Former congressman and former co-chairman of Gov. Chris Christie’s 2009 gubernatorial campaign, Mike Ferguson, has been named the new chairman of the New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority

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"The governor asked me to do it," Ferguson said. "I've known the governor for a long time, and I was leaving public service. He asked me if I was interested in serving the state in another way."

"The governor is doing an extraordinary job of leading our state in a new and better direction, and this authority is absolutely on the same page with that agenda," Ferguson added. "We're going to work hand in glove with the administration."

Ferguson said his job is to provide policy guidance to Dennis Robinson, the sports authority's current chief executive officer. According to a report last year, the sport authority rings up losses of approximately $30 million per year.

"There is very capable leadership in Dennis and his staff. I see my role as helping them to adjust to the changing circumstances (and) continuing to try and provide the sports and entertainment that the state's residents have come to expect, but (it) has to be first-class entertainment in a way that makes sense for the taxpayer," Ferguson said. "It's certainly a challenge in this economic time. I think we're going to succeed."

Visit Mycentraljersey.com for additional details on Ferguson’s recent appointment.