Choose New Jersey Announces New Hires and Promotions

On Jul 13, 2023

Choose New Jersey, the states’ leading nonprofit economic development organization, has announced two new hires and four internal promotions within its business development team.

“I’m thrilled to welcome new team members to Choose New Jersey as we continue to attract some of the region’s best talent, and I congratulate those within our organization who are being recognized and promoted for their exceptional work,” said Wesley Mathews, president and CEO of Choose New Jersey.

Bill Noonan, previously Choose New Jersey’s director of business development, was named chief business development officer in March and leads all domestic and international efforts. Under Noonan’s leadership, the business development team has expanded and reorganized, strengthening the team’s reach locally, at industry trade shows around the world, and on Choose New Jersey-led business attraction missions.

Joining the team as business development officers are Rachel Cohen, who is a small business owner and previously served as an economic and real estate development officer for Middlesex County, and Anastasia Blasi, a former special assistant to the Secretary of State at the New Jersey Department of State. Cohen will manage the Life Sciences and Film and Digital Media sectors, while Blasi will oversee the Food and Beverage, Technology, and Finance sectors.

Internally, Rena Sherman was promoted to director of research and strategic partnerships. She will continue to manage market research and, in her new role, will also nurture existing external relationships and identify new strategic relationships with institutions of higher education, county economic development offices, site selectors, statewide trade associations, and workforce programs that support client needs. Ryan Fox was promoted to senior business development officer, where he will continue to manage the Logistics and Manufacturing sectors and will now also oversee the Clean Energy sector. In addition, Ahmed Bajwa, previously a Research Analyst Intern, has been promoted to research analyst on the Business Development team.

“These new additions and promotions strengthen our world-class team and highlight our commitment to telling New Jersey’s story around the country and across the globe, ensuring the world understands all that our great state has to offer businesses across a variety of sectors,” said Mike Reagan, senior vice president of CGI and Choose New Jersey board of director and business development committee chair.

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