The New Jersey Builders Association (NJBA) is pleased to announce that Debra Tantleff, was elected to a second term as Chair of NJBA along with NJBA’s 2025 Elected Officers at its January 28^th Board of Directors meeting at Bell Works, Holmdel, NJ.

Serving with Tantleff for the 2025 term are:

• Vice Chair, Christpher Amato, CMM
• Treasurer, John Kirkenir, Alliance Homes
• Secretary, Kristie Veri, Cleanscape Construction
• Builder Vice Chair, James Pittenger, Pittenger Builders
• Associate Vice Chair, Stanley Graser, General Plumbing Supply
• 2nd Associate Vice Chair, Thomas Trautner, Chiesa Shahinian & Giantomasi PC

NJBA is the leading housing industry trade association in the state with a membership of builders, developers, remodelers, subcontractors, suppliers, engineers, architects, consultants, and other professionals dedicated to meeting the housing needs of all New Jersey residents. NJBA serves as a resource for its members through continuing education and advocacy and its members strive for a more vibrant, more sustainable, and more affordable housing market in New Jersey.

NJBA CEO Jeff Kolakowski stated, “I’m excited to be welcoming Ms. Tantleff back for a second term following a very successful first year under her leadership. She was instrumental in helping our association advance policies to address the undersupply of housing in our state.”

Tantleff, Founding Principal of TANTUM Real Estate, has been an active member of NJBA for over 20 years, serving as both Co-Chair of the association’s Mixed Use Developers group and Vice Chair of the Builders PAC.  She is consistently recognized as an industry advocate and thought leader and was most recently honored by Executive Women of New Jersey at their Salute to Policy Makers gala.  Her experience developing over $2 billion dollars in construction of over 7,000 residential units throughout the state positions her with the perspective needed to lead NJBA advocacy efforts in the charge to address New jersey’s housing crisis. At the board meeting, Tantleff and the NJBA team provided a recap of 2024 advocacy efforts, highlighting several significant legislative and regulatory advances including plan review reform and home improvement contractor licensing initiatives, while outlining other policy positions that are gaining momentum.

The passage of the 4^th round affordable housing law in 2024 was crucial to bringing New Jersey closer to addressing its housing crisis but with systemic issues still burdening the housing ecosystem there is significant work left to be done. Chair Tantleff noted, “I am pleased to be elected to a second term at a time when New Jersey is starting to make progress on housing policy reform. NJBA continues to be an advocate for policy changes that would allow for accessory dwelling units, stranded asset conversion and reduced parking standards, and we look forward to working with the Legislature and Administration over the coming year to address their mutual goals of affordability and to revive New Jersey’s housing market.”

The Board of Directors meeting concluded with a fireside chat led by Tantleff between Senator Vin Gopal (D-11) and Senator Declan O’Scanlon (R-13) both representing Monmouth County, with a discussion that touched on various issues from home rule and associated fiscal and procedural impacts to more specific Jersey shore related issues such as the proposed changes to DEP regulations and the need to balance economic investment with environmental sustainability. The dialogue was a clear example of the collaborative approach NJBA takes in engaging in elected officials on both sides of the aisle.