Barbara McConnell

Image from Notable Women throughout the History of Hunterdon County

She began her fruitful career as a staff assistant to a member of Congress. In 1991 Governor Florio appointed McConnell to his Cabinet. McConnell served under Florio as New Jersey’s first woman Commissioner of the Department of Commerce and Economic Development.

Before her political appointment, McConnell served for thirteen years as the President and Chief Executive Officer of the New Jersey Food Council. She spent two terms in the state General Assembly, a position that spanned five years. An experienced businesswoman and politician, McConnell accepted a position as the Executive Director of the New Jersey Division of Tax Appeals during Governor Brendan Byrne’s administration. She also served as the former President and CEO of the National Food Industry Association Executives and is the current Trustee and Vice-Chair of the state’s Clean Communities Council.

Over the years, McConnell has received the Outstanding Democratic Woman of the Year Award (1969) and the Distinguished Alumni Award from the Business School at Tennessee Tech (1980).

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References:

United States. 1988. Nominations–March: hearings before the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, United States Senate, One Hundredth Congress, second session, on March 3, 1988, William E. Evans … March 16, 1988, Joseph T. Nall … March 23, 1988, Barbara McConnell Barrett … March 25, 1988 … Marc G. Stanley … Robert H. Brumley II … Frank DeGeorge … March 28, 1988, Robert L. Pettit … Edward R. Hamberger. Washington: U.S. G.P.O. http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/681606669 

United States. 1988. Nominations-March: hearings before the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, United States Senate, One hundredth Congress, second session on March 3, 1988, William E. Evans, to be Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere, National Oceans and Atmospheric Administration, March 16, 1988, Joseph T. Nall, to be a member, National Transportation Safety Board, March 23, 1988, Barbara McConnell Barrett, to be Deputy Administrator, Federal Aviation Administration, March 25, 1988, Marc G. Stanley, to be Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Congressional and Intergovernmental Affairs, Robert H. Brumley II, to be General Counsel, and Frank DeGeorge, to be Inspector General, Department of Commerce, March 28, 1988, Robert L. Pettit, to be Associate Deputy Secretary, and Edward R. Hamberger, to be Assistant Secretary for Governmental Affairs, Department of Transportation. Washington: U.S. G.P.O. http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/20525036