JERSEY CITY – Mayor Steven M. Fulop today announced the appointment of Jim McGreevey to serve as the Executive Director of the Jersey City Employment & Training Commission.

The Commission is charged with the responsibility of overseeing workforce training in the city, linking training with job creation, and identifying job opportunities for the unemployed and underemployed. McGreevey will also be responsible for working with the business community, local colleges and universities, labor unions and non-profits to identify potential job opportunities and skilled training.

“Governor McGreevey has worked hands-on with the inmate population and with re-entry programs and will be a valuable asset to us as we develop a re-entry program for Jersey City,”said Mayor Fulop.  “We are fortunate to have such a distinguished and knowledgeable individual to lead what is one of the most critical positions – that of job creation and workforce development. I look forward to working with Governor McGreevey on providing more job opportunities for all of our residents.”

In addition, McGreevey will work to design and implement a Jersey City Re-Integration Program for ex-offenders being released from New Jersey State Prisons and the Hudson County Correctional Center.  Working closely with the Hudson County jail, County Re-Integration Services, and the Hudson County Re-Integration Task Force, Jersey City will develop a case management system to work with ex-offenders toward identifying work, housing and social services.

“Having a former governor with ten years experience in this field that he is an expert in is a unique and exciting opportunity for Jersey City,” said Mayor Fulop.  “With Governor McGreevey’s background and portfolio, we can leverage private investment and develop a prisoner re-entry program that becomes a national model.”

Currently McGreevey works with the women of the Hudson County Integrity Program under the auspices of Director Oscar Aviles of HCCC and Integrity, and will continue to volunteer with the women. Having pursued seminary education and training, he served with formerly incarcerated women and men in Harlem, NYC.  He also works with the women upon dischargeto secure mentoring, a continued commitment to principles of recovery, and reintegration into the Hudson County workforce. The Hudson County program has been recognized by the U.S. Department of Justice ‘Second Chance Program.†It is one of two re-entry programs in the nation to be funded through 2015.

“It is a privilege to work for and with Mayor Fulop in addressing a critical need,” said McGreevey.  “Having been born in the Hague and baptized at St. Patrickâ€s, it is wonderful to be coming ‘home†to the place where my grandparents and parents raised a family.  It is an honor to serve people who need a second chance, something Iâ€ve valued in my life.”

McGreevey previously served as Governor, State of New Jersey, State Senator State Assemblyman, Mayor, Township of Woodbridge, Merck and Company, Executive Director, NewJersey State Parole Board, Assembly Majority Office, New Jersey State Legislature, and Assistant Prosecutor for the Middlesex County Prosecutorâ€s Office.  McGreevey holds a B.A.from Columbia University, a law degree from Georgetown University, a masterâ€s degree from Harvard University Graduate School, and a masterâ€s in Divinity from General TheologicalSeminary.

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