NJN Foundation Board of Trustees

Bob Franks

Bob Franks was elected to the NJN Foundation Board of Trustees on May 21, 2003.

Mr. Franks is President of the HealthCare Institute of New Jersey (HINJ), based in New Brunswick, NJ. Mr. Franks, who was appointed in August 2001, is the second chief executive of the Institute.

Established in 1997, HINJ is an association of 22 research-based pharmaceutical and medical technology companies in New Jersey.

As President, Mr. Franks is responsible for fostering greater understanding of the pharmaceutical and medical technology industry and for advancing the Institute’s objectives with New Jersey's elected and appointed officials, media, citizens and opinion leaders. He also leads HINJ’s efforts to align the interests of the pharmaceutical and medical technology industry with other stakeholders in the health care field, such as academic research institutions, hospitals, public health officials, physicians, nurses and other health care professionals.

Mr. Franks has also enjoyed a long and distinguished career in public service; he has been a leader in New Jersey politics and government for three decades. Prior to joining HINJ, Mr. Franks served four consecutive terms as Congressman for New Jersey’s 7th district, which covers parts of Union, Somerset, Middlesex and Essex Counties. Mr. Franks completed his fourth term in January 2001.

During his tenure in Congress, Mr. Franks served on the Budget Committee, as well as the Transportation & Infrastructure Committees. In the 106th Congress, the Transportation & Infrastructure Committee reorganized and Mr. Franks became chairman of the new Economic Development, Public Buildings, Hazardous Materials and Pipeline Transportation Subcommittee. He was co-chairman of the Northeast-Midwest Congressional Coalition and founded the Congressional Task Force on Manufacturing. He also was a founder and co-chairman of the Missing and Exploited Children’s Caucus, and sponsored numerous bills aimed at protecting children.

Before serving in Congress, Mr. Franks was a member of the New Jersey General Assembly for 13 years, representing the 22nd district, which covered Union and Somerset Counties. Mr. Franks also served as New Jersey Republican State Chairman from 1987 to 1989 and again from 1990 to 1992 when he stepped down to run for Congress.

A key advisor to New Jersey Governor Tom Kean in his 1981 gubernatorial election, Mr. Franks went on to manage the campaigns of New Jersey Congressmen Jim Courter and Dean Gallo.

Mr. Franks has a B.A. from DePauw University and a J.D. from Southern Methodist University. He resides in Berkeley Heights, N.J., with his wife, Fran and their daughters, Kelly and Sara.