TRENTON, NJ – The New Jersey Schools Development Authority (SDA) Board of Directors today unanimously voted to elect Manuel Da Silva as Chief Executive Officer.

"I'm pleased that Manuel Da Silva will serve as the next Chief Executive Officer of the Schools Development Authority," said Governor Phil Murphy. "I've been thankful for Manny's able stewardship of this crucial agency over the past seven months and look forward to continuing to work with him to deliver modern, high-quality school facilities all across New Jersey."

"I have worked first hand with Manny over these many months and have been continuously impressed with his efficient leadership and dedication to SDA's mission," said SDA Chairman Robert Nixon. "It has been an extraordinary year for the SDA and Manny's election as CEO is key to stabilizing this much needed Authority."

Pursuant to the bylaws of the Authority and based on a recommendation by the Audit Committee of the Board, Mr. Da Silva was elected by the Board to serve as Chief Executive Officer at its monthly meeting today in Trenton.

On May 1, 2019, Manuel Da Silva was elected by the SDA Board of Directors to serve as the Authority's Interim Chief Executive Officer. In that capacity, Mr. Da Silva oversaw a reorganization of the Authority that included strengthening administrative controls, reducing the annual operating budget by $1.8 million and more efficiently focusing resources on what SDA does well, delivering high quality educational facilities to New Jersey students.

"The New Jersey Schools Development Authority is an organization of dedicated and talented individuals, committed to improving educational opportunities for thousands of New Jersey students through the construction and modernization of school facilities," said incoming CEO Manuel Da Silva. "I am proud of the work we do and honored for the opportunity to serve as CEO."

Mr. Da Silva, in his tenure as Interim CEO worked diligently with the staff of the SDA to stabilize the authority and focus on the core mission and purpose of the SDA. The Executive Team of SDA and Mr. Da Silva ensured the delivery of four new school facilities in September 2019 in line with committed time frames and budgets.

Prior to his election as the Authority’s Interim Chief Executive Officer, Manuel Da Silva served as Vice President of Construction Operations for the SDA, where he was responsible for the oversight of Capital Construction, Facilities Projects and Emergent Projects. Prior to this position, he served as a Program Director of Program Operations at SDA and was responsible for the management of Capital Projects. Da Silva first joined the SDA in 2010 as a Senior Manager, Engineering.

Mr. Da Silva has more than 20 years of experience in the fields of engineering and construction in both the public and private sectors, including projects with the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, and the U.S. Postal Service.

He graduated from the New Jersey Institute of Technology in 1993 with a Bachelor’s of Science in Civil Engineering and a Minor in Management, and obtained his Professional Engineer’s license in 1997.