The NJBIA Board of Trustees recently welcomed its newest member, Johnson & Johnson executive Christopher Guiton, Esq., who brings a wealth of government affairs, legal, and pharmaceutical manufacturing experience to the board. He will serve a three-year term.
NJBIA President & CEO Michele Siekerka also announced Thursday that new officers were elected at the board’s May 7 meeting. Prager Metis Global Managing Partner Lori Roth, the former Vice Chair of NJBIA’s board is the new Chair. Roth succeeds Cliff Lindholm, the longtime President and CEO of Falstrom Company, a 155-year-old Passaic manufacturing company that provides complex components for the defense and aerospace industry.
“We are incredibly grateful to Cliff for his steadfast leadership of NJBIA’s board the past two years,” Siekerka said. “As a fourth-generation business owner, he has brought a profound understanding of legacy, leadership, and community to our board and we know he will continue to do so in his next role on the NJBIA board as Immediate Past Chair.”
Jaclyn Kator, Regional VP of External Affairs and Legislative Affairs at AT&T, was elected Vice Chair of NJBIA’s board, succeeding Roth. Deanna Sperling, President & CEO, RWJBarnabas Health Behavioral Health Center, was elected Treasurer of NJBIA’s board.
“During the next two years, NJBIA’s board will be led by a dynamic and accomplished team of women executives serving in its top three officer roles for the first time in our organization’s 115-year history,” Siekerka said. “Their diverse perspectives, collaborative approach, and forward-thinking leadership will continue to drive NJBIA forward as we innovate and grow.”
The board’s newest member, Christopher Guiton, is Head of New Jersey State and Community Engagement, Government Affairs & Policy for Johnson & Johnson. He replaces Celestina Quintana, who is retiring from board service after 25 years, including one term as chair from 2021-2023.
“Celeste is rotating off the board, and we extend our heartfelt thanks for her many years of dedicated service and unwavering support for our mission,” Siekerka said. “We will miss her presence at the board table but are grateful that she will remain actively involved with NJBIA events and initiatives, and so we look forward to continuing to engage with her as she begins her next chapter.”
In another board moves, James W. Horne Jr., President & CEO of Junior Achievement of New Jersey, was elected to his second three-year term. The board also officially ratified two trustees appointed to their first terms prior to the annual meeting: Bernie Corrigan, President of IBEW Local 102; and Kiran Gaudioso, CEO of United Way of Northern New Jersey and president of United for ALICE (Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed).
Over the past eight years, NJBIA’s growing board has expanded to 21 members of varied professional backgrounds to better represent the diversity of New Jersey’s businesses and nonprofit organizations. Guiton is the first pharmaceutical executive to join NJBIA’s board and his expertise in this important industry makes him a valuable addition, Siekerka said.
“Our 2025 Board matches the diverse fabric of our membership and New Jersey’s business community,” Siekerka said. “NJBIA is the voice of New Jersey’s job creators, and our board is laser-focused on our mission to provide powerful business advocacy and robust products and services that advance the financial success of our companies.”
