bob-fazen

2021 MAYOR’S NEW YEAR MESSAGE

I would like to personally thank all those who served the Borough as elected officials.  They have done an outstanding job in 2020, and while we have had our differences throughout the year, it is an honor to work with people who are committed to improving Bound Brook.  I trust that in 2021, we will do everything we can to bring about great things for Bound Brook.

Additionally, I thank the many volunteers who make this Borough tick.  Over 20 volunteer committees, organizations, and commissions function with over 100 volunteers.  Bound Brook could not thrive without these dedicated individuals.

My New Year’s Resolutions are to maintain government transparency, property tax reduction and increasing property values.

 

TRANSPARENCY: I will continue my efforts to communicate to the residents of Bound Brook through the Bound Brook Chronicle and an Open-Door Policy.

 

REDUCE PROPERTY TAXES: I will make every effort to:

  • Increase Bound Brook’s share of State School Funding,
  • Take advantage of Bound Brook’s federal designation as an Opportunity Zone,
  • Encourage aggressive redevelopment agreement negotiations to benefit existing residents and
  • Continue the optimization of Borough operations through increased technology.

 

INCREASE PROPERTY VALUES: Encourage the positive theme that “Bound Brook is the Place to Dwell.”  The local Borough resources of outstanding transportation, education, safety, recreation, entertainment, and shopping opportunities.

It will be a challenging year for the governing body and there will be disagreements on issues but we all must respect the views and opinions of others and listen to our fellow elected officials and the public.

 

Thank you for your support and have a Happy & Healthy New Year.

 

Robert Fazen

Mayor, Bound Brook, New Jersey

January 2021

 

BIOGRAPHY

Mayor Bob Fazen

Bob and his wife Lynn have lived in Bound Brook for over 40 years and are members of St. Mary’s Church.  Both daughters graduated from Bound Brook High School and graduated from New Jersey Universities (Princeton and Rowan).  He is a substitute teacher in the Bound Brook School District, teaching all subjects, K-12.

He was President of the Fazen Organization in New York City, professionally active in the development of real estate for over 27 years.  He planned and managed over $150 million of successful construction projects and was responsible for acquiring financing and organizing design and construction teams to plan and execute projects ranging in cost from $300,000 to $50 million.

 

EDUCATION

  • United States Military Academy, West Point, NY – Bachelor of Science, 1966
  • Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA – Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering, 1976
  • Auburn University, Montgomery, AL – Master of Business Administration, 1979
  • Drew University, Madison, NJ – Certificate – Historic Preservation, 2004

 

COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT

  • 15-Year Trustee of the Raritan Valley Rail Coalition (helped implement NJ Transit-RVL “one-seat ride” to NYC)
  • 10-year President of the Washington Camp Ground Association (A non-profit organization organized in 1892 to preserve the “Middlebrook Encampment” grounds that were a principal base of operations for General George Washington’s forces during the Revolutionary War.)
  • Two term President of the Bound Brook-Middlesex Rotary Club
  • Two Term President of the Bound Brook-Middlesex Kiwanis Club
  • Former Chairman of the Bound Brook Planning & Zoning Board
  • Former Chairman of the Bound Brook Historic Preservation Commission
  • Co-Founder and Treasurer of We Will Rebuild (A non-profit organization that provided over $1 million of financial support to the communities affected by Hurricane Floyd).
  • Lifetime Member of the American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars
  • Former Elected member of the Bound Brook Board of Education

 

PROFESSIONAL BACKGROUND

Lieutenant Colonel, U.S. Army (1966-1986)

Bob retired after 20 years of military service.  He is a veteran of the Vietnam War and has earned numerous military awards including the Bronze Star, Combat Infantry Badge, Airborne Wings and Ranger Tab.  His military positions included: Company Commander and Aide de Camp to the Commanding General of the 82nd Airborne Division; Professor of Military Science at Rutgers University; Professor of Engineering Fundamentals at the United States Military Academy; Deputy Chief of Staff of Fort Dix, NJ.

 

President, The Fazen Organization (1986-2011)

The company was involved in the development and management of residential and commercial properties.  The Fazen Organization (“TFO”) represented owners in the site selection, financing, marketing, leasing, design, construction and operations of numerous properties. TFO increased the appraised value of 555 Broadway from $14 million to $55 million by planning and completing a modernization of the 100-year old property.  He coordinated $10 million of tenant and base building renovation including facade and roof repairs, window replacement, complete interior renovations and upgrades of mechanical, elevator and electrical systems.  He negotiated the largest and third largest tenant leases in NYC in 1992.

 

His clients have included: TIAA/CREF, Integrated Resources, Aldrich Eastman Waltch Inc., Chemical Bank, Citicorp, The College Board, American Bible Society, Chock Full O’Nuts, Cunard Lines Ltd., Ise Realty Group Inc., JP Morgan, Lehman Brothers, Metlife, Mitsui Fudoson, Monet, The Beacon Group, The Family Circle, Scholastic Inc. and the NYC Board of Education.

 

PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS

He is a lifetime member of the Society of American Military Engineers and West Point Societies of New York, New Jersey, and Philadelphia. He is a former member of the Real Estate Board of NY and the Building Owners & Managers Association of New York.