By Birgitta Wolfe, Managing Editor
BORDENTOWN CITY Former Assemblyman Joseph Malone was elected chairman of the Burlington County College board on trustees on Feb. 22, while attending his first board meeting.
The county Board of Freeholders appointed him to the board at the end of January to the seat that had been held by long-time trustee and chairman, Ronald Winthers. Mr. Malone’s four-year term on the 11-member trustee board runs until Nov. 1, 2015.
”I didn’t think I’d be this busy this quickly,” said the city resident who did not seek re-election to the state Assembly in November. He served in the Assembly since 1993.
”I’m looking forward to this kind of engagement in education again,” he said.
Aside from his political career, he said, he has had a 36-year career in education, as a teacher, and with the Educational Testing Service. In 2006 he retired as director of post-secondary and adult education at Somerset County Technical Institute, having been with the school since 1985. He has a master’s degree in industrial education.
Among his new responsibilities, he said, will be finding a new president for the college because President Robert Messina is leaving on March 1. The search committee has from 40 to 60 applicants for the job, while Ron Brand serves as acting president, Mr. Malone said.
”Joe’s vast experience in education, coupled with his legislative experience and leadership, including many years grappling with State budgets, makes him the ideal choice to lead the college during these difficult fiscal times,” said Freeholder Director Bruce Garganio.
”The county college has become a popular higher education option for more students and their families over the past few years,” Mr. Garganio added. “Choosing Joe as chair sends a message that this board is serious about meeting those needs, and also pursuing fiscal or other reforms needed to ensure the college remains true to its core mission.”
Officially, Mr. Malone replaced Marilyn Williamson, of Evesham, who was chosen as chairwoman in January.
”Yielding the chairmanship to Assemblyman Malone, for me, was the logical thing to do,” said Ms. Williamson. “When freeholders appointed him as a trustee, I realized we were gaining a member who has chaired an array of legislative budget and educational committees over the years. I’m pleased to hand him the gavel.”
Mr. Malone responded, “I appreciate the vote of confidence. I know freeholders have appointed a number of new trustees over the past couple of years, and I hope I can also bring fresh insight to the table. “Anyone serving in the public arena these days has to be open to change, and new ideas. Business as usual, especially when you are dealing with taxpayers’ dollars and, in this case, student tuition, just doesn’t work.”

