About Us
New Jersey Association for Clean and Renewable Energy, a New Jersey non-stock, nonprofit corporation, is organized and operated as a social welfare organization within the meaning of Section 501(c)(4) of the Internal Revenue Code (the “Code”). New Jersey Clean and Renewable Energy is a non-partisan organization that advocates for the common good through prudent public policy that is born of competing ideas, honed by vigorous debate, and filtered for its effectiveness and wisdom. We promote policies that result in responsible public and private investment in energy infrastructure based upon science.
New Jersey Association for Clean and Renewable Energy qualifies for exemption under Code Section 501(c)(4), because it is neither organized nor operated for profit, and it is operated exclusively for the promotion of social welfare. See Treas. Reg. § 1.501(c)(4)-1(a)(1). It is operated exclusively for the promotion of social welfare See Treas. Reg. § 1.501(c)(4)-1(a)(2). The directors, officers, and chosen consultants of the organization will be engaged in such activity.
Our Team
Dennis Culnan, Jr.
CEO, NJACRE
Dennis has multi-decade experience executing high-level public affairs strategy and coordinating major projects through the collaboration of public authorities and private entities. He is a trusted, bipartisan voice to New Jersey legislators on both sides of the aisle and provides public and private sector clients with nuanced insights on planning and advancing business development strategies through community, legislative, and government relations.
Dennis advises private domestic and international clients that include organizations in the transportation, energy, health care, education, and telecommunications industries. He draws on his leadership background as the Deputy Manager of Siemens AG’s RegioSprinter North American Light Rail, for which he led key proposal efforts and secured approval through scores of local, state, and federal government regulatory agencies and bureaucracy.
Siemen AG hand-selected Dennis to lead and manage its $100+ million North American locomotive business. Dennis served in top management roles for more than a decade at the South Jersey Transportation Authority, including as its Deputy Executive Director, Chief of Staff, Director of Business Administration, and Deputy Director of Finance. He spearheaded the strategic plans and outreach that led to the construction of the National Aviation Research Technology Park, a key economic development driver in Southern New Jersey. Additionally, Dennis has served as an advisor and member of staff on all levels of elections, including gubernatorial and U.S. Senate races.
Dennis is a Board Member of the Walter Rand Institute for Public Affairs and serves on the Board of Puerto Rico Unity for Progress.
Dennis earned an MBA from Rutgers University in Newark and a B.A. from Rider University.
Timothy White
President, NJACRE
Tim is a seasoned leader in public affairs, government relations, and strategic communications, with deep expertise guiding complex issue advocacy and regulatory approval campaigns for real estate development, energy, and public utility clients.
Renowned for his impactful work on education reform, technology policy, and cannabis legalization and regulation in New Jersey, Tim delivers results through sophisticated stakeholder engagement, coalition building, and high-stakes navigation of legislative and regulatory environments.
Before joining River Crossing Strategy Group, he founded and led the public affairs practice at Beckerman, served as Vice President at MWW Group, and held senior roles in political consulting, including communications director and campaign manager for numerous statewide, legislative, county, and municipal campaigns. His government experience includes serving as Special Assistant to Bergen County Executive William “Pat” Schuber, Special Assistant to Jersey City Mayor Glenn Cunningham, Political Director for the New Jersey Republican State Committee (2004), and member of Jersey City Mayor Steven Fulop’s 2013 transition team.
Tim is actively engaged in civic leadership. He serves on the New Jersey City University Foundation Board, is a past Chair of the Meadowlands Chamber of Commerce (where he continues as a Board Advisor and chairs the Public Affairs Committee), was a longtime Board Member of the New Jersey Public Charter Schools Association, and served on the Paramus Golf Commission.
He holds a B.A. from New Jersey City University (1999) and an M.P.A. from the Public Administration Institute at Fairleigh Dickinson University.
Gerard M. Balmir, Jr.
Gerard M. Balmir, Jr. is a senior public affairs and labor relations professional with more than two decades of experience working across government operations, workforce policy, infrastructure, and issue advocacy in New Jersey.
His career spans senior roles in state and local government, as well as experience in executive and intergovernmental affairs. Gerard brings a practical, operations-informed understanding of how public policy is developed, negotiated, and implemented across multiple levels of government, particularly in areas where cost, reliability, and community impact must be carefully balanced.
He has worked closely with public agencies, labor organizations, community stakeholders, and private-sector partners on complex policy initiatives requiring inclusive engagement and long-term coordination. His approach emphasizes building trust, understanding local concerns, and advancing solutions that reflect both economic realities and the needs of affected communities.
Through his work with NJACRE, Gerard contributes a grounded, community-minded perspective to energy policy discussions, supporting thoughtful approaches that prioritize affordability, system reliability, and the responsible integration of diverse energy resources.