Atlantic County Economic Alliance Selects Lauren H. Moore, Jr. as Executive Director

On Apr 19, 2017

Lauren H. Moore, Jr. has been selected as the Executive Director of the Atlantic County Economic Alliance and will begin his new position on June 1.

Moore is currently the Executive Director of the New Jersey Business Action Center, where he has served since being appointed to that position by Lieutenant Governor Kim Guadagno in June 2014. In that position, he has led the state’s efforts to help create and retain jobs while encouraging private capital investment in New Jersey. Moore has more than 25 years of professional experience in economic development and has held positions in both state and local governments. He has proven, high-level experience working in finance, regulatory affairs, environmental compliance, permit processes and commercial/industrial real estate matters. Prior to his current position, he worked with the New Jersey Commerce and Economic Growth Commission.

According to Leo Schoffer, Interim Chairman of the ACEA, Moore’s selection concludes a nationwide search process that began almost one year ago and included 17 candidate interviews.

“Finding the right candidate was challenging since we are a startup organization and our area’s economic issues are well known. However, the committee was adamant that we would continue the search until we found the candidate who met our requirements. We wanted someone with hands on experience attracting and retaining businesses, who was familiar with state and federal economic development incentive programs and who had worked successfully with site selection and commercial real estate firms.  Lauren met all those requirements and then some,” Schoffer said.

Schoffer thanked Brett Matik, President of Harrison Beverage Company, for her leadership of the search committee. Matik stated that she was very pleased with the search committee’s decision.

“Moore is very familiar with Atlantic County. He served as the Department Head of Planning for Atlantic County government from 1993 to 1998 and is a licensed land use planner. Lauren will hit the ground running on day one,” Matik said.

“I am extremely grateful to be given this new opportunity,” Moore said. “Atlantic County has always been like a second home to me and I have great affection for the area. I strongly believe that the potential for Atlantic County to recover and thrive is here and underway. I look forward to working with local mayors, county officials and business leaders to strengthen and diversify Atlantic County’s economy, and, most important, create and retain jobs.”

As Executive Director of the ACEA, Moore will lead economic development efforts for the Atlantic County region and will have a broad range of responsibilities. These include working with state, local, and federal business assistance and incentive programs; assisting businesses in commercial real estate site selection services; advising and guiding companies on regulatory and permitting matters; developing and encouraging domestic and foreign-based firms to invest in Atlantic County; and promoting and marketing Atlantic County as a place to live, work and do business.

Moore has a Bachelor’s Degree in Environmental Science from Stockton University and is a licensed New Jersey professional planner and member of the American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP).

Max Slusher, who served as the Interim Director during the start-up period, will stay on with the Alliance to continue the work he has started and support Lauren’s efforts. He will remain a valuable member of the team.

The Atlantic County Economic Alliance is a 501(c) 3 nonprofit organization that was established in April 2016 to fulfill the goals of the Atlantic County Economic Development Strategy and Action Plan prepared by AngelouEconomics of Austin, TX. Its mission is to drive economic growth through strategic planning and public private partnerships that attract, retain and support a diversity of businesses and industries that create quality jobs and lower property taxes.  It is financially supported by its investors and maintains offices at the Hamilton Mall in Mays Landing.

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