TRENTON, N.J. — Aaron Binder has been officially sworn in as New Jersey’s state treasurer after receiving unanimous confirmation from the State Senate last week.
Binder, who had been serving in an acting capacity since Gov. Mikie Sherrill took office, now leads one of the largest state treasury departments in the country. The New Jersey Department of the Treasury includes more than 3,000 employees, 13 divisions and several affiliated agencies responsible for managing the state budget, collecting taxes and fees, issuing state debt and overseeing public employee pension and health benefit plans.
The department also manages investments for one of the largest public pension funds in the United States.
“With one of the broadest mandates of any state department, much of Treasury’s work is carried out by public servants who bring a strong work ethic and a customer service-focused approach to solving problems,” Binder said in a statement. “I’m proud to have built a team with a deep collective understanding of Treasury’s multi-faceted mission.”
Binder first joined the Treasury Department in 2021 as deputy state treasurer, where he helped manage the state budget and oversaw the Office of Management and Budget, the Office of Revenue and Economic Analysis and the Division of Taxation.
Before that, he spent 16 years with the New Jersey Assembly Majority Office, most recently as deputy executive director. During that time, he served as a lead aide to the Assembly Budget Committee and worked on policy issues including the state budget, public employee pensions and benefits, banking and insurance, transportation and health care.
Prior to his work in Trenton, Binder held financial positions with Congreso de Latinos Unidos, Amtrak and the City of Philadelphia.
As treasurer, Binder will lead a senior team of public officials responsible for the day-to-day operations and policy work of the department.
Kavin Mistry has joined the department as deputy state treasurer and will oversee the state budget, the Office of Management and Budget and the Division of Taxation. He previously spent nearly 25 years with the New Jersey Department of Law and Public Safety.
Dennis Zeveloff will serve as senior adviser to the treasurer, providing policy support on major initiatives, including the governor’s budget proposal. Zeveloff previously held several roles in the prior administration, including chief policy adviser to the governor and director of budget and outcomes.
Robert M. Joyce has been named chief of staff, overseeing the operations of the department’s 13 divisions and workforce of about 3,000 employees. Joyce previously served in leadership roles within the Division of Taxation.
Keith White will serve as assistant treasurer overseeing legislative affairs, constituent relations and the state’s Unclaimed Property division.
Several senior officials will continue serving in leadership roles, including Michael Kanef, assistant treasurer overseeing the Office of Public Finance, Division of Investment, Division of Risk Management and the New Jersey Lottery; Andrea Spalla, assistant treasurer overseeing the divisions of Pension and Benefits, Purchase and Property, and Revenue and Enterprise Services; and Jo-Ann Povia, assistant treasurer overseeing the Division of Property Management and Construction.
Jennifer Sciortino continues as deputy chief of staff, while Deborah DePiano remains director of legislative affairs and constituent relations.
The department’s communications team will continue to be led by Darryl Isherwood as director of communications, with Danielle Currie serving as deputy director.
Sharon Alessi, a longtime staff member with more than 40 years of service, will continue supporting the day-to-day operations of the treasurer’s office and coordinating planning for the state budget process.
Binder said the leadership team will focus on maintaining fiscal responsibility while advancing the administration’s priorities, including efforts aimed at improving affordability for New Jersey residents.
