Hitting the Ground Running: My First Week as NRBP's New President and CEO

Hitting the Ground Running: My First Week as NRBP's New President and CEO
written by Ferlanda Fox Nixon, Esq., President & CEO, NRBP

What an exhilarating first week I experienced as the new President and CEO of the Newark Regional Business Partnership! From the moment I stepped into this role on Monday, September 16, I was immersed in the vibrant business community that NRBP serves. Let me share some highlights from my inaugural week.

Teeing Off with NRBP Members

My journey began at NRBP’s 30th annual golf outing at the picturesque Roxiticus Golf Club in Mendham, New Jersey. This outdoor event provided the perfect setting to meet NRBP members, including several esteemed members of our Board of Directors. I was delighted to have my husband, Milford “Nick” Nixon, join us. (He now affectionately dubs himself the First Gentleman.) The day was made even more special by the presence of Phillip Woolfolk, a former colleague from the African American Chamber of Commerce of New Jersey, who came to show his support. NRBP member Turner Construction Company served as the Event Sponsor, adding to the day’s success.

A Warm Welcome from the City of Newark

On my second day, I received a heartwarming letter from the City of Newark City Clerk and the members of the Municipal Council, extending their best wishes for my tenure. Their support and encouragement set a positive tone for the work ahead.

Celebrating the Arts and Community

Midweek brought a focus on Greater Newark's thriving arts scene. Our team attended the groundbreaking ceremony for NRBP member New Jersey Performing Arts Center's campus expansion, which will include the Cooperman Family Arts Education and Community Center. This new development exemplifies the power of collaboration, bringing together public and private partners, including NRBP members Turner Construction Company, LMXD, Prudential Financial, and the New Jersey Economic Development Authority, and showcases a significant investment in Newark’s cultural infrastructure.

Later that day, NRBP’s Vice President of Member Relations and Engagement, Kirsten Giardi, and I visited Luna Stage, an NRBP member based in West Orange. We learned about its current productions, programs, and offerings, as well as its commitment to amplifying underrepresented voices, eliminating barriers to participation in the arts, and nurturing the next generation of artists and audiences.

Newark: A Transportation Hub

This event brought together more than 500 transportation, business, and government leaders, featuring speakers from NRBP member organizations like The Port Authority of New York & New Jersey, NJ TRANSIT, and Amtrak to share information about existing and new projects.

The week also highlighted Newark's significance as a transportation nexus: I participated in the inaugural kickoff reception of the New York Penn Station Working Advisory Group (SWAG) at Moynihan Train Hall in New York City on Tuesday. This initiative, organized by Amtrak, MTA, and NJ TRANSIT, aims to transform Penn Station into a world-class facility.

On Thursday, I, along with NRBP board members Monica Slater Stokes, Jennifer Mazawey, and Mary Makfinsky, attended the New Jersey Alliance for Action's 22nd annual transportation conference as guests of NRBP member United Airlines. (Thank you, Monica, for the invitation.)

---

Building Team Spirit

We capped the week with a birthday celebration for our team member, Nikki Drake, fostering a sense of camaraderie among the NRBP staff.

As I reflect on this action-packed first week, I am filled with excitement for the future of NRBP and Greater Newark’s business community. The connections made, the projects witnessed, and the collaborative spirit encountered all point to the incredible potential we have to make a positive impact. I look forward to working closely with our members, partners, and the community to strengthen and grow Greater Newark's vibrant business ecosystem.