"At a time when our nation is facing a fiscal crisis of epic proportion, there's no one better qualified than Jerry Zaro to ably steer New Jersey's economic growth strategy," says Corzine, in a statement. "His 33 years of experience offer a diverse perspective that links critical facets of our economy--business, banking, real estate, law and transportation."

Zaro is president and managing partner of the law firm of Ansell Zaro Grimm & Aaron in Ocean, NJ, and has also been involved in many business partnerships, including as a principal in a number of real estate developments. He was also chairman of Ocean Independent Bank and has served as a director of several other stock exchange listed companies. In the public sector, Zaro was a commissioner of the New Jersey Highway Authority for more than a dozen years, with the last two as chairman, and recently completed a term as a commissioner of the New Jersey Sports & Exposition Authority.

"Given the magnitude of the national economic crisis, I felt strongly about leaving the private sector to accept this position to lead the Office of Economic Growth," Zaro says. "The crisis we face is a non-partisan problem that requires a bipartisan solution. Now is a time, more than ever, for all hands on deck."