Gov. Murphy Names Members Of Restart And Recovery Commission

NEW JERSEY — Gov. Phil Murphy has announced the 21 people who will serve on the state’s commission that will advise the administration on the timing and preparation for New Jersey’s road to recovery from new coronavirus.

Princeton University Professor and former University President Shirley Tilghman and Merck and Co. Inc. Chief Executive Officer Ken Frazier will co-chair the Governor’s Restart and Recovery Commission, Murphy announced on Tuesday.

Three members will also serve on the regional task force empaneled earlier this month that will include representatives from seven northeast states. Those members are Jeh Johnson, a partner at the law firm of Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison, LLP; former U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security and Robert Wood Johnson Foundation President Richard Besser; and Chief of Staff George Helmy.

Lt. Gov. Sheila Oliver, Health Commissioner Judith Persichilli, Chief Counsel Matt Platkin and Chief Policy Advisor Kathleen Frangione are members of the administration that are on the commission.

Together, the members have a vast wealth of experience in health care, business, finance, academics, and economics.

“With this task force we are bringing together some of the sharpest minds our state and nation have to offer,” Murphy said. “As I have said from the start, public health creates economic health and these individuals will help us decide when and how to restart the economy to best benefit both.”

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The commission was scheduled to begin virtual meetings immediately one day after Murphy mapped out a six-point outline to "restart New Jersey and put the state on the road to recovery." Read more here: Gov. Murphy Issues 6-Point NJ Reopen Plan In Coronavirus Crisis

Among the commission’s first tasks will be to advise the governor on the timing of the restart as it aligns with predetermined public health metrics. Among the major issues to be addressed by the commission will be immediate questions surrounding the safe restart of society.

"I am eager to participate in Governor Murphy's Restart and Recovery Commission,” Tilghman said. “Reinvigorating the economy of New Jersey while protecting the safety and health of its residents is the most important challenge we now face."

“In this challenging and unprecedented time, it is clear that COVID-19 poses serious threats to the health and well-being of people and businesses including those in New Jersey. As a company proudly headquartered in New Jersey, Merck recognizes our responsibility to help the state respond to this pandemic,” Frazier said. “I am confident that with input from thoughtful people, including scientific and healthcare experts, we will be able to recommend a responsible path forward to reopen the economy while continuing to keep New Jersey citizens safe. Together, we will win this fight against the viral outbreak.”

The commission will also address both short-term and long-term economic issues as well as areas such as public health, workforce issues, and transportation. It will develop strategies for how the state and federal governments can support the economic recovery of the private sector and identify critical needs for federal support and intervention.

It will inform the administration on ways to speed the recovery and position New Jersey’s economy for long-term success. Where possible, the commission will identify opportunities for various sectors to be rebuilt to be well-positioned for both the economy of today and the economy of the future, while promoting equity for disadvantaged communities.

The commission will exist as long as necessary to help restart the state’s economy. The full list of commission members can be found below:

• Dr. Shirley M. Tilghman (Co-Chair): Professor of Molecular Biology & Public Policy and President Emeritus of Princeton University
• Kenneth Frazier (Co-Chair): Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Merck & Co., Inc.
• Dr. Ben Bernanke: Distinguished Fellow in Residence at the Brookings Institution and former Chairman of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System
• Dr. Richard Besser: President and CEO of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and former Acting Director for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
• Evelyn McGee Colbert: Founding Board Member and President of the Board of Montclair Film and Vice President of Spartina Productions
• Tony Coscia: Chairman of the Board of Directors of the National Railroad Passenger Corporation (Amtrak), Partner and Executive Committee member of Windels Marx Lane & Mittendorf, LLP law firm and Chairman of Suez North America Inc.
• Jessica Gonzalez: Founder & Chief Executive Officer of InCharged, VendX, and Lux-UVC
• Dr. Jonathan Holloway: Incoming President of Rutgers University and former Provost of Northwestern University
• Lisa P. Jackson: Vice President of Environment, Policy and Social Initiatives at Apple Inc., former Administrator of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, and former Commissioner of the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection
• Jeh Johnson: Former U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security and Partner at the law firm Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison, LLP
• Charles Lowrey: Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Prudential Financial, Inc.
• Denise Morrison: Founder of Denise Morrison & Associates, LLC and a Senior Advisor for PSP Partners. Former President and Chief Executive Officer of The Campbell Soup Company.
• Dr. William Rodgers: Professor of Public Policy and Chief Economist at the Heldrich Center for Workforce Development at Rutgers University. Former Chief Economist at the U.S. Department of Labor
• Neera Tanden: President and CEO of the Center for American Progress and the CEO of the Center for American Progress Action Fund
• Reverend Dr. Regena Thomas: Director of the Human Rights and Community Relations Department of the American Federation of Teachers (AFT) and former New Jersey Secretary of State
• Richard Trumka: President of the AFL-CIO
• Lieutenant Governor Sheila Oliver*: Lt. Governor, State of New Jersey
• George Helmy*: Chief of Staff, Office of Governor Phil Murphy
• Judith Persichilli*: New Jersey Department of Health Commissioner
• Matt Platkin*: Chief Counsel, Office of Governor Phil Murphy
• Kathleen Frangione*: Chief Policy Advisor, Office of Governor Phil Murphy

*Ex Officio

See related: NJ Coronavirus Updates: Here's What You Need To Know