Murphy taps Zeveloff as top policy advisor

Dennis Zeveloff will replace Zakia Smith Ellis as Gov. Phil Murphy’s chief policy advisor.

Zeveloff, who is currently the deputy chief policy advisor, also served as director of budget and outcomes and on the budget and economic development policy staff.  He was part of a policy team assembled by now-Attorney General Matt Platkin during Murphy’s 2017 gubernatorial campaign.

“Throughout the past four and a half years, Dennis has served as an invaluable advisor who brings to his work a spirit of fairness, integrity, and excellence,” Murphy said. “ His critical thinking, balanced approach, and expertise on our budget and economic proposals have guided our Administration’s efforts to build an economy that offers a pathway to opportunity for all who pursue it.”

Smith Ellis said last month that she was leaving the administration.  POLITICO reported that she will join a national education consulting firm.

The 32-year-old Zeveloff grew up in Tenafly and graduated from Dartmouth College and Yale Law School.  He worked as a research fellow at the Connecticut Policy Institute, which was founded by former GOP gubernatorial candidate Tom Foley.

He’ll assume the new post on July 1.