Greater Newark Enterprises Corporation (GNEC), a non-profit business that provides financing and technical assistance to small businesses growing in Northern New Jersey, has named Judith A. Sheft as their newly appointed Chairwoman on the Board of Directors. The company has also made a number of new additions to the board that will further its mission to support an entrepreneurial culture around New Jersey.
Sheft is the current Associate Vice President of Strategic Relations and External Affairs, as well as Senior Advisor to the President of New Jersey Innovation Institute at NJIT. Given her leadership experience working with a diverse group of people, GNEC hopes that under Sheft’s vision, the company will promote diversity and the inclusion of women, underrepresented minorities, and veterans.
Additional new staff members include Samuel Recenello as Vice Chairperson, Avi Telyas as Treasurer, and John Suwatson as Secretary. Each new member comes from various positions from different industries, each bringing to the table experience, knowledge, and passion to help small businesses grow.
GNEC hopes to use their new digital platform to access data that analyzes and offers explanations to inquiries received from qualified capital customers, referrals, and businesses that enter their portal. In order to continue offering services to entrepreneurs, the company plans to introduce a fee for service structure and reconfigure their loan fund to include products such as credit builder and community facility loans.
“We at GNEC are so very excited and encouraged as we move forward in helping local small businesses and entrepreneurs expand their footprint. A strong and growing board, a dedicated staff and an ever-growing entrepreneurial culture across the Greater Newark Region further positions us to look forward to great things coming from those we serve,” said Steven Gomez, Executive Director of GNEC.
