Sherill’s pick to lead EDA gets board approval

The New Jersey Economic Development Authority today ratified Gov. Mikie Sherrill’s choice of Evan Weiss as chief executive officer.  He will begin work tomorrow.

Weiss, a former policy aide to Gov. Phil Murphy, had been serving as CEO of the Newark Alliance.

“Evan brings with him an extraordinary amount of experience and insight and he will help bring the authority to new heights,” said NJEDA Chairman Terry O’Toole.

One of Weiss’ first tasks will be to hire a new chief of staff.  He’ll need to replace Emma Corrado, who has moved to the governor’s office as New Jersey COO Kelly Doucette’s number two.

Sherrill has not said if she planned to retain O’Toole, a former Goldan Sachs partner and philanthropist who had been named by Murphy in 2021 after Kevin Quinn left to accept a Biden administration appointment.

The post had been held for most of Murphy’s two terms by Tim Sullivan, who resigned last month after moving to Maryland.  Mary Maples had held the post on an interim basis.

Weiss said he was “excited to hit the ground running and work to create new jobs by expanding opportunity, supporting businesses of all sizes, building up strategic innovation industries, and strengthening communities across the state.”

Sherrill said she was confident that “Evan’s leadership will strengthen the NJEDA’s role as a catalyst for growth, so that we can build a more affordable, competitive economy that creates opportunity across every corner of our state.”

“New Jersey has everything it takes to lead. We have a talented workforce, world-class innovation, and vibrant communities; but we must confront the rising costs that are making it harder for families and businesses to get and stay ahead,” Sherrill said.  “Evan Weiss understands how to bring government, industry, and local communities together to expand opportunity and deliver real solutions that lower costs and drive economic development.”