Ventnor City Coup With The Hiring Of New Jersey CRDA Executive

The Ventnor City, New Jersey Commission has scored a major coup in hiring Rick Santoro away from the New Jersey Casino Reinvestment Development Authority.

Since 2014, Santoro has served as Division Director of the Atlantic City Special Improvement District … the largest entity of its kind in America.

Reliable sources have confirmed to me that Santoro took the New Jersey CRDA Board by surprise when he tendered his resignation this past Monday, October 16, 2023. Santoro will officially leave the CRDA, effective October 30, 2023.

On the occasion of tendering his resignation, Santoro addressed the CRDA Board and thanked them for the opportunity to serve as division director of the Special Improvement District.

In Ventnor City, Santoro will replace Ed Stinson, Superintendent of Public Works and City Engineer. Stinson is retiring at the end of 2023.

This same Ventnor City Commission scored another hiring coup when the lured Stinson away from Brigantine 5 years ago.

Stinson is a highly respected and talented public works executive.

Santoro replaced New Jersey Assemblyman Don Guardian at the Atlantic City Special Improvement District when Guardian became Mayor of Atlantic City.

Under Santoro, the Special Improvement District never skipped a beat … which is high praise considering Guardian’s competence level.

In the photo below, Santoro is located all the way to the right .

I have learned that Santoro will join Ventnor City sometime during the month of November, 2023 (initially) as the Assistant Superintendent of Public Works, where Santoro will work with and overlap with Stinson to ensure a smooth transition.

Santoro is the former Executive Vice President of Asset Protection and Risk Management for the Trump Organization.

Santoro headed the security safety, executive protection and risk management functions for five Trump Casino Resorts and was the former Director of Security for the Golden Nugget Las Vegas.

During his casino gaming career, Santoro was in charge of the armed executive protection for President Donald Trump, his family members, entertainers and famous personalities.

Previously, Santoro also was responsible for the armed executive protection of Steve Wynn and members of the Wynn family and the also provided security for the stable of Wynn resort talent such as Frank Sinatra, Diana Ross, Kenny Rogers and Paul Anka and countless other dignitaries.

I caught-up recently with Santoro, who said about his past and future:

"I owe a tremendous debt of gratitude to the hard working and dedicated men and women of the Special Improvement District which include the general maintenance workers, Boardwalk restroom cleaners and the boardwalk Ambassadors,” said Santoro.

”I was honored to wear the uniform of the CRDA and and to serve with such great people. I'm very excited to be afforded the opportunity to work in my home town and to serve the residents, business community and visitors,” said Santoro.

”I love and respect Ventnor City and have been a fan of the highly effective and nimble three commissioner form of government in place there,” said Santoro.

The hiring of Santoro is a big win for the City of Ventnor and an enormous loss for the New Jersey Casino Reinvestment Development Authority and Atlantic City Special Improvement District.