2025-11-15T05:05:12-06:00 2024-12-31 333709623 COHNREZNICK ADVISORY LLC 14 SYLVAN WAY PARSIPPANY NJ 070543801 990 2024-01-01 272903875 CHOOSE NEW JERSEY INC CHOO 6092972200 ONE GATEWAY CENTER SUITE 1420 NEWARK NJ 07102 JENNIFER LENHARDT CHIEF ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER 6092972200 2025-11-14 1 1 ZACHARY SEGAL P01511850 9732283500 2025-11-13 2024 2025-03-06 01:10:19Z WESLEY MATHEWS ONE GATEWAY CENTER SUITE 1420 NEWARK NJ 07102 20897089 0 X HTTPS://THISISNEWJERSEY.CHOOSENJ.COM/ X 2010 NJ DEVELOP AND IMPLEMENT INITIATIVES, ETC., TO ECONOMICALLY BENEFIT NJ AND ITS RESIDENTS. 28 28 27 28 0 0 13074763 20718853 0 0 174433 174958 0 3278 13249196 20897089 0 0 0 0 3027756 3603415 0 0 819984 10214085 17466045 13241841 21069460 7355 -172371 7278714 8239679 3445021 4561710 3833693 3677969 X CHOOSE NEW JERSEY IS A PRIVATELY FUNDED 501 C(3) ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ORGANIZATION WITH A MISSION TO STIMULATE JOB CREATION AND ATTRACT CAPITAL INVESTMENT TO NEW JERSEY. CHOOSE NEW JERSEY MARKETS NEW JERSEY BOTH DOMESTICALLY AND INTERNATIONALLY AS THE BEST PLACE TO GROW A BUSINESS IN THE UNITED STATES. KNOWLEDGEABLE, EXPERIENCED STAFF, SUPPORTED BY A NETWORK OF STATE AGENCIES AND PRIVATE PARTNERS, PROVIDE FREE, CONFIDENTIAL ASSITSANCE TO GUIDE COMPANIES IN ESTABLISHING OPERATIONS IN NEW JERSEY. BY HARNESSING THE POWER OF BUSINESS,LABOR, ACADEMIC, AND GOVERNMENT LEADERS, CHOOSE NEW JERSEY ENABLES GROWTH ACROSS ALL SECTORS OF THE STATE'S ECONOMY, ASPIRING TO BUILD A STRONGER AND MORE PROSPEROUS NEW JERSEY FOR ALL. 0 0 2765266 BUSINESS ATTRACTION AND RETENTION EFFORTS - CHOOSE NEW JERSEY IS KEENLY FOCUSED ON NURTURING ECONOMIC GROWTH IN NEW JERSEY BY STIMULATING JOB CREATION AND CAPITAL INVESTMENT. WORKING WITH GOVERNMENTAL ENTITIES, CHOOSE NEW JERSEY DESIGNS AND EXECUTES BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT STRATEGIES AIMED AT SPECIFIC COMPANIES, WITH A FOCUS ON SEVERAL KEY SECTORS, INCLUDING: INNOVATION & TECHNOLOGY; LIFE SCIENCES; CLEAN ENERGY; ADVANCED MANUFACTURING; LOGISTICS; FOOD & AGRICULTURE; ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE (AI); AND FILM. WORKING JOINTLY WITH NEW JERSEY'S BUSINESS LEADERS AND COMMUNITY GROUPS, CHOOSE NEW JERSEY ENGAGES DIRECTLY WITH BUSINESS DECISION MAKERS TO COMMUNICATE THE UNIQUE VALUE PROPOSITION FOR DOING BUSINESS IN THE GARDEN STATE. THESE EFFORTS INCLUDE DIRECT NEGOTIATIONS, ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT MISSIONS, AND NATIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL TRADE SHOWS. 2010000 INTEGRATED MARKETING AND MEDIA RELATIONS - CHOOSE NEW JERSEY SUCCESSFULLY AND WIDELY PROMOTES THE BENEFITS OF CONDUCTING BUSINESS IN THE STATE OF NEW JERSEY TO BUSINESSES AND CORPORATE LEADERS IN OTHER STATES AND OTHER COUNTRIES. MARKETING ACTIVITIES INCLUDE PAID ADVERTISING IN BOTH PRINT AND DIGITAL PUBLICATIONS; EVENT PLANNING AND SPONSORSHIPS, INCLUDING PROPRIETARY POLICY SYMPOSIA, NETWORKING EVENTS AND PUBLIC FORUMS; AND WEBSITE DEVELOPMENT AND SOCIAL MEDIA STRATEGIES. MEDIA RELATION ACTIVITIES INCLUDE INTERACTION WITH BRIEFINGS WITH NEWS MEDIA, INTERVIEWS, PRESS RELEASE DISTRIBUTION, AND COORDINATION OF PRESS CONFERENCES TO PROMOTE INITIATIVES, MARKET DEVELOPMENTS AND TRADE MISSIONS. 3773288 CHOOSE NEW JERSEY WAS AWARDED A $5 MILLION BUSINESS MARKETING GRANT FROM THE NEW JERSEY DEPARTMENT OF STATE. THIS INITIATIVE WILL HIGHLIGHT THE BENEFITS OF DOING BUSINESS IN THE STATE OF NEW JERSEY AND TO ENCOURAGE NATIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS ENTITES TO RELOCATE AND EXPAND IN THE STATE. THE PRELIMINARY WORK ON THE CAPAIGN, ENTITLED, ""THIS IS NJ,"" INCLUDES DEVELOPMENT OF CAMPAIGN STRATEGY, DESIGN AND PRODUCTION OF CREATIVE ASSETS, CREATING A NEW BRAND IDENTITY, AND IDENTIFICATION OF TARGET AUDIENCES WITHIN THE COHORTS OF BUSINESS DECISION MAKERS, SITE SELECTORS AND, ENTREPRENEURS AND STARTUPS; IDENTIFICATION OF GEOGRAPHIC TARGET MARKETS AND ASSESSMENT OF THE MEDIA LANDSCAPE TO IDENTIFY APPROPRIATE AD PLACEMENT OPPORTUNITIES. THIS PERIOD ALSO SAW THE CREATION OF THE LANDING PAGE NJINNOVATION.COM; THE DEVLOPMENT OF LANDING PAGES FOR EACH SECTOR AND KEY SUBSECTORS; AND THE DEVELOPMENT OF ASSETS AND CUSTOM CONTENT TO PUSH OUT ON GOOGLE ADS, LINKEDIN, YOUTUBE AND FACEBOOK/INSTAGRAM; AND, THE CREATION OF THE FIRST VIDEO MARKETING THE STATE FOR BUSINESS ATTRACTION. 120669 ISRAEL GRANT 8264050 NJEDA GRANT 1649282 U.S. DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY PASSED THROUGH THE NEW JERSEY DEPARTMENT OF STATE BUSINESS ACTION CENTER COVID-19 CORONAVIRUS STATE AND LOCAL FISCAL RECOVERY FUNDS 10034001 18582555 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 1 1 1 0 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 27 0 1 27 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 X 28 28 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 0 NJ X WESLEY MATHEWS PRESIDENT CEO 6092972200 ONE GATEWAY CENTER SUITE 1420 NEWARK NJ 07102 BILL SMITH MARKETING COMMITTEE CHAIR 2.00 X 0 0 0 BRAXTON PLUMMER DIRECTOR 1.00 X 0 0 0 BRIAN QUIGLEY DIRECTOR 1.00 X 0 0 0 CHRIS BOERNER DIRECTOR 1.00 X 0 0 0 ELISE ARONSON DIRECTOR 1.00 X 0 0 0 ENRICO DELLA CORNA DIRECTOR 1.00 X 0 0 0 ETHAN HASBROUCK DIRECTOR 1.00 X 0 0 0 GEORGE HELMY DIRECTOR 1.00 X 0 0 0 JAKE REYNOLDS DIRECTOR 1.00 X 0 0 0 JAMES FAKULT FINANCE AND AUDIT CHAIR 1.00 X 0 0 0 JENNIFER SWEENEY DIRECTOR 1.00 X 0 0 0 JOAQUIN DUATO DIRECTOR 1.00 X 0 0 0 JOHN SARACENO DIRECTOR 2.00 X 0 0 0 JOSEPH DECOTIIS DIRECTOR 1.00 X 0 0 0 JOSEPH GARBA DIRECTOR 1.00 X 0 0 0 MARK MANIGAN DIRECTOR 1.00 X 0 0 0 MARK MCDONOUGH DIRECTOR 1.00 X 0 0 0 MICHAEL NUCIFORO DIRECTOR 1.00 X 0 0 0 MICHAEL RENNA DIRECTOR 2.00 X 0 0 0 MIKE REAGAN BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT CHAIR 2.00 X 0 0 0 MITCH LIVINGSTON TREASURER 2.00 X X 0 0 0 MONICA SLATER-STOKES NOMINATING COMMITTEE CHAIR 1.00 X 0 0 0 RALPH LAROSSA CHAIRMAN 2.00 X X 0 0 0 ROBERT GARRETT VICE CHAIR 1.00 X X 0 0 0 STEVE GARDNER DIRECTOR 1.00 X 0 0 0 STEVE WESTHOVEN SECRETARY / TEMP FINANCE AND AUDIT CHAIR 1.00 X X 0 0 0 TOM POLEN DIRECTOR 1.00 X 0 0 0 ULI DIAZ DIRECTOR 1.00 X 0 0 0 WESLEY MATHEWS PRESIDENT AND CEO 40.00 X 529506 0 34674 JENNIFER LENHARDT CHIEF ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER 40.00 X 187925 0 29397 CARLY WRONKO DIRECTOR OF MARKETING 40.00 X 155685 0 17090 MARIEL KOKOTAJILO DIRECTOR OF DEVELOPMENT 40.00 X 140285 0 4118 OMAR TODD FINANCE MANAGER 40.00 X 121152 0 19165 RENA SHERMAN DIRECTOR OF RESEARCH & STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIPS 40.00 X 122651 0 36269 WILLIAM NOONAN CHIEF BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT OFFICER 40.00 X 183326 0 23816 1440530 0 164529 7 0 1 0 NARRATIVE MEDIA 1002 SEVERN LANE WYNNEWOOD PA 19096 MARKETING 571672 NPSG NJ LLC 100 OVERLOOK CENTER PRINCETON NJ 08540 MARKETING 328315 TODAY'S BUSINESS PO BOX 10188 NEWARK NJ 07101 MARKETING 231887 MERCURY PUBLIC AFFAIRS 1285 AVENUE OF THE AMERICAS NEW YORK NY 10019 MARKETING 176000 BRYAN STRATEGIES GROUP 40 ELBERTA ROAD ROAD MAPLEWOOD NJ 07040 MARKETING 144000 7 15925703 4793150 20718853 174958 174958 REIMBURSEMENTS 900099 3278 3278 3278 20897089 3278 0 174958 X 781503 397625 252274 131604 2360067 1196604 763203 400260 101969 53908 32258 15803 160696 84955 50836 24905 199180 117243 42661 39276 4950 4838 109 3 73716 72049 1627 40 5444792 5321663 120160 2969 2333143 2331498 1634 11 88452 16650 59510 12292 32174 5344 26069 761 342369 170087 119734 52548 654184 611054 18996 24134 205546 205546 1938017 1810049 48136 79832 131316 80667 27485 23164 12580 7728 2633 2219 CONTRACT SERVICES 6003882 6000336 3503 43 MEMBERSHIP 178005 94518 73662 9825 22919 193 22431 295 21069460 18582555 1666921 819984 1973243 1508265 93512 132633 2460037 3938397 286632 496228 19791 65880 1358033 706350 775582 651683 1669917 1446593 7278714 8239679 1006133 2270581 44847 144624 2394041 2146505 3445021 4561710 X 3833693 3677969 3833693 3677969 7278714 8239679 -172371 16647 0 X 0 1 X 0 0 X 6511865 8229020 8197664 13074763 20718853 56732165 6511865 8229020 8197664 13074763 20718853 56732165 56732165 3802 341 36348 174433 174958 389882 4971 4971 1624 28578 5144 3278 38624 57165642 0.99240 0.99200 X SCHEDULE A, PART II, LINE 10, EXPLANATION OF OTHER INCOME: MISCELLANEOUS - 2020 AMOUNT: $ 1,624. 2021 AMOUNT: $ 28,578. 2022 AMOUNT: $ 5,144. 2024 AMOUNT: $ 3,278. 1118809 550866 567943 129935 101676 28259 109289 53808 55481 651683 DEFERRED COMPENSATION LIABILITY (457B) 132633 LEASE LIABILITY 2013872 2146505 X 21803530 16647 889794 906441 20897089 0 20897089 21959254 889794 889794 21069460 0 21069460 PART X, LINE 2: CNJ'S FEDERAL AND STATE INCOME TAX RETURNS PRIOR TO CALENDAR YEAR 2021 ARE CLOSED AND MANAGEMENT CONTINUALLY EVALUATES EXPIRING STATUTES OF LIMITATIONS, AUDITS, PROPOSED SETTLEMENTS, CHANGES IN TAX LAW AND NEW AUTHORITATIVE RULINGS. MANAGEMENT HAS ANALYZED THE TAX POSITIONS TAKEN BY CNJ AND HAS CONCLUDED THAT, AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2024 AND 2023, THERE ARE NO UNCERTAIN TAX POSITIONS TAKEN OR EXPECTED TO BE TAKEN THAT WOULD REQUIRE RECOGNITION OF A LIABILITY (OR ASSET) OR DISCLOSURE IN THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS. CNJ'S POLICY IS TO RECOGNIZE INTEREST RELATED TO TAX MATTERS IN INTEREST EXPENSE AND PENALTIES IN OPERATING EXPENSES. EUROPE 0 1 PROGRAM SERVICE BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT - OUTREACH 500134 SOUTH ASIA 0 1 PROGRAM SERVICE BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT - OUTREACH 330733 MIDDLE EAST AND NORTH AFRICA 0 1 PROGRAM SERVICE BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT - OUTREACH 230669 EAST ASIA AND THE PACIFIC 0 1 PROGRAM SERVICE BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT - OUTREACH 443723 0 4 0 0 0 4 1505259 0 1505259 0 0 0 0 0 0 FOREIGN ACTIVITIES CHOOSE NEW JERSEY HIRES INDEPENDENT CONSULTANTS TO SUPPLEMENT OUR BUSINESS ATTRACTION ACTIVITIES IN TARGET MARKETS IN ORDER TO SUPPORT OUR MISSION. ACTIVITIES INCLUDE INDUSTRY OUTREACH AND ENGAGEMENT, TRADE SHOW PARTICIPATION, TRADE MISSION SUPPORT (IF REQUIRED), AND IN-REGION MARKET RESEARCH. X 1 1 X X X X 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 WESLEY MATHEWS PRESIDENT AND CEO 329506 0 200000 0 0 0 5885 0 28789 0 564180 0 0 0 JENNIFER LENHARDT CHIEF ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER 174925 0 13000 0 0 0 5504 0 23893 0 217322 0 0 0 WILLIAM NOONAN CHIEF BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT OFFICER 173326 0 10000 0 0 0 5339 0 18477 0 207142 0 0 0 CARLY WRONKO DIRECTOR OF MARKETING 143685 0 12000 0 0 0 4431 0 12659 0 172775 0 0 0 RENA SHERMAN DIRECTOR OF RESEARCH & STRATEGIC PAR 115651 0 7000 0 0 0 3852 0 32417 0 158920 0 0 0 PART I, LINE 1A FIRST CLASS TRAVEL IS ALLOWABLE AS OUTLINED IN OUR EXPENSE POLICY. PART I, LINE 3 THE CEO COMPENSATION WAS ADJUSTED IN 2023. CHOOSE NEW JERSEY HIRED A COMPENSATION CONSULTANT TO REVIEW ALL EMPLOYEES SALARIES (INCLUSIVE OF THE CEO) IN AN EFFORT TO ENSURE THAT WE COMPENSATE OUR EMPLOYEES AT MARKET. THE RESULTS OF THAT STUDY AND THE PROPOSED COMPENSATION CHANGES WERE REVIEWED AND APPROVED BY THE COMPENSATION COMMITTEE AND THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE / AMBASSADORS (VOTING BOARD MEMBERS). THE CEO'S NEW SALARY AND POTENTIAL BONUS ADJUSTMENTS WERE DOCUMENTED IN A LETTER CONTRACT SIGNED IN DECEMBER 2023. PART I, LINE 7 THE HIGHEST COMPENSATED EMPLOYEES RECEIVED BONUSES BASED ON YEARLY PERFORMANCE AND APPROVED BY THE COMPENSATION COMMITTEE (SUB COMMITTEE OF THE BOARD). FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION B, LINE 11B CHOOSE NEW JERSEY EMPLOYS A COLLABORATIVE EFFORT IN PREPARING AND REVIEWING THE 990 FORM. CHOOSE NEW JERSEY EMPLOYS AN EXTERNAL AUDITOR FOR TAX PURPOSES. THAT FIRM IN CONJUCTION WITH THE ACCOUNTING MANAGER PREPARE THE 990 FORM FOR MANAGEMENT REVIEW, AS WELL AS, REVIEW THE FORM WITH THE CHOOSE NEW JERSEY AUDIT COMMITTEE WHO IN TURN WILL PROVIDE IT TO THE CHOOSE NEW JERSEY EXECUTIVE BOD, PRIOR TO IT'S FILING TO THE IRS. THE 990 IS ALSO REVIEWED BY CHOOSE NEW JERSEY'S OUTSIDE LEGAL COUNSEL. FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION B, LINE 12C CHOOSE NEW JERSEY MAINTAINS A CONFLICT OF INTEREST (COI) POLICY THAT IS INCORPORATED INTO BOTH THE EMPLOYEE HANDBOOK AND THE ORGANIZATION'S BY-LAWS. THESE EXIST TO ENSURE THAT CNJ'S HONESTY AND INTEGRITY, AND THEREFORE ITS REPUTATION, IS NOT COMPROMISED. THE FUNDAMENTAL PRINCIPLE GUIDING THIS POLICY IS THAT NO EMPLOYEE OR DIRECTOR (OR THEIR IMMEDIATE FAMILY) SHOULD HAVE OR APPEAR TO HAVE PERSONAL INTERESTS OR RELATIONSHIPS THAT ACTUALLY OR POTENTIALLY CONFLICT WITH THE BEST INTERESTS OF THE COMPANY. IT IS ON THE ONUS OF THE EMPLOYEE OR DIRECTOR (AND/OR THEIR IMMEDIATE FAMILY) TO REPORT ANY ACTUAL OR POTENTIAL CONFLICTS OF INTEREST TO THE CAO OR CEO. COI POLICIES ARE REVIEWED ON A YEARLY BASIS. COIS ARE REVIEWED ON A CASE BY CASE BASIS BY THE CAO AND/OR CEO WITH OVERSIGHT FROM THE FINANCE AUDIT COMMITTEE, IF REQUIRED. FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION B, LINE 15 CHOOSE NEW JERSEY INC.'S EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MET TO REVIEW THE TOTAL COMPENSATION PACKAGE OF INDIVIDUALS WHO THEY BELIEVE WOULD BE CONSIDERED UNDER THE "EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION DISQUALIFIED PERSONS" UNDER THE INTERMEDIATE SANCTION PROVISIONS IN THE INTERNAL REVENUE CODE. AFTER DISCUSSION AND REVIEW, THE COMMITTEE VOTED UNDER UNANIMOUS CONSENT THAT THE PARTIES UNDER REVIEW RECEIVE REASONABLE COMPENSATION FOR THEIR SERVICES. FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION C, LINE 19 CHOOSE NEW JERSEY, INC. WILL MAKE GOVERNANCE DOCUMENTS, GOVERNANCE POLICIES, AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST. FORM 990, PART IX, LINE 11G TEMPORARY EMPLOYMENT SERVICES AND RECRUITING: PROGRAM SERVICE EXPENSES 5,321,663. MANAGEMENT AND GENERAL EXPENSES 120,160. FUNDRAISING EXPENSES 2,969. TOTAL EXPENSES 5,444,792. FORM 990, PART IX, LINE 18 A MAJORITY OF THE GOVERNMENT TRAVEL WAS REIMBURSED BY THE STATE OF NEW JERSEY