Governor Chris Christie today announced his selection of Terrence Brody as the next Executive Director of the Governor’s Office of Recovery and Rebuilding, the lead branch of the Governor’s Office tasked with coordinating Sandy-related recovery efforts across state government. Brody, who has served as the Deputy Executive Director of the office since its creation in December 2012, will succeed Marc Ferzan who oversaw the Office’s creation and Sandy recovery effort through the crucial period in Sandy’s immediate aftermath and ever since.
Ferzan will be departing to support a career opportunity for his wife, and will be teaching at the Frank Batten School of Leadership and Public Policy at the University of Virginia.
“Superstorm Sandy scarred New Jersey with a level of destruction that was unprecedented in our state’s history. The resulting challenge of quickly and effectively implementing programs to deliver assistance to our families and communities in a manner that also balanced our long-term interests in building back stronger and more resilient was an equally unprecedented challenge for New Jersey,” said Governor Christie. “Marc Ferzan led our efforts to meet that challenge and did so with great professionalism, effectiveness, and with the needs of Sandy survivors always in the front of his mind. The people of New Jersey are better off for Marc’s leadership and I thank him for his commitment and his service. Likewise, I am proud to name Terry Brody, an indispensable part of our recovery and rebuilding team, as Marc’s successor and thank him for continuing to serve the people of our state as we continue to deliver on our recovery mission.”
Together, Ferzan and Brody established a central recovery and rebuilding office at the Statehouse where they focused on developing a holistic and coordinated approach to disaster recovery in the aftermath of Superstorm Sandy. Working closely with the State’s departments and agencies, they evaluated storm impacts and needs across New Jersey’s housing, economic, infrastructure, natural and cultural resources, and health and social services sectors.
By leveraging available public and private sector resources, the Governor’s Office of Recovery and Rebuilding was responsible for driving the launch of more than fifty programs and initiatives by State departments and agencies within an eighteen-month period following Sandy. Ferzan and Brody provided guidance to the Governor and leadership at the State departments and agencies, and helped coordinate and prioritize disaster recovery resources made available under the Disaster Relief Appropriations Act of 2013 through FEMA, the Army Corps, USDOT, EPA, DOI, HHS, DOL, SBA, HUD, and other federal agencies.
Terry Brody will provide leadership and continuity to facilitate and ensure vital progress through New Jersey’s recovery and rebuilding programs and long-term recovery efforts for Sandy-affected families, businesses, communities, and local governments.