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Department of the Treasury


For Immediate Release:
November 15, 2021
Media Contact:
Jennifer Sciortino
(609) 789-8647

Treasurer Muoio Announces the Appointment of Aaron Binder as Deputy State Treasurer, Andrea Spalla and Michael Kanef as Assistant State Treasurers

(TRENTON) - State Treasurer Elizabeth Maher Muoio today announced several senior staff appointments within the State Treasurer’s Office to fill recent vacancies and help round out the leadership team as the administration begins its second term. In doing so, Muoio announced the appointment of Aaron Binder as Deputy State Treasurer and the elevation of both Andrea Spalla and Michael Kanef to the roles of Assistant Treasurer.

“I am extremely pleased to both welcome Aaron Binder to my leadership team in Treasury, and to announce the elevation of Andrea Spalla and Michael Kanef to the positions of Assistant Treasurer,” said Treasurer Muoio. “I have known Aaron for years, having first worked with him as a member of the Assembly Budget Committee. His expertise with regard to the depth and breadth of the state budget, and the processes by which that document is debated and adopted each year, together with his work on many of the pressing policy issues facing state government, make him an ideal candidate for the position of Deputy State Treasurer. I would also like to thank Treasury Chief of Staff Jo-Ann Povia for so ably taking on the additional duties of Acting Deputy Treasurer since the September departure of Cathy Brennan, and laying the groundwork for a seamless transition when Aaron joins the department.”

As the new Deputy State Treasurer, Binder, who will assume the role beginning December 1, will assist in managing the State budget and will oversee Treasury’s Office of Management and Budget and the Office of Revenue and Economic Analysis. He joins Treasury as a veteran of the New Jersey Assembly Majority Office (AMO) where he served as part of the leadership team, most recently as the Deputy Executive Director. During his 16-year tenure with the AMO, he served as the lead Aide for the Assembly Budget Committee and oversaw a number of key policy issues, including the State budget, public employee pension & benefits, banking and insurance, transportation, and health care. Prior to joining the AMO he served in a number of financial roles for Congreso De Latinos Unidos, Amtrak, and the City of Philadelphia. He holds a Master of Government Administration from the University of Pennsylvania’s Fels Institute of Government and a Bachelor of Economics from Brandeis University.

"Serving as Deputy Executive Director and Budget Director for the Assembly Majority Office under four speakers, Aaron Binder has been an invaluable and trusted asset for the Legislature and to me personally,” said Assembly Speaker Craig J. Coughlin. “He will be deeply missed, but I wish him the best in his new endeavor with Treasury where I’m certain he will find great success.”

“I’m honored by the opportunity to serve Treasurer Muoio and Governor Murphy in this important position and grateful for the experience I’ve gained during my time with the Legislature working for four incredible speakers, most recently Speaker Coughlin, and alongside so many devoted and talented public servants,” said Binder. “I’m looking forward to continuing the good work we’ve done to put the State of New Jersey on stronger fiscal footing.”

Andrea Spalla, Esq. is being elevated to the role of Assistant State Treasurer, effective November 20, after serving as Treasury’s Director of Legislative Affairs and Constituent Relations since 2018. In the new role, Spalla will oversee Treasury’s divisions of Pension and Benefits, Purchase and Property, and Property Management and Construction. Prior to joining Treasury, she served as Chief of Staff to State Assemblyman Andrew Zwicker and previously practiced international corporate law in New York for Cleary, Gottlieb, Steen and Hamilton. She also served two terms on the Princeton Board of Education, including a term as President, and co-founded two non-profit organizations. She holds a J.D. from Boston University School of Law where she graduated cum laude.

“Andrea has been an invaluable asset to me as Treasury’s Director of Legislative Affairs, working closely with our thirteen divisions, the Governor’s office, and our partners in the Legislature to provide input and guidance on the vast variety of policy positions and proposed legislation which intersect with Treasury’s mandate,” said Treasurer Muoio.

“Being a member of Treasurer Muoio’s senior leadership team, and learning from her and the other talented, brilliant women in the Treasurer’s office over the past three years, truly has been a privilege,” said Spalla. “I am deeply honored by and grateful for the opportunity presented by this new role, and eager to expand upon the success of Governor Murphy’s Administration to strengthen the State’s fiscal condition and expand economic opportunities for all New Jerseyans in an equitable manner.”

Michael Kanef, Esq. will assume the role of Assistant State Treasurer on November 20 as well, after serving as the Director of Treasury’s Division of Public Finance since 2018. As Assistant Treasurer, Kanef will oversee Treasury’s divisions of Public Finance, Investment, and Lottery. He joined Treasury as a veteran of the finance industry where he built a 20-year career with both Moody’s Corporation and Moody’s Investor Services, including nearly a decade as Chief Regulatory Affairs and Compliance Officer. Prior to joining Moody’s he worked as an attorney for several New York-based law firms, including Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher, and Flom, where he handled structured finance matters. He also holds a J.D. from Boston University School of Law where he graduated cum laude, as well.

“Michael has helped successfully steer our Office of Public Finance through the economic turmoil of the COVID-19 pandemic, supervising the issuance and management of our state debt portfolio, working with banking and investor communities, and realizing significant savings through the refinancing of billions of dollars in state debt,” said Treasurer Muoio.

“It has been an honor to work for Treasurer Muoio as the Director of the Office of Public Finance and I believe that the efforts of the Treasury Department over the past four years have resulted in a stronger fiscal foundation for the State,” said Kanef. “I am grateful to Treasurer Muoio for entrusting me with expanded responsibility in the role of Assistant Treasurer and I am confident that Treasury’s efforts during the coming term will result in continued improvement in the State’s fiscal condition.”

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Last Updated: Monday, 11/15/21