Hoboken Finance Director to resign at end of August; Comptroller will serve as acting director

HOBOKEN—Solomon Steplight will resign as Hoboken Finance Director at the end of this month to accept a position at a national non-profit organization advocating for girls in computer science, the city of Hoboken announced Monday. Comptroller Chris Baldwin will step in as acting director and Steplight will continue to assist on a consultant basis until a new finance director is found.
Steplight is leaving to become the COO/CFO at Girls Who Code, which works “to inspire, educate, and equip girls with the computing skills to pursue 21st century opportunities,” according to the organization’s website. Steplight has over 15 years of experience in financial management at educational start-ups and in city government, including three years as a manager and assistant finance director under then-Newark Mayor Cory Booker.
“It was a privilege to work with the citizens, administration and council in Hoboken,” said Steplight. “As someone who has always been passionate about uplifting communities, I’m excited to join Girls Who Code as COO/CFO to create more opportunities for girls to thrive in technology. My experience in Hoboken will be invaluable as I take on this new challenge.”
A press release from the city of Hoboken credited Steplight with helping to improve Hoboken’s credit rating from near junk bond status to the second highest possible rating, AA+. The release also lauded Steplight’s work on Hoboken’s debt restructuring, which it said has saved the city nearly $1.5 million.
“Solomon helped right our fiscal ship and build the strong financial foundation we enjoy today, and I can’t thank him enough for his service to our community,” said Mayor Dawn Zimmer.
Steplight’s eventual replacement will be Hoboken’s third full-time finance director in five years. In January 2009, state-appointed fiscal monitor Judy Tripodi brought in Nick Trasente to manage the city’s finances. In 2010, Trasente resigned to become the Chief Financial Officer of Middletown Township, according to an NJ.com story. At the time, Councilman Michael Russo called for the responsibilities of the finance director position, which had been recreated with Trasente’s hire, to be absorbed by the city business administrator to save money.
The job advertisement for a new Finance Director is available on the City website at www.hobokennj.org/finance-director.