TRENTON, NJ — The New Jersey Catholic Conference (NJCC) has announced that its public relations director, John W. Hardiman, has been named director of communications and public relations to better reflect his increasing role and responsibilities for the organization. Hardiman joined NJCC in November 2021 with 27 years of public affairs experience and more than 15 years of leadership experience. His expanded role will include the management and leadership of all communications activities for the Conference, including the oversight of digital media, media relations, planning and implementing strategic communications, coordination of communications activities with the six Catholic dioceses across New Jersey, and public relations efforts that effectively promote the legislative and public policy interests of the Catholic Church in New Jersey.
"We are thrilled to recognize John’s efforts and contributions to the Conference and the 3.5 million registered members of the Catholic Church in New Jersey," said James King, NJCC Executive Director. "His work ethic and valuable insights have proven themselves over the past 18 months and it’s only fitting that he should be appropriately recognized for the work he does day in and day out.”
"I’m honored and grateful to serve an organization that does such important work on behalf of the Catholic Church and Catholic bishops in the Garden State,” said Hardiman. "The Church’s efforts for the marginalized in our society is critical in ensuring the sanctity of life, the dignity of the human person, including human rights, and the conditions that are necessary for every person to thrive.”
Prior to joining the NJCC, Hardiman served as the director of public affairs for NJM Insurance Group, where he led the company’s communications, public relations, and teen driver safety efforts. He began his career at NJM in 1994 after graduating from Rider University in Lawrenceville, New Jersey. Hardiman is a Lead New Jersey fellow, class of 2014, and a former executive board member of both the MIDJersey Chamber of Commerce and the Princeton Mercer Regional Chamber. He is certified in public relations by Rutgers University, New Brunswick, New Jersey, and crisis and media management by the Institute for Crisis Management, Denver, Colorado.
About the New Jersey Catholic Conference Founded in 1949, the New Jersey Catholic Conference (NJCC) represents the Catholic bishops of New Jersey on matters of public policy. NJCC serves as a liaison to governmental agencies and institutions and coordinates public policy communications and activities among the dioceses and between the bishops and secular agencies. There are more than 3.5 million Catholics registered in parishes in the six dioceses throughout New Jersey that are served by NJCC.