Thomas A. DeGise
Encyclopedia
Thomas A. DeGise is an American
Democratic Party
politician
who serves as the County Executive
of Hudson County, New Jersey
. As County Executive, DeGise administers county business, together with the Board of Chosen Freeholders
acting in a legislative role.
Thomas DeGise was born and raised in Jersey City. He earned his bachelors degree in Political Science from Saint Peter's College
in 1973.
Following the resignation of Robert C. Janiszewski
as County Executive in September 2001, DeGise took office after winning a special election in November 2002, one in which he garnered 77 percent of the vote. On his first day in office, he submitted legislation to the Board of Chosen Freeholders
to create the first ever Ethics Oversight Board for Hudson County government.
Prior to serving as County Executive, Mr. DeGise was Jersey City, New Jersey
's longest serving Municipal Council President, holding that office from 1993 to 2001. Mr. DeGise entered public life as a community leader during the 1980s, founding the New #28 School Neighborhood Association and eventually chairing the Heights Coalition of Neighborhood Associations (HCNA), a group dedicated to improving quality of life in city's Heights Section.
Within the region, County Executive DeGise serves as the Chairman of the Freight Committee and a member of the Project Priorities Committee of the New Jersey Transportation Planning Authority.
A teacher and administrator in the Jersey City Schools since 1975, Mr. DeGise most recently served as a job placement counselor at the Henry Snyder High School.
He still lives in the same Jersey City neighborhood (The Heights) where he was born with his two daughters, Linda and Amy. His wife, Helene, has died.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
Democratic Party
Democratic Party (United States)
The Democratic Party is one of two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Republican Party. The party's socially liberal and progressive platform is largely considered center-left in the U.S. political spectrum. The party has the lengthiest record of continuous...
politician
Politician
A politician, political leader, or political figure is an individual who is involved in influencing public policy and decision making...
who serves as the County Executive
County executive
A county executive is the head of the executive branch of government in a county. This position is common in the United States.The executive may be an elected or an appointed position...
of Hudson County, New Jersey
Hudson County, New Jersey
Hudson County is the smallest county in New Jersey and one of the most densely populated in United States. It takes its name from the Hudson River, which creates part of its eastern border. Part of the New York metropolitan area, its county seat and largest city is Jersey City.- Municipalities...
. As County Executive, DeGise administers county business, together with the Board of Chosen Freeholders
Board of Chosen Freeholders
In New Jersey, the Boards of Chosen Freeholders are the county legislatures in each of that state's 21 counties.- Origin :New Jersey's system of naming county legislators "freeholders" is unique in the United States...
acting in a legislative role.
Thomas DeGise was born and raised in Jersey City. He earned his bachelors degree in Political Science from Saint Peter's College
Saint Peter's College, New Jersey
Saint Peter's College is a private, coeducational Roman Catholic college in the United States. Located in Jersey City, New Jersey, it was founded in 1872 by the Society of Jesus. Today, Saint Peter's College is one of 28 member institutions of the Association of Jesuit Colleges and Universities...
in 1973.
Following the resignation of Robert C. Janiszewski
Robert C. Janiszewski
Robert Charles Janiszewski is a former American Democratic Party politician who served as County Executive of Hudson County, New Jersey from 1988 to 2001. In 2002 he pleaded guilty to taking more than $100,000 in bribes, and in 2005 was sentenced to 41 months in prison, despite cooperating with...
as County Executive in September 2001, DeGise took office after winning a special election in November 2002, one in which he garnered 77 percent of the vote. On his first day in office, he submitted legislation to the Board of Chosen Freeholders
Board of Chosen Freeholders
In New Jersey, the Boards of Chosen Freeholders are the county legislatures in each of that state's 21 counties.- Origin :New Jersey's system of naming county legislators "freeholders" is unique in the United States...
to create the first ever Ethics Oversight Board for Hudson County government.
Prior to serving as County Executive, Mr. DeGise was Jersey City, New Jersey
Jersey City, New Jersey
Jersey City is the seat of Hudson County, New Jersey, United States.Part of the New York metropolitan area, Jersey City lies between the Hudson River and Upper New York Bay across from Lower Manhattan and the Hackensack River and Newark Bay...
's longest serving Municipal Council President, holding that office from 1993 to 2001. Mr. DeGise entered public life as a community leader during the 1980s, founding the New #28 School Neighborhood Association and eventually chairing the Heights Coalition of Neighborhood Associations (HCNA), a group dedicated to improving quality of life in city's Heights Section.
Within the region, County Executive DeGise serves as the Chairman of the Freight Committee and a member of the Project Priorities Committee of the New Jersey Transportation Planning Authority.
A teacher and administrator in the Jersey City Schools since 1975, Mr. DeGise most recently served as a job placement counselor at the Henry Snyder High School.
He still lives in the same Jersey City neighborhood (The Heights) where he was born with his two daughters, Linda and Amy. His wife, Helene, has died.