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Augusto "Gus" Penaranda
Gus@NJPrideChamber.org
Gus Penaranda is a longtime member in the LGBT sports scene, and is actively involved with the International Gay & Lesbian Football Association (IGFLA) and the New York Gay Flag Football League (NYGFL) since 2000. He also enjoys volunteering and championing support for advocating the importance of mental health and wellness issues that the LGBT community faces.
In Penaranda's previous role as the PIO to the NJ Division of Consumer Affairs, he served directly under the former-Director Paul Rodríguez, who now serves as the U.S. Department of Health's deputy general counsel in President Joseph Biden's administration.
Prior to this role, Gus served as the Chief External Relations Officer for the American Red Cross (ARC) of the New Jersey region in Princeton, where he designed dynamic programming, oversaw the organization's key awareness campaign rollouts, and served as the Latino Media spokesperson. Though deploying to both Florida and Texas for hurricane Irma and Harvey tested his skills as a bilingual communicator and disaster volunteer, his most rewarding work to date was during hurricane Maria and Puerto Rico. Working via satellite phone with ARC's North Jersey Regional CEO Ana Montero, they successfully provided information and directed resources to help those affected by the devastating hurricane during a time of almost total communication blackout.
Gus earned a Master of Science degree in International Relations and Public Policy from William Paterson University of New Jersey; and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science from William Paterson University of New Jersey.
He is a Paterson native and now resides in Jersey City.
Stephen Blazejewski
CFP®, President
Certified Financial Planner, Equitable Advisors
Stephen@NJPrideChamber.org
"I'm ecstatic to be on the Board of such a dynamic organization that makes an incredible impact on the LGBTQ professional community in New Jersey. Having the ability to meet so many fellow business owners, entrepreneurs, and professionals motivates me to continue to grow my business and expand my network to better serve this community. Sometimes, it all comes down to who you know!" — Stephen
After graduating Summa Cum Laude from Montclair State University in May 2017, Stephen joined Equitable Advisors (formerly AXA Advisors), becoming the only "out" Financial Advisor in an office of 200 employees in Woodbridge, New Jersey.
Shortly thereafter, he joined the Chamber as a Volunteer on the Events Committee and in July of 2018, he was voted onto the Board as the Vice President of Membership. After more than tripling the membership base of the Chamber, Stephen shifted into the role of VP of Fundraising and Corporate Relations in January of 2021. In July of 2021, he was voted on as President of the organization, one of his proudest accomplishments to date!
In February of 2020, Stephen was recognized in BEQ Pride Magazine's Class of 2020 Forty LGBTQ Leaders Under 40 and in May of the same year, was appointed to represent the Chamber on Governor Murphy's Restart and Recovery Advisory Council in the wake of COVID-19. In September of 2020, Stephen became a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professional, one of the youngest individuals in his company to do so and in October of 2021, Stephen was recognized in Insider NJ's OUT 100 Power List as one of the most influential LGBTQ individuals in the state of NJ.
Contact Stephen at Stephen@NJLGBTChamber.org
Joseph Renga
Principal, JFR Telecom Consulting Services
Joseph@NJPrideChamber.org
"New Jersey is the most densely populated state in America. We are one of the most ethnically, racially, religiously and culturally diverse states in the union. The New Jersey LGBT Chamber of Commerce is the premier organization representing the LGBTQ+ business community. In my six years as a member of the board of directors this organization has afforded me access to innumerable inventive and dynamic business professionals, activists and politicians. Being a member can open a person's world on both a business and personal level." — Joseph
Joseph has been in the telecommunications industry for three decades. He is an independent consultant, sales agent, and project manager through JFR Telecom Consulting.
During the last 15+ years Joseph has created hundreds of LGBTQ+ business networking events in the New York Metro area, benefitting our influential community by connecting our entrepreneurs, executives and allies, with each other and the corporate 1000 companies all over the region. It's a labor of love and a passion.
John Traier
CPA, VP of Finance
Owner, John M. Traier and Associates LLC
John@NJPrideChamber.org
John Traier is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA), licensed in the State of New Jersey and is owner of his accounting firm, John M. Traier & Associates LLC.
John graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree from Rutgers College (major in Economics) and a Master of Business Administration (major in Professional Accounting) from the Rutgers Graduate School of Management. He is a Deloitte alumni and served as Acting Commission of the NJ Department of Banking and then Director of the Division of Banking.
John was appointed to the Board of Directors in 2014.
Jacob Meola
VP of Membership
Owner, Jake of All Trades
Jacob@NJPrideChamber.org
"The LGBTQ community has always been a second home to me. When I discovered the NJ LGBT Chamber, I fell in love! Finally, a business networking group that was more than just an exchange of business cards; and much more than sitting in a dimly-lit room at 7 a.m. chowing down on a stale bagel, waiting in hopes of a single referral. This was the family feel I have always looked for, and the connections I have made even during quarantine are long-lasting. I'm thrilled to use my position as VP of Membership to help grow the reach of the Chamber and have a real impact on the LGBTQ business community." — Jacob
Jacob Meola, a New Jersey native, has been known to do a little bit of everything throughout his 31 years on Earth. A Jake-of-all trades, if you will. He is known to many as Jake the Insurance Guy. An entrepreneur since birth, Jacob also recently launched an online bookstore with Amazon, and intends to turn it into a full-time operation. He also has an affinity for the fine arts and runs a page to sell artwork and commissioned pieces.
Andréa Garcia
Managing Partner and Co-Founder, COMMS/NATION
Andrea@NJPrideChamber.org
Andréa M. Garcia is the Managing Partner and Co-Founder of COMMS/NATION LLC, a full-service boutique Public Relations + Creative Graphic Design agency headquartered in Weehawken, New Jersey.
She has a decade of experience crafting award-winning communications campaigns for Fortune 500 companies, Non-Profit Organizations & Foundations, Private Equity, High-Stakes Litigation, Sensitive Crises Issues, and is a trusted-advisor to entrepreneurs and their portfolio companies. She's a sought-after consultant to larger PR agencies on media relation strategies.
Andrea earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Journalism and minored in Anthropology from Franklin Pierce University in New Hampshire. In 2010, she studied Philosophy in Athens, Greece at the Hellenic American University, and studied International Relations in Mass Communications traveling to Egypt, Romania, and Turkey during the Arab Spring.
She was appointed to the NJ LGBT Chamber's Board of Directors in November 2021 as the VP of Marketing.
Stephanie Lokker
VP of Supplier Diversity and Certification
CEO and Founder, Lockerbie & Co.
Stephanie@NJPrideChamber.org
Stephanie E. Lokker is the CEO and founder of Lockerbie & Co., a management consulting firm that specializes in providing solutions from strategy through execution headquartered in Passaic, NJ.
Stephanie brings more than 15-years of experience in procurement, change management, organizational behavior, and supplier diversity; and is a former Big 3-and-Big 4 consultant. She opened her own firm, Lockerbie, in 2019, where she manages a team of consultants who solve complex business problems for their Fortune 500 and private equity clients.
Her business currently holds nine diverse-supplier certifications in both the state and federal level.
She earned her Master of Science in Supply Chain Management from Rutgers University in Newark, N.J., and a Bachelor of Arts in Anthropology from Montclair State University in Montclair, N.J.
She was appointed to the NJ LGBT Chamber's Board of Directors in December 2021 as the VP of Supplier Diversity and Certification.
Victor Peter Rodriguez
VP of Administration
Store Manager III, TD Bank
Victor@NJPrideChamber.org
Victor Peter Rodriguez moved to NYC from South America at an early age. He attended Bernard Baruch College and graduated with a BBA specialized in International Marketing Management. Victor Peter worked at a luxury retail store chain prior to his banking career, transitioning into a fast track management program at HSBC where he worked for 9 years.
He then worked at Deloitte and then transitioned to TD Bank at The HUB and now manages one of the most prestigious and Largest Stores in his footprint in our Pequannock Store in New Jersey. Passionate about team building and community service, he strongly believes about creating a positive open and inclusive work environment for his employees and excellence in customer service for his clients.
Victor Peter was appointed to the NJ LGBT Chamber's Board of Directors in December 2021 as the VP of Administration.
Tom Legan
VP of Fundraising and Corporate Relations
President and CMO, Brucecy Marketing Group
Tom@NJPrideChamber.org
Tom Legan is President and CMO of Brucecy Marketing Group, an experiential marketing and promotions LGBTBE Certified agency which helps global brands, TV networks, streaming services, movie studios and non-profits directly reach diverse audiences such as the LGBTQ community at large consumer events and through a variety of advertising tactics.
Tom's additional experience includes almost 10 years in marketing, promotions and events at both Showtime Networks and AMC Networks in New York City. He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics from Wake Forest University in NC.
Tom volunteers some of his time at the non-profit organization Jersey Cares, as a team leader and site captain for community service projects around NJ and has managed many Walk To End Alzheimer's fundraising events throughout NJ for the Alzheimer's Association.
He was appointed to the NJ LGBT Chamber's Board of Directors in December 2021 as the VP of Fundraising and Corporate Relations.
Founding Board Members & Past Presidents
Holly Kaplansky, Founding Board Member and owner of Red Wagon Consulting
Kimberlee S. Williams, Founding Board Member and owner of FEMWORKS
Medina Citi, Founding Board Member and owner of MEDINA = CITI
Tamara A. Fleming, Founding Board Member and owner of Tamara Fleming Photography
Laurie Seliger, Past President and former owner of Keylingo Translations of Princeton
Joseph Renga, Past President and Principal of JFR Telecom Consulting Services
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