BILL CARUSO NAMED NEW EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF ASSEMBLY MAJORITY OFFICE

BILL CARUSO NAMED NEW EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF ASSEMBLY MAJORITY OFFICE

Speaker Names Veteran Congressional Staffer to Replace Departing Bill Castner

(TRENTON) – Assembly Speaker Joseph J. Roberts, Jr. today announced Bill Castner will leave his post as executive director of the Assembly Majority Office in January and will be succeeded by Bill Caruso, U.S. Rep. Rob Andrews’ longtime chief of staff.

Caruso will become the office’s eighth executive director. Castner is joining one of New Jersey’s premier law firms, Gibbons P.C., as a Director.

“Bill Castner’s drive and intellect will be missed, but Bill Caruso is a proven manager who has built a highly regarded Congressional office,” said Roberts (D-Camden). “Bill Caruso has the proven talents and skills to help lead this office as we continue tackling the global economic crisis and making New Jersey a more affordable place to live.”

Caruso is a graduate of Bucknell University and Rutgers Camden Law School who, while working for Andrews, was credited with building a national coalition to successfully stop the dumping of VX nerve agent residue in the Delaware River.

He and his wife Amanda, who is Andrews’ general counsel, have two young sons.

The executive director is responsible for the daily management and operation of the office.

Castner has held the post since January 2006. He previously served as the office’s deputy executive director and general counsel. He also worked for the nonpartisan Office of Legislative Services as a legislative analyst and as an attorney with the Fair Share Housing Center.

“Bill Castner will leave an indelible fingerprint on many policies that have made New Jersey a national model for fair housing, equality and promoting good-government ideals,” said Roberts. “There are still many important matters to confront and I am confident in Bill Caruso’s ability to keep moving the ball forward on the issues that matter to all New Jerseyans.”

Caruso, as executive director, follows Joe Gannon, Dick Coffee, Fred Butler, Frank Robinson, Kelly Ganges, Gene Martorony and Castner. Bob Smartt, currently the Ethics Liaison Officer for the Department of Treasury, served as Acting Director of the Office in 1974.

Castner will work in Gibbons P.C.’s Trenton office. During the New Jersey Supreme Court’s 2000-01 term, Castner served as a law clerk to then-Associate Justice James R. Zazzali., who went on to serve as chief justice and is now Of Counsel to Gibbons.

Legislative leaders praised Castner’s tenure.

“Bill Castner is a great guy, both personally and professionally,” said Senate President Richard J. Codey, (D-Essex). “Not only is he down to earth with an infectious sense of humor, but he has a creative, sound policy mind. I’ve always known him to be a utility player, someone you would love to have on your team. Our loss is his new employer’s gain and we wish him all the best. That said, I welcome Bill Caruso and look forward to working with him as we tackle some very pressing problems.”

“In all of my interactions with Bill Castner he has been a true professional and I wish him the best of luck in his return to the practice of law,” said Assembly Republican Leader Alex DeCroce (R-Morris). “I’m sure Speaker Roberts will miss Bill’s leadership skills, but those skills will be a benefit to his new employer as Bill returns to the legal world.”

“Bill Castner is a savvy competitor,” said Senate Republican Leader Tom Kean Jr., (R-Union). “He did a difficult job with grace, patience and honesty. On behalf of my colleagues, we wish Bill much luck in the private sector.”

On the Net: www.assemblydems.com