Marlene Z. Asselta
President, Southern New Jersey Development Council (Turnersville, NJ)
Marlene Z. Asselta is President of the Southern New Jersey Development Council (SNJDC), a non-profit organization founded in 1951 that promotes responsible economic development in South Jersey. In 1985 when Ms. Asselta accepted the position, her goals were clear – promote business growth in the region and increase membership. Under her leadership, the SNJDC has grown to more than 250 member organizations and the 800 individuals within those organizations reaching from South Jersey to Central and Northern New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland and beyond. Ms. Asselta continues to build on the Council’s foundation by focusing on the member organizations. Each member that joins the SNJDC is provided with four core resources: education, information, access and impact that combine to build a strong membership base. A registered lobbyist, Marlene represents the needs and issues of each organization, making membership an economic way for an organization to have their own personal advocate in both Trenton, NJ and Washington, DC.