Dehmer gets a new cabinet post

Former New Jersey Commissioner of Education Kevin Dehmer will remain in Gov. Mikie Sherrill’s cabinet as the state’s Chief Technology Officer.

“Kevin is a trusted and experienced public servant who has dedicated his career to strengthening our state’s nation-leading public education system. In doing so, he has implemented impressive reforms to modernize New Jersey’s education data systems,” Sherrill said.  “I look forward to working with Kevin to institute similar modernization efforts across our state’s digital infrastructure. Improving how our state government uses technology is fundamental to eliminating bureaucracy and saving our residents time and money.”

Dehmer will continue to serve as the interim Commissioner of Education through Wednesday and will start his new post on Thursday.  Sherrill’s pick, Sr. Lily Laux, will become Acting Commissioner of Education on Thursday as she awaits Senate confirmation.

Chris Rein, who held the post under Gov. Phil Murphy, did not seek a post in the Sherrill administration.  Following Rein’s departure last Friday, Vernon Spencer was named interim Chief Technology Officer.

Dehmer’s new position does not require Senate confirmation.  Prior to being named commissioner, Dehmer served as Assistant Commissioner of Finance and CFO of the New Jersey Department of Education.  He is a former executive director of the Heldrich Center for Workforce Development at Rutgers University.