Also Announces Other Senior Staff Appointments

TRENTON - Governor Jon S. Corzine today announced Chief Counsel Edward J. McBride, Jr. as his new Chief of Staff, replacing Lisa Jackson.  McBride will assume his new responsibilities immediately.

"As Chief Counsel, Ed has been an integral member of my administration, providing exceptional advice on an array of legislative, legal and policy issues," said Governor Corzine.  "I am pleased to have a person with a full range of experience, integrity and dedication to public service to serve as my next chief of staff."

McBride, who will now manage the day-to-day operations of the Governor's Office, served as Chief Counsel to Governor Corzine since February 2008 and as Deputy Chief Counsel the previous two years.  He will be replaced as Chief Counsel by William J. Castner, Jr., who will assume the new post before the end of the year.

"Bill has an exceptional legal mind and his years of service working in the legislature will be essential as we look to move forward with statewide economic relief and ethics reform initiatives in the coming year," said Corzine.

As Chief Counsel, Castner will be the "Governor's lawyer" and will head up the Office of Governor's Counsel.  He has served since January 2006 as Executive Director of the Assembly Majority Office and previously served as Deputy Executive Director and General Counsel of that office.

Corzine also named:

• 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 advisor 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 advisor, 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 Advisor.  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.

"We are entering an era of significant challenges for the state, and I am pleased to have so many highly qualified individuals who are ready for what lies ahead," Governor Corzine said.  "I look forward to the infusion of ideas as we work toward economic recovery and a new era of prosperity for all of New Jersey."

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 Photos from Governor Corzine's public events are available
in the Governor's Newsroom section on the State of New Jersey web page, http://www.nj.gov/governor/news/