Gov. Murphy’s Pinelands Commissioner McCurry Abruptly Resigns After Just 1 Year
Corporate Wind Lobbyist McCurry – Touted As Providing “Diversity” – Quietly Resigns
Another Embarrassing Setback For Gov. Murphy’s Flaccid Environmental Agenda
[Update Below – McCurry Resignation Letter & Pinelands Commission comment]
Reliable NJ sources tell me that Gov. Murphy’s Pinelands Commissioner Davon McCurry recently quietly submitted his resignation.
McCurry was sworn in as a Pinelands Commissioner just last January 14, 2022:
“I would like to thank Governor Murphy and the New Jersey Senate for this opportunity. I look forward to working with my fellow Commissioners and the Commission staff in protecting this incredible resource,” said McCurry
I could be wrong, but I can’t recall any other Commissioner resigning just 1 year after confirmation. McCurry may have set a record for the shortest term ever served.
What could explain such an abrupt resignation?
Following the announcement of McCurry’s nomination, the Star Ledger editorial board blasted Gov. Murphy for nominating McCurry as a corporate lobbyist:
… we didn’t expect the governor who preaches environmental protection to make a craven power play at the Pinelands Commission – picking folks who represent corporate interests to replace environmental stalwarts on the board. Not even Chris Christie was so brazen as to appoint a corporate lobbyist.
Murphy needs to rethink his nominations, which include Laura Matos of Kivvit, a prominent public affairs and communications firm, and a guy who works full time for an offshore wind company, Davon McCurry of Ørsted. The governor says he wants to diversify the commission, which is currently all-white, an admirable goal.
The moderate outlet NJ Spotlight provided harsh coverage:
A former Pinelands Commissioner wrote a critical Op-Ed:
McCurry was praised by Gov. Murphy.
Here’s how Gov. Murphy’s press office justified and defended the Gov.’s nominations (source: Michael Zhadanovsky, Deputy Press Secretary:
After collaborative talks this afternoon with Pinelands advocates, we are moving forward with two nominees to the Pinelands Commission. The Governor is committed to diversifying the Commission and ensuring that its actions promote environmental justice and accountability to those most impacted by its decisions.
Some of the Gov.’s conservation group cheerleaders thanked the Gov. for bringing much needed diversity to the Pinelands Commission. Ed Potosnak at NJ LCV literally applauded:
Davon McCurry and Laura Matos, mark a critical first step to restore proper functioning to a body responsible for protecting one of New Jersey’s most valuable environmental treasures.
McCurry is currently Deputy Head of Government Affairs And Market Strategy for Orsted, the off shore corporate wind developer and friend of the Murphy Administration.
Prior to his position with Orsted, McCurry served a similarly very brief tenure as head of Legislative Affairs at the Murphy DEP.
And prior to that, McCurry served as brief term at a low level in Murphy’s Governor’s Office of Constituent Relations.
I see a pattern of careerism and political opportunism, not commitment and resolve. [Note: amazingly, McCurry himself confirms this in his resignation letter – see below]
At the time of his nomination, based upon McCurry’s corporate and political ties, we raised ethical issues and requested that the State Ethics Commission conduct a review of potential:
b) corporate conflicts of interest of McCurry and Orsted, (he’ll be forced to recuse as well, including on matters related to PSE&G, who owns a 25% interest in Orsted)
The Ethics Commission apparently agreed to do so.
We are not aware of the outcome of that ethics review or the disposition of that case or whether it is related to McCurry’s resignation.
I did not follow and am unaware of McCurry’s record at the Pinelands Commission, with the exception of his bow to DEP Commissioner LaTourette’s pressure and YES vote in support of a terrible Murphy DEP logging plan to virtually clearcut 1,400 acres of Pinelands forest.
I don’t anticipate that the Pinelands Commission, Gov. Murphy’s Office, Orsted corporation or the conservation groups – all of whom applauded his nomination – to be issuing any kind of public statements or press releases explaining McCurry’s abrupt resignation.
We also don’t expect any news coverage by media cheerleaders like NJ Spotlight.
But we will ask for their comments (but don’t expect to get a response).
[Update: The Pinelands Commission replied to my request for comment by providing the McCurry resignation letter. In a January 30, 2023 letter, McCurry wrote that his departure was “due to personal reasons and commitments.”
Very odd that, as a Commissioner, he wrote the letter to Acting Director Grogan (Commission Staff) instead of fellow Commissioner Chairperson Matos or the Governor who nominated him or the Senate who confirmed him. He also essentially admits his own careerism:
Dear Director Grogan:
Over the past year, I have had the opportunity to serve as a Member of the New Jersey Pinelands Commission. During this time, I have gotten to review some complex applications, meet and work with dedicated staff, and serve as a trustee to this incredible resource.
I am writing you today to submit my resignation with immediate effect due to personal reasons and commitments. Please know this opportunity has aided in both my personal and professional growth. Additionally, I am thankful for the small role I played in furthering the mission of the agency during my short time.
I wish you, my fellow Commissioners, and the staff the very best. If ever you wanted to connect further, you can reach me on my personal email at Redacted .
All the best,
Davon McCurry
The Commission replied as follows:
Hello Bill,
I have enclosed the resignation letter that the Pinelands Commission received from Davon McCurry. His personal e-mail address has been redacted from the letter.
Mr. McCurry’s term expired on June 28, 2022. He served an additional 7 months before electing to resign. His resignation was effective January 30, 2023.
We have no further information and will not be issuing any official statements or comments, Thanks,