra Tantleff
By Joshua Burd
The New Jersey Builders Association has installed Debra Tantleff as its chair for a second term, as it prepares for the rollout of the state’s new affordable housing law and other key policies.
The organization said Tantleff, the founding principal of TANTUM Real Estate and an active member for more than 20 years, was elected earlier this week alongside six other officers for 2025. They include:
- Vice Chair: Christpher Amato of CMM
- Treasurer: John Kirkenir of Alliance Homes
- Secretary: Kristie Veri of Cleanscape Construction
- Builder Vice Chair: James Pittenger of Pittenger Builders
- Associate Vice Chair: Stanley Graser of General Plumbing Supply
- 2nd Associate Vice Chair: Thomas Trautner of Chiesa Shahinian & Giantomasi PC
“I’m excited to be welcoming Ms. Tantleff back for a second term following a very successful first year under her leadership,” said Jeff Kolakowski, NJBA’s CEO. “She was instrumental in helping our association advance policies to address the undersupply of housing in our state.”
The annual board of directors meeting at Bell Works in Holmdel came roughly 10 months after Gov. Phil Murphy signed a bill to launch the fourth round of affordable housing production under the state’s Fair Housing Act. NJBA — a trade association of homebuilders, developers, remodelers, subcontractors, suppliers, engineers, architects, consultants and other professionals — was among the most vocal proponents of the law and remains so for other policies supporting the creation of new housing in the state.

To that end, the group said 2024 was crucial to bringing New Jersey closer to addressing its housing crisis, but pointed to systemic issues that still burden the system. It said as much at this week’s board meeting, while providing a recap of its advocacy efforts and highlighting several significant legislative and regulatory advances during the year, including plan review reform and home improvement contractor licensing initiatives.
“I am pleased to be elected to a second term at a time when New Jersey is starting to make progress on housing policy reform,” Tantleff said. “NJBA continues to be an advocate for policy changes that would allow for accessory dwelling units, stranded asset conversion and reduced parking standards, and we look forward to working with the Legislature and administration over the coming year to address their mutual goals of affordability and to revive New Jersey’s housing market.”
Tantleff, who has developed more than $2 billion in construction across some 7,000 residential units, has served as both co-chair of NJBA’s Mixed Use Developers group and vice chair of the Builders PAC. She is consistently recognized as an industry advocate and thought leader and was most recently honored at Executive Women of New Jersey’s Salute to Policy Makers gala.
The association and its members will come together in full force on March 26 and 27 for the annual Atlantic Builders Convention, which is returning to the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Atlantic City.
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