Jonathan Chebra has been promoted to chief of staff for Human Services Commissioner Sarah Adelman, the state department announced this week.
Chebra, who joined Human Services in 2020, will continue to oversee legislative affairs, policy, outreach and constituent relations. Previously, Chebra worked for the New Jersey Hospital Association, Assembly Health Chairman Dr. Herb Conaway (D-Delran) and U.S. Sen. Frank Lautenberg.
Chebra’s promotion — he previously served as deputy chief of staff — was one of many announcements involving the leadership team. The previous chief of staff, Andrea Katz, will become deputy commissioner of operations, overseeing human resources and employee relations, department operations, legal and regulatory affairs, facilities, the Office of Emergency Management and the Human Services Police.
Katz had served as chief of staff at Human Services since 2018.
“I am deeply grateful for the hard-working and compassionate leaders and employees across Human Services who work every day to help others, and who make it possible for our department to provide life-enhancing services and programs to one in three New Jersey children, and one in four adults,” Adelman said.
“And I’m thrilled to announce the expansion of the department’s senior leadership team under a new structure and to welcome our newest team members. Each of these leaders bring diverse experiences and expertise to our department, they are passionate about our mission, and I look forward to all we will accomplish together for the residents of New Jersey.”
Among the other announcements:
- Lisa Asare: She has joined the department as deputy commissioner of health services, overseeing the Division of Medical Assistance and Health Services, which administers NJ FamilyCare, and the Division of Mental Health and Addiction Services, and will lead the department’s work on first lady Tammy Murphy’s Nurture NJ maternal health initiative. Asare will also support the Catastrophic Illness in Children’s Relief Fund.
- Kaylee McGuire: She will serve as deputy commissioner for aging and disability services, overseeing the Division of Aging Services, the Division of Disability Services and the Division of Developmental Disabilities, and will support the New Jersey Council on Developmental Disabilities and the Office of the Public Guardian.
- Eric Kaufmann: The director of special projects, he will become senior adviser to the commissioner. In this role, Kaufmann will support the commissioner’s priorities and will oversee the offices of Research, Evaluation and Special Projects; Information Systems; and Boards and Commissions. Kaufmann began his career at the Office of Management and Budget in 2005 and joined Human Services in 2010, where he has worked in various finance, operations and policy roles, including as the department’s assistant chief financial officer.
- Vineeta Kapahi and Michael Petruzzelli: They join the department as a deputy policy directors.
