Morris County admin Bonanni, Commissioner DeFillippo honored before retirements

William Westhoven, Morristown Daily Record
·4 min read

Big changes are coming for Morris County government leadership in 2023 with the year-end retirements of Commissioner Kathryn DeFillippo and longtime County Administrator John Bonanni.

DeFillippo, a Roxbury resident, chose not to run for a fourth term in office in 2022. She will be replaced by Christine Myers, who won DeFillippo's seat in the November election.

Bonanni has served the county for 33 years, starting in 1990 as assistant director of operations with the Department of Human Services, the largest department in county government. Three years later, he was promoted to director of the Department of Human Services before being named county administrator in 2004.

“John has been a true friend, mentor and partner," said Commissioner Deborah Smith. "He's a humble guy who - and let’s be honest about it - has always made the board look good. He has guided all of us to be the best representatives we can be for Morris County.

John Bonanni, fourth from left, is honored by Morris County Board of County Commissioners Board members at their last meeting of the year. Bonanni is retiring after 33 years in county government, the last 18 serving as county administrator.
John Bonanni, fourth from left, is honored by Morris County Board of County Commissioners Board members at their last meeting of the year. Bonanni is retiring after 33 years in county government, the last 18 serving as county administrator.

A native of Boonton, where he grew up with state Sen. Anthony Bucco and Morris County Sheriff Jim Gannon, Bonanni was directly responsible for operations and management of the six major county departments, as well as the development and management of the county's annual $331 million budget.

His time as commissioner included emergency responses to storms Irene, Sandy and Ida, as well as the COVID-19 pandemic.

Bonanni's career includes time as a commissioner on the N.J. Public Employees Relations Commission, as a member of the Morris County Insurance Commission and as chairperson of the Morris County Improvement Authority. In 2010 he chaired former Gov. Chris Christie's departments of Human Services and Children and Family Transition Teams.

Bonanni also served his hometown as a 40-year member of the Boonton Volunteer Fire Department.

"A wise mentor once told me that the greatest gift anyone could give in life is to help someone who is in need," Bonanni said during his retirement ceremony Wednesday. "Being part of the Morris County government team allows each of us multiple opportunities to provide such help and assistance to not only those in need, but all of our residents. From the bottom of my heart, I thank you."

Assistant Administrator Deena Leary, who was appointed by the board earlier in the year to assume the helm, takes over for Bonanni on Jan. 1.

'Rocking' sendoff for DeFillippo

Morris County Commissioner Kathryn DeFillippo is presented with a rocking chair, the traditional gift for a retiring commissioner, at the commissioner's meeting on Dec. 7 in Morristown. The Roxbury resident chose not to run for a fourth term this year. With her are current Commissioner Director Tayfun Selen, center, and John Krickus, who has been chosen to lead the board in 2023.

DeFillippo got her sendoff at the Dec. 7 commissioner meeting, during which she was presented with the traditional gift of a rocking chair for commissioners retiring from public office.

She joined the board in 2014, when it was known as the Board of Chosen Freeholders and served twice as board director.

“It was a tough decision a year ago when I announced I wasn't going to run, but it was the fair thing to do - to let people know that I had decided it was time for me to retire," said DeFillippo, who attended the event with her husband, Roxbury councilman and past mayor Robert DeFillippo.

"This board will be hard-pressed to replace what Kathy has brought to the board – I am talking about her intense compassion for the less fortunate in our community,” said Commissioner Director Tayfun Selen. “I would be remiss if I did not squeeze in the fact that Kathy was chair of the North Jersey Transportation Planning Authority for two years."

“I look forward now at … the younger generation and sharing with them how important it is to give back to your community, whether it's in an elected position or just coming to a meeting or doing something as simple as, you know, landscaping around the library, helping out,” she said. "Do something with your community."

DeFillippo served as mayor of Roxbury in 2009 during her term on the township council from 2006 to 2013. She also served as deputy mayor in 2011, 2012 and 2013, and was a member of the town’s zoning board and a past president of the Roxbury Area Chamber of Commerce.

Myers served on the county's governing body as a freeholder from 2016 to 2018, when by law she was not allowed to seek reelection that year after accepting an appointment from the Trump administration to the U.S. Small Business Administration Office of Advocacy.

Longtime Commissioner John Krickus was recently chosen to replace Selen as commissioner director in 2023, with Myers as deputy director.

This article originally appeared on Morristown Daily Record: Morris County NJ officials honored before their retirements