Bracken is New Jersey regional president of TriState Capital Bank, after having been president of Sun National Bank and holding leadership positions with CoreStates and First Union banks.“We looked at hundreds of individuals and interviewed many people, and Tom is the end result of a very, very diligent process,” said Jeffrey Scheininger, who was chairman of the presidential search committee.

Bracken will start work on Jan. 31, but will attend the Chamber’s Walk to Washington train trip and dinner. The position has been filled by interim President Dana Egreczky since Joan Verplanck resigned in July after a 15-year tenure as president.

Bracken previously served as chairman of the chamber’s board and the New Jersey Bankers Association board, as well as a director of South Jersey Industries Inc., the parent of South Jersey Gas. Bracken, a Bucknell University graduate, began his career with New Jersey National Bank in 1969.

Scheininger, who is to take over from Dennis M. Bone as chamber board chairman in July, said he was “thrilled” that the chamber was hiring Bracken after a search that lasted more than six months.

While the other finalist — whom Scheininger would not identify — was not from New Jersey, Scheininger said Bracken was chosen for more than his familiarity with the state.

“Tom brought to the table an incredible range of skill sets that transcended the fact that he was a fixture in the New Jersey business community,” said Scheininger, who added that Bracken is well versed in the role of chamber president from his experience as chamber board chairman.

E-mail Andrew Kitchenman at akitchenman@njbiz.com

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