First Trans NJ Cabinet Member Appointed By Gov. Murphy

NEW JERSEY - A longtime New Jersey civil servant is poised to make history as the state’s first transgender cabinet member following the upcoming retirement of one of Gov. Phil Murphy’s original cabinet appointees.

Murphy announced Monday he intends to appoint Allison Chris Myers as the Acting Chair/CEO of the New Jersey Civil Service Commission, replacing current chair Deirdré Webster Cobb, who is slated to retire effective Jan. 1, 2023.

“I couldn’t think of a better candidate to fill the shoes of Deirdré than Allison, who is a career public servant, having started her career in the United States Navy and serving over 20 years at the Civil Service Commission,” Murphy said in a statement. “As I have said many times before, it is important that the leadership in this state reflect the communities we serve, and I am looking forward to working with Allison to determine how we can better serve our state workforce.”

Myers, an attorney, has worked with the state Civil Service Commision since January 2001, having previously served as director of the Division of Appeals and Regulatory Affairs. She has also served as a member of the commission’s senior leadership, having most recently been appointed deputy chair/CEO in June.

“During my career with the CSC, I have assisted numerous public-sector employers and employees in addressing and resolving their civil service system related concerns,” Myers said. “Our aim every day is to better serve the people of New Jersey through the selection and appointment of its public servants based on relative knowledge, skills, and abilities while ensuring equal employment opportunities at all levels of public service.”

In a Monday statement, Cobb showed support for the new appointment.

“I am confident that Allison will continue to build on the foundation I’ve successfully laid to ensure an effective and efficient civil service delivery system for years to come," Cobb said.

Myers is also an alum of Rutgers University, where she received her Juris Doctorate and Bachelor of Arts in Labor Studies. She also received an Associate of Arts degree in Business Administration from Cumberland County College.

The Civil Service Commision Chair/CEO is responsible for making decisions related to civil service, communicating the state’s human resource policies and overseeing internal and external agency operations, according to the government job description. Other responsibilities include responding to legislator, media and public inquiries, as well as chairing the state’s quasi-judicial body charged with rendering decisions on appeals related to civil service employment.

“In cooperation with labor and management, the CSC will continue to work diligently to implement Governor Murphy’s agenda to provide the finest public services delivered by a top-notch and diverse public workforce,” Myers added.