Legislation that would name the building that houses the NJ Economic Development Authority (EDA) as the “Caren Franzini Memorial Building” would be a fitting tribute to the authority’s long-time leader, the New Jersey Business & Industry Association (NJBIA) said today.
The bill, A-4713 (Burzichelli, D-3; Prieto, D-32)/S-3235 (Kyrillos, R-13; Oroho, R-24), is scheduled for a vote in the Senate.
“I cannot think of a better way to honor her legacy than making EDA’s headquarters the ‘Caren Franzini Memorial Building,’” said NJBIA President and CEO Michele Siekerka. “Her leadership at EDA is a significant reason the authority is so effective at driving economic development today.”
Franzini led EDA from January 1994 until October 2012, and then began her own business, Franzini Consulting, LLC, and joined NJBIA’s Board of Trustees.
“Throughout the nearly 20 years I knew Caren, I found her to be a warm, caring person who took her responsibilities on behalf of business very seriously,” Siekerka said. “She was a tireless cheerleader for small business, and her input and advice as a member of NJBIA’s board was invaluable.”
During her tenure, EDA fostered innovation through the Technology Centre of New Jersey, the Commercialization Center for Innovative Technology, and the Waterfront Technology Center at Camden, and had a large role in the resurgence of the cities of Camden, Trenton, and Newark.
