Politics & Government

Governor Appoints Sandy Recovery Manager

Former Executive Assistant Attorney General Marc Ferzan will Manage Hurricane Sandy storm recovery.

In an effort to codify New Jersey’s Hurricane Sandy recovery efforts, Gov. Chris Christie’s announced Wednesday the appointment of Marc Ferzan to oversee and coordinate long-term recovery plans and to cooperate with federal, state, local, and non-governmental partner.

Ferzen, a former executive assistant attorney general, has been tasked with creating a team to guide recovery efforts and focus on recovery items that require long-term strategic planning, the governor’s office said in a release. He will also work with Christie’s Cabinet as well as various government agencies and organizations to collect information on resources established since Hurricane Sandy’s arrival on the New Jersey shore at the end of October.

“The magnitude of the challenges we have faced from Hurricane Sandy was met in equal measure with the bravery and selflessness of first responders and public servants, the resilience of families, and our collective hope to move forward, rebuild, and restore our state. We have a long way to go to rebuild, but the people of New Jersey have already shown that we are ready to meet the challenge,” Christie said in a statement. “This will not be an easy task, but it is a top priority of my Administration. To make steady progress and to ensure our commitment to our communities that have been devastated by the storm, I’m naming Marc Ferzan, a smart, proven and capable manager, to bring people and government together, build consensus, and effectively handle the many facets of this effort moving forward. I thank him for returning to the service of our state in this critical role.”

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Ferzan’s resume includes a two and a half year stint as executive assistant attorney general with the New Jersey Office of the Attorney General where he was responsible for managing a staff of more than 8,000 employees as well as working closely with the Attorney General and the governor’s office. Recently, Ferzan has served as managing director for PricewaterhouseCoopers investigative consulting practice.

“There is no more important task for New Jersey at this moment than to ensure that our families, neighborhoods, and communities recover and rebuild from the destruction of Hurricane Sandy,” Ferzan said.

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Christie also announced the retention of Witt Associates to assist in the rebuilding process. James Witt is a special advisor to the State of Louisiana and has assisted with recovery efforts following Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. He also served as FEMA director under President Bill Clinton.

Witt Associates will provide strategic support to the state in all facets of recovery and mitigation; resources for appropriate resolution services to assist in the state reconstruction; and senior level consultation in all facets of the intermediate and long-term recovery process, the release states.


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