Biography

Dennis was the inaugural director of the Feliciano Center for Entrepreneurship & Innovation, located in the Feliciano School of Business at Montclair State University, from January 2013 to December 2018. He now serves as executive in residence for the Feliciano School of Business, and is a member of the advisory board for the school.

Dennis retired in the summer of 2012 from Verizon New Jersey Inc., where he served as President and CEO for more than a dozen years. Dennis’ 33 year career at Verizon and its predecessor companies challenged him with numerous assignments and responsibilities across many organizations. Outside of Verizon, Dennis has been influential in initiating positive growth within New Jersey’s business sector. He has been active in strengthening the state’s workforce system as chairman of New Jersey’s State Employment and Training Commission. He served as co-chairman on Gov. Chris Christie’s 2009 Economic Development Transition Team, which led to the formation of Choose New Jersey, with Dennis as founding chairman.

He is a graduate of the West Virginia University Institute of Technology, with a B.S. in mathematics. He also holds an MBA in finance and economics from Rutgers University and a M.S. degree in counseling from the Johns Hopkins University.  Dennis holds a Top Secret federal government clearance and he has been awarded four honorary doctorates.