Contact Information
Edward Oatman, County Manager
Phone: 908-527-4200 Fax: 908-289-0180
Amy Wagner, Deputy County Manager
Phone: 908-527-4200 Fax: 908-289-0180
Featured Links and Projects
About the County Manager
Edward T. Oatman is a seasoned public administrator with over two decades of experience in government. He holds a Master’s Degree in Public Administration from Rutgers University and a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science from Kean University.
Since his appointment in 2018, Oatman has served as the Union County Manager—the 12th individual to hold the role under the County Manager form of government. He is responsible for managing the day-to-day operations of a diverse, 21-municipality government with approximately 2,500 full-time employees, and for implementing the policies set by the Union County Board of County Commissioners.
Throughout his tenure, Oatman has led with a steady hand during times of crisis and transformation. His leadership was pivotal during the COVID-19 pandemic, overseeing the launch of New Jersey’s first County-run testing center and mobile unit, multiple vaccination sites, and food distribution events that delivered over 41 million meals. By 2023, the County had conducted more than 172,000 COVID tests and administered over 122,000 vaccinations. In 2024, the County continued to invest in post-pandemic recovery efforts, including workforce re-entry programs and public health infrastructure upgrades.
Under his fiscal leadership, Union County maintained a zero percent tax increase for four consecutive years (2020–2023) while continuing to deliver essential services, implement reforms, and invest in long-term capital projects. His administration successfully closed and repurposed the former Juvenile Detention Center into a Fire/EMS Training Academy, reducing costs and expanding training opportunities for first responders across the region.
Oatman has also overseen major capital investments in park redevelopment, flood mitigation, and infrastructure modernization, supporting both quality of life and job creation. He continues to administer key grant programs that support small businesses, nonprofit organizations, and municipal governments, including the strategic use of ARPA funds.
A respected voice in statewide and regional affairs, Oatman was appointed in 2019 by the Governor to the Police and Fire Retirement System Board of Trustees. He also serves as Chairman of the Union County Performing Arts Center Board, sits on the Kean University Board of Trustees, the Liberty State Park Task Force, and the New Jersey-Ireland Trade Commission.
Outside of his public service career, Oatman remains active in his hometown of Woodbridge, where he resides with his three children and two dogs, Buddy and Briscoe. He continues to volunteer with local youth sports and educational initiatives, including the Woodbridge Little League and the Woodbridge Township Youth Soccer Association.