New Executive Staff Announced at DCA

Acting Commissioner Constable Names Charles Richman, Ana Montero and Paul Macchia to Key Departmental Roles


 

TRENTON, N.J. – New Jersey Department of Community Affairs (DCA) Acting Commissioner Richard E. Constable, III today announced changes to the leadership team at DCA that are effective immediately.

Charles A. Richman, who has served the Department since 1986, was named the Department's Deputy Commissioner. Ana A. Montero will serve as Assistant Commissioner and Paul B. Macchia will serve as Chief of Staff.

"Chuck's extensive institutional knowledge of the DCA and state government are valuable assets as we continue the important work of bringing greater accountability and efficiency to the Department and local governments. We are fortunate to have him serving in this capacity," said Acting Commissioner Constable. "Both Ana and Paul have extensive experience in state government and the private sector, and will be instrumental in helping the DCA achieve its goal of providing effective service to New Jersey residents."

Deputy Commissioner Richman will oversee the Divisions of Codes and Standards, Fire Safety and Women, as well as Fiscal Affairs and Local Planning Services. Assistant Commissioner Montero will have responsibilities for the Division of Housing and Community Resources, Internal Audit, the Urban Enterprise Zone program, and New Jersey Historic Trust. As Chief of Staff, Macchia will handle a broad range of responsibilities including acting as the Commissioner's liaison on intergovernmental and legislative affairs and overseeing several offices throughout the Department.

Deputy Commissioner Richman has more than 35 years of experience in New Jersey state government. Prior to joining the DCA 26 years ago, he held senior positions at the Board of Public Utilities, the State Energy Office and the former New Jersey Department of Energy. His experience includes policy development in housing, energy and social service programs; evaluations of municipal operations; formulation of legislative strategies; preparation of department budgets and priorities; contract management; and supervision of operating divisions.

"It is a great privilege to serve the citizens of New Jersey and I am honored that Acting Commissioner Constable appointed me to this important role," said Deputy Commissioner Richman. "I look forward to helping the Christie Administration and Acting Commissioner Constable move forward reforms that are more business friendly, that save taxpayers' time and money, and that encourage the production of affordable housing in the state."

Assistant Commissioner Montero brings more than 19 years of management experience in the areas of workforce grant allocation, strategic planning, and business development. Recently, she served as the Director of the NJ Department of Labor & Workforce Development's Workforce Grant and Program Management Office. In this capacity, she administered more than $200 million in training grants through partnerships with local organizations, private industry leaders, county entities, higher education and government agencies to implement workforce development initiatives for over 400 New Jersey companies annually. Over the past seven years, Assistant Commissioner Montero has facilitated and managed grant programs in partnership with community-based organizations to improve literacy levels, assist youth transitioning into apprenticeship opportunities, and help women and minorities gain entry in the construction trades.

Assistant Commissioner Montero holds a Juris Doctorate from the Rutgers University School of Law and a Bachelor of Science degree from The College of New Jersey.

"My thanks to Acting Commissioner Constable for the opportunity to assist the DCA in improving the way it administers state and federal grant funding for communities, and New Jersey residents," said Assistant Commissioner Montero. "The DCA has a long and successful reputation in servicing our communities and providing resources for all residents, who live and work in New Jersey. I am eager to bring my knowledge and experience to the DCA's experienced team, as we continue to improve our services and outreach to New Jersey residents and help build stronger communities."

Chief of Staff Macchia brings nearly twenty years of legal, business and financial industry experience in the private sector to the Department. Prior to becoming Chief of Staff, Mr. Macchia served as Director of Workforce Operations for the NJ Department of Labor & Workforce Development where he managed three major operational units – employment services, business services, and veterans services – with over 500 employees and a budget of approximately $45 million. Earlier in his career, he was an attorney with the law firms of Day, Pitney in Morristown and Wilentz Goldman & Spitzer in Woodbridge, Vice President and Assistant General Counsel of financial services firm National Senior Associates in North Brunswick, and Managing Director/General Counsel of investment advisory firm GSA Capital Management in Parsippany. He also co-founded SAXA Equity Partners, a Morristown, NJ-based investment fund focused on acquiring early-stage life science assets.

Mr. Macchia holds a Juris Doctorate from the Georgetown University Law Center, a Masters in Business Administration from the Georgetown University, McDonough School of Business, and a Bachelor of Science degree from Georgetown University.

"I look forward to working with Acting Commissioner Constable to support the goals of the Department and advance the Governor's agenda of good government and real accountability at the state level and particularly the municipal level," Macchia said.

The DCA offers a wide range of programs and services that respond to issues of public concern including fire and building safety, housing production, community planning and development, and local government management and finance. The DCA's programs and services are provided through its divisions of Codes and Standards, Fire Safety, Housing and Community Resources, Local Government Services, and Women. DCA is also closely affiliated with the Government Records Council, New Jersey Historic Trust, New Jersey Housing and Mortgage Finance Agency, New Jersey Meadowlands Commission and New Jersey Redevelopment Authority.

For more information regarding the DCA, please log on to http://www.nj.gov/dca/.

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