Should Zoffinger Consider Stepping Down?
During his tenure as the President and CEO of the New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority (NJSEA), George Zoffinger streamlined operations, eliminating waste, fraud and abuse. As former Chairman of the New Brunswick Development Corporation, he played an integral role in the revitalization of New Brunswick. Unfortunately, his tenure on the Rutgers Board of Governors has been marred by allegations of conflicts of interest and ethical dilemmas outside the board room, as well. Given these issues and Mr. Zoffinger's professional work and commitment to the many other boards on which he serves, it may be wise for him to consider stepping down from the Rutgers BOG, at least temporarily.
In 2004, then-Governor James E. McGreevey nominated George Zoffinger to the Rutgers University Board of Governors (BOG) as one of the Board’s “Public Governors,” for a six-year term. While his nomination was pending, he was confronted with allegations of a conflict of interest because, at the time, he was Chairman of the New Brunswick Development Corporation (Devco), a real estate development company that is based in New Brunswick (the home of Rutgers University) and does a great deal of work for both Rutgers and the City of New Brunswick. Devco was involved with such projects as the new Rockoff Hall University Apartments and the Rutgers Public Safety Building. In November 2004, Mr. Zoffinger held a meeting with students regarding the issue and told them that there would be no conflict if he served on the BOG and that he would eliminate any appearance of a conflict of interest by not being involved in any real estate or sports matters that come before the Board.
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Michael M. Shapiro, founder of ShapTalk.com, is an attorney who resides in New Providence,