Middlesex County Commissioner Director 

Ronald G. Rios serves as the Director of the Middlesex County Board of County Commissioners, a position he has held since March 2013. He has been a member of the Board of County Commissioners since 2008.  As Director, he oversees all aspects of County governance and policy implementation. The Board is responsible for a broad range of services including public health, education, public safety, infrastructure, and veterans' services, serving the needs of over 850,000 residents across Middlesex County’s 25 municipalities.

Director Rios has led transformative initiatives, including the creation of the Veterans Housing Assistance Program, helping over 400 veterans and their families secure stable housing. This effort led to Middlesex County being certified in 2016 as having reached “functional zero” for veterans’ homelessness.

He has championed the Middlesex County Cultural and Arts Trust Fund, which provides $10 million annually to expand arts and cultural programs countywide.

Under his fiscal leadership, the County has reduced its debt and utilized savings from retired debt to make critical investments in programs and services, while maintaining the County’s long-standing AAA Bond Rating. 

Director Rios previously served four terms on the Carteret Borough Council, including as Council President (2003–2008), where he initiated the Veterans Affairs Committee. He has been a member of the Governor’s Ethnic Advisory Commission and the National Association of Latino Elected and Appointed Officials.

A lifelong Middlesex County resident and Woodbridge High School graduate (1970), he earned a B.A. in Labor Safety and Health from the National Labor College in 2000. He spent over 30 years at Conrail Corporation and served as President of the Oak Island Local 6965 union (1993–2003).

In his free time, Director Rios enjoys attending performances at the Carteret Performing Arts Center alongside his wife Michelina.  Frankie Valli and Engelbert Humperdinck were their favorite shows.