TRENTON, N.J. — Governor-elect Mikie Sherrill on Friday announced a slate of senior appointments and nominations, tapping Evan Weiss to serve as chief executive officer of the New Jersey Economic Development Authority and naming Lily Laux as her choice for education commissioner and Ed Potosnak as her nominee to lead the state Department of Environmental Protection.
Sherrill said Weiss will work with her administration and business partners “to accelerate economic opportunity, expand access to capital for small and minority-owned businesses, drive innovation across New Jersey’s economy, and help ensure that economic growth delivers real affordability and opportunity for families across the state.”
“New Jersey is the best place to live, work, and raise a family – but right now the American dream is unaffordable in our state. Housing is too expensive, utility bills are sky high, and families and small businesses are struggling to get by. I am appointing Evan Weiss to serve as the next CEO of NJEDA because he understands how to bring together government, industry, and communities to create opportunity and find innovative solutions to drive down costs. His leadership will help ensure the NJEDA continues to be a strong partner to businesses and entrepreneurs while building an economy that works for families across our state,” said Governor-elect Mikie Sherrill.
Lt. Governor-elect Dr. Dale Caldwell said Weiss’ experience will be key as New Jersey prepares to host major events.
“At a time when the administration in Washington is raising prices and gutting New Jersey’s fair share of federal funding, it’s critical we have experienced, creative leadership in New Jersey that will not just protect our economy but help grow it. I am proud to support the appointment of Evan Weiss because he is exactly the type of leader we need. We have a once-in-a-generation opportunity ahead of the World Cup and America’s 250th anniversary to drive meaningful and substantial investments into our communities and economy to ensure all our residents reap the benefits. I look forward to working with him to support small businesses, lower costs, and grow our economy for all New Jerseyans,” said Lt. Governor-elect Dr. Dale Caldwell.
Weiss, most recently the president and CEO of the Newark Alliance, said he plans to build on the state’s economic foundation and broaden opportunity.
“Thank you to Gov.-elect Sherrill and Lt. Gov.-elect Caldwell for their confidence in me and the opportunity to serve. New Jersey has a strong foundation built on innovation, entrepreneurship, and collaboration. I look forward to working with partners across the public and private sectors to grow our economy, attract investment, support small businesses, and ensure that opportunity reaches every corner of the state,” said New Jersey Economic Development Authority Chief Executive Officer Designee Evan Weiss.
Sherrill also announced Laux as her nominee to be the next commissioner of education, citing her experience in schools, nonprofits and state government. Laux previously served as deputy commissioner at the Texas Education Agency.
“New Jersey is proud to have some of the best schools in the country, yet too often student experience varies by ZIP code and resources are misspent or not directed appropriately. Ensuring every student has access to a world-class education is a top priority for my administration. That’s why I am proud to nominate Lily Laux to be the next Commissioner of Education. Lily is a lifelong public servant and educator with decades of experience helping children learn and thrive. I look forward to working with her to invest in mental health services, high-impact tutoring, and other critical programs that will expand opportunity and help our children get ahead,” said Governor-elect Mikie Sherrill.
Caldwell, an educator, said he looks forward to working with Laux.
“I am proud to support Lily Laux as our next Commissioner of Education. As an educator, I have always believed education is the key to a fair society. I look forward to working with Laux to ensure every child has access to a high-quality education that will open doors and create opportunities. With decades of education work, she is exactly the type of experienced leader we need to deliver for our students,” said Lt. Governor-elect Dr. Dale Caldwell.
Laux said she will focus on statewide opportunity and outcomes for students.
“It’s an honor to be nominated as the next Commissioner of Education and I thank Gov.-elect Sherrill and Lt. Gov.-elect Caldwell for their trust in me. We share the same powerful commitment to ensuring New Jersey’s students are prepared not only for college and careers, but have access to real opportunities to personally thrive. A high-quality education does not just open doors and create opportunities, but can inspire young people to pursue their dreams. Our responsibility is clear: ensure every student, statewide, has access to an outstanding education. I look forward to serving the over 1 million New Jersey students every day and fighting to provide them the resources they need to succeed,” said Lily Laux, Ph.D.
Sherrill also said she supports Edward D. Wengryn continuing as secretary of agriculture, a position appointed by the State Board of Agriculture. Wengryn was appointed in March 2024.
“I am pleased to have Ed Wengryn continue to serve as the Secretary of Agriculture in my administration. Ed has a strong track record strengthening New Jersey’s agricultural economy, supporting local farmers, and expanding access to locally grown produce. I look forward to working together with Ed and the entire Board so the Department of Agriculture can continue to help combat food insecurity for New Jersey families, empower local farmers, and increase production to lower grocery costs for our state. We’re known as the Garden State for our tomatoes, blueberries, corn, cranberries, and so much more – I am excited to have Edward leading the charge to continue that legacy,” said Governor-elect Mikie Sherrill.
Wengryn said the department will continue focusing on food security and farmland preservation.
“I am honored to continue serving New Jerseyans as the Secretary of Agriculture in the Sherrill-Caldwell Administration. I look forward to working alongside the Governor-elect to continue the work on the issues of food security, farmland preservation and the promotion of the Jersey Fresh program to support local farmers and grow our agricultural industry. Making sure that families can put food on the table, and that farmers can make a living in the” Garden State” are the Department’s top priorities, and I know that the Gov.-elect shares those same values in her mission to deliver for New Jerseyans,” said Secretary Ed Wengryn.
The State Board of Agriculture leadership also welcomed the decision.
“Secretary Wengryn has the team and the tools to overcome the challenges that New Jerseyans face to put nutritious, affordable, locally sourced food on their plates every day. The Board of Agriculture looks forward to continue working with him and the Sherrill administration in the years ahead as we strive to strengthen the “garden” in the Garden State,” said Bob Blew, President of the New Jersey Board of Agriculture and Steve Lee, IV Vice President of the New Jersey Board of Agriculture.
In another nomination, Sherrill announced Potosnak as her choice to lead the Department of Environmental Protection, saying he will focus on flood resilience, PFAS and cleanup of contaminated sites, while also working to streamline permitting.
“Ed Potosnak is a proven leader who will be critical in our efforts to preserve New Jersey’s protect residents from flooding and extreme weather and remediate contaminated sites. He will bring his experience as a licensed contractor to the department to prioritize cutting through red tape and reducing permitting times. Ed has a strong track record of bringing people to the table to develop solutions that work best for the communities they serve. I look forward to working with Ed, energy and business professionals, and advocates to protect our environment while growing our economy,” said Governor-elect Sherrill.
Potosnak said his experience as a contractor and public official will inform his approach at DEP.
“Throughout her career, Governor-elect Sherrill has delivered for New Jerseyans on key environmental issues like flood mitigation, cleaning up toxic PFAS and Brownfields sites, and investing in cheap, clean energy like solar. As a licensed contractor, I understand the struggles that business owners face while trying to get state permits, and as Commissioner, I look forward to streamlining that process so we’re ensuring government is being responsive to job creators while protecting our state’s natural resources,” said Ed Potosnak.
