Chief

Jerry Zaro was named Chief of the Office of Economic Growth by Governor Jon S. Corzine in October 2008. In that capacity, he also serves on the board of the New Jersey Economic Development Authority. Zaro brings to state government more than 33 years of experience in the law, business, banking, real estate and transportation fields.

The Office of Economic Growth was established as a permanent part of the executive branch in January 2007 by Executive Order 50, to coordinate the state's economic development efforts across all sectors and departments. As Chief, Zaro oversees the implementation of the state's Economic Growth Strategy, and coordinates efforts to improve the business climate while working to attract and retain jobs.

Prior to joining the Corzine Administration, Zaro served for more than two decades as president and managing partner of the law firm of Ansell Zaro Grimm & Aaron, one of the 50 largest law firms in New Jersey. During that time, he served as a Commissioner of the New Jersey Highway Authority for more than 12 years, with the last two years of the term as Chairman. More recently, he concluded a four-year term as Commissioner of the New Jersey Sports & Exposition Authority.

Zaro has been involved in numerous business and corporate affairs throughout his career. He began his law career as a judicial secretary to the Honorable Thomas F. Shebell, Jr. in the Superior Court of Monmouth County and is a member of the Monmouth, New Jersey and New York Bar Associations. Among his many professional highlights, Zaro was one of the initial stockholders and served as Chairman of the Board of Ocean Independent Bank, a state chartered banking institution. He has served as a director of several other stock exchange listed companies, and as a principal in numerous real estate development and management firms. He also served as a member of the Board of Directors of Denholtz Holdings, LLC, a privately held national real estate company that develops, owns and operates office, industrial, flex and retail properties.

A lifelong philanthropist, Zaro served as Chairman of the board of trustees of Joan Dancy and P.A.L.S., Inc., which provides financial assistance and emotional support to people with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS). He also serves on the boards of the American Cancer Society's Special Gifts Unit, the Monmouth Medical Center Foundation, the Mental Health Association Foundation and a myriad of Jewish organizations.

Born in 1951 and raised in Teaneck, Zaro has a bachelor's degree in history and government from Boston University and received his juris doctorate from Boston College's School of Law in 1976. He lives in Ocean Township and has three grown sons.

"A pessimist sees the difficulty in every opportunity; an optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty." - Winston Churchill