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Jacquelyn A. Suárez
By Joshua Burd
Gov. Phil Murphy has announced his choice to lead the state Department of Community Affairs after the death of Lt. Gov. Sheila Oliver, who had led the agency since taking office in 2018.
Jacquelyn A. Suárez, currently the director of the DCA’s Division of Local Government Services, will become the department’s acting commissioner starting Monday, pending her confirmation by the state Senate, Murphy said Thursday. In announcing his intention to nominate her, he noted that she would be the agency’s first Hispanic commissioner.
Suárez is a longtime member of the administration. As head of DCA, an agency whose purview includes affordable housing, construction permitting and municipal budgets, Murphy noted that she will lead the department in its ongoing mission to provide residents, local governments, businesses and community development organizations with financial support, administrative guidance and technical assistance to help improve the quality of life for New Jersey families.
“Jacquelyn has skillfully served our state for many years — lending her expertise to important legal and policy matters affecting municipalities throughout New Jersey,” Murphy said. “When local governments were faced with tremendous challenges as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, she stepped up as head of the Division of Local Government Services and provided local leaders with the support they needed during a difficult time. While Sheila Oliver can never truly be replaced, Jacquelyn will undoubtedly carry on Sheila’s legacy of passionate, dedicated leadership of this department on behalf of New Jersey’s communities.”
Oliver, a trailblazing public servant, died unexpectedly last month after being hospitalized for an undisclosed medical issue. The Essex County Democrat was the first Black woman to serve as New Jersey’s Assembly speaker and the state’s first Black lieutenant governor, a role she held at the time of her death after serving alongside Murphy for five and a half years.
She also led DCA, one of several connections she had to the state’s business and commercial real estate communities. Her would-be successor, Suárez, has served as both director of the Division of Local Government Services and chair of the state’s Local Finance Board since January 2021, a role in which she advocated for local government interests and provided them with technical and financial assistance in areas such as joint services, purchasing and management issues.
In addition, Suárez has overseen the review and approval of all municipal, county and fire district budgets, worked to uphold the financial integrity of local government units and guided the conduct of local government officials, the governor’s office said. Prior to DLGS, the Rutgers Law School graduate provided legal advice to Murphy on matters affecting his administration as an associate counsel in the Governor’s Office.
“It is a true honor to be nominated as the Department of Community Affairs’ next commissioner,” Suárez said. “Having worked under the remarkable leadership of Lieutenant Governor Oliver, it is my pleasure to continue moving her legacy forward in serving the communities of our great state.
“DCA plays a pivotal role in enhancing the quality of life for New Jersey residents, municipalities and businesses — and I will remain steadfast in my commitment to honor each and every one of our communities with the utmost respect and dedication.”
Murphy’s announcement came with widespread praise from top-ranking officials in the state Legislature and from the mayors of some of the state’s largest cities, including Paterson, Trenton and Camden, as well as the New Jersey League of Municipalities. The governor also thanked Kim Holmes, who was DCA’s chief of staff before becoming acting commissioner after Oliver’s death.
“I would be remiss to not extend my deepest gratitude to Kim Holmes, who has played a vital role in leading the department over the last several years and swiftly stepped up to the plate to head the department in one of our state’s darkest times,” Murphy said. “I appreciate her remarkable leadership in the month following Sheila’s passing and her firm commitment to the critical work of the Department of Community Affairs.”
During her time in the Governor’s Office, Suárez advised on pending legislation, statutory responsibilities, litigation, the development of administrative regulations and various proposals impacting the governor’s public policy agenda, according to a news release. With a focus on issues related to the Community Affairs, Human Services and Children and Families departments, plus the Administrative Office of the Courts, Suárez was integral to advancing the governor’s agenda in those areas and, in particular, to spearheading many of the state’s COVID response policies such as the eviction moratorium.
Before joining the Governor’s Office, Suárez was a legislative liaison, making her DCA’s point person for all communication with the Legislature, drafted bill language, spearheaded the implementation of newly signed legislation at DCA, and helped review and advise on various decisions, orders, settlements and other matters impacting the department. The New Jersey native earned her juris doctor from Rutgers School of Law in Camden and her bachelor’s in communications, legal institutions, economics and government from American University in Washington, D.C.
She is a member of both the New Jersey and New York bar associations. She is also a member of the Hispanic Bar Association of New Jersey.
“I’ve witnessed firsthand Jacquelyn’s dedication in her current role as director of local government services at DCA,” said state Sen. Nellie Pou, Senate majority caucus chair. “As she steps into her new role, she not only carries the torch of our beloved Lt. Governor Sheila Oliver but also carries her vision for housing and community development in New Jersey. I look forward to continuing working with Jacquelyn in her new role as acting commissioner of DCA, while awaiting confirmation by the Senate.”
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