Mercer County Executive, Dan Benson Announces Hiring of New Planning Director Maria Connolly

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, August 5, 2024

Trenton, NJ – County Executive Dan Benson announced the hiring of Maria Connolly as the new Mercer County Planning Director. Connolly succeeds Leslie Floyd, who retired in May after a 35-year career with Mercer’s Planning Department.

Ms. Connolly is a licensed Professional Planner who brings twenty-one years of experience as Principal Planner for the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs (DCA). At DCA, Maria worked closely with NJ counties and municipalities to help them achieve their land use and planning goals. Maria has expertise in master plans, zoning, redevelopment, economic development, affordable housing, GIS systems, sustainability, transportation, electric vehicles and clean energy, development review and analysis, and rule writing.

Ms. Connolly graduated from Rutgers University with a Bachelor of Arts and received a Master of City and Regional Planning (MCRP) from the E.J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy. A native of Hoboken, she now lives in Lawrence Township with her husband and children, where she serves as the Vice-Chair of both the Township Planning Board and the Growth and Redevelopment Committee.

“Leslie Floyd left big shoes to fill, and I’m deeply grateful for her years of excellent service to Mercer County,” said County Executive Dan Benson. “Fortunately, we’ve found an exceptional successor in Maria Connolly. Her experience and forward-thinking vision will carry our Planning Department into the future without missing a beat. Maria is a dedicated public servant and another top-notch addition to our team at Mercer County.”

“I’m honored to be selected by County Executive Benson for this important role,” said Mercer County Planning Director Maria Connolly. “I look forward to working alongside the talented team in the Planning Department, and engaging with our municipalities and residents to shape a comprehensive plan for our future. By working together, we can ensure Mercer County maintains its strong sense of place while preserving our connection to nature and offering sustainable transportation choices for all our residents.”