One of the state’s top lobbying firms, The Zita Group, has hired a clean energy policy expert as their new vice president.
Karlito Almeda, a former top staffer at the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities, had also served as legislative director to Senate Majority Leader Loretta Weinberg, and worked as a casework in the office of Rep. Bill Pascrell, Jr. (D-Paterson).
“Karlito is widely recognized throughout the State and across the political spectrum as a trustworthy and knowledgeable professional,” Zita said. “We believe his experience in managing and directing complex issues, as well as his familiarity with state government, will make him a great asset to our clients.”
In 2021, Almeda was the Democratic candidate for State Assembly in the 39th district, running more than 10,000 votes behind two Republican incumbents, Bob Auth (R-Old Tappan) and DeAnne DeFuccio (R-Upper Saddle River). The district has not elected a Democrat to the legislature since 1977.
Prior to joining the Zita Group, Almeda was a senior policy advisor at Advanced Energy Group.