Dale J. Florio, an attorney, is a public affairs professional with experience at the federal, state and local levels. Prior to founding the Princeton Public Affairs Group in February, 1987, Mr. Florio managed the Philip Morris state and local government affairs program throughout all 50 states. He was responsible for development and implementation of the company’s lobbying strategy, grassroots effort and political contributions program. Before joining Philip Morris, he served as federal public affairs representative with the National Association of Manufacturers and as an administrative assistant to a member of the New Jersey General Assembly.
In 1979, Mr. Florio was elected as a member of the Borough Council in Somerville, New Jersey. He chaired the Finance Committee of the Council, while serving on that committee for nearly three years. In June, 1992 Mr. Florio was elected Chairman of the Somerset County Republican Organization and served in that capacity until June, 2010. In the Spring of 1992, he was nominated by State Assembly Speaker Chuck Haytaian and appointed by Governor Florio to the New Jersey Building Authority. Mr. Florio served as a key advisor to Christie Todd Whitman during her successful primary and general election victories in 1993 and 1997 and was subsequently named to the Governor’s Transition Team. He was also a member of the Task Force on the Affordability and Accessibility of Health Care in New Jersey.
Mr. Florio served on the Finance Committee for the successful gubernatorial campaign of Chris Christie. In 2009, Mr. Florio was named one of the most influential people in the Garden State in the “The Power Issue” of New Jersey Monthly. In 2010 and 2011, Mr. Florio was named one of the 100 most influential personalities in New Jersey politics by PolitickerNJ.com and by NJBIZ in 2011, the state’s leading business magazine. He is seen frequently on television news and public affairs programs commenting on politics and policy in the Garden State.
A graduate of Allegheny College with a B.S. in Economics and Seton Hall University Law School, Mr. Florio is admitted to the practice of law in New Jersey and Pennsylvania. Mr. Florio serves on the Boards of Innovative Educational Programs, Inc., the Adult Day Center of Somerset County and the Somerset County Park Commission and also servies as the Assistant Basketball Coach at the Hun School in Princeton.
