Mercer County Executive Dan Benson is expected to name Assemblyman Anthony Verrelli (D-Hopewell) as the new executive director of the Mercer County Improvement Authority, the New Jersey Globe has learned.
He replaces Phil Miller, who has held the post for nearly two decades; Miller is expected to stay on as Verrelli’s deputy.
The move is part of a realignment of power in Mercer under Benson, who took office earlier this month after defeating five-term incumbent Brian Hughes at the Democratic convention last winter. Hughes chose not to fight Benson in the June primary election.
“In Anthony’s long career with the Carpenters, and his time on the MCIA Board, he was always an advocate for investing in infrastructure and building quality projects that strengthened our communities. In his years as a labor leader, Anthony demonstrated extensive knowledge of the construction industry and a deep understanding of diverse stakeholder perspectives,” Benson said. “As my Administration empowers the Mercer County Improvement Authority to broaden its scope, I know Anthony is the ideal choice.”
Verrelli is a former freeholder who held top posts in the Carpenters union. He served on the Improvement Authority from 2008 to 2016, when he was elected to the county office. He won a State Assembly seat in 2018 after Reed Gusciora resigned to become the mayor of Trenton and is now the chairman of the Assembly Labor Committee. Benson and Verrelli served together as assemblymen until last year.
Benson named Christina Foglio, an economic development expert, as his first appointment to the Improvement Authority two weeks ago.
The authority board members must approve Verrelli’s nomination at their meeting next month.
This story was updated at 5:37 PM with comment from Benson.