The nominee is in! At the Council meeting on Monday, July 9, Mayor Shing-Fu Hsueh will recommend Marlena Schmid for the position of West Windsor Township business administrator.
The nomination will be pending approval from Council at the meeting. Mayor Hsueh says that if Schmid is approved, she will begin work in the new position the next day, Tuesday, July 10.
Council Vice President Linda Geevers was enthused by the nomination, saying Schmid’s experience and education make her an excellent fit for the position. Schmid worked as the township administrator in Cranford for 12 years, starting in October of 1999. Last September she was placed on a two-week administrative leave by Cranford Township officials, but she did not return to her position.
At the time Schmid’s attorney, Cranford resident Frank Capece, told the Cranford Patch website that Schmid left her position “in good standing” as he cited an “amicable” separation agreement. Earlier in 2011, Schmid took on dual responsibilities with Cranford as she was named the interim CFO when the township underwent a number of personnel changes. Ultimately Schmid was replaced as township administrator by a 35-year veteran of the Cranford Police Department, Police Chief Eric Mason.
Earlier in her career Schmid worked for Princeton Borough as an assistant administrator. Schmid holds a bachelor’s degree from American University and a master’s degree in public administration from the George Washington University.
Geevers says Schmid’s professional certifications also make her an ideal choice. In addition to being a certified and registered chief financial officer, Schmid was one of the first licensed purchasing agents in the state, certified by the Department of Community Affairs.
“She will bring us another set of eyes to carefully look over the town’s finances. But most of all, I think that she will really be able to communicate well with council,” Geevers said.
Geevers served on the selection committee for the new business administrator along with School Board President Hemant Marathe, Planning Board Chairman Marvin Gardner, Andy Lupo of the West Windsor Parking Authority, and Mayor Hsueh.
If approved, Schmid would become the first woman business administrator in West Windsor’s history since the form of government changed to strong mayor-council and also one of few women to hold the position in the state.
Schmid was described by outgoing Business Administrator Robert Hary as a “numbers person with an incredible work ethic.” Because Hary’s retirement becomes official on Sunday, July 1, Mayor Hsueh says that in the nine days between July 1 and July 9, West Windsor Police Chief Joe Pica will fill in as the town’s business administrator.
Hsueh says in the meantime he will also be readily available for responsibilities handled by a business administrator, especially for interaction with the public.
