Four regional leaders have been named to new roles within the advisory board for the Senator Walter Rand Institute for Public Affairs at Rutgers University–Camden.

Michael Egenton, executive vice president of government relations for the New Jersey State Chamber of Commerce, has been elected as board chair, and Amy Osborn, vice president and regional leader of private banking for Republic Bank, now serves as vice chair.

Newly appointed to the Rand Institute board are Michael Chait, president of the Greater Atlantic City Chamber of Commerce, and New Jersey State Senator Troy Singleton, who represents the state’s Seventh Legislative District.

They participate in a 26-member board consisting of leaders from a diverse range of sectors sharing a commitment to advancing southern New Jersey through the research conducted at the Rutgers University–Camden policy center.

“It’s important for South Jersey to think and act regionally if we hope to balance our competing desires for equitable growth with the preservation of the quality of life that makes South Jersey such an attractive place to live,” says Darren Spielman, executive director of the Rand Institute at Rutgers–Camden. “These individuals are committed to the Rand Institute’s mission to leverage Rutgers–Camden research expertise in order to bring together citizens and policymakers on behalf of South Jersey’s citizens.”

Egenton is the executive vice president of government relations for the New Jersey State Chamber of Commerce. In this role, he has represented the business community for the past 27 years on legislative and regulatory matters and lobbies for good policy on critical issues affecting the environment, transportation, energy, labor, and local government. Egenton also serves on the NJDEP’s New Jersey Clean Air Council and has extensive experience in analyzing environmental statutes, rules, and regulations that impact New Jersey businesses. He resides in Voorhees Township.

Osborn is a vice president at Republic Bank, where she manages and provides banking concierge-level services for high net-worth customers. She also serves on the boards of the Southern New Jersey Development Council and the Patriot Fund and is active with the Multiple Sclerosis Association of America. She has worked at the New Jersey Department of Military and Veterans Affairs. Osborn was appointed to the Selective Service Board by former New Jersey Governor Jon Corzine and was selected as a delegate to Turkey by the American Council of Young Political Leaders. She has been a voice for veterans for more than 30 years and served on President George W. Bush’s Hire Vets First Committee. She is a former Miss New Jersey and resides in Cherry Hill.

Chait serves as president of the Greater Atlantic City Chamber of Commerce. An Atlantic City native, he leads efforts to represent the interests of businesses in Atlantic County. He has been instrumental in expanding the Atlantic City Airshow into a popular annual destination that features aerial demonstrations by military and civilian performers. He previously served as the assistant marketing director for the City of Cape May and the corporate sponsorships manager for Atlantic City’s Boardwalk Hall.

Singleton represents the state’s Seventh Legislative District in the New Jersey Senate, where he chairs the Community and Urban Affairs Committee, serves as vice chair of the Economic Growth Committee, and is a member of the Budget and Appropriations and Judiciary Committees. Singleton was first elected to the legislature in 2011, where he previously served as a member of the New Jersey Assembly. During his time in the legislature, his primary focus has been on job creation, economic development, and expanding educational opportunities. Singleton is currently the president of Castle Edge Insurance Agency, a subsidiary of Realogy Inc.

The Senator Walter Rand Institute for Public Affairs at Rutgers University–Camden addresses public policy issues impacting southern New Jersey through applied research, community engagement, and organizational development. Visit rand.camden.rutgers.edu for more information.

Original Article