Newark, NJ — Choose New Jersey, New Jersey’s leading nonprofit economic development organization, today announced two new hires and four internal promotions within its business development team. The team attracts businesses to the state by offering free, confidential, personalized services, including site selection assistance, market intelligence, and customized RFI responses. The business development team also represents New Jersey at industry trade shows and Choose New Jersey-led trade missions. 

“I’m thrilled to welcome new team members to Choose New Jersey as we continue to attract some of the region’s best talent, and I congratulate those within our organization who are being recognized and promoted for their exceptional work,” said Wesley Mathews, President and CEO of Choose New Jersey. 

Bill Noonan, previously Choose New Jersey’s Director of Business Development, was named Chief Business Development Officer in March and leads all domestic and international efforts. Under Noonan’s leadership, the business development team has expanded and reorganized, strengthening the team’s reach locally, at industry trade shows around the world, and on Choose New Jersey-led business attraction missions.

Joining the team as Business Development Officers are Rachel Cohen, who is a small business owner and previously served as an economic and real estate development officer for Middlesex County, and Anastasia Blasi, a former special assistant to the Secretary of State at the New Jersey Department of State. Cohen will manage the Life Sciences and Film and Digital Media sectors, while Blasi will oversee the Food and Beverage, Technology, and Finance sectors.

Internally, Rena Sherman was promoted to Director of Research and Strategic Partnerships. She will continue to manage market research and, in her new role, will also nurture existing external relationships and identify new strategic relationships with institutions of higher education, county economic development offices, site selectors, statewide trade associations, and workforce programs that support client needs. Ryan Fox was promoted to Senior Business Development Officer, where he will continue to manage the Logistics and Manufacturing sectors and will now also oversee the Clean Energy sector. In addition, Ahmed Bajwa, previously a Research Analyst Intern, has been promoted to Research Analyst on the Business Development team.

“These new additions and promotions strengthen our world-class team and highlight our commitment to telling New Jersey’s story around the country and across the globe, ensuring the world understands all that our great state has to offer businesses across a variety of sectors,” said Mike Reagan, senior vice president of CGI and Choose New Jersey Board of Director and Business Development Committee Chair.

About Choose New Jersey, Inc.

Choose New Jersey is New Jersey’s leading nonprofit economic development organization. We stimulate job creation and attract capital investment to grow New Jersey’s economy. We market New Jersey globally as the best state in the United States to live, work, and play, and we guide businesses in establishing or expanding operations here. Our staff, supported by a network of state agencies and private partners, provide free, confidential assistance to guide companies in establishing operations in New Jersey. To learn more, visit choosenj.com.