Caren S Franzini

Ms. Franzini has served as Chief Executive Officer of the New Jersey Economic Development Authority (EDA) since January 1994. The EDA is a state agency that serves as New Jersey's "bank for business" by financing small- and mid-sized businesses, administering tax incentives to retain and grow jobs, revitalizing communities through redevelopment initiatives, and supporting entrepreneurial development by providing access to training and mentoring programs. She joined the Authority in March 1991 as Deputy Director. Ms. Franzini currently serves as Chair of the state's Urban Enterprise Zone Authority, Vice Chair of the New Jersey Schools Development Authority, and President of the Corporation for Business Assistance in New Jersey. She is also a member of the Board of Directors and is the past president of the National Council of Development Finance Agencies and sits on the boards of the New Jersey Technology Council, the New Jersey Chapter of the National Association of Industrial and Office Properties (NAIOP), the New Jersey Alliance for Action, Inc., the Chamber of Commerce Southern New Jersey, the Southern New Jersey Development Council, and the Aviation Research Technology Park. She was most recently appointed as a Member of the State Planning Commission. Ms. Franzini has been widely recognized for her contributions to business growth and economic development in the state. She is a past recipient of the New Jersey Chapter of NAIOP's Industry Service Award, the New Jersey Technology Council's John H. Martinson Technology Supporter Award, the New Jersey Business & Industry Association's Paul L. Troast Award for her commitment to improving the state's economy, and the Wharton Club of New York's Joseph Wharton Award for Social Impact. She has also been honored with the Pinnacle Business Advocate Award for the Chamber of Commerce Southern New Jersey and the Distinguished Achievement Award from the Southern New Jersey Development Council. She was inducted into the New Jersey High Tech Hall of Fame in 2006 for her many contributions to the state's technology industry. Prior to joining the Authority, Ms. Franzini was an Assistant State Treasurer with the New Jersey Department of the Treasury. Before that, she was employed in the Finance Division of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey and with Public Financial Management. Ms. Franzini holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Urban Studies from the University of Pennsylvania and a Master of Business Administration degree from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania.