2026 New Jersey Business Update and Outlook (E2601244)

Christopher is the Chief Government Affairs Officer for the New Jersey Business & Industry Association (NJBIA) covering taxation, budget and economic development. Previously, he was a budget director for the State Senate Republican Office for eight years and directed education policy and legislative affairs in the New Jersey Department of Education. Chris has a Master of Public Policy degree from Rutgers’ Bloustein School and a Bachelor of Arts degree from Johns Hopkins University.

Althea Ford currently works as the Vice President, Government Affairs for the New Jersey Business and Industry Association, the nation’s largest statewide employer association. Her issue areas include healthcare, education and consumer affairs. Prior to this position, Ford worked at the New Jersey State Funeral Directors Association for ten years, and served as the Director of Government Relations since 2018. Althea has her undergraduate degree from Vanderbilt University and a masters from Columbia University.