Linderst – Congressman Vincent Prieto (D-Secaucus) will resign from his seat in Congress to take up a new role as President and CEO of the New Jersey Sports & Exhibitions Authority.
The NJSEA committee approved the appointment of the former parliamentary speaker Thursday morning. The move comes at the recommendation of Governor Phil Murphy.
A change of leadership comes as the Meadowlands Sports Complex hosts the 2026 FIFA World Cup and, based on the American Dream Entertainment Complex, seeks to attract other major events to the region. NJSEA is the state agency landowner of the complex, which is home to MetLife Stadium, his two grandstands at Meadowlands Racecourse, and the former Izod Center, which closed in 2015.
The NJSEA board approved the appointment of Prieto, who makes $280,000 a year, Thursday morning. The move comes at the recommendation of Governor Phil Murphy.
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Prieto told the board that he “got” Meadowlands, especially as an economic engine.
“We have a geography like no other. You have New York City right there. During the day you can go birdwatching or see a Broadway play,” Prieto said. “But here is Triple Five American his dream and all the entertainment destinations to come. It’s time for an exit for all of us.”
Prieto said he intends to step down as president on February 26 and resign from his position in Congress and the Secaucus construction division.
“I appreciate the seamless transition and look forward to working with you,” Prieto told the board. So I’m looking forward to it, and I think there’s a lot of work to be done.”
A Democrat who served as Speaker from 2014 to January 2018, Prieto has served in the House for the past 14 years. He was re-elected in 2017.
On behalf of Secaucus, Meadowlands Chamber of Commerce president Jim Kirkos said Prieto understands the economic impact of the agency’s decision on the region.
“There’s a lot of work to do, and an opportunity to capitalize on what’s happening here,” Kirkos says.
Kirkos pointed to the Chamber’s 2040 vision plan. The plan details casino gaming and a convention center at his Meadowlands Sports Complex, and lays out a roadmap for public-private partnerships.
The Chairman of the Chamber of Commerce joined Hackensack Riverkeeper Captain Bill Sheehan in calling for a revision of the Meadowlands Master Plan, last updated in 2004.
Meadowlands officials said they look forward to working with the new president.
Current President and CEO, Wayne Hasenbalg, has announced that he will be stepping down, effective February 25, although his responsibilities will be determined at a later date.
resigning president
“Today is about President Prieto,” Hassenberg said, adding that he would work closely with the new president.
While welcoming Prieto of Secaucus, the NJSEA Board thanked Hasenbalg for all his work over the past six years.
Tony Armlin, who oversees developer Triple Five’s American Dream, says the project wouldn’t be where it is today without the support of Hasenbalg and the NJSEA staff. Nearly 1,200 workers are on site each day, he said.
East Rutherford Mayor James Cassella said of the outgoing CEO, “There have been ups and downs, but they have always been heartfelt.
Authority Commissioner John Ballantine, who also sits on the Northeast Area Carpenters Council, said Hasenburg created an opportunity to make an impact in the lives of working women and men in New Jersey.
Sheehan thanked Hasenbalg for his leadership during the merger to preserve the Environmental Agency, which was formerly under the Meadowlands Commission.
Prieto and Meadow
During his tenure in Congress, Prieto has promoted major legislation affecting the Meadowlands.
Through compromises with then-Senator Stephen Sweeney and Governor Chris Christie, Prieto was integral in crafting a 2016 ballot question that could expand casino gaming outside of Atlantic City. Investors have previously expressed interest in opening casinos in Jersey City and East Rutherford.
“This move [Prieto’s appointment] Prieto is particularly apt because he crafted a law that successfully combines the two agencies in line with his commitment to streamlined and efficient government. ”
In 2015, he led legislation to merge two Meadowlands-based state agencies. After a pair of bills passed, his NJMC, which focused on the environment, was absorbed by the NJSEA. In part, the amalgamation created a 3 percent local hotel tax, replacing a controversial program in which he paid six individual towns into a tax-sharing pool benefiting six “receiving” municipalities. rice field.
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