Freeholder Robert D. Clifton

Among those inducted into St John Vianney High School Hall of Honor and Athletic Hall of Fame was Matawan's own, Robert D. Clifton. Mr. Clifton was inducted into its Hall of Honor for Distinguished Alumni Service. An Awards Dinner was held November 8th, 2008, at the Reception Center in Matawan. The following page is taken from the Program.

ROBERT D. CLIFTON
Graduated 1987

Distinguished Alumni Service Award

Rob Clifton was born and raised in Matawan, where he attended local elementary schools and graduated from St. John Vianney High School in 1987. He earned a bachelor's degree in political science at Rider University, Lawrenceville, NJ, and a master's degree in political science at the University of Richmond, VA.

Rob was the Mayor of Matawan Borough from 1996 until 2005. In addition, he served on the borough's unified Planning Board and Zoning Board of Adjustment, the Board of Health, and the Monmouth County Board of Drug & Alcohol Abuse Services. He also served as chairman of the Bayshore Conference of Mayors.

He has been employed by Comcast Cable Corp. as Director of Government and Community Affairs since 2001. Prior to that, he was Director of Industry Relations for the New Jersey Pavement and Asphalt Association, where he acted as liaison between the trade association and municipalities throughout the state regarding road improvement issues. He also served as Assistant to the Deputy Commissioner of the New Jersey Department of Labor and a legislative aide to former Assemblyman Michael P. Arnone.

Mr. Clifton was elected to the Monmouth County Board of Chosen Freeholders in 2004. In his first term as a Freeholder, Rob oversaw the Department of Human Services, Health and Transportation, and as such served as liaison to the following county departments and agencies: County Board of Health, Tuberculosis Control Unit, County Adjuster, Health Care Facilities, County Historical Commission, Human Relations Commission, Department of Human Services, which includes the Division of Transportation and Senior Citizen and Disabled Transportation Advisory Committee, Alcohol and Drug Abuse Services, Social Services, Mental Health Board, Employment and Training, Workforce Investment Board, Office on Disabilities, Office on Aging, Human Services Advisory Council, Office of Veterans Interment Services, and Youth Services Commission.

Freeholder Clifton is serving his second three-year term on the Board of Chosen Freeholders, having been re-elected on November 6, 2007. Currently, Freeholder Clifton, is Deputy Director of the Board, oversees the Department of Finance and Administration. In this role he oversees a $475 million budget. He also sits on the Board of the United Way of Monmouth County.
Rob Clifton and his wife, Tracy, reside in Matawan with their two sons, R.J. and Jack.

Congratulations Rob for a notable achievement. Keep up the good work. You have made Matawan proud.