Invest Newark’s Bernel Hall to Become NJ Community Capital President and CEO

On Sep 9, 2021

New Jersey Community Capital (NJCC) announced that Bernel Hall, head of Invest Newark, will join the organization as president and CEO. As a former investment banker, public housing executive, and real estate finance professional, Hall brings 23 years of management and finance experience, with a passion for business growth, job generation, and wealth creation for underserved communities.

Hall succeeds Wayne Meyer, who stepped down in June 2021 after a 12-year career at NJCC. Hall begins his role on Oct. 25. Jacki Robinson will continue to serve as interim president and CEO until then.

“Our board of directors is delighted to welcome Bernel Hall to the organization as we enter the next era of creative financing solutions and community development projects across New Jersey’s underserved neighborhoods,” said Board Chair Alle Ries. “Bernel possesses the public and private qualifications and background to grow NJCC into an even greater, more successful organization to create lasting impact in the communities we serve.”

As a Coro Fellowship alumnus, Hall’s leadership is shaped by a commitment to public service. At Invest Newark, Hall was instrumental in forming the state’s only land bank, a municipally sponsored fiber-optic company, an employee-owned paper company, and an infrastructure investment fund co-managed with New Jersey Community Capital. He began his career as an investment banker with Bank of America and subsequently with UBS Investment Bank and Goldman Sachs’ Urban Investment Group.  He also served as a senior portfolio manager at the New York City Housing Authority and serves on the Hudson County Economic Development Corporation board of directors.

Hall earned a B.S. degree in Business Management from North Carolina State University and an M.B.A. from Harvard University.

“I am grateful and honored to accept the position as president and chief executive officer. New Jersey Community Capital is clearly a market leader, with a well-deserved reputation for lending and community development. Given the organization’s extremely talented team and history of strong partnerships, I believe we have the potential to reach even greater heights in the years to come,” said Hall.

The board voted 10-to-1 in favor of Hall’s appointment after a six-month national search process. “It was clear to the committee that Bernel’s transformational leadership, business acumen, and passion for community development would be an invaluable asset to NJCC. As the organization moves forward, the board is confident that Hall is the right person to lead NJCC’s stellar team into its next chapter,” says Ries.

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