NJBIZ Conversations

How can businesses cope with unpredictable world events and domestic political upheaval?

OceanFirst Financial CEO Chris Maher provides insight on how events unfolding here and around the world – from the escalating conflict in the Middle East to a heatwave to uncertainty over trade and immigration policies – might affect the economy and how business owners and executives can cope unpredictable world events and domestic political upheaval.

What goes into an award-winning design project?

Gensler's Morristown office is led by Reid Brockmeier and Becky Button. In this edition of NJBIZ Conversations, Brockmeier and Button discuss the design firm's work in and around Morristown, what clients are looking for as the business climate and work environment changes and the characteristics that make cities successful.

SpotitEarly uses dogs' sense of smell to diagnose cancer

Getting screened for cancer is daunting and scary. You know what would make it less daunting and scary? If dogs were involved. At SpotitEarly, a cancer diagnostic startup based in Englewood, dogs are very involved. SpotitEarly uses dogs' remarkable sense of smell to diagnose four common types of cancer: lung, breast, colorectal and prostate. In this edition of NJBIZ Conversations, SpotitEarly CEO Shlomi Madar elaborates on the company's technology and where it goes from here.

What's going on – and up – in Middlesex County?

Some of New Jersey's most significant economic development activity is taking place in Middlesex County, which is practically bursting with new construction that will bring more tech, eds and meds to Central New Jersey. John Pulomena, who has been the county administrator since 2008, sits in the middle of all this work. In this edition of NJBIZ Conversations, Pulomena talks about what's going on in New Brunswick and throughout the county, and how all that development fits together.

Using solar to power portable signs

Flemington-based Sunsign uses the sun to power signs, as the name implies. The company is the brainchild of Cliff Hoinowski, a former CEO at parking management firm CitiPark. That’s where he figured out that portable, solar-powered signs would work well for a variety of businesses.
In this edition of NJBIZ Conversations, Hoinowski describes how he founded the company, the process of designing and building the signs, and where the company goes from here.

Want to break out on your own? This lawyer has some advice.

Sandra Fava gave up a Big Law career to start her own firm. Based in Morristown, Fava Law focuses exclusively on family law matters, including divorce; child custody and support; alimony/spousal support; appellate matters; prenuptial agreements; and domestic violence. Here, Fava talks about what prompted her to set out on her own, the challenges she faced, her advice to others thinking of doing the same sort of thing and what the future might hold for her practice.

Assessing the current strength of the economy

One of the most prominent regional bankers in New Jersey is Ira Robbins, the CEO of Valley Bank. On his watch, the bank has grown from $29 billion in assets to $62 billion. In this edition of NJBIZ Conversations, Robbins assesses the current strength of the economy, the Fed's actions on interest rates and the outlook for Valley and other businesses.

What businesses need to know about AI

Jeff Miller, CEO of Synchronoss Technologies, discusses the company's pivot to a high-level cloud solutions provider, how it employs artificial intelligence, what other businesses need to know about AI and his outlook for the economy over the next 12 months.

2025 outlook for M&A and private equity

Dealmaking activity started strong in 2024, then leveled off. The result was a mediocre year for M&A. Eric Lewandowski, a partner at Sax LLP and leader of the firm’s Transaction Strategy and Transformation Practice, reviews the factors contributing to the 2024 numbers and assesses the outlook for M&A and private equity in 2025.

CSG Law kicks off new year with new leader

CSG Law kicked off the new year with a new leader, as Marie Mathews took over as managing member of the Roseland-based law firm. In this edition of NJBIZ Conversations, Mathews discusses her priorities for the firm, how the legal business has changed over the years and her role in mentoring young attorneys.