Thomas A. DeGise (1951-)

Thomas A. DeGise is an American Democratic Party politician who serves as the County Executive of Hudson County, New Jersey. As County Executive, DeGise administers county business, together with the Board of Chosen Freeholders acting in a legislative role.

Background
Thomas DeGise was born and raised in Jersey City. He earned his bachelor's degree in Political Science from Saint Peter's College in 1973. He worked as teacher and administrator in the Jersey City Schools from 1975, and served as a job placement counselor at Henry Snyder High School before retiring.

He lives in the same Jersey City Heights neighborhood where he was born with his two daughters, Linda and Amy. His wife, Helene, died in 2007.

Elected office and advisory board
Prior to serving as County Executive, Mr. DeGise was Jersey City, New Jersey's longest serving Municipal Council President, holding that office from 1993 to 2001. Mr. DeGise entered public life as a community leader during the 1980s, founding the New #28 School Neighborhood Association and eventually chairing the Heights Coalition of Neighborhood Associations (HCNA), a group dedicated to improving quality of life in Heights Section of Jersey City.

In 2001, DeGise ran for Mayor of Jersey City in an election won by Glenn Cunningham.

Following the resignation of Robert C. Janiszewski as County Executive in September 2001, DeGise took office after winning a special election in November 2002, one in which he garnered 77 percent of the vote. On his first day in office, he submitted legislation to the Board of Chosen Freeholders to create the first ever Ethics Oversight Board for Hudson County government. He was re-elected in 2003, 2007 and 2011. His current term will expire on December 31, 2015.

DeGise serves as the Chairman of North Jersey Transportation Planning Authority for a two year term that will end in January 2016.