GOVERNOR TAPS DORIA AS DCA COMMISSIONER

Governor Jon S. Corzine today announced he will nominate Joseph V. Doria, Jr. as Commissioner of the Department of Community Affairs (DCA). Doria would replace former Commissioner Susan Bass Levin, who is currently the Deputy Executive Director of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey.

"Joe Doria has a wealth of experience in government at the state and local level," Governor Corzine said. "He is a public servant with high standards of excellence and integrity, and I know he will work tirelessly to assist local governments and other stakeholders in issues ranging from affordable housing to construction codes to municipal finances.  I would also like to thank Acting Commissioner Richman and the professional staff at the department for all of their hard work during this time of transition."

Joe Doria is currently the Mayor of Bayonne and represents Hudson County in the State Senate. He will be resigning both posts and will begin serving as Acting DCA Commissioner on October 9, pending Senate confirmation of his nomination.

Prior to serving in the State Senate, Doria served twelve consecutive terms in the New Jersey General Assembly, including ten years as Minority Leader and two years as Assembly Speaker. Doria began his career as a social studies teacher at Holy Families Academy in Bayonne before joining St. Peter's College as an administrator and an adjunct faculty-member. He was elected to the Bayonne Board of Education and sat
on the board for five years, three of them as board president. Doria and his wife, who have one child, live in Bayonne.

"I am honored and humbled by the Governor's decision to nominate me," Doria said. "As a Mayor and Legislator, I know firsthand about the impact the Department of Community Affairs can have on people's lives by working closely with advocates, non-profit  organizations and officials at all levels of government."

The New Jersey Department of Community Affairs is a State agency created to provide administrative guidance, financial support and technical assistance to local governments, community development organizations, and businesses and individuals to improve the quality of life in New Jersey.  DCA offers a wide range of programs and services that respond to issues of public concern including fire and building safety, housing
development, community planning and development, and local government
management and finance.

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