Michele N. Siekerka, Esq., President and CEO of the New Jersey Business & Industry Association, leads the nation’s largest, most influential employers’ organization, advocating on behalf of New Jersey’s large and small businesses for policies that will make New Jersey more affordable and regionally competitive.

Being known as a collaborative leader, Siekerka is leading an NJBIA established coalition (New Jersey Business Coalition) comprised of more than 100 business and nonprofit associations across the state to tackle the tough economic and business challenges our state is facing during COVID 19.

Well versed on the ‘boots on the ground” issues affecting our state’s business community, Michele is often the “go to” resource for media and is sought after to share her expertise in public forums across the state.

A seasoned attorney with more than two decades of public and private sector experience, Fruqan focuses his practice on
cannabis law, litigation and regulatory compliance.

Clients in the legal cannabis industry rely on Fruqan, and his detailed understanding of regulatory law, to guide them through
all steps of the licensing and compliance process. His advocacy is informed by a strong knowledge of the state’s economy and
regulatory framework acquired while working in government, where he served as General Counsel for the New Jersey State
Senate Majority Office and Assistant Counsel to former New Jersey Gov. John Corzine. Fruqan played a pivotal role in helping
to write the 2021 state law legalizing recreational use of cannabis in the Garden State – the New Jersey Cannabis Regulatory,
Enforcement Assistance, and Marketplace Modernization Act.

In his commercial litigation practice, Fruqan is tenacious, pragmatic and unflappable. He represents clients in state and federal
court, at the trial and appellate levels, working with them to achieve efficient solutions that advance their business goals,
whether at trial, in arbitration or at the negotiating table.

Stacey serves as the Principal of the HBK Valuation Group and is the Mid-Atlantic Regional Director of HBK Cannabis Solutions. Her office is located in Cherry Hill, New Jersey.  Stacey has more than 25 years of experience in business valuation, forensic accounting, economic damages, and litigation support services. This includes performing valuations and providing expert witness services for hundreds of clients.  Prior to joining HBK, she was a partner at a CPA firm where she offered accounting, tax services, and specialized in valuation and litigation support.

Stacey has been deeply involved in the cannabis industry, assisting clients at various stages such as pre-licensing, operational guidance for new and experienced operators, and facilitating transactions (buyers and sellers).  She has also been involved in litigation matters within the cannabis sector, providing her expertise in valuation and economic damages.

Stacey is a recognized speaker nationally, regionally, and locally on topics related to business valuation, litigation support, and the cannabis industry.  She has authored multiple articles and co-authored the first known book on valuation in the cannabis industry “The Cannabis Industry Accounting and Appraisal Guide.”

Stacey holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting from the University of Delaware.  She has held leadership positions, including past chair of the New Jersey Society of Certified Public Accountants’ Cannabis Industry Group and Treasurer of the South Jersey Collaborative Divorce Professionals Group.  Stacey has been actively involved in committees of professional organizations such as AICPA, NACVA, and the New Jersey Society of Certified Public Accountants.

Responsibilities
Mark is a Sr. Risk Consultant for Aon Global Risk Consulting based in Kansas City and primarily serving clients in the Midwest. Mark is responsible for assisting Aon clients with safety and risk management concerns that may adversely impact their business operation.

Experience
Mr. Valentine has over 25 years of experience in the disciplines of risk management and casualty loss control. Mr. Valentine has been responsible for evaluating and identifying safety and health workplace exposures through reviewing loss history and conducting on-site surveys and interviews of company owners/operators on behalf of entities within Assigned Risk Workers’ Compensation Markets. The markets represent a vast number of employers consisting of both small and large establishments with employee numbers ranging between 500 to 10,000. This responsibility encompasses a diverse range of business operations and industries, including: plant and manufacturing operations, food service, agriculture, retail, mining, construction, transportation, civil service, and entertainment establishments. This service and experience presents a valuable technical resource to all Aon clients.

Expertise
Mr. Valentine acts as a special project consultant within the Aon Risk Solutions Casualty Risk Control practice. His experience with risk management, accident and injury claims analysis, training and federal regulations provides a fundamental background for developing individualized risk control programs, claim analyses, technology advancement implementations, safety bulletins and pro-active loss reduction recommendations for Aon clients.
Areas of Strength include:
•Workers’ Compensation & Regulatory Compliance
•Implementation of safety management systems focused on organizational, behavioral and cultural improvements
•Integration of pre and post loss risk management strategies