Evan Weiss became Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the NJEDA in January 2026. As CEO, Evan works with Governor Mikie Sherrill and Lieutenant Governor Dr. Dale Caldwell, across state government, and with key industry and community partners to accelerate economic opportunity, make New Jersey the home of the world’s most innovative companies, expand access to capital for small and minority-owned businesses, and help ensure that economic growth delivers affordability and opportunity for families across the state.

From 2021 until his move to NJEDA, Evan was President and CEO of the Newark Alliance, a premier private sector-led economic, community, and workforce development organization. He also served as CEO of the Newark Downtown District, one of the nation’s largest Special Improvement Districts, responsible for keeping downtown Newark clean, safe, green, and fun. He was a Member of the Board of Directors of New Jersey Transit, the largest statewide public transit agency in the United States.

Previously, Evan was Senior Advisor for Finance and Major Projects to Governor Phil Murphy. He focused on finding creative solutions to New Jersey’s most pressing economic and community development problems, including managing the fiscal response to COVID-19, establishing New Jersey as the base of the US offshore wind industry, and financing affordable housing, transit, and water infrastructure projects. He was also the administration’s point person for key city initiatives in Newark, Trenton, and Atlantic City. Most recently, he helped craft the legislation to reform the Urban Enterprise Zone program and the $14+ billion suite of Economic Development Authority tax credit programs, as well as lead the Governor’s Office financial review of the Gateway Project, the largest infrastructure project in the United States. 

Before joining the Murphy administration, Evan was Director at the Pennsylvania Economy League and HJA Strategies, where he specialized in developing and implementing turnaround strategies for distressed cities and school districts, including for the City of Newark, Newark Public Schools, Atlantic City, Trenton, and Scranton, PA.

In addition to his role at New Jersey Transit, he was a Member of the Board of New Jersey Community Capital, the largest Community Development Financial Institution in New Jersey, the Newark Workforce Development Board, and a Trustee of New Jersey City University. He has published several articles on economic development, tax policy, and corporate social responsibility. He is a graduate of the University of Chicago.