City Business Administrator James Mallon is leaving June 1.
By Donald Wittkowski
Ocean City Business Administrator James Mallon, who oversees the day-to-day operations of the local government as the senior-most official in Mayor Jay Gillian’s administration, is resigning to take a job in the private sector, it was announced Monday.
Mallon’s resignation comes less than a week after Gillian swept to a commanding win in the May 8 municipal election to capture his third, four-year term as mayor. With Mallon leaving, Gillian will now reshape the top levels of his administration as he enters his new term.
“It is with great regret that I make this announcement,” Gillian said of Mallon’s resignation in a statement. “Jim has dedicated much of his career to serving Ocean City, and his dedication and experience have been invaluable to the city at a time when we’re tackling so many important projects. I want to congratulate him and wish him the best in his new job.”
Mallon has accepted a government affairs position in the private sector and will leave June 1, the mayor’s statement said. The company he is joining was not immediately disclosed. A search for his replacement will begin immediately.
Mallon, who currently earns $133,000 annually, has worked for Ocean City for more than 16 years while holding a series of positions in different departments. In 2014, he was promoted to business administrator, the top appointed position in the municipal government.
“It’s been a great pleasure to work in Ocean City and an honor to work beside so many people committed to making this such a special place,” Mallon said in a statement. “I feel good about the team that is in place, and I’m confident that all of the work on behalf of Ocean City taxpayers will continue without interruption.”
Mallon was first hired by Ocean City in 1994 in the Recreation Department. He stayed for eight years before moving on to public and private sector jobs in Pennsylvania. He returned to Ocean City to work as Community Services director from 2010 to 2013.
After a short stint as municipal administrator in Pine Hill, N.J., Mallon returned to Ocean City’s government in the spring of 2014 as an aide to Gillian. In December 2014, Gillian appointed Mallon as business administrator with the consent of City Council.
