Gov. Jon Corzine's chief of staff, Lisa Jackson, is heading to Washington as President-elect Barack Obama's choice to run the Environmental Protection Agency. She's had that job in Corzine's front office only two weeks, most of which was spent helping Obama's transition team, then getting ready for Monday's announcement.
Corzine moved quickly to announce her replacement, as well as a bunch of other people who will hold key positions in his governor's office entering an election year. They are:
- -- Edward J. McBride Jr., chief of staff, meaning he'll manage the office's day-to-day operations. Frequently referred to as the state government's second most powerful post, he'll be Corzine fourth chief of staff, following Tom Shea, Bradley Abelow and Lisa Jackson. He's been chief counsel since February and was deputy chief counsel before that.
- -- William J. Castner Jr., chief counsel, aka, the governor's lawyer. He's been executive director of the Assembly Democrats since January 2006 but had already announced his departure; in January, he was planning to become a director at the Gibbons law firm.
Other nominations (with details as provided by Corzine's office):
- -- Diane Legreide as deputy chief of staff. She will directly oversee operations, personnel and matters involving the cabinet. Legreide brings more than 20 years of public sector experience to the Governor’s Office, including service on the Casino Control Commission and as the first Chief Administrator of Motor Vehicle Commission. She previously served in the state Office of Economic Growth. Legreide replaces Deputy Chief of Staff Maggie Moran, who is leaving by year’s end to serve as a political adviser to the governor.
- -- Michellene Davis as chief policy counsel. She will oversee the development and implementation of the governor’s policy initiatives. Davis has served as special counsel since January, and previously served as acting state treasurer, deputy state treasurer, chief of staff for the state Department of the Treasury, and executive director of the New Jersey State Lottery.
- -- Albert J. Alvarez as deputy chief of staff. He will be responsible for coordinating outreach efforts to New Jersey residents, communities, and civic organizations, as well as addressing concerns among specific constituencies. Alvarez previously served in the Governor’s Office as a cabinet liaison and as a policy adviser, where he developed initiatives on affordable housing, homelessness, poverty, and immigrant and LGBT rights.
- -- Jaimee Gilmartin as director of operations. Currently director of appointments for the governor, she will oversee the day-to-day functions of the Governor’s Office. Gilmartin previously served as the director of operations and communications for the state Department of Banking and Insurance, where she also served as assistant commissioner for public affairs. Gilmartin replaces Jose Lozano, who will move to the Office of Homeland Security and Preparedness.
- -- Josh Zeitz as senior policy adviser. New to the office, he will provide day-to-day counsel on policy matters. Zeitz most recently taught American history at Rutgers University, Harvard University, and Cambridge University. He is the author of two books and has written widely on history and politics. (Zeitz last month lost a House race to Rep. Chris Smith, though he impressed Democrats along the way.)
