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Susan Swords
LINCS Chair, 1999-2000

Susan Swords has been the senior coordinator for the Legislative Information and Bill Room since 1995. A section of the Office of Public Information within the non-partisan NJ Office of Legislative Services, the LIBR tracks all activity on legislation introduced in the State Legislature. The office also handles a high volume of requests for copies of legislative documents, and information on the NJ Legislature and its members and services. As senior coordinator, Susan ensures that the LIBR fulfills its mission to provide public service and maintain accurate legislative records.

Previously, Susan served as director of communications for New Jersey Network, the state's public broadcasting system, from 1990-1994. There, she administered all public relations and advertising activities for NJN's programs and services, such as NJN News, numerous documentaries and specials about the Garden State; and the network's significant educational services component. Prior to her work with NJN, Susan was the public information officer for the NJ Department of Treasury, handling press inquiries on all issues pertaining to that department, such as taxation, the state budget, investments, pension and health benefits, and state construction projects and leases.

The position with the Department of Treasury was a natural extension of Susan's earlier career as a journalist. She worked as a reporter and editor for several newspapers in New Jersey from 1979 until the mid-1980s. Although Susan enjoyed the discipline of writing a number of varied news and feature stories every day, she eventually wanted to pursue a career with more emphasis on public service. In 1985, she began working for state government, first in the Office of Legislative Services (in a position different than her current one), and then with the Rutgers University Center for Government Services.

Susan received a BA in English from Montclair State College (now University) in 1980, and received her MA in public policy from the Eagleton Institute at Rutgers in 1993. Her deepening interest in the public sector and its service opportunities motivated her to attend Eagleton, which is renowned for its curriculum and research pertaining to government and politics.

Susan is married to Andrew Swords, who also works for state government as a transportation planner with the NJ Department of Transportation. The gap in her resume from 1994-1995 happily occurred with the birth of their daughter, Lauren, now 5-1/2.

Written July 2001

 

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