Toms River, NJ – Ocean County Public Affairs Director Jillian Messina is reportedly preparing to leave her position with the county, resigning in September of this year, according to a memo sent by Messina to county officials.
Messina, who oversees the county’s public affairs and communications operations, has not publicly announced her departure, and Ocean County officials have not released details regarding the timing or reason for her reported exit. Messina did not respond to a request for comment from Shore News Network.
Department oversees county communications, most expensive in New Jersey
Messina serves as the county’s top public information official, overseeing a public affairs department with more than $2 million in payroll and expenses, according to county budget documents. The department is responsible for county communications, media relations, public outreach, social media, advertising campaigns, and other public information initiatives.
The department has expanded payroll by nearly 200% in 2026, with the additions of political appointments including:
Roxanne Conniff, former Manchester Township Council President and ally of OC GOP Chairman George Gilmore
Jillian Lamb – Sister-In-Law of Ocean County Deputy Clerk Ashley Lamb
Complete Public Affairs Department Roster
While most of the $1.5 million payroll works at the County Connection, others are in direct media positions.
County insiders said commissioners have informed employees that Messina is expected to leave her position, although no successor has been publicly identified.
Messina has overseen the release of about two dozen press releases since January. That averages about $830,000 per press release for the department.
Previously served with Toms River Police Department
Before joining Ocean County, Messina served as Public Information Officer for the Toms River Police Department.
After her position was cut, she sued the township for losses, despite the move leading her to a higher-paying job at the county.
Mayor Daniel Rodrick eliminated her position in February 2024 during a municipal restructuring that also reduced other positions within the police department. At the same time, Rodrick reduced his own public information officer salary from $120,000 under Mayor Mo Hill to $86,000. He also eliminated all other media-related expenses, including a contract with a marketing firm owned by New Jersey State Senator Vin Gopal, which created newspapers and created messages and graphics to post on Facebook.
Messina subsequently filed a wrongful termination lawsuit against the Township of Toms River and Rodrick, alleging she was dismissed in retaliation after speaking during a Township Council meeting opposing the elimination of her position.
Lawsuit remains pending
Rodrick and attorneys representing the township have denied those allegations, maintaining that Messina’s position was eliminated strictly as part of a cost-saving effort to reduce what officials described as an oversized public relations budget.
Ocean County has not yet announced a replacement. Ocean County Commissioner Frank Sadeghi confirmed Messina’s departure.
