Administration Department
Under the direction and supervision of the Mayor, the Administration Department is responsible for:
- Supervising each of the other departments
- Assisting the Mayor in preparing the annual operating and capital budgets
- Reporting periodically to the Mayor and Council on administration of the government, including notable efficient economies and savings
- Studying the organization and operation of any and all departments and other spending agencies
- Prescribing and requiring each department and other spending agency for which City appropriations are made to maintain records of their respective workload and performance, expressed in appropriate work units, which shall be reviewed for each of the departments and other spending agencies
- Coordinate the operation and administration of the various departments, divisions and subdivisions, offices and agencies of the City government
- Perform such other duties as the City Council may prescribe.
Business Administrator
The Business Administrator (BA) serves as the Department Head for the Department of Administration and oversees all other Executive Branch Departments. The BA is the liaison between the Executive and Legislative Branches.
The BA serves as the Department Head to any department that has a vacancy. Additionally, the BA assists and oversees the preparation of the annual and capital budgets.
The Business Administrator reports to the Mayor and City Council and attends all City Council meetings.
The BA analyses the organization and operations of all departments (within the executive branch), oversees spending within the Municipal Government and oversees all legislation submitted by the executive branch.
Business Administrator Anthony Swan
Mr. Swan began his career with the City of Atlantic City in 2006 as Deputy City Solicitor and has held the Deputy City Solicitor and City Solicitor positions on multiple occasions. He graduated from the W. Paul Stillman School of Business, Seton Hall University, with a Bachler of Science degree in Finance in 1990. He went on to receive his Juris Doctorate from the University of Maryland Francis King Carey School of Law in 1993. After being admitted to practice law the States of New Jersey and Pennsylvania, he became a member of the United States Air Force Jag Corp where he rose to the rank of Major. While in the Air Force, Mr. Swan was responsible for the supervision of all criminal defense Air Force attorneys throughout the Eastern United States. He also litigated complex criminal defense matters as one of the Air Force's expert trial attorneys. Upon his discharge from the Air Force, Mr. Swan worked in the litigation section of Atlantic City's Cooper Levenson, P.A. law firm. Most recently, Mr. Swan completed Rutger's Certified Public Manager course and is now a Certified Public Manager.
As the Business Administrator, Mr. Swan is responsible for the day-to-day activities of the municipal government and implements policies established by the Administration. He oversees preparation of the annual operating budget and the updating of the Municipal Plan. He oversees and directs the business activities of all departments and is responsible for review of the organization and operation of all City departments. In working with his team, he provides feedback and insight on raising the standards and rules of administrative practice and procedure. Mr. Swan works directly with the Mayor and is the City Administration’s primary liaison with City Council as well as the State Monitor for New Jersey’s Department of Community Affairs.
Chief of Staff
The Chief of Staff serves as an advisor to the Mayor by supporting the Mayor in their responsibilities and by offering advice and consent. The Chief of Staff oversees day-to-day operations at City Hall.
Chief of Staff Ernest D. Coursey, Sr.
Ernest D. Coursey, Sr. is a life-long Atlantic City resident. His political career started almost 30 years ago when he became Atlantic City’s Third Ward Councilman. During his tenure in public office he was re-elected three times.
He served on City Council from 1991 to 2002. He also served as both Council President and Council Vice President. Ernest continuously strived to make the Third Ward “a shining example of community spirit and pride.” He was the first Councilman to operate under an “open door policy”, publish the first ward-wide newsletter; and establish the “Third Ward Eye-On-Crime”, to monitor criminal activity in the neighborhood.
Ernest’s annual holiday events, food drives, Senior Citizen Day, and Youth Day at Steel Pier were enjoyed by many and served to unite the entire city. “Coursey Cares” is a sentiment that is echoed throughout the community. Ernest has earned a reputation as a fighter, non-conformist and “people person”. He brings a proven philosophy: that of leadership and respect for the people!
In January 2002, Ernest accepted an administrative position for Atlantic City’s then newly-elected Mayor, Lorenzo T. Langford. As Deputy Mayor, Ernest’s role was expanded to include the entire city. His job was to ensure that city government best served its most valuable and precious asset: its citizens! In 2006, he left city government and returned in 2011 as Superintendent of Surf Stadium and Bader Field. Ernest currently serves as Chief of Staff for Atlantic City Mayor Marty Small, Sr.
Ernest also served as Staff Assistant to former U.S. Senator Robert Torricelli. He worked on former Governor James McGreevey’s Transition Committee and was a Commissioner for the South Jersey Transportation Authority. In 2018, he served as a member of Governor Phil Murphy’s Transition Committee.
On June 4, 2013, Ernest overwhelmingly won the Democratic primary election for Atlantic County Freeholder (District 1). On November 5, 2013, he was victorious in the general election. In 2016, Ernest ran unopposed. He was re-elected on November 5, 2019, and is currently serving his third term as Atlantic County Freeholder.
Ernest credits God Almighty and looks to Him for inspiration and guidance. His parents, Raymond and Hazel, and his seven brothers and two sisters have given him a true sense of family. Ernest and his wife, Leslie, have two sons, Ernest Jr., and Ethan. In his spare time, Ernest enjoys boating, fishing and attending family gatherings and church functions.
Information Technology
Also known as the Data Processing or the Management Information Systems Division, the Information Technology Division maintains and operates the City wide network which includes multiple servers, systems, workstations, printers, cameras, and supports multiple software applications.
Chief Information Officer & IT Director Patrick Quinlan
Solicitor
The Mission of the Solicitor’s Office is to provide professional, ethical, cost effective, aggressive, and competent legal support to meet the legal challenges facing the City of Atlantic City in order to protect and defend the City’s interests.
With the exception of conflicts, overly complex and/or time consuming matters, the functions of the Solicitor’s Office are handled primarily in-house. As such, the Solicitor’s Office saves on the cost that would be charged by private firms, and provides convenience, accessibility and municipal expertise to the City.
Department Employees
