IssuesWatch Live: PPP Discussion with NJ Bankers Association (E2004674)

Michael P. Affuso currently serves the New Jersey Bankers Association as executive vice president and director of Government Relations. Affuso provides legal opinions and analysis of proposed and pending legislation that affects the New Jersey banking industry. He also manages relationships with both federal and state legislatures for the NJBankers. Mr. Affuso also serves as an adjunct professor at Monmouth University.

Before joining NJBankers, Affuso served as deputy district director and General Counsel for Congressman Albio Sires. He provided legal opinion and created strategies for legislation before and to be introduced to the Financial Services Committee and the Foreign Affairs Committee. Affuso also developed an annual budget and managed expenditures for State District Offices; managed a staff of eleven employees and four offices; coordinated constituent relations and press efforts; and managed Federal Grant applications.

Affuso was associate General Counsel for the New Jersey General Assembly Majority Office in Trenton NJ where he provided legal advice to the Assembly Speaker and Majority Leader; drafted legal opinions on topics ranging from Insurance to Economic Development to Civil Rights; advised staff of legal impediments to legislative efforts and analyzed proposed legislation recommending appropriate course of action to achieve legislative goals through the most efficient means.

Prior to his government service, he served in various positions at Mellon Bank, Morgan Stanley, Metropolitan Life Insurance/Banker’s Trust and at Merrill Lynch. Affuso graduated from American University with a B.A. in political science and minor in history. He received his J.D. from Seton Hall University School of Law. He is admitted to practice in New Jersey/Federal District Court and New York/Federal District Court.

Jeff is the vice president of government relations for the NJCPA. He works with the CEO and the Board of Trustees to create and implement advocacy initiatives that protect and promote the interests of the CPA profession, the business community and the public. Jeff monitors legislative and executive branch activity that impacts CPAs by writing position papers, developing grass roots membership activities to enhance lobbying efforts and raising money for the NJ-CPA-PAC. He is also a liaison to other pro-business groups like the New Jersey Chamber of Commerce, New Jersey Business & Industry Association (NJBIA) and Commerce and Industry Association of New Jersey (CIANJ) to coordinate legislative strategies. Prior to joining the NJCPA, Jeff worked on several political campaigns, worked for former Governor Jim Florio and for Common Cause New York. He previously owned a lobbying and public affairs firm. Jeff belongs to Compassion and Choices, the Humane Society and the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.