Governor Sherrill Names 39 Staff Members in First Round of Administration Hires

Governor Mikie Sherrill announced her initial slate of front office appointments, naming 39 staff members who will help execute her administration’s priorities of lowering costs and increasing government accountability, according to a statement from the governor’s office.

The new administration will operate under the leadership of Chief of Staff Alex Ball, Chief Operating Officer Kellie Doucette, and Chief Counsel Tim Lydon, according to the announcement.

“My Administration is on a mission to deliver for all of New Jersey,” Sherrill said in the statement. “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.”

Ball emphasized the team’s mission to serve New Jersey’s 9.5 million 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,” Ball said. “I look forward to working with this team to ensure Trenton is accountable to our state’s 9.5 million residents.”

The appointments span multiple policy areas and administrative functions. Key positions include Luke Wolff as Budget Director, Catherine Tung as Senior Director for Policy, and Chris Taylor as Deputy Policy Director, according to the announcement.

Several roles focus on specific policy priorities outlined during Sherrill’s campaign. Sam Gilman will serve as Senior Strategist for Housing & Affordability, while Elizabeth Noll and Madeline Urbish will handle energy policy as Senior Strategist for Energy and Senior Advisor on Energy, respectively, according to the governor’s office.

The administration has also prioritized federal relations, naming Blaine Boyd as Senior Director for Federal Affairs and Julie Jochem as Director for Federal Affairs, the announcement shows.

Communication and public engagement roles include Sean Higgins as Chief Spokesperson and Senior Advisor, Megan Coyne as Digital Director, and Steve Sigmund as Senior Advisor for Communications, according to the statement.

The governor has established dedicated positions for legislative relations and intergovernmental affairs. Eash Haughton will serve as Director of Legislative Affairs, with Jay Redd as Senior Director for Legislative Affairs. Leslye Moya takes the role of Director of IGA, while Carter Elliott serves as Deputy Chief of Staff and Senior Director for IGA and Outreach, the announcement indicates.

Several appointments address government operations and accountability. Christina Fullam will serve as Chief Ethics Officer, and Emma Corrado takes the position of Deputy Chief Operating Officer and Senior Director for Operational Performance, according to the governor’s office.

The administration has also named staff for the lieutenant governor and first gentleman. Nabila Baptiste will serve as Chief of Staff to the Lt Governor, while Scott Suozzi takes the role of Chief of Staff to the First Gentleman, the statement shows.

Other notable appointments include Caroline Jones as Executive Director of the Governor’s Disaster Recovery Office, Vincent Funelas as Director of Constituent Relations, and Jonah Scharf as Cabinet Secretary, according to the announcement.

The governor’s office indicated that additional appointments will follow as the Sherrill-Caldwell Administration continues building its team. The initial hires represent the administration’s effort to assemble staff with expertise across policy areas including labor, energy, housing, federal affairs, and government operations.

The appointments signal the new administration’s focus on addressing cost-of-living concerns and government transparency, two central themes from Sherrill’s gubernatorial campaign.