For the first time in its 76-year tenure, the New Jersey Restaurant & Hospitality Association has tapped someone whose sole purpose is to address the state and local legislation affecting the hospitality industry.

Andrew LaFevre is the association’s new government affairs director.

“In the last couple years, the amount of legislation that has seriously affected our industry has increased tenfold, making it difficult for the association to keep up,” said NJRHA President Marilou Halvorsen in a statement. “Andrew will monitor these bills, assist in advocating on behalf of our members, organize industry roundtables with locally-elected officials and members of our industry to educate them on how legislation and ordinances affect our small business community.”

LaFevre will monitor industry-related bills, which currently total 386 separate pieces of legislation.

He will also educate members via a monthly “Kitchen Cabinet” email and video updates shared to the NJRHA’s social media platforms, as well as perform legislative calls.