Ferlanda Fox Nixon made history this month as the first black woman to be appointed to lead The Newark Regional Business Partnership as its President and CEO. She replaced Chip Hallock, who served as CEO for 25 years.
“It is a pleasure to have Ferlanda take the reins,” expressed Hallock, who announced his retirement in April. “She is the consummate professional, and I am confident that she will successfully execute and expand on NRBP’s mission and vision. Her leadership will help continue to grow NRBP’s impact on and in the greater Newark business community.”
The Newark Regional Business Partnership, which dates back to its founding as the Newark Board of Trade in 1869, is made up of over 300 Newark corporations, small businesses, independent professionals, nonprofit organizations and cultural and educational institutions, as reported by NJ.com.
It aims to strengthen the greater Newark, NJ business community through connections, resources, and advocacy, according to this news release.
Nixon acknowledges her historic appointment as the first African American and the first woman to be named CEO of the organization. However, she was quick to add that she was selected on merit, not because of her race.
“I am excited and honored to join the Newark Regional Business Partnership team as president and CEO,” Nixon said. “Newark is a terrific regional business community with unlimited potential.”
She continued, “I believe the NRBP selected the person it deemed most qualified to lead and further the mission of the organization, and that person happened to be an African-American woman.”
As president and CEO, Nixon is in charge of all administrative and management functions while ensuring that the organization executes its mission of strengthening the greater Newark, NJ business community.
Before her current position, she worked as a corporate attorney and in an executive role within the African American Chamber of Commerce of New Jersey. She was also an independent business consultant and nonprofit leader.
Nixon has an undergraduate degree in political science from Syracuse University and a JD from Georgetown University Law Center. What is more, she holds the professional certification of Certified Association Executive from the American Society of Association Executives and is a graduate of the Institute for Organization Management from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.
Nixon began her role with the NRBP on September 16.
