Christopher Emigholz, a state budget expert with nearly 20 years of legislative experience, will join the New Jersey Business & Industry Association as vice president of Government Affairs in Taxation and Economic Development, NJBIA President & CEO Michele Siekerka said Thursday.
Emigholz, who is currently the associate executive director/budget director for the Senate Republican Office, will lead NJBIA’s advocacy efforts on economic development and taxation issues affecting the business community, effective Dec. 9, Siekerka said.
Christopher Emigholz
“Christopher’s career has been focused on improving New Jersey’s business climate and making our state more affordable,” said NJBIA President & CEO Michele Siekerka.
“His legislative experience, including the past eight years he has spent working on tax, budget and economic development policy in the Senate, will make him a tremendous resource to the businesses whose interests NJBIA fights for every day,” she said.
Emigholz joins a distinguished and respected NJBIA Government Affairs team that includes Chief of Government Affairs Chrissy Buteas, Vice Presidents of Government Affairs Frank Robinson, Michael Wallace and Ray Cantor, and Director of Economic Policy Research Nicole Sandelier.
Prior to joining the Senate staff in 2012, Emigholz served as director of the state Department of Education’s Office of Legislative Affairs (2010-2012) and as NJBIA’s associate vice president of Education & Workforce Development Policy (2005-2010).
“I have worked to support the needs of New Jersey’s business community in every job I have had for nearly two decades in Trenton,” Emigholz said. “I am very excited about this opportunity to return to NJBIA and to serve its mission of advocating for the best interests of New Jersey business.”
A resident of Robbinsville Township, where he is currently a member of the Board of Education, Emigholz has also held positions on the boards of numerous other municipal and community organizations. He has been a board member of a Trenton charter school, served on the Hightstown Planning/Zoning Board, and was on the Robbinsville Economic Development Advisory Committee.
A graduate of Johns Hopkins University, Emigholz earned his masters’ degree in Public Policy from Rutgers University.
