Joseph Fiordaliso '67
Deputy Chief of Staff to Acting New Jersey Gov.
Richard Codey
by DIANA ST.
LIFER
Education:
B.A., business education, Montclair State. Completed graduate and management
courses at Montclair State, Rutgers University and American College.
Family:
Married to his college sweetheart, Marilyn Morey '68 for 36 years. The
couple lives in Livingston. They have two children, Joe, 31, and Dana,
28.
First
career: After graduating with a degree in business
administration, Fiordaliso taught high school business classes (in Newark
and Bloomfield) for nearly 20 years.
Past
experience: Former director of Government Relations
for the Saint Barnabas Health Care System. During the late 1980s, he
established and managed an extensive network of health care providers
in the Borough of Queens as a consultant for PruCare.
Political
beginnings: In 1988 Fiordaliso was elected to the
Livingston Township Council. He served as mayor three times during his
tenure.
Stepping
stones: In 1990 Fiordaliso was appointed director of Planning
and Economic Development for Essex County and served in 2000 as the
district director for Codey as senate president.
On changing
careers: "When I turned 40 I was burned out from teaching
and went through the classic male mid-life crisis so I changed careers.
The past 19 years have been the most exciting, energizing, rewarding,
difficult years of my life. I left the classroom and never looked back."
Making
a difference: Fiordaliso is the founder of Livingston
Democrats for Change and, in 2003, was honored as Livingston UNICO's
"Citizen of the Year." He is active in the city of Newark
where he serves on the Municipal Council's Health Committee.
Biggest challenge as deputy chief of staff: Helping to promote
the governor's agenda. "Dealing with local elected officials also
is a challenge, but not in a negative way. There is a lot to do in assisting
the local governments."
Getting prepared: "My life in politics has been enhanced
by my teaching career. My service as mayor of Livingston also has been
helpful in giving me an appreciation for local government. Part of my
responsibilities now is intergovernmental relations. I think I give
the mayors and county executives a sympathetic ear."
Best part
of the job: "I'm learning on a daily basis. It's so
stimulating and energizing. Every day people are coming into my office
and I learn something from each of them."
Advice for MSU's class of 2005: "Be involved. I know kids hear
that all the time, but you must get involved in government. Democracy
is not a spectator sport; it's a contact sport. Be involved in government
to protect your own civil liberties as well as the civil liberties of
others. Be vigilant in monitoring your elected officials."
Best advice
you ever received: "When I first got involved in politics,
a mentor told me, 'Never forget who you are.' It's good advice because
that's what gets politicians in trouble... forgetting who they are.
In fact, that's what gets most people in trouble."
Currently
reading: Bill Clinton's autobiography, My Life. "So
far it's good, although Clinton tends to be wordy."
Political
idol: "I'm an avid John Kennedy fan. I remember the
day he was shot I was a freshman driving past Panzer Gym and the news
was blaring from the radio. I got an empty, hallow feeling in my stomach."
Fondest
Montclair State memory: Meeting his wife and belonging to
a fraternity, Tau Sigma Delta.
On Montclair
State's growth: "I think it's fantastic. MSU gave me
an opportunity I may not have had. It was affordable, and the education
I received gave me the ability and knowledge to do different things
in my life."
What you would do if you had an opportunity to change careers again:
"Be in the movies. Actually there's not much difference between
a politician and a movie star. Both are looking for attention and of
course there's the ego factor. And the lifestyle isn't much different--both
enjoy socializing and meeting people."
Actor you'd
emulate: Robert DeNiro.