Mary Maples, a well-known and highly regarded leader in the state, has been named deputy CEO of the N.J. Economic Development Authority, effective immediately, the organization announced Monday.
Maples, who joined the EDA in 2023, currently serves as chief strategy and infrastructure officer.
In her new role, Maples will report directly to CEO Tim Sullivan while overseeing a broad and significant range of the EDA’s programs and teams.
The EDA’s economic transformation, community development, real estate/infrastructure, operations and business support teams (led by Kathleen Coviello, Tai Cooper, Jorge Santos, Bruce Ciallella and Fred Cole, respectively) will report to Maples.
Maples also will chair the EDA’s operating committee as well as the project review committee.
Sullivan, who made it clear that he is all-in on the organization, said he looks forward to working more closely with Maples.
“Since joining the EDA in 2023, Mary has made an extraordinary impact on our organization and helped advance a number of crucial programmatic and organizational priorities, including the development of our recently finalized strategic plan,” he said. “She is an exemplary partner, collaborator and leader, and I could not be more excited to have her stepping up to partner with me to lead this organization going forward.”
Maples said she’s eager to take on a bigger role.
“The people here are really smart and really passionate,” she said. “From my perspective, it’s my job to help them do what they do best.
“That’s how I see this role, to continue to foster the collaboration and the teamwork that we do internally and continue to help our folks be the leaders that they are in the state.
“I’m thrilled to be a part of this organization. To take on this leadership role is just incredible to me.”
The EDA oversees more than 100 programs – including more than 80 new programs launched since Gov. Phil Murphy took office in January of 2018.
Maples sees great opportunity.
“There are so many programs so the impact of the organization on the state is incredible – it’s so far reaching,” she said. “It’s a story we can’t tell enough.
“That’s something I think we need to continue to work on: How can we reach more people, more sectors, more businesses, and just make sure everybody in New Jersey understands who we are, what we do, and that we’re here to help.”
Maples’ background is as extensive as it is impressive.
Before coming to the EDA, she served as the interim CEO at University Hospital in Newark (where she was elevated from her role as chief legal officer). She also served as deputy chief counsel to Gov. Phil Murphy, serving as the director of Governor’s Authorities Unit (and serving on the EDA board in that capacity).
In addition to her extensive experience in New Jersey government, she served for more than a decade within the Central Intelligence Agency, culminating with her role as assistant general counsel for the Office of Security.
She holds a bachelor’s degree from Georgetown University, and a JD from American University.