Over the last few months several Bloustein School alumni and faculty have been elected, or appointed to, key positions in New Jersey and elsewhere, underscoring the school’s longstanding role in preparing leaders who shape public policy across the state.
“These appointments reflect the extraordinary impact of the Bloustein School community on New Jersey,” said Stuart Shapiro, Ph.D., Dean of the Bloustein School. “Our alumni and faculty are helping to lead on technology, transportation, workforce development, and legislative strategy. We are immensely proud to see Bloustein graduates and scholars shaping policy decisions that enhance public welfare and create a more effective and equitable New Jersey.”
“Together, these alumni and faculty members illustrate the Bloustein School’s long connections to state government, developing connections to the federal government, and its continued role as a pipeline for leaders who develop and implement policy across New Jersey and the country,” he continued.
Kevin Dehmer, MPP ’99 was appointed as Governor Sherrill’s Chief Technology Officer, overseeing the New Jersey Office of Information Technology. Previously, he served as Commissioner of the New Jersey Department of Education under Governor Phil Murphy and as Executive Director of the John J. Heldrich Center for Workforce Development, a research center based at the Bloustein School.
Jay Redd, BS ’01, Public Health; MCRP ’04 was appointed Senior Director for Legislative Affairs and to the Governor’s Interdisciplinary Transition Task Force. He previously served as Managing Principal at Stono Public Affairs. Redd is also a member of the Bloustein School’s Advisory Board and the Rutgers Board of Trustees.
Earlier this month, Analilia Mejia, MPAP ’03 became the school’s first Congressional member when she won the Special General Election for U.S. House New Jersey District 11 on April 16. She defeated a crowded field of Democratic contenders in what was Governor Mikie Sherrill’s old district in the primary in February, and went on to earn nearly 63% of the votes over Republican candidate Joe Hathaway and Independent Alan Bond.
In November, Katie Brennan, MCRP ’12, won election to Legislative District 32 (Jersey City) in the fall. In her first Assembly term, she is focused on increasing transparency in school funding and addressing housing affordability.
Michael Manzella, MCRP ’14 was appointed Director of Statewide Planning for the New Jersey Department of Transportation. Before assuming this new position, he was Director of Transportation Planning for the city of Jersey City.
Eash Haughton, MPP ’21 has been appointed Director of Legislative Affairs. Prior to this role, he served as Director of Public Affairs for Capital Impact Group.
In addition to these appointments, several members of the Bloustein community served on Governor Sherrill’s transition team.
Carl Van Horn, Ph.D., Distinguished Professor of Public Policy at the Bloustein School and Director of the Heldrich Center, served as co-chair of Governor Sherrill’s Jobs, Opportunity, and Prosperity for All transition team.
Alumnus Christiana R. Foglio, MCRP ’86 served on the Governor’s Lowering Housing Costs and Expanding Homeownership transition team. An emeritus member of the Bloustein School’s Advisory Board and a current member of the Rutgers Board of Trustees, Foglio is Founder and CEO of Community Investment Strategies.
Additional transition team and task force appointments included:
- Dan Benson, MPP ‘99, Mercer County Executive, on the Local Government Advisory Group transition team
- Kevin Drennan, MPP/MCRP ‘07, Managing Director of Mercury Public Affairs, on the Interdisciplinary Transition Task Force
- Christopher Emigholz, MPP ‘04, Chief Government Affairs Officer at New Jersey Business & Industry Association, on the Saving You Time and Money transition team
- Aaron Fichtner, PhD ’05, President of the New Jersey Council of County Colleges, on the Interdisciplinary Transition Task Force
- Dan Kennedy, MCRP ‘07, Chief Executive Office of NAIOP New Jersey, on the Interdisciplinary Transition Task Force
- Margaret Koller, MS PP, Executive Director of the Rutgers Center for State Health Policy, on the Interdisciplinary Transition Task Force
- Brandon McKoy, MCRP ’13, President of The Fund for New Jersey and Senior Policy Fellow/Instructor at the Bloustein School, on the Interdisciplinary Transition Task Force
- Liz Shea, MPAP ’02, Partner, ZT Solutions Group, on the Interdisciplinary Transition Task Force
- Christina Zuk, BA PPP/Poli Sci ’08, MPAP ‘14, Strategic Advisor/Lobbyist at CZ Strategies, on the Interdisciplinary Transition Task Force
The Bloustein School’s influence extends beyond New Jersey’s borders as well. In New York City, recently elected Mayor Zohran Mamdani announced Ahmer Qadeer, PhD ’23, as Director and Chief Pension Administrator of the Mayor’s Office of Pensions and Investments (MOPI). In this role will serve as the Mayor’s primary pension and deferred compensation plan trustee, working to ensure the retirement security of nearly 800,000 active and retired City workers, and to responsibly steward their $300+ billion in assets under management for the long term.
Are you a Bloustein alumnus or alumna who has recently been elected or appointed to a role shaping public policy? We want to hear from you. Email us at alumni@ejb.rutgers.edu to share your news.