About BPU

Born on August 17, 1951, Nicholas Asselta was raised in Vineland, New Jersey.  As the son of a Vineland Police Officer, he graduated from Vineland High School, Cumberland County College and the Frederick Military Academy.  He also attended Rider College and the Glassboro State College Management Institute.

After college, he worked for 23 years as Marketing and Production Manager for Times Graphic, Inc., a Gannett Company subsidiary.  From 1978 until 1981, he dedicated his energy as head basketball coach at Atlantic County Community College.  He continued coaching at Vineland High School until 1987.  In 1980 he married Nancy Small.  The couple make their home in Vineland where Nancy owns and operates an interior design company.

As an educator and coach, he entered public service with his 1993 election to the Vineland Board of Education.  Less than two years later in January 1995, he was sworn into the General Assembly to fill an unexpired term.  In November 1995 he won his first of four terms representing New Jersey’s First District in the General Assembly.  He then became one of New Jersey’s few full-time legislators, dedicating his career to public service and the constituents he represented.  In 2003 he won election to the New Jersey Senate and served as State Senator until 2008.

During his time in the Legislature, he fought to create a better life for the residents of New Jersey, not by creating more laws, but by improving the laws and services that exist in New Jersey.  Nicholas Asselta is most known for his advocacy of New Jersey’s veterans.  In honor of his late brother who lost his life in the line of duty, Asselta dedicated his entire public service career to fighting for veterans benefits in the State of New Jersey.  Those in Trenton regarded Asselta as a Senator who put his constituents first, often working across party lines to ensure the interests of the residents of the First District.

Numerous community and civic groups have recognized his work on behalf of his constituents.  The Annual Governor’s Conference on Tourism awarded him the Legislative Leadership Award three times.  The Southern New Jersey Arts & Business Partnership honored Asselta with the Encore Award for his work designating the A.J. Meerwald New Jersey’s official tall ship, and the Downtown New Jersey Association honored him for his leading efforts on downtown revitalization projects across the state.  The New Jersey Conference of Mayors honored the Senator with the Legislator’s Award.  The New Jersey Hospital Association recognized him as Legislator of the Year, the Southern New Jersey Development Council honored him with the Outstanding New Jersey Legislator Award and the New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services awarded him the Friends of Public Health Award.

Today Nicholas Asselta serves as a Commissioner on the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities where he promises to be a voice for South Jersey and continue his fight to improve quality of life for all New Jerseyans.