Mayor-elect of Hoboken Ravi Bhalla today announced his selection of John Allen as Chief of Staff. 

An attorney specializing in the representation of government bodies including boards of education and municipalities, Allen will bring a wealth of experience to the position, Bhalla said. Allen currently serves as a Hoboken Democratic Committeeman and on the Board of Directors of Easterseals New Jersey, one of the state’s oldest and largest charitable organizations dedicated to empowering individuals with disabilities. He is a graduate of Rutgers University and earned his law degree at Rutgers School of Law, where as an Education Fellow he prepared curriculum for continuing education classes for school leaders and administrators in New Jersey and New York. 

Allen ran for Council on the Team Bhalla Slate and came up just short.

“John will bring dedication, energy and smarts to City Hall,” Bhalla said. “I am very pleased that he is coming on board.”

John Allen said, “I am looking forward to helping to implement Ravi Bhalla’s vision and plans for Hoboken.  It is a tremendous opportunity to serve the City I live in and love.”

Bhalla’s campaign manager and former Zimmer Chief of Staff Vijay Chaudhuri is  departing for a new public service opportunity, but will remain a key advisor to the Mayor.   Bhalla said, “Vijay did a tremendous job as my campaign manager, combining skill with a work ethic second to none.  I wish him well in his new venture and will continue to value his advice.”

To ensure a smooth transition and better enable the Bhalla Administration to hit the ground running, Allen will begin work at City Hall on December 4th, filling the existing vacancy.