Former NJ Economic Czar Jerry Zaro Joins Sills Cummis & Gross

NEWARK, N.J., April 22 /PRNewswire/ -- Sills Cummis & Gross is pleased to announce that, effective May 1, 2010, Jerold L. Zaro, former Chief of the Office of Economic Growth and the business face of New Jersey since 2008 under both Governors Chris Christie (R) and former Governor Jon S. Corzine (D), has joined the Firm.  Mr. Zaro will work out of the Firm's New York and New Jersey offices.  

Six different governors—three Republicans and three Democrats—have appointed Mr. Zaro to a variety of leadership posts in their Administrations, and he has spent more than thirty years as a noted attorney in private practice.  

"Working in the public sector truly has been one of the highlights of my career.  I am fortunate to have had the rare privilege of serving under outstanding governors from both parties, most recently the innovative administration of Governor Christie," Mr. Zaro said.  "I look forward to returning to practicing law and am extremely proud to join Sills Cummis & Gross, one of the premier firms in the New York metropolitan area."  

Max Crane, Managing Partner, stated: "Our firm has a proud tradition of attracting leaders from the public sector.  Sills Cummis is committed to attracting and retaining the most extraordinary legal minds in the region, and Jerry Zaro is an outstanding example of this commitment to excellence."  

Steven E. Gross, Chairman of the Firm, said: "We are very pleased that someone with Jerry Zaro's record of accomplishments and leadership chose Sills Cummis & Gross after a highly successful stint in public service.  His reputation for client service and business acumen will fit well with our Firm.  We are looking forward to working with him for many years to come."

During his tenure as New Jersey's economic "czar," Mr. Zaro made multiple significant strides in promoting and facilitating the business environment in the State.  Under former Governor Corzine in 2009, Mr. Zaro played a pivotal role in the decision of the Depository Trust and Clearing Corporation (DTCC) to move to Jersey City, bringing 1600 jobs to the State.  The decision to move was based on a package of government incentives not just on a state level, but also on the county and municipal levels, which Mr. Zaro helped orchestrate.

While in the Corzine Administration, Mr. Zaro was also instrumental in laying the groundwork for the New Jersey Nets eventual decision to move from the Izod Arena to the Prudential Center Arena in Newark, effectively freeing up the Izod Arena for more concerts and family events; in essence, creating two premier regional venues.  Mr. Zaro also assisted Governor Christie and the special committee chaired by Jon Hanson in developing a new purse schedule that will allow Monmouth Park to pay out $1 million per day in purse money, the highest in the nation.  

While serving in the public sector, Mr. Zaro has had a hand in bringing thousands of jobs to New Jersey, and assisting the expansion of businesses already here.  Among them:

Mr. Zaro negotiated bringing the then-newly established MLB Network to Secaucus. MLB Network is investing approximately $50 million in the state-of-the-art facility, creating more than 200 new full-time jobs and more than 200 new part-time positions in the Garden State.

He worked with MAQUET Cardiovascular, a leading global producer of medical products, to expand their existing facilities in Wayne.  MAQUET expects to create 350 new jobs in New Jersey and invest an additional $40 million in the business as a result of the expansion.

He also worked with Bausch & Lomb, one of the best-known and most respected healthcare brands in the world, to establish its new global headquarters in Madison.  Bausch & Lomb's 30,000-square-foot facility will create 70 new full-time, high-paying jobs in the Garden State.

Mr. Zaro has also worked to make New Jersey a friendlier environment for all businesses.  He helped to create and then lead the Real Estate Advisory Board, comprised of the leaders in the industry, to identify and eliminate red tape, propose pro-business legislation, and attract more businesses to locate in NJ.  He worked to develop the Licensed Site Remediation Professionals Act, which outsources some DEP applications to private licensed professionals and fast-tracks the application process.  He launched the Patent Bank, which provides a central state directory for inventors and innovators to list their patents and assists in bringing new developments to market.  Mr. Zaro has helped to draft and create numerous other state incentive programs, including the Urban Transit Tax Hub Credit, the Economic Recovery Grant, and numerous pieces of business friendly tax legislation.

Before entering the public sector, Mr. Zaro was the President and Managing Partner of Ansell Zaro Grimm & Aaron, where he devoted his law career to commercial real estate, commercial and banking matters.  He was appointed Commissioner of the New Jersey Highway Authority by Governor Jim Florio (D) in 1991, reappointed by Governor Christine Todd Whitman (R), and appointed Vice Chairman of the Agency by Acting Governor Donald DiFrancesco (R).  

In February 2002, Governor James McGreevey (D) appointed Mr. Zaro Chairman of the New Jersey Highway Authority, and Mr. Zaro was instrumental in its merger into the New Jersey Turnpike Authority.  In 2004, Mr. Zaro was appointed Commissioner of the New Jersey Sports & Exposition Authority (NJSEA), which owns, operates and maintains Giants Stadium, the Izod Arena (then-Continental Airlines Arena), the Meadowlands Racetrack, Monmouth Park, the Atlantic City Convention Center and the Camden Aquarium.  He chaired the NJSEA's Committee on Racing and Wagering, and co-chaired the Breeder's Cup Host Committee for the 2007 Breeder's Cup Thoroughbred Championships at Monmouth Park.  During that time, Mr. Zaro helped launch Internet horse race wagering and helped establish New Jersey's first off-track wagering parlors.

In addition to his involvement with a variety of businesses and corporate boards, Mr. Zaro has been engaged with numerous charitable organizations and civic affairs.  Among them, he served as Chairman of the PNC Bank Arts Center and oversaw its expansion to 17,000 seats.

Mr. Zaro received his BA from Boston University and his JD from Boston College School of Law.

SOURCE Sills Cummis & Gross