Trustee

Frank X. McDermott, Esq. was sworn in as a new member of the Kean University Board of Trustees during its meeting on March 8. Appointed by Gov. James E. McGreevey, McDermott was sworn in by Robert W. Cockren, Esq., chair of the Board of Trustees. A World War II veteran and former New Jersey legislator, McDermott is currently a senior partner in Apruzzese, McDermott, Mastro & Murphy of Liberty Corner, N.J., one of the largest and most prominent firms specializing in labor law in the state.

McDermott began his political career in 1955, when he served as New Jersey delegate to the White House Conference on Education. He was elected to the General Assembly of New Jersey for the 20th district in 1963, and chosen as leader of the Union County Assembly delegation in 1964. He was assistant majority leader in 1965 and became assembly minority leader in 1966. The following year, McDermott was elected to the New Jersey Senate. In 1968, he became senate majority leader, and in 1969, he assumed the post of president of the senate and was also acting governor when Gov. Richard J. Hughes was out of the state. From 1970 to 1973, McDermott was president pro tempore of the senate. And, from 1976 to 1977, he was once again assemblyman for the 20th district. Though McDermott has an extensive political and legal background, he is no stranger to the academic world. He also worked for more than 12 years as co-adjutant staff member at the Rutgers University Institute of Management and Labor Relations.

McDermott holds four academic degrees: a Bachelor of Arts from Columbia College, a Juris Doctor from Columbia Law School, a Master of Public Administration and a Master of Laws, both from New York University. He is licensed to practice law in New Jersey, New York, the District of Columbia and before the Supreme Court of the United States. McDermott resides in Westfield, N.J. with his wife, Patricia.