Harry S. Pozycki, Esq.
(Board Chair) Founder & Chairman, The Citizens Campaign, recognized leader in local government law, public policy, and civic innovation
Harry Pozycki is the founder and Chairman of the Board of Trustees of The Citizens Campaign. Mr. Pozycki is an acclaimed leader in law, public policy, government and citizen rights. Among his varied and diverse activities, he founded and managed a law firm specializing in planning and environmental law, was instrumental in drafting and advancing legislation expanding citizens’ rights, authored Citizen Power, a practical primer for citizens to participate in government beyond the ballot, and designed a new model for civics education. He is a graduate of Brown University and holds a law degree from Fordham Law School.
James E. Johnson, Esq.
(Board Vice-Chair) Corporation Counsel, New York City Law Department, Formerly Of Counsel, Debevoise & Plimpton LLP & Special Counsel to Governor Phil Murphy for Atlantic City; former Under Secretary of US Treasury Department
Jim Johnson is Corporation Counsel in the New York City Law Department. He was formerly Of Counsel at the law firm of Debevoise & Plimpton LLP. As an attorney, he specializes in litigation and has represented international corporations and the United States government, as well as having represented clients in notable pro bono cases. Mr. Johnson has a distinguished history of public service. He has served as Special Counsel to New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy for Atlantic City. He was the Under Secretary of the United States Department of the Treasury and in that capacity oversaw the work of 29,000 employees with a combined budget of $4.6 billion. Mr. Johnson is a graduate of Harvard University and Harvard Law School.
Maria Vizcarrondo
(Board Treasurer) President & CEO, Council of New Jersey Grantmakers; distinguished long term service in appointed and elected offices in New Jersey; first Director, Department of Human and Family Services under Mayor Cory Booker in Newark.
Ms. Vizcarrondo has more than 25 years of experience working in the social service and educational fields. She has provided valuable leadership in transforming service organizations and has served her communities in both appointed and elected official capacities. Ms. Vizcarrondo was Director of Community Development and External Relations at Cabrini College in Pennsylvania and the first Director of Mayor Cory Booker’s newly established department of Human and Family Services in the city of Newark, New Jersey. In her career, she has also served as President and CEO of the United Way of Essex and West Hudson, making her the first woman to head a Metro I United Way raising 10 million dollars or more in New Jersey.
Joan Verplanck
(Board Secretary) President, Profit by Association LLC, entrepreneur and consultant; past President of the New Jersey and Delaware State Chambers of Commerce
Joan Verplanck is an entrepreneur and consultant. At the present time, she serves as Development Director for Susan G. Komen North Jersey, charged with raising funds for this breast cancer research organization. She is a past President of the New Jersey Chamber of Commerce and the Delaware State Chamber of Commerce. As the New Jersey Chamber’s first female president, Joan represented the business community on a wide range of critical issues. She is recognized as an influential leader in business, politics and women’s affairs and is the recipient of numerous honors and awards.
David Wilkinson, Esq.
Executive Director, Tobin Center for Economic Policy at Yale University
David Wilkinson is the founding Executive Director for the Tobin Center for Economic Policy at Yale University. He is a former senior Obama White House official with oversight over the National Commission on Military, National and Public Service. He was also the official responsible for leading cross-sector efforts to identify and scale better, more effective social solutions. President Obama created the office to “find what works, and make it work for more people.” Mr. Wilkinson has also served two Connecticut Governors in cabinet-level roles. Mr. Wilkinson has won national recognition for advancing innovations in government, which have won broad, bipartisan support. He is a graduate of the University of Virginia and Yale University Law School.
John Allen, Esq.
Chief of Staff, Mayor Ravi Bhalla, Hoboken, NJ.
John Allen is well-versed in civic service. After completing The Citizen Campaign’s leadership training, he was elected in his senior year of high school to his hometown’s Board of Education and then was elected by its members to be president of the board. As an attorney, he represented public schools throughout the State of New Jersey. He has a strong interest in advancing the rights of individuals with disabilities and serves as a director on the board of Easterseals New Jersey. He is a graduate of Rutgers University and Rutgers-Newark Law School.
Enrique Alonso
Principal, SJP Properties, Inc., New York City; formerly a Director for the National Basketball Association in Latin America; and a Case Team Leader at Bain & Company.
Enrique has an extensive background and top skills in the real estate field, strategic consulting, business strategy and corporate development. At SJP, Enrique is charged with managing the company’s Family Office, where he seeks out socially conscious investment and philanthropic opportunities. Previously, Enrique was a Director for the National Basketball Association in Latin America and a Case Team Leader at Bain & Company, a global management consulting firm. Enrique has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science and Economics from Amherst College and an MBA from Stanford University Graduate School of Business.
Dennis Bone
Retired President, Verizon, NJ; Director, Feliciano Center for Entrepreneurship, Montclair State University
Dennis Bone was President and CEO at Verizon New Jersey Inc. for over a dozen years and in this role helped guide Verizon through unprecedented advances in telecommunications technologies. Upon retirement, Mr. Bone was asked to become the inaugural director of the Feliciano Center for Entrepreneurship at Montclair State University. Mr. Bone is recognized statewide as an influential leader in economic and business development serving on various public and private boards and commissions, and under several administrations.
Matthew Boxer, Esq.
Chair, Corporate Investigations and Integrity Practice, Lowenstein Sandler LLP; served as New Jersey’s first independent State Comptroller.
As Chair of Lowenstein Sandler’s Corporate Investigations and Integrity practice, Matt Boxer applies his public service experience in representing private clients in government and internal investigations. Mr. Boxer is widely recognized for his impressive track record of leading fair and effective government investigations while serving as New Jersey’s first independent State Comptroller.
Dr. Michael Delli Carpini
Retired, Dean, Annenberg School for Communications at the University of Pennsylvania; scholar of American politics and book author; former Director, Pew Charitable Trusts
Dr. Michael Delli Carpini recently retired as Dean of The Annenberg School for Communications at the University of Pennsylvania. He has a notable career having served as Director of the Public Policy Program for the Pew Charitable Trusts and as a faculty member at Columbia University, Barnard College and Rutgers University. Dr. Delli Carpini is an acclaimed scholar of American politics, public opinion research and mass media and the author of several books.
Dr. C. Roy Epps
President, Civic League of Greater New Brunswick; former President, New Brunswick School Board
Dr. C. Roy Epps is a recognized civic leader in New Jersey, playing a significant role in the move to establish every municipality’s obligation to supply affordable housing through the landmark New Jersey Supreme Court Mount Laurel decision. He sits on numerous councils and boards and has acted on a lifelong commitment to improving the civic, economic and social well-being of New Brunswick City stakeholders.
The Honorable Douglas R. Forrester
Chairman & CEO, Integrity Health; public service as an Assistant State Treasurer, as his hometown mayor, and as a Republican nominee for US Senate and NJ Governor.
Douglas R. Forrester is the Chairman & CEO of Integrity Health, a health benefits management company. Mr. Forrester has had a distinguished record of public service. He served as Assistant State Treasurer under New Jersey Governor Tom Kean, as mayor of his home town of West Windsor, NJ, and as the Republican nominee in New Jersey for United States Senator in 2002 and Governor in 2005. Mr. Forrester is a graduate of Harvard University and holds a M.Div. in Theology and Politics from Princeton Seminary.
Pamela Scott-Johnson, Ph.D.
Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs, Spelman College; former provost, Monmouth University; former Dean, California State University; former psychology Department Chair & Interim Dean, Morgan State University
Robert “Taj” Moore
Director, Cybersecurity Group, The Aspen Institute
Marnie McKoy, Ed.D.
Lecturer, Kean University; Former Assistant Superintendent, New Brunswick Public Schools
Verdis Robinson
Community College Civic Consultant & Public Historian; Kettering Foundation Associate
Verdis Robinson is a professor, scholar, author, lecturer, pastor and voice performer. His research and scholarship focus on American history and democracy with a specialty in African-American Studies. Mr. Robinson has worked with national organizations including Campus Compact and The Democracy Commitment to advance civic education and student engagement in America’s colleges. Mr. Robinson is committed to sharing his rich background and deep knowledge of US history with community college students in urban, underserved areas across the nation. Mr. Robinson has a B.S. in History, cum laude and an M.A. from SUNY College at Brockport, and a Master’s in African-American Studies from SUNY at Buffalo.
Curtis Tao, Esq.
Managing Director & Associate General Counsel, Citigroup, Inc., expert in regulatory banking and securities law; clerked in the Seventh Circuit, Federal Court of Appeals and for former Chief Justice of the New Jersey Supreme Court.
Curtis Tao is Managing Director and Associate General Counsel for Citigroup, Inc. in New York City. He is an expert in regulatory banking and securities law. He is a graduate of Rutgers University and Rutgers Law School. Mr. Tao clerked in the Seventh Circuit of the Federal Court of Appeals and for the Honorable Deborah T. Poritz, Chief Justice of the New Jersey Supreme Court.
Dr. Joseph Youngblood, II
Senior Vice President for External Affairs at Kean University; Policy Advisor to the New Jersey Urban Mayors Association.
Dr. Joseph Youngblood is the Senior Vice President for External Affairs at Kean University. Dr. Youngblood’s career has long involved work in public education, law, and public policy, including serving as Policy Advisor to the New Jersey Urban Mayors Association. Dr. Youngblood earned his Ph.D. from the University of Pennsylvania, and as a recipient of the Rockefeller Foundation’s Next Generation Leadership Fellowship, completed a two-year study of American and international themes in democracy.
Lillian Borrone
Retired Assistant Executive Director, Port Authority of New York and New Jersey; US Commission on Ocean Policy under President George Bush
Melvin Forbes
President and CEO, Forbes Consulting, Inc.; Chairman, The U.S. Army Advisory Board
Tara Mullins
Executive Vice President, Ogilvy
Charles Clarkson, Esq.
Board Counsel
Charles Clarkson serves as Counsel to the Board of Trustees of The Citizens Campaign. Mr. Clarkson brings a wealth of experience to his role as Corporate Counsel having served as Vice President, Deputy Counsel and Corporate Secretary of TLC Beatrice International Holdings, Inc., a multi-billion-dollar, international food company. In private practice, Mr. Clarkson specialized in representing minority-owned businesses in transactions with government agencies and commercial lending institutions. Since his retirement from Beatrice, Mr. Clarkson has been the Project Director of the Senior Medicare Patrol of New Jersey, a national program of the federal government with a goal of educating Medicare recipients to become better healthcare consumers.
Rev. Deforest B. Soaries, Jr.
(Trustee Emeritus) Senior Pastor, First Baptist Church of Lincoln Gardens; public service as New Jersey Secretary of State and was appointed by President Bush to Chair the United States Election Commission.
Reverend DeForest “Buster” Soaries, Jr. is a Baptist minister, former state government leader, author and public advocate. He has been the senior pastor of the First Baptist Church of Lincoln Gardens since 1990 and is a proponent and successful advocate of faith-based community development. Rev. Soaries served as Secretary of State of New Jersey under then-Governor Christine Todd Whitman and is a former chairman of the United States Election Commission.
Michel Marks
(Trustee Emeritus) New York Mercantile Exchange
As Chairman of the New York Mercantile Exchange, the Exchange grew from modest size to the fourth largest Mercantile Exchange in the world.