Ocean County Board of Health (OCBOH) recently announced at its January 6, 2021 meeting that it has voted to re-elect its current board of officers for another year. John J. Mallon was re-elected Board Chairman – a title he’s held on the OCBOH for more than 2 decades. Mr. Mallon was first voted chairman back on January 7, 1998.

“Mr. Mallon has served the board with untiring dedication and commitment in striving to provide Ocean County residents with some of the best public health services and programs in the State,” said Daniel Regenye, Ocean County Health Department (OCHD) Public Health Coordinator/Health Officer. “He still has the same enthusiasm and drive that he had when he was first voted to the office back when I was a much younger civil servant and public health official at the health department.” His leadership and experience is an extremely valuable asset – especially during this historic public health crisis. We’ll continue to rely on his leadership and direction as chairman for another term, Regenye noted.

Also re-elected was Senator Robert Singer as Vice-Chairman. The Senator became a member of the Ocean County Board of Health back on March 24, 1982. He was named Secretary/Treasurer from 1983 through 1998 and has held the title of Vice-Chairman every year since1999. For more than 40 years Senator Singer has served the people of Ocean County with 27 years serving in the New Jersey State Legislature. Senator Singer is also the senior ranking member of the Senate Health, Human Services and Senior Services Committee.

“I’ve known Senator Singer for a long time and have proudly worked side-by-side with him as liaison to the board of health,” explained Deputy Director of the Ocean County Board of Commissioners Gerry P. Little, and liaison to the OCBOH. Senator Singer has contributed so much insight, experience and wisdom to this board and I look forward to another year working with him as Vice-Chairman of the Ocean County Board of Health in 2021.

It’s been a productive year for the Senator. Legislation sponsored by Senator Singer requiring healthcare workers to tell their employer of infectious disease outbreaks at other facilities where they are employed was recently advanced by the Senate Health, Human Services and Senior Services Committee. He also had a bill pass the committee regarding ensuring the safety of nursing home residents and making their well-being a top priority during the COVID-19 pandemic.

You can’t replace this type of experience, continued Regenye. Senator Singer has dedicated a big portion of his career to protecting people who can’t help themselves and serving the public health needs of Ocean County residents.

“He’s a doer, great motivator, and just as important, he’s a great listener,” Regenye said. “As Vice-Chairman, Senator Singer is extremely in-tune with the needs of the Ocean County Board of Health and a loyal supporter of our programs and services and always encourages new and forward-thinking ideas.”

Ms. Veronica Laureigh was voted back as OCBOH Secretary/Treasurer – a title she’s held continuously since 2018. The Lacey Township Business Administrator has served on the board of health since April 7, 1999.

“As business administrator for a large township, Ms. Laureigh brings a whole range of experience to this board,” noted Mr. Mallon. “She’s incredibly smart and her talent in finance, human resources and other areas is a significant benefit when it comes to providing guidance to a health department the size of Ocean County. She’s a top-notch professional.”

“I couldn’t be any more pleased with the re-election of our officers. It’s important we have consistent leadership as we move into the next round of the pandemic. They have all been with us through other public health issues such as Superstorm Sandy, the H1N1 outbreak and measles epidemic, just to name a few,” Regenye said. “All of our board members bring their unique qualifications and backgrounds to the table and we’re extremely lucky and proud we have them leading the Ocean County Health Department.”

The Ocean County Board of Health will re-appoint or appoint new members in March 2021. For more information regarding the Ocean County Board of Health and Ocean County Health Department, please visit www.ochd.org.