Former Chatham Mayor Takes Oath As County Commissioner Director

CHATHAM, NJ — When Tayfun Selen came to the United States 25 years ago from Turkey, he didn’t speak English and his first job was pumping fuel at a station in Madison.

Selen, who became an American citizen in 2008, recently took his oath virtually - the reorganization meeting in that format because of the COVID spike - to serve as Morris County’s Commissioner Director.

Before he became a County Commissioner in 2021, Selen served as Chatham Township's Mayor and is Senior Vice President of Administration for Lincoln Educational Services, a Chatham Township resident for 19 years and Morris County resident for 23.

In August 2021, Selen announced his “My American Dream” platform to run in 2022 against NJ-11’s Congresswoman, Mikie Sherrill.

RELATED: Chatham's Tayfun Selen Announces Run Against NJ-11's Sherrill

“I am thankful to be living in Morris County – the best community anywhere – and with the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic again at our doorstep, I will continue to work with this board to protect our residents and our business owners,” Selen said in a news release from the County of Morris.

Sheriff James Gannon swore in Selen, his wife Tulin with him for the ceremonies. The meeting was broadcast by Webex, with some commissioners attending virtually, while Selen and Commissioner John Krickus was sworn in as Deputy Director by Sen. Anthony Bucco, R. 25th Dist.

Along with Krickus, former Commissioner Director Stephen H. Shaw and Deborah Smith were also sworn in again, all three up for re-election in 2021.

The Commissioners posted a video recap of 2021 happenings, which are in the clip below:

The next Morris County Board of County Commissioners meeting, which is being held virtually, is on Jan. 12, the work session starting at 4:30 p.m. and regular meeting at 7 p.m., their upcoming meeting schedule here.

Questions or comments about this story? Have a news tip? Contact me at: jennifer.miller@patch.com.