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Fourth member of Corzine administration to stay on with new Governor

BY TOM HESTER SR.

NEWJERSEYNEWSROOM.COM

UPDATED

Gov. Chris Christie Tuesday endorsed Douglas Fisher to continue as state secretary of agriculture, a move that settles another position in his cabinet.

Under state law, Fisher, 62, of Bridgeton, a former Democratic Assemblyman, serves at the pleasure of the state Board of Agriculture with the approval of the governor. The board initially appointed him to the position in February with the support of Gov. Jon Corzine.

“Secretary Douglas Fisher has proven to have a deep appreciation for New Jersey’s agricultural community that will be a valued addition to the Christie administration,’’ Christie said. “I support his position as secretary for the New Jersey Department of Agriculture and look forward to working with him to promote and protect our state’s assets.

As a legislator, Fisher established a reputation for his efforts to preserve New Jersey’s agricultural heritage and natural resources. He sponsored legislation to preserve and protect farmland and open space, protect wildlife and combat gypsy moth infestation.

Fisher owned a supermarket for 30 years and served as a Cumberland County freeholder and Bridgeton councilman. He was also a realtor. The secretary holds a degree from Bryant College in Rhode Island.

Douglas is the fourth member of the Corzine administration that Christie is retaining. He is keeping Jennifer Velez on as state Human Services commissioner, Maj. Gen. Glenn K. Rieth as head of Military and Veterans Affairs, and made former Criminal Justice director Deborah Gramiccioni director of the Governor’s Authorities Unit.

Christie has yet to make a decision on who may lead the Department of Children and Families, the Department of Health and Senior Services, or who will serve as Public Advocate.

Here is an update on how the Christie administration is taking shape:

• Lieutenant Governor — Kim Guadagno (Elected)
• Secretary of Agriculture — Douglas Fisher
• Attorney General — Paula Dow
• Banking and Insurance Commissioner — Tom Considine
• Children and Families Commissioner — Vacant
• Civil Service Commissioner — Vacant
• Community Affairs Commissioner — Lori Grifa
• Corrections Commissioner — Gary Lanigan
• Council of Economic Advisors Chairman — Bob Grady
• Criminal Justice Director — Stephen Taylor
• Economic Development Authority Director — Al Koeppe
• Education Commissioner — Bret Schundler
• Environmental Protection Commissioner — Bob Martin
• Governor's Appointments Council — Michele Brown
• Governor's Authorities Unit Director — Deborah Gramiccioni
• Governor's Cabinet Secretary — Lou Goetting
• Governor's Chief Counsel — Jeff Chiesa
• Governor's Chief of Staff — Richard Bagger
• Governor's Deputy Chief of Staff — Bill Stepien
• Governor's Deputy Counsel — Kevin O'Dowd
• Governor's Deputy Chief of Staff/Communications — Maria Comella
• Governor's Deputy Chief of Staff/Policy & Planning — Wayne Hasenbalg
• Governor's Director of Operations — Rosemary Ianncone
• Governor’s Press Secretary — Michael Drewniak
• Health and Senior Services Commissioner — Vacant
• Human Services Commissioner — Jennifer Velez
• Labor and Workforce Development Commissioner — Hal Wirths
• Law Director — Robert Hanna
• Military and Veterans Affairs Commissioner — Maj. Gen. Glenn K. Riet
• Motor Vehicle Commission Director — Vacant
• Office of Economic Growth — Vacant
• Office of Homeland Security and Preparedness — Charles B. McKenna
• Public Advocate — Vacant
• Public Utilities President — Lee Solomon
• Secretary of State — Kim Guadagno
• State Police Superintendent — Vacant
• Treasurer — Andrew Eristoff