Morris County Chamber adds five new board members

By AI, Created 11:30 AM UTC, May 20, 2026, /AGP/ – The Morris County Chamber of Commerce named five new directors effective immediately, expanding board representation across farming, real estate, banking, communications and the arts. The additions are meant to bring more sector-specific leadership and strengthen ties across the county’s business community.

Why it matters: - The Morris County Chamber of Commerce is broadening board input from major parts of the local economy, including agribusiness, commercial real estate, banking, communications and arts leadership. - The new appointments add voices that work directly with employers, consumers and community institutions across Morris County. - Chamber leadership said the board changes are intended to strengthen perspective across sectors and support the county’s business network.

What happened: - The Morris County Chamber of Commerce named five new members to its board of directors, effective immediately. - The new board members are Ashley Asdal of Riamede Farm, Kim Brennan of Cushman & Wakefield, Casey Carpenter of Speak & Own It Communications, Beth Johns of Fulton Bank and Thomas J. Loughman of the Morris Museum. - Each new board member will serve a three-year term.

The details: - Ashley Asdal owns Riamede Farm, one of New Jersey’s first pick-your-own apple orchards, which opened to the public in 1974. - Asdal is a graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy and Harvard University’s Kennedy School of Government. - Asdal served 11 years on active duty in the Navy and led units of more than 300 people on carrier strike group deployments. - Kim Brennan has more than 25 years of commercial real estate experience, with a focus on the tristate region. - Brennan works as a leasing broker in Cushman & Wakefield’s Morristown office and focuses on business development. - Brennan previously held leadership roles at CBRE and Colliers International. - Brennan has been recognized by Real Estate New Jersey as a Women of Influence and in 40 Under 40. - Brennan earned a bachelor’s degree in political science from Seton Hall University and is a licensed broker in New York, New Jersey and Connecticut. - Casey Carpenter transitioned from a 30-year corporate career to keynote speaking, facilitation and executive presence coaching. - Carpenter founded Speak & Own It Communications in 2020 and coaches women in leadership development, executive presence and public speaking. - Carpenter serves on the board of the National Speakers Association and is a CHIEF Guide for women CEOs. - Carpenter is a member of the International Coaching Federation and graduated from Tufts University with a bachelor’s degree in Spanish language and literature. - Beth Johns has more than 30 years of experience in banking and finance, including commercial lending, customer relations and commercial real estate and corporate and industrial underwriting. - Johns is a senior vice president and senior commercial relationship manager with Fulton Bank’s Commercial Banking group. - Johns also serves on the nonprofit CREW NJ board and volunteers with United Way’s Alice Fund and Morris County Habitat for Humanity. - Johns holds degrees from Shippensburg University, York College of Pennsylvania and the PBA/Bucknell University advanced banking program. - Thomas J. Loughman returned to Morristown to lead the Morris Museum in May 2023. - Loughman previously served as director and CEO of the Wadsworth Atheneum in Hartford, Connecticut, and associate director of the Clark Art Institute in Williamstown, Massachusetts. - Loughman also served as co-chair of the board of the United States National Committee of the International Council of Museums. - Loughman earned degrees from Georgetown University, Williams College and Rutgers University. - Chamber President Meghan Hunscher said each new member brings expertise that includes agribusiness, commercial real estate, leadership development, banking and arts, culture and history. - Asdal and Loughman also serve on the chamber’s Executive Committee, which also serves as the board of the Morris County Economic Development Alliance, and both are board liaisons to the Morris County Tourism Advisory Council.

Between the lines: - The selection spans both traditional business sectors and civic institutions, signaling a board mix that can speak to employers as well as community-facing organizations. - Carpenter’s focus on smaller businesses may add weight to the needs of solo entrepreneurs and local firms, which she noted make up 42% of chamber membership. - The additions of Asdal and Loughman to the Executive Committee suggest the chamber is linking its board work more closely with economic development and tourism priorities.

What’s next: - The five new members are expected to begin participating in chamber board work immediately and serve through their three-year terms. - Their appointments could shape chamber advocacy, member engagement and cross-sector networking over the next several years. - Asdal and Loughman will also help connect chamber efforts with the Morris County Economic Development Alliance and the Morris County Tourism Advisory Council.

The bottom line: - The Morris County Chamber is using its latest board expansion to deepen representation from key local industries and broaden the chamber’s reach across the county economy.