Virginia S. ‘Ginny’ Bauer, New Jersey’s Secretary of Commerce and the widow of a man killed in the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks on the World Trade Center, is Gov. Jon Corzine’s choice to fill a seat on the board of the powerful Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, the Star-Ledger is reporting.
The Red Bank resident, then living in Rumson, vaulted into the public eye by helping secure tax benefits for the families of attack victims in the weeks immediately following the attacks. Nearly two years later, she was picked by then-Gov. Jim McGreevey to head the state lottery. A year ago, she moved to the commerce department at Corzine’s request.
Since the attacks, the Ledger says,
she has become a leading advocate for families of 9/11 victims and has been actively involved in the redevelopment plan for the site, which the Port Authority owns.
Bauer would be the first 9/11 widow from New Jersey to serve on the Port Authority’s board.
Corzine called her the “perfect choice” to fill one of the state’s six seats on the 12-member board that oversees operations of the financially self-sufficient public agency.
“Ginny Bauer is an exceptional public servant; one of the best New Jersey has ever seen,” he Corzine said. “I have appointed hundreds of individuals to various boards, commissions and authorities. Rarely do I have a choice that makes as much sense or gives me greater pride.”
Bauer will give up her post as secretary of the New Jersey Commerce, Economic Growth & Tourism Commission to serve in the unpaid board position.
“I am extremely humbled by this nomination and, if confirmed by the State Senate, I will continue to be a voice for my neighbors in New Jersey, and everyone – on both sides of the Hudson – who lost a family member, friend or loved one on 9/11,” Bauer said.
Bauer, of Vista Place, is the mother of three and has a background in finance. Her late husband, David Bauer, was an employee of the bond firm Cantor Fitzgerald.
More, from her bio on the commerce department website:
Ms. Bauer serves as board member for the Family and Children’s Services, the largest and oldest social service agency in Monmouth County. Ms. Bauer also is a board member of the Children’s Cultural Center of Monmouth and is an advisory council member of the “2nd Floor” which is a help line for youths of Monmouth County. “2nd Floor” is a program of 180 Turning Lives Around, Inc. of Monmouth County. She is also a member of the New Jersey Department of Human Services Safe Child Consortium and is a board member of The College of New Jersey.
Ms. Bauer graduated from Rosemont College, PA and is listed in WhoÂ’s Who Among Executives for 2002.
