Gov. Phil Murphy announced March 17 the appointment of Sean Pattwell as executive director of the Casino Reinvestment Development Authority.

Pattwell, who was unanimously approved by the CRDA’s board of directors on March 15, will be responsible for leading the CRDA in its mission to facilitate community-oriented redevelopment in Atlantic City, the announcement stated.

“Sean brings a wealth of experience to the table as the CRDA’s new executive director,” Murphy said in a statement. “He is the right person to lead the CRDA as it plays a critical role in Atlantic City’s recovery from the economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“I am also grateful for the contributions and hard work of interim Executive Director Monica de los Rios,” the governor continued. “During this transition period, she has served the people of Atlantic City with great integrity, and the city is the better for her contributions to it.”

According to the announcement, Pattwell spent decades in the U.S. and international insurance industry, where he served as the co-CEO of Herbert L. Jamison & Co. and as the founding chairman of Grosvenor Brokers in London. He has an extensive background in the areas of directors and officers liability insurance and professional liability for major law and accounting firms. Prior to his work as an insurance broker, Pattwell was an officer of Chubb & Son and held senior executive positions with American International Group.

He has also served on the board of Christian Brother’s Academy in Lincroft, chairs the Dean’s Advisory Board of the School of Graduate Studies at Rutgers University and is a member the Rutgers Foundation board of trustees. He received his bachelor’s degree from Kean University and earned master’s degrees from Kean University and Rutgers University. He and his wife, Janice, live in Middletown.

“The CRDA has done so much in recent years to truly support the Atlantic City community whether it’s through funding community policing initiatives, helping to bring a full-service supermarket to the city, or demolishing neglected properties to address neighborhood blight,” added Lt. Gov. Sheila Oliver, who serves on the CRDA board as commissioner of the Department of Community Affairs. “Sean’s background in business and his reputation for team building and innovation will serve the CRDA well as it continues to advance its mission of being a catalyst for meaningful, positive change for Atlantic City and the people who call it home.”