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For Immediate Release
Contact: Louis Di Paolo, (201) 417-5049 (cell) or dipaolo@njpp.org
TRENTON (August 8, 2018) – Today, after six years with New Jersey Policy Perspective (NJPP), Gordon MacInnes announced his plans to transition from his role as President of the think tank. This transition comes at a time of strength and growth for NJPP which, under MacInnes’ leadership, has quadrupled its revenues, more than doubled its staff, focused new expertise on immigration and health care policies, and enhanced its reputation as a source of innovative, evidence-based ideas for advancing economic justice and shared prosperity for all New Jerseyans.
“It has been an honor and privilege to lead New Jersey Policy Perspective in its pursuit for a stronger and more equitable economy,” said Gordon MacInnes. “NJPP is effective because it is disciplined in its selection of issues, reliable in its analyses, and flexible in responding to changing political conditions. New Jersey will benefit as NJPP and its dedicated analysts continue to deliver quality results on a campaign-like schedule in support of sensible, progressive policies. I am so proud of the work we accomplished over the last six years and look forward to seeing NJPP thrive under new leadership.”
Following a long career of service in the public interest, MacInnes became the third President of NJPP in 2012. He was previously an elected member of both the New Jersey General Assembly and State Senate, served as assistant commissioner of the New Jersey Department of Education, as director of the Fund for New Jersey, and as a lecturer at Princeton University.
Once a successor arrives later this year, Gordon MacInnes will remain with NJPP as a Distinguished Senior Fellow, focusing his research on New Jersey’s preschool education system, its economic impact, and opportunities for expansion.
“We are immensely grateful to Gordon for his service to the Garden State. Under his leadership, NJPP has become a high-impact, well-respected voice in the halls of the state house and in policy circles across the state,” said Jun Choi, Chair of NJPP’s Board of Trustees. “For activists and lawmakers alike, NJPP is an influential and trusted source for bold policy ideas to grow the state’s economy and improve the lives of New Jersey’s working families. NJPP, and more importantly, the people of New Jersey, have benefited from Gordon’s dedicated leadership. We will miss his thoughtfulness, kindness, intellect, and sense of humor, and we are glad NJPP will continue to benefit from his wisdom as Distinguished Senior Fellow.”
Today, NJPP’s Board of Trustees will launch a nationwide search for NJPP’s next President. A search committee chaired by Marcia Marley, NJPP’s Board Secretary and Trustee, and composed of Trustees and staff, has retained Koya Leadership Partners to lead the process. Koya is a national executive search and human capital consulting firm that works exclusively with nonprofits and social enterprises. For more information regarding this search, please contact Trisha Sutrisno at tsutrisno@koyapartners.com or visit the Koya website.
“Gordon will hand over leadership of the premier public policy organization in New Jersey. Policymakers, advocates, media, and opinion leaders rely on NJPP’s research and expertise, and for that, Gordon deserves enormous credit and praise.” said Marcia Marley, NJPP Trustee and President of BlueWaveNJ. “The Board is committed to recruiting a new President who will continue to lead the organization’s rigorous analysis and fact-based approach to New Jersey’s most pressing challenges.”
“Gordon brought so much to the job of developing and promoting the powerful ideas New Jersey needs to regain its place as a state of opportunity,” said NJPP Trustee Jon Shure, who founded the organization in 1997 and served as President until 2009. “Gordon’s vision, strategic leadership, and record of success at NJPP are inspiring. Our board will work hard to ensure the next leader is someone well positioned to fulfil the organization’s vision of a thriving state.”
Under Gordon MacInnes’ leadership, NJPP’s analysis, strategic communications, and outreach played an essential role in advancing policies that improved the lives of all New Jerseyans and bolstered the state’s economy. Accomplishments include:
- NJPP’s research and advocacy helped secure broad, bipartisan support for the Affordable Care Act (ACA) amidst attempts to repeal the landmark legislation, ensuring hundreds of thousands of New Jerseyans maintain access to affordable health care.
- NJPP was a leading voice behind three increases in New Jersey’s Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) – from 20 percent of the federal EITC in tax year 2015 to 40 percent in 2020 – providing over half a million low-income families with a boost in their take home pay.
- NJPP’s data and analysis were instrumental in revealing the long-term consequences of skipping pension payments and framing the narrative on how to reverse New Jersey’s irresponsible budgetary practices.
- NJPP played an integral role in the passage of earned sick days, benefitting over one million New Jerseyans who previously had to choose between going to work sick or foregoing a day’s pay.
- NJPP’s reporting was critical to expanding access to higher education for New Jersey’s immigrant communities through the passage of tuition-equity and equal access to financial aid.
- NJPP’s analysis highlighted the need for greater scrutiny of the state’s corporate subsidy programs, which awarded over $8 billion in incentives since 2010.
- NJPP’s report on marijuana legalization and its potential windfall of tax revenue for the state grounded the conversation and provided a benchmark for lawmakers and stakeholders to work from.
