By Joshua Burd
The board chairman of the Fort Monmouth Economic Revitalization Authority is stepping down after seven years in the post.
The authority said this week that James V. Gorman has announced his resignation, effective Dec. 31, following a tenure in which he helped guide the redevelopment efforts of the shuttered 1,000-acre military installation in Eatontown, Tinton Falls and Oceanport. Under his leadership, FMERA has sold 11 properties and is under contract or in active negotiations on 17 additional parcels.
He has served as board chair since Jan. 25, 2011. Dr. Robert Lucky, vice chairman, will serve as interim chair until Gov.-elect Phil Murphy appoints a successor.
Notable achievements since 2011 include the opening of a new 275,000-square-foot corporate headquarters in Tinton Falls for Commvault, a data security giant. FMERA also touted the reuse of Fort Monmouth’s former Child Development Center as Trinity Hall School in Tinton Falls and the rebirth of the former Patterson Army Clinic as AcuteCare in Oceanport.
State officials said Gorman has consistently shown a strong commitment to the FMERA mission of attracting employers and investors and maximizing job creation and the value of the property, all while meeting the goals of the state’s Reuse and Redevelopment Plan for the base.
“It’s been an honor to work with our chairman, James V. Gorman, over the past seven years,” Bruce Steadman, FMERA executive director, said in a prepared statement. “Much of our success can be credited to the Chairman’s excellent leadership, forward-thinking vision and his unwavering commitment to our mission. He will be greatly missed.”
In addition to his volunteer service with FMERA, Gorman serves as chairman of Blue Warrior Capital LLC, a New Jersey-based private equity and merchant banking firm, the news release said. Gorman was a founding member of the firm in 2008, with previous roles that also include founder, board chairman and CEO of National Atlantic Holdings Corp.
He has also served in leading executive roles in several other insurance firms and as chairman of IEP Youth Services, a Freehold-based charitable organization serving abused children ages 8 to 21, since 1997.
Gorman served state government from 2009 to 2010 as a member of Gov. Chris Christie’s transition team for banking, insurance and real estate.
“Chairman Gorman has been a strong advocate for fast-tracking the redevelopment of the Fort as a thriving, live-work-play community,” said Tim Lizura, president and chief operating officer of the state Economic Development Authority. “His dedication to FMERA’s work has been paramount to its success and we’re grateful for his contributions.”
