On May 8, 2025, two long-time city officials, Caleb Stratton and Jennifer Gonzalez, will take on new roles in Hoboken’s administration. Mayor Ravi S. Bhalla appointed Stratton as Acting Business Administrator and Gonzalez as Assistant Business Administrator.
This change comes as the city prepares for the upcoming Democratic primary in the 32nd Legislative District. Bhalla, along with housing advocate Katie Brennan, is running for State Assembly. Both local government appointments and political campaigns are moving forward at the same time.
- Caleb Stratton is now Hoboken’s Acting Business Administrator, replacing Jason Freeman.
- Jennifer Gonzalez is the new Assistant Business Administrator and will keep leading Climate Action & Innovation.
- Mayor Ravi Bhalla and Katie Brennan are running for State Assembly in LD-32, with a debate on May 20 at Stevens.
Caleb Stratton Becomes Acting Business Administrator
Caleb Stratton joined the City of Hoboken in 2012. He began as a Principal Planner. In 2019, he became Assistant Business Administrator. During the COVID-19 pandemic, he also served as Acting Business Administrator, working on digital services, health safety rules, and getting American Rescue Plan funding.
Stratton currently serves as Hoboken’s Chief Resilience Officer. He manages the city’s infrastructure programs. One major project he leads is the $392 million Rebuild by Design – Hudson River (RBD-HR) flood reduction plan. This project focuses on flood protection and climate adaptation. It is one of the largest of its kind in the region.
Stratton is certified by the American Planning Association (AICP) and the American Society of Floodplain Managers (CFM). He also holds a Professional Planner (PP) license in New Jersey. He earned his bachelor’s degree in Urban Planning from the University at Albany and his master’s in Sustainability from the Bernard and Anne Spitzer School of Architecture.
He has helped plan and build Hoboken’s resiliency parks. He has managed city budgets and personnel and guided capital improvement projects. His work has supported long-term city planning, especially in protecting against flooding and improving city operations.
He takes over the role from Jason Freeman, who has worked in the Hoboken city government since 2018. Freeman began as Deputy Chief of Staff and later became Business Administrator. His work included the Monarch Site acquisition, which expanded city open space, and leading parts of Hoboken’s Vision Zero program. Freeman is leaving city government to work in the nonprofit field.
Jennifer Gonzalez Steps into Assistant Business Administrator Role
Jennifer Gonzalez also has a long history with Hoboken. She joined the city in 2016 as a Principal Planner. In 2019, she was named Director of Environmental Services. In 2024, she became Director of Climate Action & Innovation. She currently serves as Hoboken’s Chief Sustainability Officer.
Gonzalez holds a master’s degree in Environmental Policy from Lehigh University. She has certifications as an AICP planner, CFM, PP, and is a LEED Green Associate. These qualifications reflect her knowledge of planning, sustainability, and environmental work.
As Director of Climate Action & Innovation, she has overseen city departments including capital planning, engineering, water utilities, innovation, and information systems. She led Hoboken’s Green Infrastructure Plan, the creation of ResilienCity Park—the largest resiliency park in New Jersey, and the expansion of Southwest Resiliency Park.
She also started the city’s first Climate Action Plan, the Community Solar Program, and new recycling and composting programs. She directed the city’s fleet electrification and dual-stream recycling system and launched citywide compost drop-offs.
In her new role, she will continue to lead the Department of Climate Action & Innovation with Deputy Director RJ Theofield. Her promotion shows Hoboken’s commitment to linking environmental goals with everyday city operations.
Mayor Bhalla and Katie Brennan Campaign for State Assembly
As Hoboken reorganizes leadership at the city level, Mayor Ravi Bhalla is running for State Assembly in New Jersey’s 32nd Legislative District. His running mate is Katie Brennan, a well-known housing advocate and former Chief of Staff at the New Jersey Housing and Mortgage Finance Agency.
They received a strong endorsement from former Hoboken Mayor Dave Roberts, who served from 2001 to 2009. Roberts is known for leading the creation of Hoboken’s Master Plan and for helping guide the city’s modern development.
Roberts praised Bhalla for leading projects that made Hoboken more inclusive and resilient, including improvements in pedestrian safety and climate adaptation. He described Brennan as a key figure in creating affordable housing policy across the state. He added that her work on state-level laws has made a difference, even without holding elected office.
Roberts now runs the restaurant East LA and supports local organizations like the Symposia Bookstore, the Hoboken Public Library, and the Waterfront Project. His continued involvement in the community adds weight to his political endorsements.
Both Bhalla and Brennan expressed gratitude for Roberts’ support and noted that his leadership helped guide the direction they now continue.
LD-32 Democratic Debate Scheduled for May 20
The race for State Assembly is heating up. A candidate debate will take place on Tuesday, May 20, 2025, at 7:00 PM at Stevens Institute of Technology in Hoboken. The debate is being organized by the Hoboken Democratic Committee and the Jersey City Democratic Committee. It will be moderated by Steve Lenox, publisher of TAPinto Hoboken and TAPinto Jersey City.
Candidates confirmed to participate include:
- Ravi Bhalla, Mayor of Hoboken
- Katie Brennan, housing advocate
- Jessica Ramirez, current Assemblywoman
- Yousef Saleh, Jersey City Councilmember (Ward D)
- Jennie Pu, Director of the Hoboken Library
- Crystal Fonseca, Director of Jersey City Division of Buildings and Street Maintenance
The debate will give voters a clear view of where each candidate stands before the June primary. The event is open to the public, and tickets will be available starting May 5. A live stream will also be offered for those who want to watch from home.
Each candidate enters the race with different political backers. Pu and Fonseca are supported by the Hudson County Democratic Organization (HCDO). Ramirez and Saleh are part of Mayor Steven Fulop’s “Democrats for Change” ticket, which is tied to his gubernatorial campaign. Bhalla and Brennan are running an independent campaign focused on policy and local issues.
According to Joe Quintero, Chair of the Hoboken Democratic Committee, the debate is a chance for voters to learn directly from the candidates and understand how their plans affect Hoboken and Jersey City.
