Sherrill names Kellie Doucette as N.J. COO

As expected, Gov.-elect Mikie Sherrill has named Kellie Doucette, a close friend and longtime advisor, as the state’s first Chief Operating Officer.

The new position sets up a triumvirate of top gubernatorial staffers, along with Chief of Staff-designate Alex Ball and Chief Counsel-designate Tim Lydon, atop the governor’s senior staff. Under Gov. Phil Murphy, the chief of staff has been the state’s de facto COO.

Doucette, a Harvard graduate who served as Sherrill’s congressional district director and as executive director of the Sherrill-Caldwell transition, will manage day-to-day operations and administration initiatives, with cabinet members effectively reporting to her.

“Kellie Doucette has spent her career focused on bringing people together, solving tough problems, and making organizations work better for the people they serve,” Sherrill said.  “As New Jersey’s first Chief Operating Officer, Kellie will help us build a dynamic government that focuses relentlessly on getting results—starting with our priority of making life more affordable for the people of New Jersey.”

Gov. Thomas Kean used a similar plan during his first term when he brought in Paramus attorney Gary Stein to serve as director of the Office of Policy and Planning, along with Chief of Staff Lewis Thurston and Chief Counsel Cary Edwards.  Kean later nominated Stein to serve as an associate justice of the New Jersey Supreme Court.

Doucette said that the new post reflects Sherrill’s “vision for a more efficient, transparent, and innovative government is exactly what New Jersey needs right now.”

She worked on Sherrill’s 2018 campaign for Congress in New Jersey’s 11th district, and then served as district director from January 2019 until August 2024.

“I’m excited to focus everything we do on results and customer service—cutting red tape, breaking down silos, and ensuring New Jersey’s public servants have the resources they need to make New Jersey stronger and more affordable,” stated Doucette.