ABERDEEN COUNCIL SWEARS IN NEW TOWNSHIP MANAGER,
OTHER OFFICIALS AT ORGANIZATIONAL MEETING

ABERDEEN TOWNSHIP(1/3/06)-At its annual organizational meeting, the Aberdeen Township Council tonight formally swore in Stuart Brown, most recently the City Administrator of Summit, N.J., as Township Manager, assuming overall responsibility for the day-to-day operations of the municipality. He succeeds longtime Township Manager Mark Coren, who retired from the position on December 31.

At the meeting, Judge Robert Blum also swore in Mayor David Sobel and Councilmen Thomas Perry and Joseph Raymond, each of whom was re-elected to their positions on the governing body last November.

As previously announced, Brown worked as a consultant from October 2005, up until Coren's retirement. "During that timeframe, Stuart worked closely with Mark, paving the way for a smooth transition of management duties," Mayor David Sobel said on behalf of the Council. "What we saw during that period also reinforced what we saw in Stuart during our intensive recruiting process.

"This transition comes as Aberdeen celebrates its 40th year with the Council-Manager form of government, and we are pleased that our day-to-day operations will remain under the direction of a highly experienced professional," the Mayor continued. "Stuart's many successes and dedication to community relations document his career in public service, while his rapport with the public will serve him well in the years ahead. In turn, Mark's legacy to this town of ethical strength and unwavering integrity are testaments to his professionalism and deep affection for Aberdeen. We wish him well."

Brown, 42, comes to Aberdeen with 17 years of professional experience in local government and eight years experience in economic development. Most recently, he was employed by Summit, beginning in 2000 as Assistant City Administrator before being promoted in 2002 to City Administrator. In the latter capacity, he had comprehensive management responsibilities for the full-service municipality of 22,000 people, directing a staff of 220 full-time employees and a $33 million operating budget and $3 million annual capital improvement budget. Previously, as Assistant City Administrator, Brown's responsibilities included managing Summit's $4.7 million downtown revitalization project, as well as directing the start-up of the municipality's Parking Services Agency.

From 1991-2000, Brown was employed by Cincinnati's Department of Economic Development, beginning as a Development Officer in the Administrative Division before being named in 1994 as Senior Development Officer for the Downtown Development Division. In the latter position, his responsibilities included directing the city's office recruitment and retention efforts, working with Fortune 1000 companies; coordinating a tax credit program that attracted several high tech and research firms to the city; and managing or coordinating a variety of development projects, including a $290 million Convention Center expansion, a market rate housing complex, as well as the Central Riverfront Development Project which incorporated two new stadiums, the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center and six blocks of commercial development totaling over $1 billion.

He began his career in 1988 as a Management Analyst in the Cincinnati City Manager's Division of Research, Evaluation & Budget.

A native of Bridgewater, N.J., Brown earned a B.A. in Political Science from Rutgers University in 1985, and a Masters of Public Administration in 1993 from the University Of Cincinnati. He also holds Economic Development Finance Professional Certification from the National Development Council and a Certificate in Labor Management Relations from the Rutgers Center for Management Development. Brown's memberships in professional organizations include the International City/County Management Association, New Jersey Municipal Managers Association, and the International Economic Development Council, among others. Brown and his wife, Nancy, have two children, Ally, 7, and Harrison, 2. The family will be moving to Aberdeen in June.

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 Press Contact:  Stuart Brown, Township Manager - 732-583-4200, ext. 118