Governor Sherrill Announces Key Staff Appointments for New Jersey Administration

Trenton, NJ – Governor Mikie Sherrill has announced a comprehensive team of forty individuals to staff the Office of the Governor, signaling a swift start to her administration. The appointments include a mix of experienced government professionals, veterans of her congressional staff, campaign operatives and individuals retained from the previous administration of Governor Phil Murphy.

A Mission to Deliver for New Jersey

“My administration is on a mission to deliver for all of New Jersey,” Governor Sherrill stated. “I am thrilled to hit the ground running with this team of dedicated public servants who are committed to tackling our nation’s affordability crisis, better protecting our kids online, and demanding government transparency.”

Key Appointments

Alex Ball, Chief of Staff, emphasized the team’s diversity and readiness to address the challenges facing New Jersey residents. “We are bringing together an impressive team of individuals from diverse backgrounds – each ready to take on the most pressing challenges facing New Jerseyans,” he said. “I look forward to working with this team to ensure Trenton is accountable to our state’s 9.5 million residents.”

Leadership Roles

• Alex Ball: Chief of Staff
• Scott Suozzi: Chief of Staff to the First Gentleman, Jason Hedberg. Suozzi is a U.S. Naval Academy graduate and former military social aide to Presidents Bill Clinton and George W. Bush.
• Scott Altieri: Director of Labor, previously worked on Sherrill’s congressional campaigns and gubernatorial campaign.
• Kimelle Ash: Deputy Director for Advance, with experience in the Sherrill for Governor campaign and with Vice President Kamala Harris.
• Blaine Boyd: Senior Director for Federal Affairs, formerly Sherrill’s chief of staff in Congress.
• Nicole Brosssoie: Senior Director of Appointments, bringing experience from the Department of Children and Families and various government relations roles.
• Emma Corrado: Deputy Chief Operating Officer and Senior Director of Operational Performance, formerly with the New Jersey Economic Development Authority and Senator Cory Booker’s office.
• Caitlin Duffy: Senior Director for Protocol, with experience in the Sherrill for Governor campaign and the Democratic National Committee.
• Carter Elliott: Deputy Chief of Staff and Senior Director for Intergovernmental Affairs and Outreach, previously managed State Senator Vin Gopal’s re-election and Steve Sweeney’s 2025 gubernatorial campaign.
• Todd Fisher: Senior Director of Strategic Initiatives and Economic Opportunity, formerly with the U.S. Economic Development Administration and the Department of Commerce.
• Christina Fullam: Chief Ethics Officer, previously Executive Director of the State Ethics Commission.
• Andrea Garcia: Deputy Director of Appointments, with experience in Governor Murphy’s appointments office.
• Sam Gilman: Senior Strategist for Housing and Affordability, formerly CEO of the Community Economic Defense Project in Colorado.
• Jess Harding: Special Assistant to the Governor.
• Sean Higgins: Chief Spokesperson and Senior Advisor, previously communications director for the Sherrill gubernatorial campaign.
• Julie Jochem: Director for Federal Relations, a long-time aide during Sherrill’s time in the House of Representatives.
• Caroline Jones: Executive Director of the Governor’s Disaster Recovery Office, formerly with the State Comptroller’s office.
• Sophia LoPresti: Deputy Director of Briefings.
• Shannon McGee: Director of Operations, with experience working for First Lady Tammy Murphy and several members of Congress.
• Leslye Moya: Director of Intergovernmental Affairs, formerly Executive Director of the New Jersey Democratic State Committee.
• Elizabeth Noll: Senior Strategist for Energy, previously with the U.S. Department of Energy.
• Jay Redd: Senior Director for Legislative Affairs, formerly a top aide to Senate President Steve Sweeney.
• Vereliz Santana: Director of Advocacy, Vice President of the Newark Board of Education.
• Jonah Scharf: Cabinet Secretary, formerly Executive Director of Sherrill’s super PAC, One Giant Leap.
• Chris Taylor: Deputy Policy Advisor, previously Sherrill’s senior policy advisor and legislative assistant in Congress.
• Georgia Turvey: Deputy Director for Cabinet Affairs.
• Madeline Urbish: Senior Advisor on Energy, with experience in policy and public affairs.
• Luke Woff: Budget Director, formerly budget director for the Senate Democratic Caucus.

Continuity from the Murphy Administration

Several staff members from the previous administration will continue in their roles, including Julia Conoline, Aaron Creuz, Vincent Funelas, Eric Martin, Sherron Randall, and Brandon Sitzler.

Previously Announced Appointments

Additional appointments previously announced include Nabila Baptiste as Chief of Staff to Lt. Governor Dale Caldwell, Megan Coyne as Digital Director, Steve Sigmund as Communications Advisor, Catherine Tung as Senior Director for Policy, Eash Haughton as Director of Legislative Affairs, and Elizabeth Harris and Deirdre Naughton as Deputy Chief Counsels.

This team is poised to support Governor Sherrill in her commitment to delivering for the residents of New Jersey.