Coalition of New Jersey Firearm Owners Elects New Leadership

The Coalition of New Jersey Firearm Owners announced a restructure and election of new leadership. Trustees select firearms instructor, advocate, and activist Don Decasse as interim president of the organization.

Leadership from the Coalition of New Jersey Firearm Owners has announced there’s been some major restructuring of the organization. In the wake of the passing of former trustee and treasurer of the Coalition, Jack Pyle, the group has been working overtime to take up Pyle’s duties. A number of interim organizational changes have been made and the group has selected Don Decasse to serve as the group’s president.

In talking to trustees of the organization, they explained that so much happened all at once. Between the passing of Pyle and changes in leaders’ personal and professional obligations, they said some reorganization was necessary. Some of those moves included the election of firearms instructor and activist Jim Howard to the Board of Trustees last summer when Pyle resigned due to a terminal illness. By the fall, the group tapped Decasse to also join the board.

Former President Matthew Andras made the difficult decision to step down from his role as president. Andras is one of the founding members of CNJFO and has twice occupied the position when he was needed to serve. In an interview, Andras said that there was too much happening in his work-life balance and it wasn’t fair to the organization to not be able to give it his all. While he’s stepped down from his post as president, Andras still serves as a trustee of the group.

Andras explained that the organization was founded “to have longevity and not be about one person,” noting it was important to him that someone with the proper resources was willing to step up. “Serving as the president of CNJFO for all of these years has been such a pleasure, but now it’s time for me to let some new blood steer the organization into the next decade,” Andras said. “I’m not going anywhere though. I just won’t be leading as the head of the group.”

Having Decasse step up is something Andras said he’s excited about and he looks forward to some of the new ideas he brings to the table.

Part of the restructuring included Trustee Howard moving over to the secretary’s position. Nick Wong stepped into the position of vice president during last year’s leadership changes while holding the secretary position as well. Howard is taking over the administrative duties to allow Wong to focus on being more involved with helping Decasse.

“Don and I bring some new ideas and energy to the organization, such as resurrecting the newsletter and scheduling membership meetings throughout the state,” Howard said. “We look forward to honoring Jack’s legacy and making CNJFO Great Again!”

Veteran firearm instructor Decasse was eager to help out when the group started discussing the changes. While being the most freshman of trustees, Decasse was happy to accept the nomination to serve as the interim president.

“When CNJFO asked me to join their board last year, I was beyond delighted,” Decasse told Bearing Arms. “This is such a fine group of advocates and activists, that getting the chance to serve alongside them was a no-brainer. Being asked to lead this organization is an honor.”

Decasse echoed what Howard said that they’re ready to bring fresh ideas to the table. In addition to reinvigorating the group by bringing back membership meet and greets and revamping the newsletter, they hope to reinvent their online presence too.

The Coalition of New Jersey Firearm Owners is a 501(c)(3) advocacy and educational organization. To learn more about projects they are spearheading, litigation they’ve filed, and events they’re hosting, visit them on the web at CNJFO.com

Editor’s Note: Second Amendment groups across the country are making great strides in protecting our right to keep and bear arms and right to self-defense. 

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