Gary Dahms, P.E., president, CEO and chairman of T&M Associates, the consulting, engineering, environmental, and technical services firm, has been elected chairman of the New Jersey Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors. The move was confirmed by the Chamber Board on June 6. Dahms will serve a two-year term.
Dahms has been serving as the New Jersey Chamber of Commerce's first vice chair for the past two years. He has been a member of the Chamber's Board of Directors since 2011.
“I’m proud to have served as a New Jersey Chamber of Commerce Board member over the past 12 years, working alongside some of the best and brightest business leaders in the Garden State,” Dahms said. “I am honored to take on the role of Chairman, and I look forward to expanding our DEI initiatives while cooperating with businesses and higher education institutions to address our labor shortage. Working together, the New Jersey Chamber of Commerce and its members will lead the way in preparing New Jersey for its next phase of economic growth.”
Dahms succeeds Jim Fakult, president of Jersey Central Power & Light.
“Throughout the onset and peak of a pandemic that challenged us in ways we never could have imagined, our business community showed incredible resilience, and I applaud Jim Fakult’s exceptional board leadership during this time,” Dahms said.
Dahms has been with T&M Associates for 37 years (11 years as its chief executive) and has spearheaded the firm’s evolution from a New Jersey municipal engineering firm into a national, multi-disciplined consulting company with 350 employees across the country.
ROI-NJ newspaper named Dahms to its New Jersey Power list and its Real Estate Influencer list, which feature business leaders who are influencing New Jersey’s future.
Dahms also sits on the Board of Directors for the New Jersey Alliance for Action; serves as vice president and trustee at HabCore; and sits on the Board of Trustees for the New Jersey Institute of Technology.
“We are extremely fortunate to have Gary’s leadership at this crucial time,” said Thomas A. Bracken, president and CEO of the N.J. Chamber of Commerce. “Gary has long been a powerful supporter of the New Jersey Chamber of Commerce, the business community and the state of New Jersey. Gary’s experience and dedication will serve the Chamber and New Jersey well.”
Board Confirmed Slate of Officers
In addition to Dahms, the board confirmed the slate of officers for the 2023-2025 term. First Vice Chair is Gil Medina, executive vice president, CBRE; Second Vice Chair is Lisa Chowansky, president, HC Constructors; Treasurer is Walter J. Brasch, chief success officer, Prager Metis; Secretary is Ted Zangari, chair, redevelopment law & public policy practice group, Sills Cummis & Gross; Immediate Past Chair is Jim Fakult, president, Jersey Central Power & Light.
Board Confirmed New Executive Committee Members
The Board confirmed additions to the Board’s Executive Committee for the 2023-2025 term. They are Samuel Donelson, senior vice president, AECOM; Mike Reagan, senior vice president, consulting services, CGI; and Diane Wasser, partner-in-charge, New Jersey, EisnerAmper.
New Board Members
Incoming board members are Erica Drozd, vice president of financial planning & analysis and management reporting, Quest Diagnostics; Mark McDonough, president, New Jersey American Water; and Brian McEvily, managing director & market executive, JPMorgan Chase.