Aaron Binder was officially sworn in as New Jersey State Treasurer March 3 after he was unanimously confirmed by the State Senate last week.
As the new minted state treasurer, Binder will be facing looming budget challenges as the new Sherrill administration begins its tenure.
Last month, Gov. Mikie Sherrill and Binder said during a press conference that New Jersey faces a “serious” structural deficit that could empty the state’s reserves in two fiscal years. Sherrill’s first budget address for fiscal year 2027 is March 10.
Binder, who had been serving in an acting capacity since Gov. Sherrill assumed office, leads one of the largest state treasury departments in the nation. With more than 3,000 employees and 13 divisions, the New Jersey Department of the Treasury is responsible for, among other things, the management and oversight of the state budget, the collection and administration of state taxes, fees, and revenues, the issuance of state debt, the management of the pension and health benefit plans for public employees statewide, and the investments of one of the largest public pension funds in the U.S.
Sherrill nominated Binder for the treasurer’s post in January and the nomination won the endorsement of NJBIA President and CEO Michele Siekerka. She said “Aaron is proven to be extremely capable of being the lead administrator of the state’s finances, with a deep knowledge and ideas on how to put the state’s best fiscal foot forward.”
“With one of the broadest mandates of any state department, much of Treasury’s work is effectuated by public servants who bring a strong work ethic and a customer service-focused approach to solving problems,” said Binder.
“I’m proud to have built a team with a deep collective understanding of Treasury’s multi-faceted mission. I look forward to working with each of them to ensure a seamless transition as we advance Governor Sherrill’s mandate to maintain fiscal responsibility and boost affordability for residents across the Garden State.”
Binder joined the department in 2021 as deputy state treasurer, assisting with management of the State budget and overseeing the Office of Management and Budget, the Office of Revenue and Economic Analysis, and the Division of Taxation. Binder served on the leadership team for the New Jersey Assembly Majority Office (AMO), including his most recent role as deputy executive director.
During his 16-year tenure with the AMO, he was the lead Aide for the Assembly Budget Committee and oversaw many key policy issues, including development of the state budget, public employee pensions & benefits, banking and insurance, transportation, and health care. Prior to joining the AMO, he served in a number of financial roles for Congreso De Latinos Unidos, Amtrak, and the City of Philadelphia.
Heading up Binder’s leadership team is Kavin Mistry, who joins the Department as deputy state treasurer to oversee the state budget along with the Treasury’s Office of Management and Budget and the Division of Taxation. He joins Treasury after nearly 25 years with the Department of Law and Public Safety where he most recently served as deputy director in charge of the department’s financial affairs practice group.
Dennis Zeveloff joins the department as senior advisor to the treasurer, using his policy expertise to provide critical support on major projects – particularly the governor’s budget proposal – and serving as the treasurer’s designee on various boards and task forces. Over the last eight years, he held multiple roles in the prior administration, including chief policy adviser to the governor and director of budget and outcomes.
Robert M. Joyce joins the team as Treasury’s chief of staff, overseeing the day-to-day operations of the department’s 13 divisions and the management of 3,000 employees. He comes to the Treasurer’s Office after 25 years serving the Division of Taxation, most recently as executive deputy director.
Keith White also joins the team as assistant treasurer and will oversee legislative affairs, constituent relations and Treasury’s Unclaimed Property division. He has spent nearly 30 years in various roles within state government and higher education, most recently at the NJ Department of Labor where he served as senior adviser to former Labor Commissioner Robert Asaro-Angelo.
