President’s Summit of Monmouth Mayors

Brookdale President’s Summit of Monmouth Mayors

Friday, April 17, 2026 8:30 a.m. at Brookdale Community College

2026 Agenda: Harvesting Opportunity: Connecting AgriTech, AgriTourism, and Main Street for Regional Growth

The 2026 Summit unites Monmouth County’s Mayors around a shared vision: building a stronger, more connected Main Street economy by aligning the strengths of agriculture, hospitality, tourism, and technology. Together, we can shape strategies that grow local businesses, strengthen our workforce, and elevate the quality of life in every community we serve.

This year’s program features a dynamic Keynote Speaker and a Panel of Community Innovators who will examine how municipalities can partner with the agricultural, tech, and business sectors to build a scalable regional innovation ecosystem. By advancing AgriTech and Agritourism Innovation Hubs, integrating county‑wide supply chains, aligning workforce pathways with emerging industries, and leveraging digital infrastructure, communities can strengthen economic resilience and expand sustainable growth opportunities. Together, we can build on our existing work and collaborate to chart a clear path forward—creating a more resilient, sustainable, and opportunity‑rich future for all of Monmouth County.

Summit Keynote Speaker

Dr. Jack L. Harris

Assistant Teaching Professor and Program Director in Sustainability
Rutgers University School of Environmental and Biological Sciences

Dr. Jack L. Harris is a community-engaged scholar, educator, and strategist whose work is rooted in one core belief: communities thrive when institutions listen, collaborate, and build capacity with intention. His career has been shaped by the stories of the people and places he has worked alongside, from coastal towns rebuilding after disaster to students discovering their voice in the classroom, to organizations navigating the complexities of social change, to communities building healthier, more equitable, more resilient food systems.

Learn more about Sustainability@SEBS.

Agriculture and Fisheries have always been at the center of Monmouth County’s economic activity, history, and culture from the 1600s through the present day. Building on this heritage to create new businesses, industries, and jobs as we celebrate the United States 250th anniversary will play a crucial role in maintaining Monmouth County’s vitality and resilience well into the 21st Century.”
—Dr. Jack Harris

Summit Panel Moderator

Dr. Jackeline Mejías-Fuertes

Regional Director, NJSBDC at Brookdale Community College
Co-founder of J&J Disruptive Enterprises

Dr. Jackeline Mejias-Fuertes is the Regional Director of the New Jersey Small Business Development Center at Brookdale Community College, serving Monmouth and Ocean counties. With more than 40 years of experience in business development across the private and nonprofit sectors, she specializes in strategic planning, entrepreneurial ecosystem development, and small business growth.

An international speaker and recognized leader in entrepreneurship, Dr. Mejias-Fuertes brings global insight to her work in ecosystem development, strategic advising, and entrepreneurial support. Through the NJSBDC, she empowers small businesses—from launch through growth and exit strategy—while fostering innovation, collaboration, and sustainable economic development across the communities she serves.

Guided by the belief that “we rise by lifting others,” she remains deeply committed to sharing knowledge, strengthening entrepreneurial pathways, and helping individuals and communities realize their full potential.

Summit Panelists & Participants — Community Innovators

Mr. Joe Atchison III

Assistant Secretary and Director of Marketing and Development
New Jersey Department of Agriculture

Joe Atchison III Assistant Secretary and Director of Marketing and Development for the New Jersey Department of Agriculture joined the Department in July 2005 as a Marketing Specialist.

Through the years, Joe advanced to Coordinator of Agricultural Marketing and then to Division Director of Marketing and Development before being named Assistant Secretary in January 2022. As Assistant Secretary, Joe is familiar with all the facets of the Department operations. He also fulfills the duties of the Secretary of Agriculture when the Secretary is unavailable. In his role as Division Director, Mr. Atchison oversees all of the Department’s agricultural marketing efforts primarily under the banner of the Jersey Fresh branding program. The Division of Markets and Development also administers a suite of regulatory services including food safety inspection and enforcement, regulation of the state’s commercial dairy, feed, and fertilizer industries, commodity import inspections and other programs.

Joe also serves as the Treasurer for the North American Agricultural Marketing Officials (NAAMO). He holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Rutgers University School of Business in Management and Marketing. He and his family live in Cherry Hill, NJ.

Mayor Jason F. Cilento

Mayor of Dunellen, NJ
President of the New Jersey Conference of Mayors (NJCM)

Mayor Jason F. Cilento was born, raised, and educated in Dunellen, NJ. He received his B.A. in Political Science from Kean University and his M.A. in Public Administration from Rutgers University. First elected to Dunellen Borough Council at the age of 20, he served in that position for nine years, was elected as Council President in 2019, and was sworn in as Mayor on January 1, 2020. Cilento led Dunellen through the COVID-19 pandemic and the recovery from Hurricane Ida. His work focuses on infrastructure, redevelopment, and environmental initiatives.

Cilento has attracted twelve new development projects and facilitated over $170 million in investments in the downtown. He has worked closely with NJ TRANSIT to advocate for improvements to the Dunellen Train Station and led efforts to improve Dunellen’s aging infrastructure by investing in sewer improvements, utilities, parks, and roads. Cilento has worked to secure over $8MM in grants, including technical grants, to fund infrastructure, pedestrian safety, and beautification projects in Dunellen. He has worked with the Raritan Valley Line Mayor’s Alliance to fight for direct service to New York City on the Raritan Valley Line and Gateway Tunnel funding. Cilento has spearheaded three planning initiatives, including the Master Plan Reexamination (including one of NJ’s first Climate Resiliency Plans), the Active Transportation Study by NJ TRANSIT’s Transit Friendly Planning Program, and the Complete & Green Streets for All policy by the NJTPA.

Prioritizing the environment, Cilento has worked to enact ordinances addressing waterway pollution and the overuse of public garbage receptacles from multi-use properties in an effort to prevent debris from harming stormwater systems. His work with the Lower Raritan Watershed Partnership led to New Jersey’s first pilot program of the Bandalong Bandit Litter Trap in the Green Brook, which intercepts debris and litter before it can reach the Raritan River.

He serves as the President of the NJ Conference of Mayors, which is the oldest and largest mayors’ organization in the country, and serves on the Legislative Committee for the NJ League of Municipalities. He sits as the only NJ Republican mayor member of Climate Mayors and leads with other mayors on the Mayors Alliance for a Clean Green Brook Waterway initiative. Cilento has focused on increasing community engagement through better communication, accessibility, and inclusivity for residents and business owners.

The Honorable Kim Guadagno

President & CEO The Mercy Center
Former Lt. Governor of New Jersey

Former Lt. Governor Kim Guadagno is the President and CEO of Mercy Center in Asbury Park and a partner at the law firm of Connell Foley. Mercy Center is a Ministry of the Sisters of Mercy. Mercy’s vision is to end generational poverty and does so by providing crisis services such as food; long term counseling to stabilize families; as well as an independent, faith-based, tuition-free education for 4th to 8th grade girls. Last year, Mercy Center fed more than 130,000 people, helped more than 7300 in its Family Resource Center and celebrated the graduation of its 341st student from Sisters Academy. This year, they opened a warming center that provided 1650 beds to handicapped homeless.

From 2010 through 2018, Guadagno was New Jersey’s first Lieutenant Governor and its 33rd Secretary of State. As Lieutenant Governor, Kim advocated for businesses statewide. As Secretary of State, she was also responsible for Volunteerism, Elections, Travel and Tourism and roughly 300 other programs and commissions.

Guadagno has been a lawyer including a federal and state prosecutor for four decades. She also taught at Rutgers Law School in Newark for six years. Guadagno was the first woman Sheriff of Monmouth County, New Jersey supervising a law enforcement agency of 650 men and women. She has been married to Judge Michael Guadagno for more than 30 years, and the mother of three grown sons — all happily employed!

Ms. Karyn Moskowitz

Coordinator, Building a Healthier, More Equitable Community (BHEC) Initiative in Monmouth County and the Community Food Connection at Interfaith Neighbors; Founder and Executive Director, New Roots, Inc.

Karyn Moskowitz is a food justice advocate, social entrepreneur, community builder and mother, whose work is grounded in a simple belief: fresh food is a basic human right. Best known for her networking chops and passion for fresh, local, vegetables, Karyn has leveraged both technology and grassroots community organizing to create valuable partnerships between farmers, residents, and local organizations. She is an empathetic leader, with an ironclad focus on advancing equitable food systems that strengthen both communities and local agriculture, while honoring dignity, connection, and collective power.

Learn more about Community Food Connection and New Roots.

“I grew up in Monmouth County when eating locally wasn’t a trend or a luxury — it was simply how we lived. Visits to farm stands, seasonal harvests, and Jersey tomatoes were part of everyday life and shared community pride. What felt ordinary was a deep connection to local farmers, the land, and our personal and collective health. Protecting that tradition now means investing in local agriculture, people, and innovation so seasonal, local food remains front and center of everyday life for everyone.”

Ms. Marilyn Schlossbach

Owner & CEO Marilyn Group
Food for Thought by the Sea

Restaurateur, Chef, Design Consultant, Beauty Disruptor, Humanitarian, and Mom—Marilyn Schlossbach is a multifaceted force whose work ripples far beyond the kitchen and into the heart of her community. Known for her leadership, creativity, and values driven approach, Marilyn blends her culinary expertise with a deep commitment to social and environmental advocacy.

As the visionary behind Food for Thought by the Sea, she actively cultivates partnerships with peer organizations to create artistic outlets, expand social awareness, and build positive, supportive learning environments for youth. Her work reflects a belief that food, design, and community engagement are powerful tools for empowerment and connection.

Throughout her distinguished culinary career, Marilyn has been a steadfast advocate for environmental stewardship, the culinary arts, and grassroots outreach. Whether innovating in hospitality spaces, championing sustainability, or mentoring young people, she remains dedicated to strengthening the local community and inspiring meaningful, collaborative change.

The Monmouth County Board of County Commissioners

Monmouth County Vocational FFA

Summit Program Schedule

Annual Meeting

Held each April, the Brookdale President’s Summit of Monmouth Mayors intentionally coincides with Community College Month and New Jersey Local Government Week—an ideal moment to highlight the shared impact of local leadership and higher education. By bringing Monmouth County Mayors together at a time when civic engagement is already in the spotlight, the Summit strengthens collaboration, fosters innovative problem‑solving, and reinforces Brookdale’s role as a catalyst for building stronger, more resilient communities across Monmouth County.

2025 Summit Meeting Highlights

 

 

2025 Summit Media

Media coverage of the 2025 Summit reached diverse audiences through several key outlets, including an article in the Two River Times, a feature in the June 2025 issue of the New Jersey League of Municipalities magazine, and a comprehensive recap published by the Brookdale Newsroom. Together, these resources highlight the Summit’s themes, regional impact, and the collaborative efforts of Monmouth County’s municipal and educational leaders.

• Two River Times Newspaper
• NJ League of Municipalities, June 2025 (PDF)
• Brookdale Newsroom