April 19, 2021
TRENTON, NJ (MERCER)–Governor Murphy today announced the appointments of Babatunde P. Odubekun, Stephanie Brown, Patricia C. Morgan, and Victor J. Herlinsky, Jr., to the State Ethics Commission. The Commission administers and enforces the New Jersey Conflicts of Interest Law and the Casino Control Act, and also operates under administrative authority granted by Governors Kean, Codey, Corzine, Christie, and Murphy.
“I am proud to appoint Babatunde, Stephanie, Patricia, and Victor to the State Ethics Commission,” said Governor Murphy. “This commission has one of the most important functions in our state, serving as a safeguard for the integrity of our government. I am confident that each of these nominees will serve honorably and work to ensure public trust in our state government.”
Babatunde P. Odubekun serves as Commercial Counsel for Distributed Solar Development, a renewable energy firm. Mr. Odubekun previously served as Associate Counsel for the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities. He has also worked as Deputy General Counsel and Vice President of Infinity Energy. An active member of the community, Babatunde has previously served as a Commissioner on the Newark Housing Authority, the largest public housing authority in the State of New Jersey. He currently serves as a Trustee and Corporate Secretary of the Newark Print Shop, a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting the fine art of printmaking. Mr. Odubekun received his bachelor’s degree from Rutgers University, and his J.D. from Rutgers Law School, where he served as editor-in-chief of the Rutgers Computer and Technology Law Journal.
Stephanie Brown is currently the Senior Manager of Government Affairs for Remarkable Foods, Inc., a stealth mode food tech start-up. She previously served as associate counsel for Governor Murphy in the Governor’s Authorities Unit, which provides oversight of the governance and operations of more than 50 independent state and bi-state agencies. She is currently the Deputy Chapter Director of New Leaders Council New Jersey, a nationwide training program for the next generation of progressive leaders. Ms. Brown has also served as a Trustee for the Hispanic Bar Association of New Jersey, a Commissioner on the Human Relations Commission for the Township of West Orange, a member of the New Jersey Supreme Court Committee on Minority Concerns, and as a mentor in the NJLEEP and American Dream Pipeline Programs. Ms. Brown attended Seton Hall University School of Law, and completed her undergraduate study at Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey. She graduated from Rutgers University with a dual degree in Political Science from the School of Arts and Sciences, and Planning and Public Policy, from the Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy.
Patricia C. Morgan is a leader of statewide education research, policy, and advocacy and is currently the Executive Director of JerseyCAN which is dedicated to improving educational outcomes and opportunities for all of New Jersey’s students. Previously she was the Case Manager for the Workplace Accommodations Team for Verizon, Assistant Commissioner for the New Jersey Department of Education, Assistant Counsel for the Governor’s Counsel’s Office, and an associate for Labor and Employment at Greenberg Traurig LLP. Ms. Morgan received her J.D. from the Seton Hall University School of Law, and her bachelor’s degree from Drew University.
Victor J. Herlinsky, Jr. is a litigator with more than 25 years of experience and specialties in commercial litigation, land use and redevelopment law, and government investigations. He currently a member of the firm at Sills Cummis & Gross P.C. He previously served as a Partner at the law firms of Nowell Amoroso Klein & Bierman, LLP and Lafferty, Suh, and Herlinsky. He was chosen in 2008 to serve as President of the 56th Electoral College of New Jersey. He has also been a transition team member for numerous public officials including Newark Mayor Cory Booker and Governor Jon Corzine as well as many municipal and county administrations. He was appointed by Corzine to the New Jersey Interagency Council to Prevent and Reduce Homelessness. Additionally, he was appointed by President Barack Obama to the President’s Advisory Committee on the Arts of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. Mr. Herlinsky received his J.D. from American University and his bachelor’s degree from Bucknell University.
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