Wesley Mathews
President & Chief Executive Officer
Wesley Mathews brings over two decades of experience in economic development, diplomacy, and finance to his role as President & Chief Executive Officer of Choose New Jersey, the State’s leading nonprofit business attraction organization.
Experienced in foreign affairs, international trade and investment, and economic development, Mr. Mathews is uniquely suited to lead New Jersey’s business attraction efforts.
Prior to assuming leadership of Choose New Jersey, Mr. Mathews was a career diplomat in the U.S. Foreign Service, focused on strengthening U.S. economic and commercial interests. During his 14-year career as a foreign service officer, he served at embassies and consulates in Saudi Arabia, India, Pakistan, Germany, and Nigeria, as well as in Washington, D.C.
From 2018-2019, he served as a loaned federal executive to the New Jersey Economic Development Authority, establishing the state’s first international trade and investment office. Mr. Mathews was instrumental in enhancing New Jersey’s global reach, devising successful strategies to attract greater foreign direct investment, and growing global ties for the State’s institutions of higher education. Mr. Mathews played a critical role in opening new markets for the state and launching New Jersey Centers in five global markets.
As President & CEO of Choose New Jersey, Mr. Mathews is focused on leveraging these experiences to help the organization build on its success in promoting New Jersey as the premier American state to build and grow a business.
Mr. Mathews worked in finance and business development roles for Nortel Networks and FedEx prior to joining the Foreign Service. He earned an MBA from Southern Methodist University and a BBA in finance from the University of Texas at Austin. He is the recipient of several U.S. Department of State awards, including multiple Superior Honor Awards for advancing U.S. economic diplomacy.
Mr. Mathews is also Chair of the New Jersey-India Commission and serves on several boards, including the New Jersey Innovation Institute.
He and his wife live in Hoboken with their daughter.