Leonard S. Coleman, Jr. 

Leonard S. Coleman, Jr., the seventh Commissioner of DCA, was appointed in 1986 by Governor Thomas H. Kean.

Before his appointment, Commissioner Coleman served for four years as Commissioner of the Department of Energy. From 1980 to 1982, he served as president of the Greater Newark Urban Coalition.  From 1976 to 1980, he worked in Africa as a missionary for the Protestant Episcopal Church of the United States and as management officer of the Christian Organizations Research and Advisory Trust of Africa, in which capacity he provided management consultant services in health care, education and church and community development in 17 African countries.  His professional career also included work as a consultant to the North Ward Educational and Cultural Center in Newark, as an analyst for the Essex County Department of Manpower, as a legislative aide with the Newark City Council and as an elementary school teacher in the Newark public schools.

Coleman received his bachelor’s degree in history from Princeton University and subsequently received a master’s degree in public administration from the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University and a master’s degree in education and social policy from the Harvard Graduate School of Education.

Subsequent to his service at the Department, Coleman was elected president of the National League of Professional Baseball Clubs in 1994.