Mikie Sherrill was inaugurated on January 20, 2026, as the 57th governor of New Jersey, becoming the state’s first Democratic woman to hold the office, during a ceremony at the New Jersey Performing Arts Center in Newark. She was joined by Dale Caldwell, who was sworn in as lieutenant governor, marking the start of an administration focused on expanding opportunity, …
TrueNorth Insights – January 23, 2026
New Jersey’s 57th governor, Mikie Sherrill, was sworn into office at 12pm on Tuesday January 20, 2026. In the run-up to Inauguration Day, the Governor-elect and her senior team were hard at work assembling a team of professionals and experts to lead various government agencies. This edition of TrueNorth Insights catches you up on the Sherrill Cabinet. We also cover the unprecedented appointment of Kris Kolluri to lead the New Jersey Turnpike Authority while retaining control of NJ TRANSIT.
TrueNorth Insights – December 18, 2025
Seizing on the mandate of a convincing double-digit win, New Jersey Governor-elect Mikie Sherrill quickly announced several key staff appointments and rolled out a three-phased transition process. She also introduced her nominee for Attorney General, Jen Davenport.
Port Authority of New York & New Jersey Executive Director Rick Cotton announced his resignation. His unrivaled tenure is marked by the delivery of generational infrastructure projects and navigation of unprecedented challenges, most notably the COVID-19 pandemic. New York Governor Kathy Hochul announced that Kathryn Garcia would succeed Cotton.
Monmouth County has repurposed material from the recently demolished Rumson-Sea Bright Bridge to construct an artificial reef off New Jersey’s coast, in a fantastic example of conservation and environmental stewardship.
ICYMI: NorthStar co-founders Joe Fiordaliso and Jody Herkloz were named to InsiderNJ’s 2025 Lobby Power List.
TrueNorth – Fall 2025 Edition
In this edition of TrueNorth we update you on the tight race for New Jersey governor. Recent polling has this essentially a margin-of-error race with less than two weeks until Election Day. We also pay homage to T-Mobile’s Jane Builder who retired after a distinguished 25 year career with the wireless giant. Finally, we proudly tout that NorthStar Strategies founders Joe Fiordaliso and Jody Herkloz have been included on InsiderNJ’s 2025 Lobby Power List.
TrueNorth Special Edition – Nominees make Lt. Gov picks
The Republican and Democratic nominees for New Jersey governor announced their running mates, introducing the men vying to be the next lieutenant governor and reinforcing important campaign themes in the process.
Congresswoman Mikie Sherrill (D-Montclair) on Friday formally nominated Dale Caldwell, President of Centenary University, as the Democratic nominee for lieutenant governor. Republican nominee Jack Ciattarelli formally announced Morris County Sheriff Jim Gannon as his running mate on Wednesday at an event in his hometown of Boonton.
Latest Edition of TrueNorth
In this issue of TrueNorth:
* New Jersey’s 2025 Primary Election is underway – we have everything you need to know.
* The New Jersey Turnpike Authority is rolling out universal EV chargers at all of its service areas statewide.
* The Gateway Development Commission released an inspiring video spotlighting the workers charged with bringing to life the most consequential infrastructure program in the nation.
* Our own Gabrielle Liguori inspired students during a career day event.
* The Murphy Administration unveiled a $430M utility bill relief package to benefit ratepayers across New Jersey.
TrueNorth Special Edition – STRIKE!
BLET walked off the job late Thursday nightThe Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineering & Trainmen (BLET) walked away from the negotiating table on Thursday night and its 450 members went on strike at 12:01am Friday. The strike brought to a halt all trains across New Jersey, a move that immediately affects the rail riders who account for a third of NJ …
TrueNorth – Spring 2025 Edition
This edition of TrueNorth covers recent action by the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities in support of Attentive Energy’s offshore wind project. We spotlight the annual Thunder Road golf outing. We update you on contract negotiations between NJ TRANSIT and the BLET. And we plug recent wins by NorthStar’s Public & Community Outreach practice. TrueNorth is a publication of NorthStar Strategies.
NorthStar Strategies grows Outreach Team
NorthStar Strategies, LLC (NorthStar) announced today the addition of Deborah Hirt who joins the firm as a Community Engagement Representative and will support NorthStar’s Public & Community Outreach practice.
NorthStar is a highly sought teaming partner on infrastructure projects that include a community outreach scope of work. The firm boasts a Key Personnel resume that consistently scores 100%. NorthStar Strategies is a prequalified and cost-basis approved sub-consultant; the firm is also a Small Business Enterprise (SBE) registered with the State of New Jersey.
Fiordaliso statement on Kolluri resignation
(TRENTON) NorthStar Strategies co-founder and CEO Joe Fiordaliso released the following statement in response to the resignation of Gateway Development Commission (GDC) CEO Kris Kolluri: “Kris Kolluri has served as CEO of the GDC for exactly two years. In that short period of time he has not only built out the organization from scratch, he has taken all the necessary steps …