Public Policy Forum 2026

Barbara DeMarco is a dynamic force in public policy and business strategy, advising clients across sectors including education, gaming, agriculture, and technology. Since 1994, she has been instrumental in advancing New Jersey’s gaming industry—most notably facilitating a public/private partnership that brought a world-class data center to Atlantic City to support online gaming and sports wagering. Recognized as one of New Jersey’s most powerful and influential women by Senator Loretta Weinberg’s Power List, InsiderNJ, and Assemblywoman Shavonda Sumter’s Women’s Power List,, Barbara received the 2025 Trailblazer Award from the Women’s Political Caucus of New Jersey. A passionate advocate for education reform and women in leadership, she mentors young professionals and represents industries that support working families. She currently serves as Chairperson of the Greater Atlantic City Chamber of Commerce, championing business growth across the region.  

Lynn Nowak is a seasoned lobbyist who represents a diverse range of clients before New Jersey’s legislature and executive branch, developing targeted strategies that drive meaningful results. Recognized as one of the most powerful and influential women in New Jersey by both Senator Loretta Weinberg and Assemblywoman Shavonda Sumter, Lynn has been a leader on major policy issues, including the legalization of adult-use cannabis, where she served as an advisor to NJ United for Marijuana Reform and on the Steering Committee for NJ CAN 2020. Before merging her firm with Porzio Governmental Affairs, she served as President of Nancy H. Becker Associates and as legislative liaison for the NJ Department of Commerce. A committed advocate for children and families, she has appeared on CNN and WNBC to discuss food safety and served in leadership roles for the Statewide Parent Advocacy Network and the Central NJ Maternal and Child Health Consortium. 

Denise Beckson serves as Vice President, Chief Administrative and External Affairs Officer at Morey’s Piers & Resorts, a family-owned destination on the Jersey Shore. For over two decades, she has played a vital role in leading operations across the company’s three amusement piers, two beachfront water parks, four hotel properties, restaurants, golf course, and affiliated businesses in the Wildwoods.

A graduate of Indiana University(B.A.) and American University(M.A.), Denise began her career at Morey’s Piers in a management role and quickly emerged as a key figure in driving operational excellence and strategic growth.

As President of the New Jersey Association of Health Plans, Ward leads the state trade association that represents the major health plans in New Jersey, including all five Medicaid managed care organizations. He became President of NJAHP in October of 2006.  Prior to coming to the NJAHP in 2006, Ward served for 15 years in New Jersey State government positions, first serving as a Deputy Attorney General then running the state’s early health insurance exchanges. Prior to earning his law degree, Ward worked in Washington, D.C. for a human rights and foreign policy research organization. 

Ward has received the Community Health Law Project’s 2015 “Ann Klein Advocate Award,” the New Jersey Mental Health and Addiction Agencies 2016 “Leadership in Health Care Award,” and the Hemophilia Association of New Jersey’s 2017 “Humanitarian Award.” 

Ward is a graduate of the Villanova University School of Law and of Franklin & Marshall College, where he received his BA in Government. He is a member of the New Jersey and Pennsylvania bars, the New Jersey Bar Association, and is a member of the NJ Bar Association’s Insurance Benefits Committee.  He lives in Lambertville, New Jersey, where he was elected five times to Lambertville’s City Council.   

Former Monmouth County Freeholder Gerry Scharfenberger, Ph.D., became an assemblyman in January 2020. 

In addition to serving as mayor and deputy mayor of Middletown, Scharfenberger served on the Middletown Township Committee for nearly 14 years. 

At the state level, he was a member of Governor-elect Chris Christie’s transition team, the Executive Director of the New Jersey Business Action Center and Director of the Office for Planning Advocacy. 

Prior to joining the Christie administration, Scharfenberger had a long career as a professional archaeologist, working mainly in the Northeast and lecturing throughout the United States, Canada and England. He holds a master’s degree from Hunter College and received his doctorate in 2005 from the CUNY Graduate Center with a dual focus on historical archaeology and cultural landscape studies. He is currently a member of the adjunct faculty of Monmouth University in West Long Branch. 

Gerry has been a member of the Landmarks Commission since 1996 and was appointed Chairman in 2012, and currently serves on the Middletown Township Open Space Committee, the Municipal Alliance for the Prevention of Alcohol and Drug Abuse, the Middletown Economic Development Committee, Middletown Veterans Affairs Committee and the Monmouth County Historic Preservation Committee. He also serves on the Monmouth County Greenhouse Gas Reduction Committee. He served as the Township Committee’s liaison to the Bayshore Dredge Committee in 2006, on the Zoning Board of Adjustment in 2003 and 2004.   

He and his wife, Geraldine, have resided in the Middletown area for more than 31 years. They have two children and three grandchildren. 

Assemblyman William (Bill) Spearman, a troubleshooter and problem-solver known throughout New Jersey for his dedication to public service, hails from Camden. A Rutgers University–Camden graduate in management, he later obtained an MBA in real estate and urban land studies from Temple University. With a background at Cooper’s Ferry Development Association overseeing significant projects, including the construction of Wiggins Waterfront Park and the Riversharks stadium, Spearman then held various roles in the City of Camden and served on the city council. Currently representing New Jersey’s Fifth Legislative District in the General Assembly since 2018, he serves as Chair of the Commerce, Economic Development and Agriculture Committee, Vice-Chair of the Children, Families and Food Security Committee, and sits on the Budget Committee.

A former Southampton Township Committeeman and Burlington County Commissioner, Latham Tiver is now serving his first term in the Senate where he sits on the Environment and Energy Committee, the Military and Veterans Affairs Committee, and the Transportation Committee. 

Latham is a Business Representative for the Operating Engineers Local 825, where he focuses on infrastructure improvements that help create jobs and grow our economy. 

Latham was born and raised in South Jersey and has been married to his high school sweetheart for 25 years. He and his wife have two children, and Latham has volunteered as a baseball coach and isn’t ashamed to admit he’s a devoted “Dance Dad” for his daughter, a competitive dancer. 

Senator Tiver is a strong voice for the working class, lower taxes and the rule of law.