DEVELOPING LEADERS IN A CHANGING WORLD

2025 SLOGAN

OUR MISSION

JCI New Jersey, also known as the New Jersey Jaycees, is the state-level organization of the United States Junior Chamber (JCI USA), a global nonprofit dedicated to empowering young active citizens aged 18 to 40 to create positive change through leadership development, community service, and personal growth.

🌟 Our Mission

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.

🏛️ Our History

JCI New Jersey has a rich history of leadership and service. At its peak, the organization boasted 134 chapters and produced a National President in 1964, James Skidmore. 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 2015 and has since been active in organizing community projects, leadership training, and networking opportunities for young individuals across the state.

🤝 Our Chapters

JCI New Jersey comprises several local chapters, each dedicated to serving their communities.

The current legitimate chapter is JCI North Jersey, which focuses on empowering young active citizens to create positive change through leadership development. Their programs and activities are designed to help community members reach their goals and fulfill their potential.

🎉 Centennial Celebration

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.

🔗 Get Involved

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.

2016 BOARD MEMBERS

PRESIDENT RIA SERRANOCHAIRMAN (ACTING) DANA PALMATREASURER SECRETARY (OPEN)EXEC VP (OPEN)VP (INTERNAL) VP (EXTERNAL)
DIRECTORS:PRESIDENT, NORTH JERSEY - JOYCE ANDES-DAVID
PRESIDENT, NUTLEY - No Elected President
PRESIDENT, GREATER ATLANTIC CITY -
PRESIDENT, PHIL AM NJ JAYCEES - MARICAR TAINO

Welcome Message from the President
Ria Serrano, President, JCI New Jersey

Welcome to JCI New Jersey—and welcome to our Renaissance Year.

It is both an honor and a privilege to serve as President of JCI New Jersey at such a defining moment in our organization’s journey. This year represents a rebirth—a new life for our state organization—grounded in reflection, renewed purpose, and an unwavering belief in the power of young active citizens to lead meaningful change.

As part of Junior Chamber International (JCI), a global network of leaders and changemakers, JCI New Jersey continues its commitment to empowering individuals ages 18 to 40 to grow as leaders, serve their communities, and engage with the world beyond their borders. The Jaycees offer more than programs and projects; we offer opportunities for personal growth, professional development, community impact, and global citizenship.

This Renaissance Year is guided by a clear vision: that every individual may hear about the Jaycees and the opportunities it brings—not only to themselves, but to their communities and to global society. While we acknowledge that there were years marked by challenges and personal struggles, we also recognize that growth is born when we choose to see the positive amidst adversity. From those lessons, we rise stronger, wiser, and more united.

I extend my deepest gratitude to our predecessors and past leaders who carried the torch forward, even in difficult seasons. Because of their dedication, perseverance, and service, the light of JCI never went out—it continued to illuminate the path for others to find purpose, leadership, and hope.

This year, we recommit ourselves to strengthening our local chapters, reigniting member engagement, launching innovative community initiatives, and creating inclusive spaces for leadership development. Whether you are a returning Jaycee, a past member rediscovering your passion, or someone just learning about JCI for the first time, you are invited to be part of this renewed movement.

Let us explore boldly, serve faithfully, and lead with purpose as we write this next chapter together.

Thank you for being here. We look forward to welcoming you into the JCI New Jersey family and building a brighter future—together.

With appreciation,
Ria Serrano
President, JCI New Jersey

JCI New Jersey/ NJ Jaycees
Past Presidents

Year (Anniv Yr) (Pres Name) - (Chapter)

DECADE 1

1946-47 (1) James R. Kennedy (Newark)

1947-48 (2) Phillips S. Carter (Newark)

1948-49 (3) Robert S. Vaughn (Newark)

1949-50 (4) Conrad Shadlen (Bayonne)

1950-51 (5) Robert Crane (East Union County)

1951-52 (6) George Kavner (Paterson)

1952-53 (7) William Dickey (Camden)

1953-54 (8) Martin Pagliughi (Vineland)

1954-55 (9) Don Quackenbush (Fairlawn)

1955-56 (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) Donald E. DeHart (Dover) *

1989-90 (44) John Baun (Absecon/Galloway)

1990-91 (45) William E. Bergeron (Mount Olive)

1991-92 (46) Terry Seeley (CHO)

1992-93 (47) Alisa Hodowanec (Passaic Valley)

1993-94 (48) June Heyer (Phillipsburg)

1994-95 (49) Anthony Gianduso (Passaic Valley)

1995-96 (50) Linda Baun (Absecon/Galloway)

DECADE 6

1996-97 (51) Kathy Sawka (Toms River)

1997-98 (52) Kathy Sandham (Lincoln Park)

1998 (53) Marty Theresa (Wanaque)

1999 (54) Joe Fodor (Lakewood)

2000 (55) Karyn Mueller (Lincoln Park)

2001 (56) Joe Sabina (Lincoln Park)

2002 (57) Jeff Faubert (Lincoln Park)

2003 (58) Anthony Gianduso (Lincoln Park)

2004 (59) Missy Southerland (North Brunswick) (Resigned)

2004 Anthony Gianduso (Lincoln Park)(Acting)

2005 (60) Jane Amend (Lincoln Park)
2006 (61) Jane Amend (Lincoln Park)

DECADE 7

2007 (62) Joel Loder

2008 (63) Eldridge Hawkins (Essex-Orange)
2009 (64) Eldridge Hawkins (Essex-Orange)
2010 (65) Dana Palma (Camden-Gloucester)

2011 (66)

2012 (67)

2013 (68)

2014 (69)

2015 (70)

2016 (71) Ria Serrano (North Jersey)

2016 SPONSORS

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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