Tim Hillmann, who was Gov. Phil Murphy’s chief of staff from 2024 to 2026, has joined RWJBarnabas Health as vice president of corporate affairs.
As the governor’s chief of staff, Hillmann was effectively the chief operating officer of the State of New Jersey, with a $58 billion state budget and over 65,000 employees. He handled crisis management operations on an almost day-to-day basis and built extensive relationships with key stakeholders across the state.
The new post reunited Hillmann with former U.S. Senator George Helmy, who is RWJ Barnabas Health’s executive vice president and chief corporate affairs officer. Hillman had served as deputy chief of staff when Helmy was the governor’s chief of staff.
“Tim brings strategic insight and leadership essential to advancing public policy and external affairs efforts,” stated Helmy. “His guidance will help ensure that RWJBarnabas Health’s voice reflects system goals and strengthens its standing throughout the healthcare landscape.”
Hillmann will provide strategic leadership in the public policy, government and labor relations, corporate communications, and community health sectors at RWJBarnabas Health, the state’s largest and most extensive health care system.
Before moving to the governor’s office in 2019 as appointments director, Hillmann spent nine years as an aide and advisor to a United States Senator, including a stint as deputy state director.
He currently serves on the board of the New Jersey Economic Development Authority.
His father, Fred Hillmann, was the legendary chief political reporter for the Star-Ledger in the newspaper’s heyday and later served as a top aide to U.S. Senator Bill Bradley and New Jersey Senate Majority Communications Director. His mother, Tracie DeSarno, is a prominent government relations executive and former aide to Essex County Executive Peter Shapiro.