Department of Economic Development

Office of the Director

Amy Wagner, Director and Deputy County Manager

Promotes and develops the planning and growth of the County of Union, through the implementation and coordination of all economic development plans and programs including matters affecting workforce investment, community development, and quality of housing.

Bureau of Information Technologies

Diego Otero, Bureau Chief

Responsible for the County’s data center, wide-area high-speed network, and office technology. Plans, develops and manages software applications to improve workflow processes in County offices.

Bureau of ADA Compliance

Manuel E. Ramirez, Director

The Bureau of ADA Compliance shall ensure compliance with federal and state disability rights laws by the County and will assist municipalities and school districts within the County with training and guidance.

The Bureau monitors and assists the implementation of the County ADA Transition Plan to ensure full programmatic and communication accessibility to persons with disabilities.

The Bureau also monitors the County Employees Access and Inclusion Solution Process procedure for disability complaints.

Workforce Development Board

Antonio Rivera, M.S.W., Director

Directs training investments to create sustainable jobs, develops marketing strategies to promote business services, and designs competitive economic and workforce policies.

Division of Community Services

Brandon T. Givens, Director

Partners with communities and non-profit agencies to reduce the causes of poverty, increase job opportunities, economic security for individuals/families and revitalize communities.  Our social service and community development programs work in a variety of ways to improve the lives of many.

Bureau of Community Development

Oversees the federally funded Community Development Block Grant Program (CDBG). CDBG funds are used for a wide range of community development activities directed toward neighborhood revitalization, economic development, social service programs and improvements to community facilities.

We Are One New Jersey

Elizabeth Montes, Coordinator

In conjunction with New Jersey AFL-CIO, this program provides social and human services that educate, empower and uplift working families. We Are One New Jersey provides U.S. Citizenship application guidance, voter registration and notary services.

Bureau of Housing

Increases access to decent housing and suitable living environments for low and very-low income families through federally funded programs such as the Housing Choice Voucher Program (Section 8), the HOME Program, and CDBG program.

Office of Veteran’s Services

W. Geoff Smith , Coordinator

The Office of Veteran’s Services is the vital link between men and women who served their country and the services available from Federal, State, County and Municipal levels of government and the private sector.

Division of Strategic Planning and Intergovernmental Relations

Phil Kandl, Division Director

Develops strategic plans for the County, focusing on economic competitiveness and growth, transportation, land use and sustainability.  Coordinates and aligns policies and initiatives across County departments and governmental agencies through outreach and shared services.

Office of Business Development

Jeff Brooks, Coordinator

The Office of Business Development works under  the direction  and  supervision  of  the Director  of  the Division of Strategic  Planning and Intergovernmental Relations. The functions and responsibilities of the office include:  Developing effective strategies for business attraction and retention in the County of Union; working collaboratively   with   organizations   such   as   the   Union   County   Economic Development  Corporation  (UCEDC),  local  Chambers  of  Commerce,  and  institutions  of  higher  learning to  develop  and  integrate  strategic  activities  designed  to  attract  and  retain  targeted  industry  businesses,  stimulate  job  creation  and  increase  the  capacity  of  small  businesses to remain competitive.

The Office of Business Development also coordinates a  series of educational networking  events  through the  Union  County  Means  Business initiative.

Bureau of Transportation Planning

Liza Betz, Bureau Chief

Works towards a balanced transportation system for Union County and seeks to meet the travel needs of people and goods through a coordinated intermodal transportation system; conducts its own studies and partners with other entities to investigate and address a range of transportation planning challenges.

Bureau of Planning and Economic Development

Kamal Saleh, Bureau Chief

Assures that Union County complies with all state planning  statutes and regulations; maintains a central  repository of all local Master plans and zoning ordinances; serves as a conduit between municipalities regarding planning information, municipal redevelopment efforts and Brownfield/Greyfield information.

Office of Community Engagement and Diversity

Judith Guest, Coordinator

The Office of Community Engagement and Diversity provides outreach to local community based groups and volunteer organizations;  coordinate countywide community events and programs which foster and promote volunteerism in Union County; reinforce strategies for building relationships with the County’s diverse communities to include culture, lifestyle, ethnicity, and race; and bring communities together on issues important to them finding creative & innovative solutions to ensure inclusion and collaboration on a multi-faceted vision for the County’s diverse communities.

Office of LGBTQ Affairs

Robert Charkowsky, Coordinator

  • E-mail: rcharkowsky@ucnj.org
  • Phone: 908-527-4897
  • Website: Click here

Office on Women

Jennifer Erdos, Coordinator