Summit Strategies Appoints Former Sherrill Chief of Staff Jean Roehrenbeck

MONTCLAIR, N.J. — National government affairs firm Summit Strategies has appointed Jean Roehrenbeck, previously chief of staff for Rep. Mikie Sherrill (D-Montclair), as its new vice president. Roehrenbeck arrives at Summit following her term as acting Assistant Secretary of the U.S. Department of Transportation.

“I’ve known and worked with Jean for more than 15 years,” said Summit partner Terry Heubert. “We could not have found a better addition to the firm. She’s a professional with the highest level of integrity, extremely knowledgeable, and a fierce advocate for whatever she is fighting for.”

Prior to her role with Sherrill, Roehrenbeck served as legislative director for Rep. Mike Doyle (D-Pennsylvania) and was communications director for Rep. Steve Rothman (D-Fair Lawn) from 2007 to 2009. In addition, she has extensive experience from a senior role at National Grid, one of the largest distributors of electricity and gas in the world.

“Jean expands our already robust transportation and defense practices while also bringing a new level of energy policy expertise to Summit,” said Summit partner Mark Dedrick. “She also brings regional diversity with her strong ties to the Northeast. We’re thrilled to have her join the firm.”

Meanwhile, the New Jersey Election Law Enforcement Commission (ELEC) announced significant funding for gubernatorial candidates. As of today, Rep. Josh Gottheimer (D-Tenafly) received $3,268,572, while Jersey City Mayor Steve Fulop received $2,466,523 under New Jersey’s Gubernatorial Public Financing Program. Rep. Mikie Sherrill has also been awarded $1,435,481 for her gubernatorial campaign.

On the Republican side, former Assemblyman Jack Ciattarelli (R-Somerville) has secured $4,118,054, and State Sen. Jon Bramnick (R-Westfield) has drawn $2,260,391. As of now, ELEC has approved $13,549,021 in matching funds, with nine gubernatorial candidates—six Democrats and three Republicans—raising a total of $15.6 million by the end of 2024.

“This is the second largest number since 1981, when 21 primary contestants sought the nomination,” said Joe Donohue, ELEC’s deputy executive director. “That year was the first when public funds were available for New Jersey gubernatorial primaries.”

The public financing plan allows candidates to receive $2 for every $1 raised, with a fundraising threshold of $580,000, and a non-matched deductible of $185,000. Candidates in the primary can qualify for up to $5.5 million in matching funds while agreeing to an $8.7 million cap on primary campaign expenditures. Gubernatorial contenders must raise $3.2 million to reach the cap.

In other news, the New Jersey State League of Municipalities has promoted Paul Penna to director of government affairs. Penna began his career with the League in 2020 and has served as a legislative analyst and senior legislative analyst.

“From his first day, Paul has been a team player and problem solver,” said Michael F. Cerra, the NJLM’s executive director. “He has been a fierce advocate for municipal issues before the state legislature, the state executive branch, and Congress on various issues, including Workers’ Compensation costs and elimination of the SALT cap deduction.”

Penna’s new role will have him actively engaging in advocacy for municipalities. “Elected officials have relied on Paul to advance municipal issues in New Jersey,” said League President Paul Tomasko, mayor of Alpine. “His subject matter expertise is invaluable for municipal governing leaders.”