Christie has privately told business leaders he would have tough time getting close to the group as long as Verplanck remained in top spot
Joan Verplanck, president of the New Jersey Chamber of Commerce in her Trenton office in this 2000 file photo. TRENTON — Joan Verplanck, the longtime president of the state Chamber of Commerce, is leaving the prominent business lobbying group on Friday, according to three sources briefed on the pending announcement. A former head of the Morris County Chamber, Verplanck was on bad terms with Gov. Chris Christie, who has privately told business leaders he would have a tough time getting close to the chamber as long as Verplanck was still in her position.
During a closed-door meeting in Wildwood last Friday, Verplanck informed the chamber's board of her plans, according to the sources, who declined to be identified because they were not authorized to discuss the matter prior to Verplanck's announcement.
The chamber's spokesman, Anthony Marucci, said "I can't comment either way." Verplanck did not return a call and e-mail seeking comment. Chamber Chairman Dennis Bone, the president of Verizon's New Jersey operations, also declined to comment.
Christie spokesman Michael Drewniak said he no comment.
Word of Verplanck's plans spread in the capitol today as lobbyists descended on the Statehouse for the final round of hearings leading to next week's scheduled adoption of the 2010-2011 state budget. Verplanck will not be replaced immediately as the board conducts a three-month search for a new chief executive for the century-old organization , two sources said.
Verplanck and Christie butted heads last year during the hard-fought gubernatorial campaign. After he won, the governor and his intimates made it clear they were displeased with the Chamber and Verplanck, in particular . They believed the chamber kept its distance from Christie during the year leading up to the November election to curry favor with then-Gov. Jon Corzine, betting the Democratic incumbent would win the race.
Christie made a public show of his feelings by boycotting the Chamber's annual train ride to Washington in January, usually a key coming-out appearance for a new governor as it is only days after the inauguration. This year, Christie stayed in Trenton for his first Cabinet meeting and ordered his senior staff and Cabinet members to boycott the ride with him.
At the time, Verplanck said "Trenton's a small town and things get blown way out of proportion." She predicted she and the new governor would "come together."
Previous coverage:
• Christie sits out annual Chamber of Commerce train ride, snubs influential lobbying groups
• Editorial: Boycotting N.J. Chamber of Commerce's "Walk to Washington":Gov. Chris Christie plays the party pooper
• GOP hopefuls rail against Chamber of Commerce railroad trip