For Immediate Release:
January 7, 2026

 Arnone, DiRocco named to leadership roles
as Commissioners organize for 2026

FREEHOLD, NJ – Commissioner Thomas A. Arnone was elected to serve as Director of the Monmouth County Board of County Commissioners and Commissioner Dominick “Nick” DiRocco was elected to serve as Deputy Director when the Board held its 2026 Organization meeting on Jan. 6 at Biotechnology High School.

During the annual Organization meeting, Commissioner Director Arnone was sworn in to begin serving his sixth, three-year term on the Board; Commissioner Deputy Director DiRocco was sworn in to begin serving his third, three-year term on the Board.

“We are a true team here in Monmouth County, and I am honored, not only to be part of the Monmouth County Board of County Commissioners, but to be chosen by my colleagues as its Director for 2026,” said Commissioner Director Arnone. “Being chosen as Director is a responsibility I do not take lightly. I remain committed to serving the residents of Monmouth County, my fellow Commissioners and I will continue working to make Monmouth County the best county in New Jersey.”

“I would like to thank the Board for their trust in me to serve as the Commissioner Deputy Director for the upcoming year,” said Commissioner Deputy Director DiRocco. “One of our primary functions is to be good stewards of our residents’ tax dollars and Monmouth County continues to make responsible investments and provide essential services. I look forward to working with my fellow Commissioners to support this commitment to our residents.”

Commissioner Director Arnone and Commissioner Deputy Director DiRocco are joined on the Board by Commissioners Susan M. Kiley, Ross F. Licitra and Erik Anderson.

Shaun Golden was also sworn in, which will begin his sixth, three-year term as Monmouth County Sheriff; and Christine Giordano Hanlon was sworn in to begin serving her third, five-year term as Monmouth County Clerk.

“It is an honor and a privilege to have been re-elected as the Monmouth County Sheriff and I thank the residents for their support. As sheriff, it's my duty to continue to serve all who live, work, or visit this great county, as we remain committed to protecting our communities and maintaining the highest standards of safety," said Sheriff Shaun Golden, the 76th Sheriff of Monmouth County. “Public safety, enhancing emergency services, advancing technology, combating the fight against drug abuse, assisting our special needs community and veterans, among other key initiatives, will remain our top focus, as we move forward into the next three years.” 

“As I embark on my third term as Monmouth County Clerk, I look forward to continuing to serve Monmouth County by providing top-tier services for our residents,” said Clerk Hanlon.

During the Organization meeting, the Commissioners made citizen member appointments to County boards and commissions:

 ·  Monmouth ACTS Advisory Council, three-year term: Kathy Collins; Laurie Goganzer, YMCA of Greater Monmouth County; Steve Heisman, HABCORE; Christopher Merkel, Monmouth County Health Department; Randi Moore, Affordable Housing Alliance; Michele O’Shaughnessy, Division on Aging, Disabilities and Veterans Services; Triada Stampas, Fulfill Food Bank;
·  Advisory Council to the Office on Aging, three-year term: Pat Bohse, Chris Brown, Michelle Bucheri, Levester Burley, Kelli Desmond, Maria Gato, Marissa Krause, Judy Laufer, Jenine Stando, Sharon Stark;
· Agriculture Development        Board, regular members, three-year term: David Holmes, Pete Van Mater; alternate members, one-year term: Tricia Incatasciato, Chris Mosley; 
· Brookdale Community College Trustee Search Committee, three-year term: Jennifer DeLorenzo, Tim Farrell, Sebastian Farrentell;
· Fair Housing Board, five-year term: Joyce Quarles;
· Assistant Fire Marshal, three-year term: Ryan Dellea;
·   Historical Commission, three-year term: Roseann Eteson, Gerry Scharfenberger, Peter Van Nortwick;
· Improvement Authority, five-year term: Joseph Iantosca;
· Library Commission, five-year term: Marcy McMullen, Mary Ann Musich;
· Planning Board, three-year term: Lori Ann Davidson, Joseph Layton;
·  Board of Recreation Commissioners, five-year term: Lori Ann Davidson, Matt Duru, Anthony Fiore;
· Youth Services Commission, three-year term: John “Doc” Amato, Charles Ford, Laurie Gerhardt, Shaun Golden, Raymond Santiago, Kaitlyn Silagyi
·  Local Advisory Council on Substance Use Support Services, three-year term: Diane Aifer, Marcy McMullen, Selena Mishkin, Megan Reeves;
·  Public Compliance Officer, one-year term: Helen Fiore;
·  Bayshore Outfall Authority, five-year term: Harry Aumack, Mary Foley, Rocco Impreveduto, Michael Kalaka;
· Construction Board of Appeals, four-year term: Richard Arzberger;
· Environmental Council, three-year term: Paul Johnson, David Kostka, Ellen Smith;
· Board of Health, three-year term: Anna Ackerson, Ellynn Kahle;
· Vocational School Board of Education, four-year term: Michael Salvatore;

The Organization Meeting was live-streamed and can be viewed in its entirety on the Monmouth County Government’s Facebook and YouTube Channel.

For news and alerts from Monmouth County, go to visitmonmouth.com or follow @MonmouthGovNJ on Facebook, X and Instagram.

#  #  #