Jamel Holley

Mayor Jamel Curtis Holley (born September 13, 1979) is the current mayor of the Borough of Roselle, in Union County, New Jersey in the United States. After serving as councilman at large for the borough from 2005 through 2011, he was elected mayor in November 2011. He took office on January 1, 2012 at the age 32, becoming the borough’s youngest-ever mayor.

He is the President and CEO of Front Porch Strategies, a consulting firm for government affairs based in Caldwell, NJ. He also serves as Chairman and CEO of the Jamel C. Holley Civic Association, a 501(c)3 non-profit organization that provides resources and programs to residents of Roselle and surrounding communities.

In 2004, Holley was one of 40 people throughout the country to be honored by The Network Journal Magazine for his achievements and contributions to the African-American community.

Career
Holley graduated from Abraham Clark High School in Roselle in 1997. He then attended New Jersey City University until 2002, receiving a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice. In 2001, he was appointed to serve as Chief of Staff of New Jersey’s 20th Legislative District by New Jersey Deputy Majority Leader Neil M. Cohen. This earned him the recognition as the youngest Chief of Staff for any of New Jersey’s 120 legislators. As Chief of Staff, Holley was in charge of coordinating political and constituency outreach programs and supervising legislative departments and projects, as well as meeting regularly with lobbyists, community leaders, and officials from the local, state, and federal levels.

On November 2, 2004, Holley won the General Election for Councilman at Large in the Borough of Roselle, becoming Union County’s youngest Councilman at age 25. Later that year, Holley was honored by The Network Journal Magazine for his impact in the African-American community.

Holley was commissioned by the New Jersey Democratic State Committee in 2004 to serve as a member of the Affirmative Action and Outreach Committee for the Democratic National Convention. He helped both the state and the national Democratic Party to increase the pool of individuals that could apply for positions in their respective communities. His responsibilities additionally included utilizing his contacts in the African-American community, as well as other minority residents to advance diversity and minority representation throughout all of New Jersey.

Despite the busy schedule, Holley earned his Master of Public Administration from Kean University in 2006. The following year, he won the first of his two successful reelection campaigns for Councilman at Large in Roselle. Starting in 2007, Holley also spent three years serving as an Economic Development Specialist for Union County.

Mayorship
Holley was elected Mayor of the Borough of Roselle in November 2011, becoming the youngest Mayor ever elected in Roselle’s history, dating back to 1894. Holley ran unopposed for Mayor after defeating two-term Mayor Garrett Smith in the Borough’s Democratic Primaries in June,4 despite Smith having the strong support of U.S. Congressman Donald M. Payne of New Jersey’s 10th District. Holley’s running mates were then-Councilman-elect Randy Sandifer and then-Councilman Yves. F. Aubourg, who now serves as the Council President. Mayor Holley began his term on January 1, 2012 and was officially inaugurated on January 6, at age 32. His term will end on December 31, 2015.

On September 27, 2012, Mayor Holley and the Roselle Borough Council announced the formation of the Roselle Office of Service and Engagement (R.O.S.E.). The program was designed to promote community service and to support volunteer efforts in order to strengthen the community. The initiative’s three main objectives are: 1. to empower citizens through community engagement, 2. to promote municipal beautification projects, and 3. to support the Roselle public schools.

Personal life
Jamel Holley has served as the President of Front Porch Strategies since July 2010, a government affairs consulting firm based in Caldwell, New Jersey.

Mayor Holley is the Chairman and CEO of the Jamel C. Holley Civic Association, which engages and brings together the residents of the greater Roselle community. Its programs have included senior day activities, communal Thanksgiving dinners, and toy drives for underprivileged youth.

Holley has two younger brothers, Joseph and Jesse. Jesse is a former NFL wide receiver for the Dallas Cowboys and New England Patriots.