Members of the Hudson County Board of Chosen Freeholders are elected for a three-year term of office. The Board serves as the Legislative Branch of County Government, offering advice and consent to the actions of the County Executive and administrative staff. The Board approves all contracts signed by the Executive, sets policy under the Administrative Code and votes on the county budget. The Board meets in Caucus at 3:00 PM on the Second and Fourth Tuesday of each month (Except July and August when it meets once). The Official Freeholder Meeting takes place on the Second and Fourth Tuesday of the month (except July and August when it meets once) in the Freeholder Chambers at 567 Pavonia Avenue, Jersey City. The meeting times alternate between 1:00 PM and 6:00 PM.

Anthony L. Romano
Chairperson

Dr. Doreen M. DiDomenico
District 1 | Map


Dr. Doreen McAndrew DiDomenico grew up in the Greenville section of Jersey City where she attended St. Paul’s Parochial School, and then St. Dominic Academy where she was active in the Student Council and National Honor Society.  She attended St. John’s University where she graduated summa cum laude in 1984 with a BS in Psychology and the President’s Medal, and earned a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology in 1995.

At present, Dr. DiDomenico is a Licensed Clinical Psychologist employed by Rutgers University for the past 16 years. At Rutgers, she serves as a Behavior Specialist with Project: Natural Setting Therapeutic Management (NSTM), providing behavioral consultation and training to care providers of individuals with developmental disabilities and behavioral challenges. Through the Graduate School of Applied and Professional Psychology, she provides training and clinical supervision to doctoral students. She also serves as consulting psychologist to several agencies for persons with developmental disabilities. After becoming the parent of a child with a developmental disability, she lectures regularly at professional conferences locally and throughout the country on issues related to parent/professional collaboration for special needs children.

Freeholder DiDomenico is the Coordinator of the Child and Adolescent Program at the Rutgers Anxiety Disorders Clinic, providing evaluations and psychotherapy to individuals struggling with anxiety. At the clinic, she also treats Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) in Vietnam and Iraq veterans under a contract with the Veteran’s Administration. 

She is an active member of several professional organizations, including the American Psychological Association, the American Association on Mental Retardation, and the Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies. 

She has served as a Trustee with the Bayonne Board of Education from 2000 -- 2007, a prior member of the Board of the Bayonne Community Mental Health Center, and currently serves on the Advisory Board of the Windmill Alliance where she was recently appointed Chair of their 2006 Capital Campaign.

In her inaugural term on the Board of Chosen Freeholders, Doreen DiDomenico was elected to the position of Chairperson Pro Tempore for 2007 and as Vice Chairperson for 2008. She serves as Chair of the Environmental, Health and Human Services, and Women and Minority Issues Committees. She is also representing the Freeholders on the Meadowview Psychiatric Hospital Board of Managers and on the Hudson County Planning Board.

Married to Jay DiDomenico, she is the parent of two daughters: Wendy, age 16 and Jaime, age 9, both students in Bayonne public schools.

William O’Dea
District 2 | Map

Known for a questioning mind and an ability to get things done, William O’Dea was elected freeholder by one vote in a hotly contested election amongst county committee people to fill the unexpired term of Freeholder Henry “Hank” Gallo, who died unexpectedly in September 1997. In November 1998, Freeholder O’Dea roundly defended his seat, obtaining the electorate’s full support, for the remaining one year of the term.

Now serving his third full term in 2008, Freeholder O’Dea is Chairman of the Public Resources Committee and a member of the Hudson County Community College Board of School Estimate. He is a member of the following committees: The Task Force on the Homeless; Contract Review; Economic Development and Housing; Education; and Public Safety, Department of Corrections and Emergency Management.

On the 1999 Freeholder Board, Bill O’Dea was chairperson of the Economic Development Committee and the Y2K Task Force, and a member of four committees: Contract Review; Public Resources & Emergency Management; Tourism & Cultural Affairs; and Welfare, Welfare-to-Work. Freeholder O’Dea also served as liaison alternate to the Hudson County Improvement Authority and as alternate representative to the New Jersey Association of Counties.

This native of Jersey City has previous experience as an elected official, having served two consecutive terms, in 1985 and 1989, as a Jersey City Councilman. Currently, Bill O’Dea is Deputy Executive Director of the Elizabeth Development Company, considered the best- administered Enterprise Zone development company in the country.

Freeholder O’Dea is a graduate of St. Peter’s Preparatory in Jersey City, where he won the Silver Medal in Oratory Competition and the Silver Medal in Business Law. For his many academic successes, he was included in Who’s Who Among American High School Students. Bill graduated magna cum laude with a Bachelors of Science degree from St. John’s University. He won Gold Key Awards as a top student in criminal justice and in political science.

Bill O’Dea knows that politics is, at times, theater. He has actually taken his talents in that direction, and is the author of two plays and six screenplays. Freeholder O’Dea, however, takes his politics very seriously, and served as Executive Director of the Jersey City Democratic Party and Hudson County.

He was named to “Who’s Who in International Business” in 2005 and to “Who’s Who in America” in 2006.

Jeffrey Dublin
District 3 | Map

Jeffrey Dublin was first elected to the Hudson County Board of Chosen Freeholders in 2004 by the Democratic Committee of Freeholder District 3 to fill the unexpired term of former Freeholder William Braker. He was elected to a full term in November of 2005 and took the oath of office in January of 2006.

Since 2004, Mr. Dublin has worked as a Public Works Inspector for the Jersey City Department of Public Works, responsible for oversight of construction work performed by the department to ensure that work procedures and materials conform to accepted standards. He also maintains inventory records for materials received or used, daily records of construction and inspection activities and makes field inspections of outside construction work on the city’s infrastructure. Prior to that, he served as Assistant Supervisor of Roads for the Hudson County Division of Roads and Bridges for several years, a position to which he was promoted after starting in the department 12 years earlier as a CDL truck driver. He has also worked simultaneously on a second job as a Supervisor for Argenbrecht Transportation, where he supervises a staff of 50 drivers and is responsible for scheduling and oversight.

A graduate of Lincoln High School in Jersey City and the Betty Owen Paralegal School, Mr. Dublin attended Jersey City State College. He is the father of five children, Jeffrey, Darell, Antwan, Winton and Jasmine. Currently an elected member of the Jersey City Board of Education, he is a founder and organizer of the Jersey City and Hudson County Bowling League. His other community activities include the Girls and Boys Club of America, the Kennedy Key Club, establishment of a Community Patrol for his neighborhood, organizer for Jersey City’s Million Man March to Washington, former Union Delegate for Local 1199J, organizer for Jersey City area World Day of Atonement, Vice-President of ACORN of New Jersey, member of the Mt. Olive Baptist Church, three-term Democratic Committeeman in Ward F, former UJIMA Community Center Board Member, member of Patient First Coalition, coach of Biddy and Junior basketball teams, summer recreation programs and as a member of the Greenville Community School Board.

Since becoming Freeholder, Mr. Dublin has chaired the County Government, Oversight and Policy Review Committee as well as the Transportation Committee. He has served as a member of the Public Safety, Department of Corrections and Emergency Management Committee; the Purchasing Committee; the Task Force on the Homeless; Women and Minority Affairs Committee; and as an Alternate to the New Jersey Association of Counties, Hudson County Planning Board, and the Hudson County Improvement Authority. He also served as Chairman Pro Tempore and Vice Chairman prior to becoming Chairman.
 

Eliu Rivera
District 4 | Map

Freeholder Eliu Rivera was born in Aibonito, Puerto Rico and immigrated with his family to the United States at an early age. He attended local schools, graduated from Dickinson High School in Jersey City and continued his education at Rutgers University and St. Peter’s College.

Employed by the P.A.C.O. Agency since 1970 and serving as its Executive Director, he has gained extensive experience in the housing, economic development, health, education and community development areas. The agency has a solid reputation for enhancing the quality of life for its neighborhood and constituents.

A former Deputy Mayor of Jersey City, Freeholder Rivera has been recognized for his many contributions to the community with a host of awards from distinguished organizations. He is the recipient of the Jersey City Police Department Distinguished Service Award and the Hispanic Merchants Association Community Service Award. In addition he has been honored and received awards from organizations such as the Hispanic Firefighters of Hudson County, the Hudson County Labor Council for Latin Advancement, the Jersey City Board of Education, the New Jersey and Jersey City Puerto Rican Parade Committees, the Roberto Clemente Little League, the Jersey City Medical Center, the Urban League, the Dominican Parade Committee, the Save Latin America Committee, the Peruvian Parade Committee, the March of Dimes and the Christopher Columbus Foundation.

Married to Nancy Rivera, he is the parent of four children from a previous marriage – Eliu, a DEA agent; Ricky, a U.S. Customs official; Robert, a computer specialist; and Willie, a student.

He serves as Chairman of the Economic Development & Housing Committee, Chairman of the Personnel Committee, and Chairman of the Public Safety, Department of Corrections and Emergency Management Committee, and Chairman of the Purchasing Committee. He also serves as a member of the Education Committee, and the Task Force on the Homeless.

Anthony Romano
District 5 | Map

Chairperson

A lifelong resident of the City of Hoboken, Anthony L. Romano has dedicated his life to advancing the interests of the public.   Currently, Freeholder Romano serves in the rank of Captain with the Hoboken City Police Department, where he has continued to make our neighborhoods safer for thirty years.

Freeholder Romano was an advocate for children long before taking his oath to represent residents at the county level.  Examples of his service to local youth include a former teaching career at Hoboken High School and current commitments as the President of the Hoboken Babe Ruth League and the Chairman of the Hoboken Municipal Alliance Against Drugs and Alcohol.

Also, Anthony was proud to serve on the Hoboken Board of Education from 2006–2009, where he ensured the betterment of the public school system for students.

Furthermore, Freeholder Romano encourages academic achievement, having graduated from St. Peters College with a B.A. in History and M.S. in Criminal Justice from New Jersey City University. He later went on to complete the Command and Leadership Program at West Point and teaches as an Adjunct Professor at Saint Peter’s College.

Tilo Rivas
District 6 | Map


Freeholder Tilo Rivas is a well-traveled and elected member of the City Commission of Union City. A research scientist for Kraft Foods Global Biscuit Group in East Hanover, New Jersey, he has also worked as a television and print journalist in both the United States and his native Dominican Republic. In both his work with Kraft and as a member of the media, he has traveled extensively abroad and domestically.

Educated at Santo Domingo Autonomous University, where he studied communications, Mr. Rivas is very active in a variety of cultural, political and community organizations, including the Cuban-Haitian Aid Center in West New York and Union City, the Hispanic Cultural Foundation of Hudson County, the New Jersey Hispanic Parade of Hudson County, the Union City Dominican Empowerment Political Action Committee (DEPAC), the Committee to Celebrate 500 Years of the Foundation of the City of Santo Domingo in Union City.

He has served on the Union City Redevelopment Agency, the Union City Board of Education, and as Chairman of the Union City Board of Education School Safety Committee. He has served as Democratic Committeeman and as a member of the New Jersey Cuban Parade Press Committee, as well as being a founding member of the Union City Public Library Friends, Inc.

On the Freeholder Board he serves as Chairman of the Education Committee, Representative on the Workforce Investment Board, and as a member on the following committees: County Government, Oversight and Policy Review; Economic Development and Housing; Ethics; Senior Citizens and Veterans Affairs; Task Force on the Homeless; and Tourism and Cultural Affairs.

Currently, Mr. Rivas is also an elected Commissioner in Union City. He and his wife, Marianela, have two sons, Kenneth and Daniel.

Jose C. Muñoz
District 7 |  Map

Vice-Chairperson

Freeholder Jose Munoz of West New York was elected in November 2007 to fill an unexpired term.

In the spring of 2002 he received a Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice and Political Science from Kean University and made Dean’s List Honors, followed in 2004 with a Master of Arts in Public Administration. In December 2007 he received a Master of Science in Accountancy from St. Peters College in Jersey City where he made the Dean’s List for three consecutive semesters. Freeholder Munoz also attended the University of Northumbria Upon Tyne in the United Kingdom as part of the abroad program at Kean University where he completed courses in International Politics, European Laws, and International Relation.

Freeholder Munoz has won awards from Kean University for his volunteer services to communities, first as a law enforcement auxiliary in Cranford, NJ and later as a grant writer for the Gear Up and Adelante programs in Union, New Jersey. He is a member of the Student Union of Northumbria University, the association of Public Administrators of New Jersey, the Council for International Students and the Delta theta Phi legal fraternity.

He was employed full time by the Hudson County Correctional Department as a Criminal Justice Specialist since 2005; his major responsibility was to oversee the Hudson County Parole. Freeholder Munoz took a leave of absence in November of 2007 to dedicate more time to the elected position he is currently serving.

He is Chairman of the Family Services & Welfare to Work Committee and serves as Freeholder Representative to the Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy Board, Member of the Hudson County Planning Board, and on the Senior Citizens and Veterans Affairs Committee as well as the Purchasing Committee.

Thomas Liggio
District 8 |  Map

Chairperson Pro-Tempore

In 2007, Freeholder Thomas Liggio of North Bergen served as Chairman of the Hudson County Board of Freeholders after previously having served as Chairman Pro Tempore and Vice Chairman.

On the 2008 Board, he serves as Chairman of the Finance, Budget and Administration Committee; as the Freeholder Representative on the Hudson County Community College and Hudson County Schools of Technology Boards of School Estimate; member of the Transportation Committee; and as Representative on the Insurance Commission.

With over 23 years' experience in elective office, three-term freeholder Thomas F. Liggio brings a wealth of knowledge within the sphere of revenue and finance. He served as a commissioner in the Township of North Bergen, bearing those responsibilities since filling mid-term during a recall election in 1985. He was returned by the voters to three subsequent four-year terms in 1987, 1991, and 1995. In 1999 he successfully ran for the position of Freeholder the position of freeholder.

For the 2006 Board, Freeholder Liggio was elected Vice Chairman after serving as Chairman Pro Tempore for the 2003 board term.

Freeholder Liggio possesses an M.B.A. from Fairleigh Dickinson University, Teaneck campus, and a Bachelors Degree in Business Administration from the University of Notre Dame in South Bend, Indiana. He spent his childhood in the Town of West New York and graduated from St. Joseph's High School, after which he had an outstanding career as a football player at Notre Dame University.

Currently Director of Compliance for the North Bergen Municipal Utilities Authority, Liggio's employment background encompasses over 20 years in the private sector in businesses such as Pepsico, Litton Industries and Hackensack Water Company.

A resident of North Bergen, he and his wife Jeanette have three grown children: a married daughter, Joanne Smith; and two sons, Frank, who is a pediatric orthopedic surgeon; and Thomas, a Vice Principal at North Bergen High School. Tom and Jeanette have ten grandchildren. With a golf club in one hand, and the other hand in town community affairs, Tom keeps himself busy. Low-key by nature, Freeholder Liggio is utilizing his financial background in keeping county taxes stable and to continue the progress being made by the County in education, senior citizen affairs, parks and recreation, and community development.

 

Albert J. Cifelli
District 9 |  Map

Having grown up in the town that Frank E. Rodgers built, Albert J. Cifelli didn’t stray too far from those Harrison roots, and chose to settle in the neighboring town of Kearny. Al received his Bachelors of Arts degree from Rutgers University, Newark, graduating magna cum laude, and pursued his Juris Doctor degree from Rutgers Law School, Newark.

Al practices law with partner Ken Davie in the Town of Harrison. He is a member of the Hudson County Bar Association, New Jersey State Bar Association and is past president of the West Hudson Bar Association. He has served as Public Defender and as Municipal Prosecutor in the Town of Kearny. He also has served as a member of the West Hudson Hospital Board of Governors for 10 years, serving two terms as Chairman of the Board.

On the 2008 Board, Freeholder Cifelli serves as Chairman of the Contract Review Committee, Chairman of the Ethics Committee and as Liaison to the Hudson County Improvement Authority. He also serves on the following committees: Transportation; County Government, Oversight and Policy Review; Personnel; Senior Citizens and Veterans Affairs; and Transportation.

Al and his wife, the former Joan Walsh of Kearny, have two children, James and Mary Katharine, and are members of St. Stephen’s Roman Catholic Church.