Contact
New Jersey Builders Association
101 Crawfords Corner Rd
Holmdel, NJ 07733
Mailing Address
16 South Avenue West
#122
Cranford, NJ 07016
Staff
Who We Are
The New Jersey Builders Association (NJBA) is the leading trade association for the housing and development industry in New Jersey. Our members include residential and commercial builders, developers, remodelers, subcontractors, suppliers, engineers, architects, and other professionals focused on creating safe, vibrant, and affordable places to live and work.
NJBA understands that builders carry significant responsibility, transforming land into homes where families grow, communities thrive, and New Jersey’s economy expands. Every home built helps create lasting stability, wealth, and opportunity for residents across the state.
NJBA serves as a resource for our members through advocacy, education, networking, and political engagement. We work to remove barriers that slow housing production, expand opportunities for responsible development, and advocate for a fair and efficient regulatory environment.
Our Three-Tiered Membership
NJBA’s three-tiered membership structure ensures representation at the local, state, and national levels. Members join through one of our four affiliated local associations:
- Builders Association of Northern NJ (BANNJ) — Bergen, Hudson, Passaic, and Sussex Counties
- Builders League of South Jersey (BLSJ) — Atlantic, Burlington, Camden, Cape May, Cumberland, Gloucester, and Salem Counties
- Metropolitan Builders & Contractors Association of NJ (METRO) — Essex, Hunterdon, Morris, Somerset, Union, and Warren Counties
- Shore Builders Association of Central NJ (SBACNJ) — Mercer, Middlesex, Monmouth, and Ocean Counties
Membership at the local level automatically includes membership in NJBA and the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB), giving members a powerful voice in housing policy and industry issues at every level.
What We Believe
- Housing is fundamental to quality of life, economic growth, and community stability.
- Builders are essential partners in creating communities that thrive.
- Public Policies alone can increase or stifle housing production.
- Housing must remain a priority for policy-makers.
What We Do
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Advocacy & Policy
NJBA represents the housing industry before the state’s Executive, Legislative, and Judicial branches. We promote policies that increase housing supply, modernize regulatory frameworks, and protect industry interests. Our advocacy has helped pass key initiatives including permit extension acts, site remediation reform, and reforms to countless land use and redevelopment laws.Education & Professional Development
We offer continuing education, technical training, and leadership development programs that help members stay at the forefront of industry trends, best practices, and regulatory requirements.Regulatory Engagement
NJBA actively participates in discussions with state agencies including the Department of Environmental Protection, Department of Community Affairs, Board of Public Utilities, and more, to shape practical, balanced rules that affect housing and building standards.
Why It Matters
Housing is more than shelter, it drives the economy and comprises 15%-18% of total GDP in an average year. Construction activity generates jobs, income, and tax revenue that benefits communities statewide. It also provides families with the foundation for long-term financial stability and wealth creation. NJBA’s work ensures that the industry can continue carrying out that mission efficiently and responsibly.
Construction of 100 new single-family homes in a typical metro area generates:
- 394 local jobs
- $28.7 million in local wage and business income
- $3.6 million in taxes and other revenue for local government
Construction of 100 multifamily units has a similar impact on the local economy. It generates:
- 161 local jobs• $11.7 million in local wage and business income
- $2.2 million in taxes and other revenue for local government
Every $10 million in remodeling expenditures yields the following economic benefits:
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- 115 local jobs
- $8.4 million in local wage and business income
- $710,000 in taxes and other revenue for local government
Leadership
Chair
Chris Amato
Vice Chair
John Kirkenir
Treasurer
Kristie Veri
Secretary
James Pittenger
Associate Vice Chair
Thomas Trautner
2nd Associate Vice Chair
Chris Cowan
Chief Executive Officer
Jeff Kolakowski
Andy S. Norin, Esq.
General Counsel
Frank Belgiovine
Imm. Past Chair
Michael J. Gross, Esq.
Environmental Counsel
Thomas F. Carroll III, Esq.
Land Use Counsel
Ted Zangari, Esq.
MXD Counsel
Steve Mlenak, Esq.
Redevelopment Counsel
Richard J. Hoff, Jr., Esq.
Affordable Housing Counsel
Daniel J. Kluska, Esq.
Construction Counsel
Affiliates
Atlantic Builders Convention (ABC)
The Atlantic Builders Convention (ABC) is the largest building industry trade show in the Northeast, drawing thousands of participants from the Northeast region, including residential and commercial builders, developers, remodelers and subcontractors, plus a variety of manufacturers, suppliers, and consulting professionals. The convention features hundreds of exhibits showcasing the latest products and services to a large and diverse audience of decision makers. Attendees gain up-to-date information about the latest market trends, government policies and technical developments at educational seminars. Visit http://www.abconvention.com/ for more information.
Mixed-Use Developers
New Jersey Mixed-Use Developers (MXD), an affiliate of the New Jersey Builders Association (NJBA), was formed in June 2011. Leaders in residential, commercial, redevelopment and mixed-use development have come together in response to the evolving land use patterns in New Jersey. MXD will unite the voice of businesses involved in the construction of multi-family housing, retail and office space – otherwise known as mixed-use production, in New Jersey. MXD, along with NJBA, will advocate for providing diverse housing choices, as well as commercial mixed-use developments that will facilitate the availability of housing and workplaces for all New Jersey residents.
Builders Political Action Committee of New Jersey
The Builders Political Action Committee of New Jersey (BPAC) is a voluntary, not-for-profit, unincorporated committee that represents the many New Jersey-based firms that work every day to promote, protect and improve the building industry in the State. BPAC is a critical tool in helping spread the pro-builder message of the New Jersey Builders Association. The role of BPAC is to assist in the election of individuals that support housing and the building industry in New Jersey. Its Board of Trustees consists of members from the four affiliated local builders associations and is bipartisan in its support of pro-housing candidates. Click here to make a donation today!
Professional Women in Building
The Professional Women in Building (PWB) is the voice of women in the building industry—dedicated to promoting industry professionalism and supporting members at the local, state and national levels. For more than 60 years, PWB members have made meaningful strides to build a more diverse workforce and bring awareness to the important role women serve in the residential construction industry. PWB represents members working in all facets of the industry as builders, developers, remodelers, trade contractors, architects, marketers, designers and mortgage brokers, and both our Metro and Shore Chapters are recognized and chartered by National Association of Home Builders.
National Association of Home Builders
The National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) is NJBA’s national affiliate.
NAHB represents the largest network of craftsmen, innovators and problem solvers dedicated to building and enriching communities. Operating at the local, state and national levels, the NAHB Federation helps its members gain a competitive advantage through:
- Knowledge: Offers education and other resources members need to expand their businesses and achieve personal success.
- Networking: Creates opportunities within a community of home building professionals for members to build key relationships and increase their profitability.
- Expertise: Develops solutions for members’ businesses through access to experts who provide insight and information.
- Advocacy: Improves the business environment on Capitol Hill, in state capitols and in local communities by eliminating excessive regulations.
- Savings: Saves members money through advocacy efforts, exclusive services and products, and the Member Advantage program.
Foundation for Housing
The Foundation for Housing, Inc. is a nonprofit entity whose objective is to increase the supply of and access to shelter in New Jersey for persons and families of modest means and support careers in the homebuilding industry by: soliciting contributions of money, material, land and/or labor; constructing, assisting in or arranging for the construction or financing of new housing or the renovation of existing housing; supporting the development of an industry workforce and careers in the construction trades through scholarships, partnerships with area educational institutions, internships and training programs; cooperating with other organizations and governmental entities which have similar purposes to address housing insecurity and provide housing opportunities for those of modest means; and employing the necessary means to keep the public, press and policymakers informed and to project a positive image of the residential construction industry.
Local Affiliates
Membership in NAHB and NJBA is accessed by joining on of NJ’s four local builders associations: the Builders Association of Northern NJ, Builders League of South Jersey, Metropolitan Builders & Contractors Association of New Jersey, or the Shore Builders Association of Central New Jersey. To learn more about the regions each local covers and their unique benefits, please visit our How to Join page.
