Monthly Message by Sherise Ritter

November 2010

Welcome, Mr. President

On behalf of the Board of Directors of the Mercer Regional Chamber of Commerce, I am pleased to announce and welcome Robert Prunetti as our new Chamber President. Bob was chosen after an extensive nationwide search yielding over 120 applicants and 20 extremely well-qualified candidates. Prunetti’s long history of merging public and private interests will help him to create an environment in which businesses can thrive and succeed here in Mercer County.

Prunetti began his career in the public sector as the Budget Director for Mercer County in 1975, and has worked in Mercer County ever since. He also served as the Director of Policy and Planning for New Jersey Department of Human Services, was elected a Mercer County Freeholder, and served as Hopewell Township Administrator. In 1992, Prunetti was elected Mercer County Executive, ultimately serving for 12 years.

The fruits of Prunetti’s work as County Executive are evident throughout Mercer, but perhaps his most remarkable results are seen in Trenton where, just after a year on the job, Prunetti proposed bringing a minor league baseball franchise to Trenton, and by 1994, Prunetti had partnered with investors to make the franchise a reality. Mercer County Waterfront Park opened in 1994, and the Trenton Thunder began entertaining families throughout New Jersey. Perhaps just as important, however, is that Waterfront Park served as a catalyst, like many of the projects that took place during his administration, for other development in Trenton, including new docks, a wharf, eateries and other establishments. Prunetti was also integral in establishing a Free Trade Zone in Ewing, allowing Mercer County to capitalize on the global economy.

Since leaving the public sector, Prunetti has been an entrepreneur, focusing on helping businesses plan strategically and implement marketing and business development plans.  Out Chamber has already benefitted from Bob’s strategic planning skills when he co-facilitated our Executive Board retreat.  His style is such that he elicits healthy discussion about a variety of issues at play for our business community.

Because of his achievements, and many, many others, Prunetti was named Mercer County Chamber of Commerce Citizen of the Year in 2004. I know that Bob will be a valuable asset to our Chamber. He will help the Chamber advocate effectively for improving the business environment in the region, thereby helping our businesses become more successful and profitable. His experience in the public and private sectors, and his ability to bring the two sectors together, will prove to be an invaluable asset to Chamber members. In the story that follows you will find out what Bob’s vision for the Chamber is and why we selected him as the President. 

Please join me in welcoming Bob “Get Connected” to the Chamber as he continues to “Get [the] Results” of the strategies we have put in place, while he helps us refine them for the future.