JCI New Jersey, formerly known as the New Jersey Jaycees and as the Junior Chamber of Commerce - New Jersey, is a 501(c)(4) nonprofit leadership organization dedicated to providing opportunities for young people aged 18 to 40 to create lasting, positive change in their communities and around the world.
Through leadership development, community service, and personal growth, we empower young active citizens to lead with purpose and impact.
JCI New Jersey is the state-level organization operating within the structure of Junior Chamber International and is aligned with the following entities, presented by year of establishment:
Our Jurisdiction & Affiliation
1915 – JCI USA (Junior Chamber International USA),
Founded in the United States of America, JCI USA is the original organization from which the Junior Chamber movement began. It laid the foundation for leadership development and civic engagement, and later played a key role in the global expansion of the organization.
1944 – JCI (Junior Chamber International),
Officially established in Mexico City in 1944 by delegates from eight countries, JCI is the global nonprofit organization that unites young active citizens worldwide. JCI provides a platform for leadership development, international cooperation, and sustainable community impact.
1945 –JCI New Jersey,
Founded in 1945, JCI New Jersey—formerly known as the Junior Chamber of Commerce (New Jersey) and the New Jersey Jaycees—serves as the state-level organization supporting local chapters throughout New Jersey.
Through these affiliations, JCI New Jersey remains connected to a rich legacy of leadership, service, and global citizenship while advancing its mission at the local level.
Below is the structure of Junior Chamber Internationalpresented by its way of jurisdiction:
Guided by the Jaycee Creed, JCI New Jersey fosters a spirit of active citizenship and service to humanity. We provide young leaders with opportunities to develop their skills, collaborate with like-minded individuals, and make a meaningful impact in their communities and beyond.
JCI New Jersey has a rich history of leadership and service.
At its peak, the organization boasted 134 chapters.
The state organization has been instrumental in hosting national conventions and producing outstanding leaders who have contributed significantly to the organization's mission.
After a period of dormancy, JCI New Jersey was revitalized in 2016, by Ria Serrano and has since been active in organizing community projects, leadership training, and networking opportunities for young individuals across the state.
The state organization also produced national leaderships
National President in 1964, James Skidmore.
National Vice President in 2017, Ria Serrano
National Vice President in 2020, Joyce Andes-David
Candidate for National Vice President in 2021, Stevenson Van Derodar
Watch this short clip to learn more about how JCI began and how its mission continues to inspire young leaders today.
JCI New Jersey comprises several local chapters, each dedicated to serving their communities.
The recognized chapter currently operating is JCI North Jersey, which is dedicated to empowering young active citizens to create positive change through leadership development. Through thoughtfully designed programs and initiatives, the chapter provides opportunities for members and community participants to grow, contribute meaningfully, and work toward achieving their personal and collective potential.
Interested to create your own chapter? Message us at jcinewjersey@gmail.com
In 2021, JCI New Jersey celebrated the centennial of JCI USA with the "JCI 100 in New Jersey: A Celebration of the Century Gala." The event honored the organization's history and contributions to the development of young leaders and reaffirmed its commitment to creating positive change in communities.
Whether you're a young professional looking to develop your leadership skills, a community member seeking to make a difference, or someone interested in joining a network of passionate individuals, JCI New Jersey offers a platform for growth and service. To learn more about our programs, events, and membership opportunities, visit our official website or contact your local chapter.
Join us in our mission to empower young leaders and create positive change in New Jersey and beyond.
Welcome Message from the President
Majay Sianoya, President, JCI New Jersey
Welcome to JCI New Jersey!
It is both an honor and a privilege to serve as the President of JCI New Jersey, a dynamic state organization committed to empowering young leaders to create meaningful change in their communities and in themselves.
As part of Junior Chamber International (JCI), a global network of young active citizens, JCI New Jersey provides a platform for individuals aged 18 to 40 to develop their leadership skills, engage in impactful community service, and build lifelong connections. Our legacy is built on service, action, and a shared belief in creating a better future—together.
This year, we are focused on strengthening our local chapters, launching innovative community projects, and expanding opportunities for professional and personal growth. Whether you're a returning member or just discovering JCI for the first time, I invite you to be part of this vibrant movement.
Explore. Get involved. Lead with purpose.
Thank you for visiting, and we look forward to welcoming you into our JCI New Jersey family.
With appreciation,
Majay Sianoya
President, JCI New Jersey
JCI New Jersey/ NJ Jaycees
Past Presidents
Year (Anniv Yr) (Pres Name) - (Chapter)
DECADE 1
1946-47 (1) Pres#01 James R. Kennedy (Newark)
1947-48 (2) Pres#02 Phillips S. Carter (Newark)
1948-49 (3) Pres#03 Robert S. Vaughn (Newark)
1949-50 (4) Pres#04 Conrad Shadlen (Bayonne)
1950-51 (5) Pres#05 Robert Crane (East Union County)
1951-52 (6) Pres#06 George Kavner (Paterson)
1952-53 (7) Pres#07 William Dickey (Camden)
1953-54 (8) Pres#08 Martin Pagliughi (Vineland)
1954-55 (9) Pres#09 Don Quackenbush (Fairlawn)*
1955-56 (10) Pres#10 George Pagonis (Paterson)
DECADE 2
1956-57 (11) Wiliam Faherty (Trenton)*
1957-58 (12) Irving Fenner (Plainfield)
1958-59 (13) Thomas Sperry (Plainfield)
1959-60 (14) Leonard Newton (Princeton)
1960-61 (15) Harold Scherer (Plainfield)
1961-62 (16) Robert Watson (Cranford)
1962-63 (17) Jerome Burke (East Orange)
1963-64 (18) James Skidmore (Brick Township)
1964-65 (19) N Tilt Kurtz (Newton)
1965-66 (20) Emanuel Greber (Camden)
DECADE 3
1966-67 (21) Henry Shyne (Middletown)
1967-68 (22) Thomas Button (Newark)
1968-69 (23) Dennis O’Shea (Edison)
1969-70 (24) Jerry Nowicki (Bayonne)
1970-71 (25) Richard Miele (Camden)
1971-72 (26) James Jeffries (Ocean Township)
1972-73 (27) Jeff Stanley (Somerville)*
1973-74 (28) Richard Indiveri (Haddon Heights)*
1974-75 (29) Frank McDonough (Ocean Township)
1975-76 (30) Walter Smith (Nutley)
DECADE 4
1976-77 (31) Glenn Koegel (Woodbridge)
1977-78 (32) John Marinelli (Willingboro)
1978-79 (33) J. Shelby Wells (Hopatcong)
1979-80 (34) Robert F. Mack (CHO)
1980-81 (35) William K. Herman (Metuchen)
1981-82 (36) William Kievit (Dumont)
1982-83 (37) Hector E. Rivera (Hawthorne)
1983-84 (38) Larry Trelease (Edison)
1984-85 (39) Robert B. Whitestone (Randolph)
1985-86 (40) Robert Demitchek (Jackson)
DECADE 5
1986-87 (41) Robert K. Fisher (Landis)
1987-88 (42) James Sandham Jr. (Lincoln Park)
JCI New Jersey/ NJ Jaycees
Past Presidents
Year (Anniv Yr) (Pres Sequence) -(Name) - (Chapter)
1988-89 (43) Pres#43 Donald E. DeHart (Dover) *
1989-90 (44) Pres#44 John Baun (Absecon/Galloway)*
1990-91 (45) Pres#45 William E. Bergeron (Mount Olive)
1991-92 (46) Pres#46 Terry Seeley (CHO)
1992-93 (47) Pres#47 Alisa Hodowanec(Passaic Valley)
1993-94 (48) Pres#48 June Heyer (Phillipsburg)
1994-95 (49) Pres#49 Anthony Gianduso (Passaic Valley)
1995-96 (50) Pres#50 Linda Baun (Absecon/Galloway)
DECADE 6
1996-97 (51) Pres#51 Kathy Sawka (Toms River)
1997-98 (52) Pres#52 Kathy Sandham (Lincoln Park)
1998 (53) Pres#53 Marty Theresa (Wanaque)
1999 (54) Pres#54 Joe Fodor (Lakewood)
2000 (55) Pres#55 Karyn Mueller (Lincoln Park)
2001 (56) Pres#56 Joe Sabina (Lincoln Park)
2002 (57) Pres#57 Jeff Faubert (Lincoln Park)
2003 (58) Pres#58 Anthony Gianduso (Lincoln Park)
2004 (59) Pres#59 Missy Southerland (North Brunswick) (Resigned)
2004 Pres#60 Anthony Gianduso (Lincoln Park)(Acting)
2005 (60) Pres#61 Jane Amend (Lincoln Park)
2006 (61) Pres#61 Jane Amend (Lincoln Park)
DECADE 7
2007 (62) Pres#62 Joel Loder
2008 (63) Pres#63 Eldridge Hawkins (Essex-Orange)
2009 (64) Pres#63 Eldridge Hawkins (Essex-Orange)
2010 (65) Pres#64 Dana Palma (Camden-Gloucester)
2011 (66)
2012 (67)
2013 (68)
2014 (69)
2015 (70)
2016 (70) Pres#65 Ria Serrano (North Jersey)
DECADE 8
2017 (71) Pres#66 Joyce Andes-David (North Jersey)
2018 (72) Pres#67 Maricar Taino (Philippine-American NJ)
2019 (73) Pres#68 Maria Nucum (Philippine-American NJ)
2020 (74) Pres#69 Shari May Guirao (North Jersey) (Resigned)
2020 (74) Pres#70 Stevenson Van Derodar (North Jersey) (Elected)
2021 (75) Pres#70 Stevenson Van Derodar (North Jersey)
2022 (76) Pres#71 Angel Ram (North Jersey)
2023 (77) Pres#72 Shari May Guirao (North Jersey)
2024 (78) Pres#73 Majay Sianoya (North Jersey)
2025 (79) Pres#73 Majay Sianoya (North Jersey)
2026 (80)
Click our "In Memoriam" Page as we honor all our Past NJ JCI Presidents and Members who have gone before us.
More Information about the initial work done by the New Jersey JCI State Presidents were archived by Newspapers.com. Click here to learn more. https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/1085388764/
We thank our local community for supporting us with our initiatives.
PACCAL for our office space for the year.
JCI New Jersey
Email jcinewjersey@gmail.com
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