• Executive Director
• jpalmieri@njcrda.com 

John Palmieri was selected to lead the Casino Reinvestment Development Authority as Executive Director in October, 2011, bringing more than 30 years of public service experience in urban development from three East Coast cities to the position.

A  Hoboken, N.J. native, much of Mr. Palmieri’s career has been spent in New England. As Boston Redevelopment Authority director from 2007-2011, Mr. Palmieri is credited with guiding what are described as the most significant projects in the city’s history and sought ways to stimulate job growth during the economic downturn. He previously led development efforts in Hartford, C.T., and was the City of Charlotte’s (NC) first Director of Economic Development. Mr. Palmieri’s career began in Providence, RI, where he spent 18 years in successive positions and played vital roles in that city’s development.

Mr. Palmieri is a graduate of Temple University and holds a Master’s Degree from University of Rhode Island. 

• Deputy Executive Director
• sney@njcrda.com

As Deputy Executive Director since October, 2011, Susan Thompson oversees investment strategies, projects and administrative functions for the Casino Reinvestment Development Authority.

Thompson has been with the CRDA since 1989. Throughout her distinguished career with CRDA, Thompson has conceptualized new investment opportunities, structured project teams, implemented investment programs and construction projects and negotiated investment agreements. Prior to being named Deputy Executive Director, she was Interim Executive Director from February through October, 2011 and concurrently continued to hold the Chief Operating Officer and Public Information Officer positions during this time. Thompson’s responsibilities included executing the launch of the Atlantic City Tourism District. Read More →

• Chief Financial Officer
• vberzins@njcrda.com

Val Berzins joined the CRDA in 1990, as a Staff Accountant, and has held various positions of increasing responsibility overseeing the financial management and information technology systems of the Authority.  As CFO, Mr. Berzins oversees the investment and financial affairs of the CRDA, an independent Authority with $51.5 million in annual revenue and $428.8 million in assets.  Mr. Berzins also manages the Authority’s IT systems.

Prior to joining the CRDA, Mr. Berzins worked at a boutique accounting firm, where he configured, installed and provided troubleshooting for various client-based (brokers, attorneys, manufacturers and management consultancy firms) computerized accounting systems.

Mr. Berzins graduated from Temple University, with a Bachelor of Arts in Accounting. 

As a craftsman, Mr. Berzins enjoys home renovation and rehabilitation projects utilizing his carpentry, design, electrical and plumbing skills.

• Chief Legal Officer
• pweiss@njcrda.com

Since joining the NJ Casino Reinvestment Development Authority as Chief Legal Officer in May of 2006, Paul G. Weiss oversees all legal affairs and ethics compliance, and has negotiated project investment agreements with an aggregate value in excess of $750 million.  Mr. Weiss also leads a team of professionals who have successfully designed and implemented the Authority’s land use and development functions for the Tourism District, created in 2011.

From 2006 through 2010, Mr. Weiss served as Mayor and Councilman of the Borough of Medford Lakes, NJ (a municipality with approximately 5,000 residents).

Prior to joining the CRDA, Mr. Weiss served in various executive management roles with MG Industries, the North American subsidiary of Messer Greishem GmbH, a $2.4 billion international industrial, medical and specialty gases provider based in Frankfurt, Germany.  Mr. Weiss joined Messer in 1998 as Corporate Counsel. In 2000, Mr. Weiss was promoted to Vice President and General Manager of Regulatory Affairs, Before joining Messer in 1998, Mr. Weiss served for five years as General Counsel and Corporate Secretary of Gandalf Systems Corporation, the North American subsidiary of Gandalf Technologies, Inc, a $400 million international data-communications manufacturer based in Ottawa, Canada.  Read More →

• Director, Communications
• kbutler@njcrda.com

Kim Butler joined the Casino Reinvestment Development Authority in March, 2012 as Director of Communications, bringing with her a successful portfolio of more than 20 years management and marketing experience.

Prior to joining CRDA, Ms. Butler was General Manager and Marketing Director for The Cordish Company and oversaw the day to day operations of  Atlantic City Outlets, The Walk (now Tanger Outlets) from 2003-2012. The 100 store  urban retail outlet center (a CRDA development project) spans nine city blocks with more than 600,000 sq. ft GLA. In 2009, Ms. Butler concurrently served as Vice-President, Marketing for the company’s  Indiana LIVE! Casino project in suburban Indianapolis, Indiana. She was a primary contributor to the property’s marketing plan while negotiating and implementing strategic marketing initiatives.   Read More →

• Director, Special Improvement Division
• dguardian@njcrda.com 

Since April 2011, Donald Guardian has served as Director of the Casino Reinvestment Development Authority’s Special Improvement District Division. Mr. Guardian manages and oversees a 7 million budget, 175 employees and interface with over 900 commercial property owners who are subject to the SID assessment.

Prior to joining the CRDA, Mr. Guardian served as Executive Director of the Atlantic City Special Improvement District, Inc, a New Jersey not-for-profit corporation.  Prior to joining the former SID, Mr. Guardian was Executive Assistant to the President of the Claridge Casino Hotel from 1991 and 1993. From 1976 to 1991, Mr. Guardian was employed with the Boy Scout of America, where he served as District Executive, Exploring Executive, Field Director and Council Executive. 

Mr. Guardian received his Bachelors of Arts from Upsala College, East Orange New Jersey and is an alumnus of Don Bosco Prep, Ramsey, New Jersey. Read More →

• Director, Human Resources / Ethics Liaison Office
• rkincaid@njcrda.com

Rosalind Kincaid is concurrently Vice President, Administration/Human Resources for the Atlantic City Convention & Visitors Authority (ACCVA) and Director, Human Resources and Ethics Liaision Officer for CRDA.  With the ACCVA since 1993, she is responsible for the overall direction and administration of facilities, human resources, purchasing, office management and services provided for the Authority.  She also serves as the ethics officer, affirmative action officer and PACO (Public Agency Compliance Officer) for administering the Authority’s contracts. Under her direction, the ACCVA became the first accredited CVB/CVA in the State of New Jersey.

Prior to joining the ACCVA, Ms. Kincaid was the personnel officer for Atlantic County Government.  She served for over 30 years in a variety of human resource positions.  These include training/employee relations manager simultaneously serving Trump Plaza Hotel & Casino and Harrah’s Atlantic City, director of training and development at Caesars Atlantic City Hotel & Casino and administrator of training/employment coordinator at Resorts Atlantic City. Read More →

• Director, Project Implementation & Management
• tmeehan@njcrda.com

Tom Meehan is the Director of Project Implementation and Management for the Casino Reinvestment Development Authority. Mr. Meehan has been instrumental in managing the planning and implementation of capital improvements, economic development, community development and housing projects in Atlantic City and throughout the state of New Jersey for more than 17 years. 

During his tenure with the CRDA, Mr. Meehan has managed Authority-approved projects valued in excess of $1.0 billion, including most recently the $48 million South Inlet Transportation Improvement Project and the $100 million Boardwalk Façade Revitalization Project. 

Prior to joining CRDA, Mr. Meehan worked in the finance sector in banking, where he managed the investment and cash management functions for a savings bank with assets in excess of 2 billion dollars.  Read More →

• Director, Real Estate & Development
• brixey@njcrda.com

Ms. Rixey joined CRDA in 1991 as a Project Development Officer for Land Acquisition and Relocation. In 1993, Ms. Rixey was promoted to Senior Project Officer and continued working in the Real Estate department in addition to overseeing the home ownership loan programs to encourage first home buyers to live in the City.

Throughout her distinguished career with the Authority, she has worked on numerous CRDA –funded projects throughout the City of Atlantic City and the State.  In April, 2009, Ms. Rixey was promoted to Assistant Director of Real Estate, overseeing the acquisition of land and relocation of residents for the South Inlet Transportation Improvement Project and the Mississippi Avenue and Martin Luther King Boulevard road widening projects. In October 2011, Ms. Rixey was promoted to her current position, Director of Real Estate and Development for the CRDA.

Ms. Rixey is a graduate of the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania and holds a Masters of Business Administration Degree from Temple University. She is also a licensed, New Jersey Real Estate Broker. 

• Director, Community Development Partnerships
• areynolds@njcrda.com

As Director, Community Development Partnerships, Ms. Reynolds oversees the Authority’s interface and investment in community development programs and projects.  Prior to becoming a member of the Authority’s professional staff in 2012, Ms. Reynolds served as a member of the Authority’s governing body since 1995, and as Vice Chairperson and Secretary through 2011.

Prior to joining the CRDA’s board, Ms. Reynolds served as a member of the board of the Atlantic City Convention and Visitors Authority. 

Ms. Reynolds’ distinguished career includes 27 years with the County of Atlantic, New Jersey as Chief of Administrative Services.  She also worked for 2 years with the Urban League of Metropolitan Trenton, where she was responsible for community development projects and human resources and with the City of Trenton for 4 years where she was responsible for family life education and Community Health Education.

Ms. Reynolds holds a Bachelor of Arts in Humanities from Kean College of New Jersey. 

• Senior Manager, Board & Administrative Operations
• lristeski@njcrda.com 

Promoted to Senior Manager of Board and Administrative Operations for the Casino Reinvestment Development Authority in 2011, Ms. Risteski directs and manages all Board and Committee proceedings for the Authority, and acts as the staff liaison to the governing body, its committees and the Authority’s Tourism District Advisory Commission. In addition, Ms. Risteski manages the administrative operations of the Authority; planning, developing and implementing administrative systems and procedures to ensure the efficient operation of the Authority’s offices.  In her role, Ms. Risteski is also responsible for interfacing closely with State and Local officials and members of the community.  Ms. Risteski joined the Authority in March 2000 as the Administrative Assistant to the Authority’s then Assistant Deputy Director of Project Development.

A lifelong resident of Atlantic County, Ms. Risteski resides in Egg Harbor Township with her son.