Essex County Resident Nominated To Lead NJ Finance Department

ESSEX COUNTY, NJ — Gov. Phil Murphy has nominated Justin Zimmerman, an Essex County resident, to become commissioner of the New Jersey Department of Banking and Insurance.

If confirmed by the Senate, Zimmerman – who lives in Verona and grew up in Essex and Union counties – would lead the department in regulating the banking, insurance and real estate industries, as well as operating Get Covered New Jersey, the state’s official health insurance marketplace.

Zimmerman currently serves as acting commissioner of the department. He will continue to serve in his current role pending his confirmation, Murphy’s office said Wednesday.

“It is an honor to be nominated to lead the department’s committed public servants as we continue our efforts to protect residents, enable access to quality, affordable health insurance and ensure that the department’s regulated entities operate in accordance with the law,” Zimmerman said.

According to a news release from the governor’s office:

“Zimmerman joined the department in January 2018, serving as the department’s chief of staff, where he oversaw the executive management team and managed all aspects of the department’s policy implementation under the direction of former commissioner Marlene Caride. Following commissioner Caride’s recent departure to join the judiciary as a judge of the New Jersey Superior Court, Zimmerman took on the role of acting commissioner. During his tenure as chief of staff, the department developed and implemented numerous consumer protections and programs impacting countless New Jerseyans, including New Jersey’s out of network law, student loan protections, mortgage servicers licensing, expanded reproductive health care access, and Get Covered New Jersey.”

Prior to joining Murphy's administration, Zimmerman served as chief of policy and legislation to the New Jersey State Senate president pro tempore, where he focused on expanding access to quality affordable health care for New Jerseyans, and the expansion of voting rights and civil rights. He began his career as a public servant working as a briefing aide to former Gov. Jon Corzine and director of legislative and intergovernmental affairs for the New Jersey Department of State.

Zimmerman was born and raised in New Jersey. He earned a bachelor of arts degree from the University of Mary Washington. He lives in Verona with his wife, Laura, and their two children.

“In addition to the time he has already spent serving as acting commissioner, Justin’s prior experience as the department’s chief of staff makes him more than qualified for this position,” Murphy said. “His skilled leadership and thorough understanding of banking and insurance policy have helped countless residents throughout our state and will serve him well as he continues to lead this department.”

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