Ms. Deborah Collins

Executive Director Deborah Collins, Esq.

"I don't know of any other county that has made such strides in such a short period," said Essex County Small Business Development and Economic Opportunity Officer Deborah Collins.

2) Deborah Collins, Esq., Essex Cty.Small Business Development & Economic Opportunity Officer
...
Welcome back to Labor's View, Joe, and welcome Ms. Collins.
...
May I call you Deborah?

On November 22, 2005, Essex County Executive Joseph N. DiVincenzo, Jr. announced the appointment of Deborah Collins, Esq., as the County's new Small Business Development and Economic Opportunity Officer on Tuesday, November 21st.
...
Ms. Collins previously served as Chairwoman of the Essex County Disparity Study Commission, which oversaw the completion of the County's first-ever Disparity Study.
...
Why was the Essex County Disparity Committee formed, and was were its study's findings that were so sobering that you felt the need to appoint Deborah as Small Business Development and Economic Opportunity Officer for the County?
...
Collins is an experienced attorney with extensive knowledge in major public policy issues such as ethics, discrimination and diversity in the public and private sectors.She provided strong, focused leadership for our Commission and helped finalize this landmark document for Essex County in just eight months.Ms. Collins has shown she is an energetic, dedicated self-starter - qualities thhat are essential as we reach out into the community and expand opportunities for small, women and minority owned businesses."

Deborah, that's high praise, indeed.
...
Deborah, how did your background prepare you for your new job?
...
When you were appointed, Deborah, you were quoted as stating "Creating the new Officer's position is an example of the County Executive's commitment to address the findings of the Disparity Study.Under the leadership of the County Executive, I will be playing a significant role in Essex County's business development plans by expanding opportunities for small, women and minority owned business to work with Essex County.I am excited to be helping Essex County overcome the disparities outlined in the report and look at my new position as an important resource for the entire business community."

Deborah, please delineate for our viewers the corrective action plan your office will undertake under the DiVincenzo administration to begin to correct the problem:
...
How important to social justice is the work your work, Deborah?

County Administrator Joyce Wilson Harley, Esq., said the appointment of Ms. Collins will provide continuity as the County moves forward to open up its procurement process and address disparities listed in the report.
...
Collins was deeply involved with the Disparity Study and has intimate knowledge that will be beneficial as we move forward.Having a Small Business Development and Economic Opportunity Officer is a historic step for Essex County.It creates a County liaison with the business community and will assist firms that want to do business with Essex County."

We may all only fervently hope that she is correct.

In closing, I want to thank Essex County Executive Joseph DiVincenzo and Essex County Small Business Development and Economic Opportunity Officer Deborah Collins for joining us as our guests for this edition of Labor's View.

Deborah Elaine Collins, Esq.

Deborah Elaine Collins is the Small Business Development and Economic Opportunity Officer for Essex County, New Jersey.Formerly the Chairperson of the Essex County Disparity Study Commission which analyzed the County's contracting and procurement processes, she is responsible for the implementation of a Plan of Action flowing from the Study's results and recommendations.Essex County is the first and only County in the State of New Jersey to conduct and complete a disparity study.

An Employment lawyer by background and training, Ms. Collins worked on Wall Street for ten years prior to assuming her current role.A former litigator, she spent several years in private practice and in the General Counsel's office of the New York City Transit Authority where she specialized in the defense of employment discrimination cases.It was there where she served a stint as Deputy Assistant Vice President of Affirmative Action and Disadvantaged Business Enterprise Programs.In addition, she was the first Special Counsel to the Chief of Transit Police.

Ms. Collins has extensive experience in the areas of affirmative action, diversity, and employment discrimination, and human resources in both the public and private sectors.

Prior to entering the legal profession, Deborah Collins taught Spanish and Spanish Literature at colleges and universities throughout the tri-state area.

She is a native of Brooklyn, New York and currently resides in Essex County.

Meet our member Deborah Collins.