June 8, 2020

Re: Update on League Transition - Appointment of Lori Buckelew as Assistant Executive Director

I write today in my capacity as the League President to update you on the status of the League’s leadership transition.
 
As you recall we have previously advised you that at the December League Executive Board meeting Michael Darcy announced his intention to retire as of June 30, 2020.     This follows over thirty years of dedicated service to the League, including the last five years as Executive Director.    At that same meeting, I appointed a transition team consisting of the current League officers and the five immediate past League presidents to develop a plan for the transition.
 
As the first major announcement of that transition, we advised you in April that the League Executive Board unanimously appointed Mike Cerra to be the next Executive Director, effective July 1.  Cerra is currently the Assistant Executive Director and Director of Government Affairs. He is in his 24th year with the League.    Since then the Transition Committee and the League officers have worked closely both with Darcy and Cerra in preparing a vision going forward for the League and to effectuate the necessary administrative transition by July.
 
Today, we are pleased to announce the next step in the League’s transition.   On Friday, the League Executive Board convened via a virtual meeting and unanimously approved the appointment of Lori Buckelew to be the next Assistant Executive Director & Director of Government Affairs, effective July 1.    
 
Lori Buckelew joined the League in 2009 and is currently a Senior Legislative Analyst.    Prior to that Lori worked for several municipalities including Maplewood as Deputy Municipal Clerk, Long Hill as Township Clerk, and Lambertville as City Clerk. She also worked for the Division of Local Government Services. With over 25 years’ experience in both state and local government Lori is a Registered Municipal Clerk and has a B.A. in Political Science and Criminal Justice as well as an M.P.A. in Public Administration from Kean University.
 
The League officers will continue to work with Darcy, Cerra and Buckelew to continue a smooth and effective transition process, which will continue beyond July 1 and establish a strategic vision ahead for the League.
 
I would also like to point out that, unfortunately, the League needed to postpone the retirement event for Michael Darcy, due to the current public health emergency and the limits on indoor and outdoor gatherings.      We plan on holding an appropriate event, perhaps in the fall, when circumstances allow us to honor Michael’s extraordinary service to the League.     In the meanwhile, I would ask you to take a moment of your time to drop him a note at mdarcy@njlm.org and thank him personally.  
 
Very Truly Yours,
 
James J. Perry
President, NJLM
Committeeman, Hardwick