Acting Commissioner David Hespe was confirmed by the full Senate December 18. Hespe was approved by the Senate Judiciary Committee on December 15. He has served as Acting Commissioner since March 20.
Hespe returned to the Department for the fourth time when he began service as Acting Commissioner back in March, having served as Education Commissioner from 1999 through 2001; Assistant Commissioner for the Division of Executive Services from 1997 to 1998; and Chief of Staff during the first term of the Christie Administration.
Commissioner Hespe most recently served as President and Chief Executive Officer of Burlington County College prior to his return to the Department. He has also served as an Associate Professor of Educational Leadership at Rowan University's College of Education, where he was Department Chair for five years. As the former Assistant Superintendent and later Interim Superintendant of Schools for the Willingboro School District, he oversaw the administration of all activities of the district and the development and implementation of its programs and goals.
Mr. Hespe also developed and implemented STEM-based educational programs, activities and content for Liberty Science Center during his tenure there as Co-Executive Director and Vice President of STEM Education..
Acting Commissioner Hespe holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree from Rutgers University and a Law Degree from the University of Rutgers-Newark. He began his career as a law clerk in the Mercer trial region of the New Jersey Superior Court. After working for a private law firm, he entered public service in 1989 as Associate Counsel at the New Jersey Office of Legislative Services. Mr. Hespe went on to serve as Assistant Counsel in Governor Whitman's Office and later served as First Assistant Attorney General.