The following members of State Street Associates’ organization will facilitate the implementation of the strategy:
Dennis Hart, President & Chief Lobbyist
Mr. Hart. In November of 2016 Dennis Hart became the Executive Director of the Chemistry Council of NJ. In 2013 Dennis Hart began working for the Utility and Transportation Contractors Association of New Jersey. The UTCA represents over 1100 companies involved in the heavy, highway and utility construction business. In his role as Director of Utility Operations he focuses on regulatory and legislative issues impacting public utility construction. Dennis Hart became the Managing Director of the Construction Industry Advancement Program of New Jersey in 2010. The CIAP produced public relations programs for the heavy, highway and utility construction industry. The CIAP also worked to get more minority participation in the construction industry as well as encourage students to pursue careers in the construction trades. Prior to this appointment Dennis was Executive Director of the NJ Environmental Infrastructure Trust. The NJEIT is a state authority which works in partnership with the NJDEP to provide low cost financing for environmental infrastructure projects. During Dennis’ seven years at the NJEIT the program provided over $2.5 Billion in low interest financing for public and private projects. Prior to that, Dennis spent 23 years in various staff and management positions within the NJDEP, including Assistant Commissioner for Environmental Regulation, Administration of the Water Supply Program, the State Drought Coordinator in 2002 and the Director of the Division of Water Quality. Dennis has served on the Board of Directors of the Council of Infrastructure Financing Authorities and the Association of State and Interstate Water Pollution Control Administrators. He has testified before Congress and the NJ Legislature and has appeared on numerous television and radio programs. He serves on education advisory boards at The College of New Jersey, The New Jersey Institute of Technology, Essex County College and Union County College. Dennis has a BS in Biology from Juniata College and an MA in Administration from Rider University and is a 2002 graduate of the Leadership New Jersey Program.
Edward Waters, Vice President
Mr. Waters has more than 20 years' experience working with both the Legislative and Executive branches of New Jersey Government and as a government affairs professional. Ed came to SSA from the 8th Legislative District offices of Senator Martha Bark and Assemblymen Francis Bodine and Larry Chatzidakis, where he served as Legislative Director. In that role he helped craft and implement the 8th District legislative agenda and advised the Senator and the Assemblymen on issues and legislation. Prior to that Ed worked in the Senate Majority Office under Senate Presidents Donald DiFrancesco and John Bennett, where he served as a Deputy Director. Mr. Waters also worked in the Senate Minority Office under Senate Minority Leader Leonard Lance. Ed started his career in state government as Legislative Liaison for the New Jersey Commerce and Economic Growth Commission. Mr. Waters has served in several municipal and county government appointed positions. He is currently the Chairman of the Evesham Township Municipal Utilities Authority and has been a member of the Evesham Township Zoning and Planning Boards. Mr. Waters has also served as a board member for the Burlington County Institute of Technology Board of Education. Outside of government, Ed serves on the Marlton Youth Soccer Committee as their treasurer.
Elvin Montero, Communications/Issues Management
Mr. Montero joined SSA in 2004 and has more than 22 years' experience in public and media relations, social media management, strategic communications, event planning, and advocacy communications. Prior to SSA he was with the National Council of Alcoholism and Drug Dependence – NJ (NCADD-NJ) where he managed their advocacy communications and marketing initiatives and launched a successful re-branding initiative for the organization. He was a member of the International Association of Business Communicators (IABC), and held various leadership positions with the association, including president of the NJ chapter (2009), and chairman of the IABC Heritage Region, which oversees chapters in more than 17 states and the District of Columbia (2010).
Samantha Jones, P.E., Regulatory Affairs
Ms. Jones joined SSA in 2015 after eight years of environmental compliance consulting experience as an environmental engineer with Golder Associates Inc. Ms. Jones has an extensive background working on compliance issues for manufacturing clients in New Jersey while at Golder. Her work focused on Phase I Environmental Site Assessments, Preliminary Assessments, Site Investigations, Remedial Investigations, file reviews, air permitting, pollution prevention and right-to-know, release prevention, and storm water. She has also worked on environmental compliance audits and corrective actions for a metal product manufacturing facility, and a pharmaceutical research and development facility in New Jersey. Samantha has a Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering from the University of Dayton, and a Master of Science in Environmental Engineering from Rowan University. She received her Professional Engineer License from the State of Delaware.
Benedetto A. Graziano, Policy
Ben joined SSA in 2018 after 15 years in politics. Ben began his career in the district office of U.S. Representative Robert E. Andrews, where he handled constituent and veterans' issues. In 2009, Mr. Graziano began working as the director of Legislative Affairs for then-Assemblyman Jack Conners. Mr. Graziano joined the Assembly Majority Office (AMO) in January of 2012 as a policy analyst. During his seven-year tenure at the AMO, Mr. Graziano staffed several important Assembly committees and helped to craft several key legislative initiatives. Mr. Graziano holds a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Mount Saint Mary's College and a Master's in Public Administration from Rutgers University. He was awarded the State of NJ Commendation Medal for his service assisting New Jersey’s National Guard and Veteran community.
M. Paige Berry, Esq., Partner with Princeton based law firm, Saul Ewing L.L.P.
Paige is Of Counsel to State Street Associates. In practice for more than 30 years, she has extensive experience with New Jersey's regulatory insurance industry. Paige lends her extensive legal and political experience to SSA and its clients. She served on the transition teams for former New Jersey Governors Whitman and James E. McGreevey. Ms. Berry serves as counsel to the Chemistry Council of New Jersey.
Eileen Domanico, Office Management and Finances
Mrs. Domanico has more than 25 years' experience working for SSA’S family of companies. Eileen serves as the company’s primary financial manager, handling bookkeeping responsibilities for all accounts for SSA, the Chemistry Council of New Jersey and all trade association clients. Having successfully managed hundreds of events, Mrs. Domanico undertakes primary responsibility for the planning and coordination of all conferences, meetings, and other corporate affairs. Eileen completed New Jersey Election Law Enforcement Commission training programs and ensures company compliance with applicable campaign finance and lobbying reporting rules and regulations. In addition, Eileen manages all office operations, and directs human resources and payroll needs.