About Foundation for Local News

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Brian spent more than five decades as a broadcast journalist before retiring in May 2023. Half of that time was as the New Jersey reporter for NBC New York, where Brian routinely broke stories including news of then Gov. Jim McGreevey’s resignation due to an affair with a member of his Administration. His award-winning career includes being honored seven times by the Associated Press for best coverage by a New Jersey-based reporter. Brian served as president of the Society of Professional Journalists’ Charlotte Chapter. Brian’s assignments have taken him around the world, into the eye of Hurricane Hugo, and onto the Seaside Heights boardwalk when Superstorm Sandy roared ashore. Since his retirement, Brian has worked with environmental groups to reduce plastic waste. He currently serves on the advisory board of Beyond Plastics, a national group dedicated to the battle against plastic pollution.

Born and raised in New Jersey, Marie is an Emmy-award winning TV reporter, producer, and documentary filmmaker with a vast body of work that has appeared on major television, Internet, and radio outlets including NJTV, WCBS-TV, CBS, MSNBC, MSNBC.Com, WNET, NJN, and WNYC. Among her TV projects, Marie conceptualized, produced, and hosted an interview program focused on writers and filmmakers. The Spark appeared on WHYY in Philadelphia. Marie’s various publications have appeared on blogs, in magazines, and in newspapers. She currently serves as director of strategic communications for Barnard College.

Jonathan is an award-winning author, political analyst, documentary filmmaker, columnist, television producer and radio host. Jonathan’s most recent book – “His Very Best: Jimmy Carter, a Life” (2020) – received uniformly favorable reviews. His earlier books include three New York Times bestsellers: “The Center Holds: Obama and His Enemies” (2013), “The Promise: President Obama, Year One” (2010), and “The Defining Moment: FDR’s Hundred Days and the Triumph of Hope” (2006), which was also one of the Times’ “Notable Books” of the Year. A former senior editor and columnist at Newsweek, Jonathan is a longtime political analyst for NBC News and MSNBC. He co-produced and co-directed the HBO documentary “Breslin and Hamill: Deadline Artists,” which won the 2020 Emmy for Outstanding Historical Documentary. In 2013-14, Jonathan was an executive producer of “Alpha House,” a comedy on Amazon. Over the years, Jonthan has written for the New York Times, Washington Post, Washington Monthly, The New Yorker, Bloomberg, The Daily Beast, and other publications. In 2021, Jonathan launched a weekly Substack newsletter called “OLD GOATS, Ruminating with Friends,” which includes frequent columns and his conversations with accomplished people of wisdom and experience. 

Eric serves as President of the Lindabury law firm, where he is also a key member of the executive committee. Eric is a highly accomplished litigator with a robust background in cybersecurity and data privacy. A respected voice in the legal community, Eric frequently lectures on data-driven management strategies and cybersecurity across prestigious platforms including Rutgers University’s Mini-MBA course. His litigation skills are well-recognized with a history of successful representations in both state and federal courts. Beyond his legal career, Eric is committed to community service, holding positions on several boards including the United Way of Greater Union County and the boards of the Victoria and Adams Square Condominium Associations. Eric’s recent appointment to The Foundation for Local News board underscores his dedication to leveraging his legal expertise for broader societal benefit.

Ron Morano has nearly 30 years experience in the utility industry and previously served as senior communications representative for FirstEnergy Corp. working as the spokesman and public information officer for Jersey Central Power & Light (JCP&L). He currently serves as an adjunct instructor at Bergen County Community College, Executive Director of Affordable Energy for New Jersey and operates a communications consulting company.

He is a graduate of the Morris County Chamber of Commerce Leadership Morris Program and a Trustee of the New Jersey Press Foundation and member of the Saint Francis of Assisi Church, Haskell, Parish Council.

Morano is a graduate of William Paterson University.