Jeff Kolakowski has over two decades of experience in government relations, advocacy, policy development, and public affairs. He currently serves as CEO of the New Jersey Builders Association (NJBA) – the state’s leading trade association for the homebuilding industry whose members include residential and mixed-use builders, developers, remodelers, subcontractors, suppliers, engineers, lawyers, architects, consultants and other professionals. Jeff is responsible for leading the advocacy efforts of the association in a broad array of policy areas including land use, redevelopment, economic development, utility infrastructure, environmental matters, and building codes and standards. Prior to joining NJBA, he held several positions with the New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development and also served for more than eight years as Chief of Staff to a New Jersey State Assemblyperson. He has also been involved in political campaigns at the local, state and federal level. He earned his BA in Political Science from The College of New Jersey and completed his Master of Public Affairs and Politics degree at the Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy at Rutgers University. Jeff currently serves on the Emerging Leaders Council of the Rutgers Center for Real Estate. He lives with his wife and two children in Chesterfield, NJ where he is an active member of his community.