Mayor-Elect Sharon Ashe-Nadrowski today announced key leadership appointments to her transition team, bringing together decades of experience in government, education, public administration, and community leadership as preparations continue for the incoming administration.

Leading the transition effort as its Chairman will be John Minella, a veteran public administrator with more than 40 years of experience in municipal and county government. Minella worked as the longtime Chief of Staff for the City of Jersey City and previously served as Executive Director of the Hudson County Democratic Organization. His extensive public service background also includes leadership roles with the New Jersey Turnpike Authority, the Jersey City Mayor’s Office, and numerous boards and civic organizations throughout Hudson County.

Also joining the transition leadership team is Maria Valado, an accomplished educator and community leader with more than 30 years of experience in Newark Public Schools. Valado, who will be the Vice Chair of the Transition Team, has served as an educator, instructional math coach, and teacher leader across grades Pre-K through 7, with expertise in curriculum implementation, staff development, and student support initiatives. She previously served as President of the Bayonne Board of Education and currently has a seat as Vice Chair and Acting Secretary of the Bayonne Planning Board.

“John Minella and Maria Valado each bring an incredible amount of experience, leadership, and commitment to public service to our effort to deliver a more effective and responsive local government for Bayonne residents,” said Mayor-Elect Nadrowski. “I am very excited to have such talented and respected individuals helping lead this transition effort, and I am confident their knowledge of government, education, and community engagement will ensure our administration is prepared to hit the ground running on day one to deliver for the people of Bayonne.”

Mayor-elect Nadrowski added that the transition team will focus on evaluating city operations, identifying immediate priorities, and building an administration centered on transparency, accountability, and responsive government.

Nadrowski was elected Mayor of Bayonne in a decisive three-way race, defeating Councilman Loyad Booker and City Business Administrator Mary Jane Desmond outright and avoiding a runoff election. Formerly the Bayonne City Council President, Ashe-Nadrowski will make history as the city’s first woman mayor when she is sworn-into office. Following her victory, she thanked supporters and emphasized her commitment to delivering transparent, ethical, and responsive leadership for Bayonne residents. Her campaign, launched in December, focused on affordability, accountability, and restoring trust in local government, messages that resonated strongly with voters across the city.

Additional transition team announcements are expected in the coming weeks.