Choose New Jersey Names Tracye McDaniel as CEO

TRENTON, N.J., Dec. 16, 2010 /PRNewswire/ -- Choose New Jersey, a non-profit corporation launched in June to aggressively promote the state of New Jersey as an excellent place to invest and do business, has selected Tracye McDaniel as its first chief executive officer.  

In her role as CEO, Ms. McDaniel will advocate the state's core strengths – strategic access to local and global financial markets, a highly trained workforce and a comprehensive distribution network of world-class sea and airports, state-of-the-art energy and communications infrastructure and elite research universities – to businesses in and outside New Jersey.  

McDaniel was introduced today by Governor Chris Christie and Lt. Governor Kim Guadagno during a press conference at the State House.  Several prominent business leaders were on hand for the announcement, including Dennis Bone, president of Verizon NJ and chairman of Choose New Jersey.

"Bringing long-term growth and economic prosperity to the Garden State is the top priority of our Administration," said Governor Christie. "I am pleased that Tracye McDaniel is joining New Jersey's economic development team.  I look forward to working with Ms. McDaniel and the entire Choose New Jersey board as we continue to move forward in making important inroads that put New Jersey's economy back on track by spurring investment, attracting and expanding businesses and creating meaningful jobs for our state's families."

Echoing Governor Christie, Bone said:  "Choose New Jersey is fortunate to have someone of Ms. McDaniel's caliber to lead the effort to attract and retain world-class companies to New Jersey.  Her broad, diverse background in economic development and her immense success over the years give Choose New Jersey instant credibility in the pursuit of companies that can thrive in the state."  

In accepting the appointment, Ms. McDaniel said she was "extremely excited about tackling her new role" at Choose New Jersey.   "I am thankful for the opportunity and will bring a tremendous amount of passion and energy to attracting, retaining and expanding companies in the Garden State," she said. "Our goal is simple – to strategically position the state so business will…Choose New Jersey.  I look forward to working with our key partners, the Business Action Center and the Economic Development Authority to spur economic growth throughout our entire state."

Choose New Jersey is part of the Christie-Guadagno Administration's three-pronged, public-private efforts called the Partnership for Action, led by Lt. Governor Guadagno.  In addition to Choose New Jersey, the Partnership includes the Business Action Center, led by Acting Executive Director Linda Kellner, and the New Jersey Economic Development Authority, led by Chief Executive Officer Caren Franzini.

Choose New Jersey's Board of Directors is comprised of leaders of many of the major corporations in the state.  They will work closely with Ms. McDaniel to attract job creators to the state to help rebuild its economy, Bone explained.

Ms. McDaniel had served as executive vice president and chief operating officer of the Greater Houston Partnership (GHP), the fifth largest business alliance in the nation, since June 2006.  At GHP, she oversaw the organization's major marketing program designed to generate leads for economic development organizations throughout the 10-county region around Houston.  

Previously, McDaniel served as executive director for the Office of the Governor Economic Development Tourism Division, spearheading economic development and tourism operations for the state of Texas, where she served three governors, including Governor Ann Richards, Governor George W. Bush and Governor Rick Perry.  Overall, she has more than 23 years of executive and senior management experience in business development and tourism.  

Choose New Jersey is an independent, New Jersey non-profit corporation formed to qualify under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.

SOURCE Choose New Jersey