NJ real estate industry leader and former Livingston mayor appointed to Housing Advisory Committee

Woodmont Properties today announced that Executive Vice President and General Counsel Stephen Santola has been named to Governor-elect Phil Murphy’s transition team as part of the Housing Advisory Committee.

The appointment comes on the heels of Santola having served as chair of the transit-oriented development subcommittee of the Smart Growth Development Coalition – a group of nearly 50 real estate development experts that recently delivered to Murphy a detailed proposal of recommendations for stimulating economic development and job creation in New Jersey.

Additional members of the Housing Advisory Committee include Executive Director of Ironbound Community Corporation Joseph Della Fave, Founder and CEO of Community Investment Strategies Christiana Foglio, Executive Director of Hudson County Economic Development Corporation Michelle Richardson and Executive Director of Anti-Poverty Network of New Jersey Renee Wolf Koubiadis.

“I’m honored to be appointed to the governor-elect’s Housing Advisory Committee,” said Santola, who is a member of the board of trustees of New Jersey Future, the state’s leading smart growth advocacy and policy organization. “I pledge to work alongside my industry peers to ensure that pressing issues, such as smart growth and transit-oriented development, receive a fair share of the new administration’s attention.”

In his role with Woodmont Properties and Woodmont Industrial Properties, Santola manages the company's legal affairs and entitlements. He also plays a significant role in managing the development division, guiding new business opportunities, and formalizes corporate strategy.

Prior to joining Woodmont, Santola was a Partner with law firm Lindabury, McCormick & Estabrook, specializing in real estate, land use, zoning, and commercial litigation. He has served as both a member of, and attorney for, municipal land use boards, and he has represented parties in various application appeals and related litigation.

Santola was formerly the mayor of Livingston and also served on the township’s council for 12 years. He is a graduate of Colgate University, and he received a Juris Doctor degree, Cum Laude, from Seton Hall University.

About Woodmont Properties

For 54 years, Woodmont Properties, based in Fairfield, N.J., has contributed to the region’s residential and commercial marketplace by developing residential communities, office buildings, retail centers and industrial properties in suburban communities, town centers and cities in New Jersey, New York and Pennsylvania. Under CEO Eric Witmondt’s leadership, Woodmont’s success in developing both residential communities and commercial properties is derived from a unique blend of innovation, integrity, the selection of superior locations, and quality design.