Mercer County Executive Dan Benson has picked political veteran Sharon Shinkle Gardner as his chief of staff and Christopher Marion as the new county administrator.
Benson took office last week. Twenty-year incumbent Brian Hughes did not seek re-election after Benson defeated him last March at the county Democratic convention.
“Our team has extensive government experience from a variety of diverse backgrounds that will deliver results to Mercer County residents,” Benson said. “As County Executive, I will bring innovation, collaboration and transparency to the forefront of Mercer County’s government.”
Shinkle had spent nearly 13 years as chief of staff in Benson’s Assembly office. Before that, she served as Assistant Commissioner of Transportation under three governors: James E. McGreevey, Richard J. Codey, and Jon Corzine. She replaces Hughes’ longtime chief of staff, Kelly Ganges, who is no longer employed in county government.
Marion has been the Deputy Monmouth County Administrator for seven years and previously served as business administrator for West Windsor, Old Bridge, and Marlboro, and as the Scotch Plains township manager.
Benson also named Taraun Tice McKnight and Ana Montero as deputy administrators. Tice McKnight served as a policy advisor and associate counsel to Gov. Phil Murphy and is a former chief of staff at the Department of Human Services’ Division of Family Development. Montero, a former assistant commissioner of Community Affairs, held positions at FEMA and the American Red Cross.