Thomas R. Wilson
Tom Wilson, a lifelong New Jerseyan, has an extensive background in government, politics and public affairs. He is currently the director of public affairs at Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey, the state's largest and most experienced health insurer. He oversees all public relations, media relations, social media, and is part of a larger team responsible for crafting, coordinating and executing Horizon's communication's strategies. He was previously a partner at Kaufman Zita Group, one of the most recognized, respected, and relied upon public affairs firms in New Jersey where his client's interests included health care, insurance, financial services, higher education, regulated industries, the environment, energy, the non-profit sector, trade associations and commerce.
Wilson served as chairman of the New Jersey Republican State Committee, managed the re-election campaign of former Governor Christine Todd Whitman and as a communications consultant to the campaign of former New Jersey Governor Christopher Christie. Before his election to serve as chairman of New Jersey's Republican Party, Wilson was a partner in a successful public affairs firm based in Trenton and represented a portfolio of clients that ranged from Fortune 500 pharmaceutical companies to small trade associations.
Wilson's professional experience also includes senior-level positions in government, including chief of staff to Assembly Speaker Garabed "Chuck" Haytaian and communications director to Governor Donald T. DiFrancesco. Wilson served on the Board of the New Jersey Economic Development Authority from 2001 to 2004 and The Carrier Clinic, a behavioral and mental health care facility that was acquired by the Hackensack Meridian Health System in 2018. He is a past member of the board of trustees at Raritan Valley Community College and has been a frequent guest lecturer at Rutgers University and Rider University.
Tom led the internship seminar for the Eagleton Undergraduate Associates from 2014-2017 and is a 1989 graduate of the University of Vermont.