Peggy Brennan-Tonetta, Ph.D.
Director, Office of Administration and Strategic Development
Senior Associate Director, NJAES
Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey
848-932-3776
mbrennan@rutgers.edu
Peggy has been a part of the SEBS/NJAES community for more than 20 years. Since 2006, she has served as Associate Director of NJAES. Prior to 2006, she was Associate Dean of Research for Cook College and a member of DAFRE. In 2010, Peggy established the first university-wide Office of Economic Development, which she led as Associate Vice President for Economic Development from 2010 through June 2019. In this role she raised the recognition of Rutgers as a catalyst for economic development in the state. Her accomplishments include co-founding the university’s and the state’s first academic supercomputer center and the Rutgers Office of Advanced Research Computing, leading a strategic planning effort for university corporate engagement resulting in the establishment of the Rutgers Corporate Engagement Office, and leading the development of a comprehensive plan for a 30 acre research park on Livingston campus. At NJAES, Peggy led the development of internationally renowned business incubators – Rutgers Food Innovation Center which she established and the Rutgers EcoComplex; as well as programs such as the NJAES Office of Research Analytics and Sustainable Energy Working Group, and revamped the strategy for technology transfer, among other accomplishments. She has secured over 40 grants totaling more than $28 million, while external funding awarded for programs she oversees exceeds $60 million. Her work has been recognized at the university, state, and national levels. She is an economist specializing in economic development and entrepreneurship, impact assessment, bioenergy economics and policy. Peggy earned a bachelor’s degree in Economics, master’s degree in Agricultural Economics, and a doctoral degree in Planning and Public Policy, all from Rutgers.
Financial and Business Administration
Julianne Altavilla
Administrative Assistant
848-932-3749
altavill@njaes.rutgers.edu
Julie provides administrative support to the Director of Research and the Director of Administration and Strategic Development at NJAES. She assists with financial and human resources activities for the Office of Research, Office of Administration and Economic Development, Office of Research Analytics, Research Greenhouses and Marine Outreach.
Michael Christian
Business Specialist
848-932-3773
christian@njaes.rutgers.edu
Michael reviews and processes transactions in compliance with Universities policies and procedures. Financial transactions include, but are not limited to, expense reports, travel orders, travel advances, requisitions, journal entries, cash transmittals, and all payroll actions (new hire, termination, upgrade, in-grade, etc.) for NJAES Office of Research and Office of Administration and Strategic Development units.
Anna Molinski
Program Coordinator
848-932-4206
annamol@njaes.rutgers.edu
Anna provides support to NJAES management by assisting with the coordination and administration of programs, and projects, and with the planning and preparation of communications, events, records, statistics, and reports. She arranges and coordinates logistics and assists with content of events and meetings.