FOR THOSE OF YOU WHO HAVE BEEN LOYAL READERS OF THIS MAGAZINE FOR THE PAST 14 YEARS, SPECIFICALLY THIS SECTION, ALLOW ME TO INTRODUCE MYSELF: MY NAME IS BRITTANY WHEELER.
I am a new member of the NJBankers Association, here I serve as vice president and director of government affairs. I will be working alongside our president/CEO, Mike Affuso, Esq. and Mary Kay Roberts, partner in Riker Danzig’s Governmental Affairs Group, on all things related to government, politics and public affairs.
A life-long resident of New Jersey, I grew up in Bridgewater Township and currently reside in Bedminster Township. I graduated from Rowan University with a Bachelor of Arts in economics and quickly immersed myself in politics upon graduation.
After graduation, I accepted a job in New Hampshire on a U.S. Senate Campaign fore joining the Republican National Committee (RNC) on a Congressional Campaign in Louisiana.
Returning to New Jersey in 2015, I joined the Office of New Jersey Assemblyman Erik Peterson (R-23), where I began to develop an understanding of the legislative process in Trenton and how to best serve constituents in need.
I then managed numerous political campaigns and worked alongside some of the most prominent political consultants in the country. In 2017, I accepted a job as political director to Somerset County’s finest — Jack Ciattarelli — and instantly changed the trajectory of my career. At the time, Ciattarelli was a candidate for governor in the Republican gubernatorial primary, where we ran a competitive campaign against Lt. Governor Kim Guadagno.
Much of the early success in my career is due to the faith, trust and confidence Ciattarelli had placed in me to work hard, compete and win. The consummate gentleman and ultimate pragmatist, Ciattarelli projects a mainstream vision for the Republican Party which is founded upon his respect and admiration of President Abraham Lincoln.
In 2018, I joined the Office of New Jersey Assemblyman Christopher DePhillips (R-40) serving as chief of staff and began to exercise my knowledge of both politics and state government.
After spending two years in Trenton, I once again joined Ciattarelli as political director when he launched his gubernatorial campaign in January 2020. Ultimately, our team came up short in November 2021 (only 3.2 points to be exact) and while our team was terribly disappointed in the outcome, we were not disappointed in our efforts.
Post-election, I served as the executive director for Fixing New Jersey, a nonprofit organization dedicated to increasing voter participation before joining NJBankers.
I have succeeded in many statewide leadership roles within political and governmental organizations in New Jersey. I am truly humbled by the experiences that I have had, the opportunities that have been provided and the knowledge learned from working alongside so many amazing people.
I was listed as one of the Best Operatives of 2021 by the New Jersey Globe. Named to SaveJersey.com’s list of “The Right 40 Women to Watch” in 2019, 2022 and 2023. InsiderNJ’s “50 under 30: The Millennial Up and Comers in NJ Politics” in 2017 and Observer’s “30 Under 30: Political Up-and-Comers in New Jersey for 2016.
I have served my community as a board member for the Somerset County Commission on the Status of Women, as vice chair of the Somerset County Young Republican Organization, and I currently serve in a leadership role on the Executive Committee for the Somerset County Republican Organization.
In closing, my new mission is simple: protect, promote and elevate the interests of the banking industry. A task that excites me and provides me with new challenges to overcome. Our industry provides the conduit through which funding flows into communities — expanding access to housing, building strong businesses, creating, preserving jobs and financing vital healthcare, education and charitable institutions. More New Jerseyans need to hear the stories of how our members help dreams become realities.
