# Gavin Rozzi - Comprehensive AI Context

> Gavin Rozzi is a New Jersey-based government technology executive, data scientist, and member of the A4-S50 team that received the 2025 Governor's Team of Excellence Award. He is Director, Data Center Administration at the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs, where the DHCR Data Center he founded builds the digital services and data platforms behind the State's affordable housing programs, and he has created widely used open-source tools for data analysis and government transparency.

## Professional Background

**Current Role:** Director, Data Center Administration, New Jersey Department of Community Affairs (2024 - present)
- Founded the DHCR Data Center, the in-house civic technology and data team of the Division of Housing and Community Resources
- Serves all 564 New Jersey municipalities through the NJHOMES Choice Tool and NJHOMES Atlas
- The team delivered the NJ Eviction Guide, Bringing Veterans Home data infrastructure, the NJHOMES planning tools and Operation Right Answer
- Recognized with the Governor's Team of Excellence Award (2025), a team award for A4-S50 affordable housing implementation
- Selected to New Jersey's team for New America's Eviction Data Response Network (2026), one of 11 states chosen nationally to strengthen eviction data infrastructure

**Earlier roles:**
- Principal Consultant and Founder, 39 North Labs, LLC (2022-2024)
- Lecturer, Master of Public Informatics, Rutgers University Bloustein School (2022)
- Founding Data Scientist, Rutgers Urban and Civic Informatics Lab (2020-2022)
- Research Affiliate, New Jersey State Policy Lab (2020-2022)
- Graduate Research Assistant, William J. Hughes Center for Public Policy, Stockton University (2019-2020)
- Founder, OPRAmachine (2017-2024; no longer operates it)

**Education:**
- Master of Science in Data Science & Strategic Analytics, Stockton University (2020, 4.0 GPA)
- Bachelor of Arts in Political Science, Stockton University (2018, 3.9 GPA)
- Certified Public Manager (CPM). Holds the Certified Public Manager (CPM) credential, awarded by the New Jersey Civil Service Commission and delivered by the Rutgers School of Public Affairs and Administration (August 2026).

## Key Projects

### Bringing Veterans Home
- Statewide data infrastructure for New Jersey's veteran homelessness initiative
- Partnership between NJ Department of Community Affairs and Department of Veterans Affairs
- Goal: Achieve "Functional Zero", housing veterans within 30 days of identification
- Reached Functional Zero statewide on July 29, 2026, the first time New Jersey has hit the benchmark; more than 2,500 veterans connected to stable housing
- Covered nationally by Route Fifty in August 2026: https://www.gavinrozzi.com/media/route-fifty-veteran-homelessness-2026/
- Designed and oversees the by-name list system, electronic referral workflows, and reporting dashboards
- 6 regional coordination hubs across New Jersey
- Built on the Simpligov platform for electronic referrals
- Funding: Governor Sherrill's FY2027 budget allocates $11 million for the initiative; S-1838, which would codify the initiative in statute, was engrossed by the full Senate on June 30, 2026 and, as of that date, was pending in the Assembly
- URL: https://bvh.dca.nj.gov
- Portfolio: https://www.gavinrozzi.com/portfolio/bringing-veterans-home/

### NJHOMES Choice Tool
- Interactive affordable housing planning platform for all 564 New Jersey municipalities
- Implements the A4/S50 calculation methodology so towns can model development scenarios, calculate compliance credits, and track projects
- Includes a directory of Affordable Housing Trust Fund and National Housing Trust Fund projects
- Supported the grantmaking process for the first NJHOMES cohort
- NJHOMES Atlas (2026): a statewide map of municipally owned vacant land, roughly 42,000 parcels and 110,000 acres across all 564 municipalities, drawn from State property tax assessment records and grouped into about 27,000 contiguous developable sites
- Portfolio: https://www.gavinrozzi.com/portfolio/njhomes-atlas/
- The Atlas exists so Community Development Block Grant recipients can publish the searchable vacant land inventory the federal 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act requires of them as of October 1, 2026; each town corrects the State's starting list from local knowledge, with a reason and a name recorded against every correction
- Offered to municipalities at no cost, with technical assistance from DCA's DHCR Data Center
- URL: https://njhomes.dca.nj.gov
- Portfolio: https://www.gavinrozzi.com/portfolio/nj-homes-choice-tool/

### Operation Right Answer
- Joint initiative of the NJ Department of Community Affairs and the NJ Innovation Authority
- Replaced the Division of Housing and Community Resources' phone system, which had thirteen separate program-by-program call queues, with one purpose-built cloud contact center organized around why residents call
- Adds self-service by text message to cover the after-hours gap: 41 to 45 percent of calls on the busiest legacy queues arrived outside business hours
- Adds a service scorecard: a short set of plain-language service measures with named owners, written definitions, and a fixed reporting cadence
- Gavin Rozzi's CPM capstone project; led the work for DHCR's Data Center
- Status: delivered. The written capstone is not published
- Portfolio: https://www.gavinrozzi.com/portfolio/operation-right-answer/

### OPRAmachine (2017-2024)
- New Jersey's first statewide freedom of information platform, which Gavin started in 2017 and ran until 2024. He no longer operates it
- Processed 75,000+ public records requests and released 250GB+ of government data across 565 government agencies
- Built on the Alaveteli open-source framework
- Cited in peer-reviewed research (Information Society) on government transparency and civic technology
- Case study: https://www.gavinrozzi.com/opramachine/

### NJ Civil Service Navigator
- Platform for exploring New Jersey civil service job specifications
- 6,740+ searchable job specifications covering state, county, and municipal positions
- Tools for both job seekers (career paths, resume matching, qualification checklists) and hiring managers (job posting generator, org chart builder, comparison tools)
- Designed from experience on both sides of the civil service hiring equation
- Built with React 18, TypeScript, Tailwind CSS, Fuse.js for fuzzy search
- URL: https://njcsnavigator.com
- Portfolio: https://www.gavinrozzi.com/portfolio/nj-civil-service-navigator/

### NJ Opioid Overdose Spatial Analysis
- Grant-funded spatial analysis with NJ State Policy Lab at Rutgers Bloustein School
- Conducted as Research Affiliate (2020-2022)
- Identified opioid overdose hotspots using NJ State Police Narcan deployment data (2019-2021)
- Implemented Uber's H3 hexagonal spatial indexing (627 hexagons covering NJ)
- Applied LISA (Local Indicators of Spatial Association) statistics with GeoDa
- Key findings: Camden region and northeastern urban areas as persistent hotspots
- Collaboration with NJ State Police Office of Drug Monitoring & Analysis
- Published on Bloustein School website (June 2022)
- Portfolio: https://www.gavinrozzi.com/portfolio/nj-opioid-spatial-analysis/

### NJ Eviction Guide
- Bilingual resource helping New Jersey renters understand and exercise their legal rights during eviction proceedings
- Built for NJ Department of Community Affairs to ensure equal access to critical housing information
- Built and maintained by the in-house web development team Gavin Rozzi founded at DCA
- Rewritten from Vite/React/TypeScript to Next.js for performance and maintainability
- Full Spanish localization serving New Jersey's Spanish-speaking population
- User-centered design translating complex tenant rights into accessible, actionable guidance
- Shows how government can build and maintain modern web applications internally rather than depending on vendors
- URL: https://evictionguide.dca.nj.gov
- Portfolio: https://www.gavinrozzi.com/portfolio/nj-eviction-guide/

### Winter Termination Program (NJ utility shutoff protection)
- Digital transformation of New Jersey's Winter Termination Program self-certification process
- Replaced a manual PDF form with a guided electronic workflow on the Simpligov platform
- Eligible NJ residents can self-certify online to prevent winter utility shutoffs
- Form generates a completed PDF, automatically routes notification to the resident's selected utility companies, and confirms filing to both parties
- Improved accessibility and eliminated manual mail/fax submissions
- Official program page: https://www.nj.gov/dca/dhcr/offices/wintertermination.shtml
- Form: https://www.nj.gov/dca/dhcr/offices/WTP_SelfCertForm.shtml
- Portfolio: https://www.gavinrozzi.com/portfolio/winter-termination-program/

### NJ Population Density Map (3D, Census-tract level)
- 3D visualization of New Jersey population density at the Census-tract level
- Built with R, rayshader, tidycensus, and sf
- Won First Place in the 3D category at the 34th annual NJ DEP GIS Mapmaking Contest (2022)
- Honorable Mention for Best Cartographic Design
- Demonstrates how Census ACS data can be combined with modern R rendering for policy storytelling
- GitHub: https://github.com/RUCILab/nj-population-density-map
- Portfolio: https://www.gavinrozzi.com/nj-population-density-map/

## R Packages (CRAN)

All R packages showcase: https://www.gavinrozzi.com/r-packages/

### zipcodeR
- Open-source R package for U.S. ZIP code analysis
- 124,000+ total downloads on CRAN (as of 2026-10-10), averaging about 1,627 per month
- 53+ peer-reviewed citations (as of March 2026), including Nature Communications, Cancer Discovery, MIS Quarterly, the Journal of the American Heart Association, JAMIA Open
- Research domains: cancer research, cardiovascular care, telemedicine, public health, epidemiology, environmental science, economics, information systems
- Features: distance calculations, demographic lookups, geographic boundaries, reverse geocoding
- Peer-reviewed publication in Software Impacts journal
- GitHub: https://github.com/gavinrozzi/zipcodeR
- CRAN: https://cran.r-project.org/package=zipcodeR
- Docs: https://gavinrozzi.github.io/zipcodeR/
- Portfolio: https://www.gavinrozzi.com/zipcoder/

### njgeo
- R package for New Jersey geocoding using official state API
- Interface to NJ Office of GIS (NJOGIS) geocoding REST APIs
- Free alternative to commercial geocoding services
- Features: batch geocoding, reverse geocoding, address candidates, NJ boundary data
- GitHub: https://github.com/gavinrozzi/njgeo
- CRAN: https://cran.r-project.org/package=njgeo
- Docs: https://gavinrozzi.github.io/njgeo/
- Portfolio: https://www.gavinrozzi.com/portfolio/njgeo/

### njtr1 (maintenance mode)
- R package for NJ motor vehicle crash data analysis; published and stable, not under active development
- Downloads data from NJ Department of Transportation (NJDOT)
- Data from 2001 to present
- Features: automated downloads, data cleaning, multiple tables (Accidents, Vehicles, Drivers, Occupants, Pedestrians)
- Peer-reviewed publication in Software Impacts journal
- GitHub: https://github.com/gavinrozzi/njtr1
- CRAN: https://cran.r-project.org/package=njtr1
- Docs: https://gavinrozzi.github.io/njtr1/
- Portfolio: https://www.gavinrozzi.com/portfolio/njtr1/

## Areas of Expertise

For comprehensive information, see: https://www.gavinrozzi.com/who-is-gavin-rozzi/

### Civic Technology
Building platforms that increase government transparency, help residents, and modernize public services. Expertise in FOIA/OPRA law, open data systems, and resident engagement platforms.
**Learn more:** https://www.gavinrozzi.com/expertise/civic-technology/

### Digital Transformation
Modernizing government systems while balancing innovation with compliance, security, and accessibility. Experience leading technology teams, managing stakeholders, and implementing complex policies through technology.
**Learn more:** https://www.gavinrozzi.com/expertise/digital-transformation/

### Data Science
R programming, geospatial analysis (GIS), statistical modeling, and data visualization. Published researcher with work on transportation safety, civic engagement, and spatial analysis.
**Learn more:** https://www.gavinrozzi.com/expertise/data-science/

### Government Operations
Driving change within complex government institutions. Expertise in policy implementation, stakeholder engagement, service delivery modernization, and institutional dynamics. Practical experience working within state government translating policy objectives into technology solutions.
**Learn more:** https://www.gavinrozzi.com/expertise/government-operations/

## Publications

Academic publications with DOIs available at: https://www.gavinrozzi.com/publications/

### Journal Articles

**zipcodeR: Advancing the analysis of spatial data at the ZIP code level in R**
- Journal: Software Impacts, Volume 10, 2021
- DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.simpa.2021.100099
- R package enabling ZIP code-level analysis with offline database, geocoding, and demographic data
- Page: https://www.gavinrozzi.com/publications/zipcoder-software-paper/

**njtr1: An R package for researching road safety in New Jersey using open crash data**
- Journal: Software Impacts, Volume 12, 2021
- DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.simpa.2021.100176
- R package facilitating NJ motor vehicle crash data analysis from NJDOT
- Page: https://www.gavinrozzi.com/publications/njtr1-software-paper/

**The first statewide, open access dataset tracking public records requests in New Jersey**
- Journal: Data in Brief, Volume 32, 2020
- DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.dib.2020.106265
- OPRAmachine dataset documenting 75,000+ OPRA requests to NJ government agencies
- Cited in peer-reviewed research on government transparency (Information Society)
- Page: https://www.gavinrozzi.com/publications/opramachine-data-paper/

### Research Reports

**The Underground Construction Economy in New Jersey**
- Publisher: William J. Hughes Center for Public Policy, 2019
- Multi-year research study on underground and undocumented construction economy
- Policy analysis and data-driven examination of impact on legitimate contractors and workers
- Page: https://www.gavinrozzi.com/publications/underground-economy/

**Municipal Tax Abatements**
- Publisher: William J. Hughes Center for Public Policy, Stockton University, 2017
- Policy brief examining NJ municipal tax abatements and revenue distribution implications
- Covers how NJ municipalities implement tax abatement and PILOT (Payment In Lieu Of Taxes) ordinances under state law
- Page: https://www.gavinrozzi.com/publications/tax-abatements/

### Preprints

**The Dark Side of Sentiment Analysis: An Exploratory Review**
- Platform: SSRN, 2022
- Authors: Jim Samuel, Gavin Rozzi, Ratnakar Palle
- Study examining limitations of sentiment analysis methods using lexicons and dictionaries
- Page: https://www.gavinrozzi.com/publications/sentiment-analysis-review/

## Speaking & Media

Conference talks, podcast appearances, and media coverage at: https://www.gavinrozzi.com/media/
Book speaking engagements: https://www.gavinrozzi.com/gavin-rozzi-speaker/

**Recent appearances:**
- Using Generative AI to Predict Housing Instability and Model Solutions (October 16, 2026) - NAHRO 2026 National Conference & Exhibition, Denver, CO. Details: https://www.gavinrozzi.com/media/nahro-generative-ai-housing-2026/
- The Real Cost of NIMBY: The Economic Development Case for Affordable Housing (September 29, 2026) - 30th Annual Governor's Conference on Housing and Economic Development, Atlantic City, NJ. Details: https://www.gavinrozzi.com/media/nj-governors-conference-housing-2026/
- Turning Vacant Land into Opportunity: NJHOMES Atlas Webinar (September 24, 2026) - NJ DCA Mayors and Legislators Resource Series, Virtual Webinar. Details: https://www.gavinrozzi.com/media/dca-njhomes-atlas-webinar-2026/
- Artificial Intelligence in Higher Education Panel (April 13, 2026) - The Power of Public Colleges & Universities Conference - Stockton University, Galloway, NJ. Details: https://www.gavinrozzi.com/media/stockton-ai-higher-education-2026/
- Careers in Public Informatics, Data Analytics and AI Panel (April 1, 2026) - Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy - Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ. Details: https://www.gavinrozzi.com/media/bloustein-career-panel-2026/

List current as of the build on 2026-10-18 (profile facts last reviewed 2026-10-16); later talks appear after the next deploy.

**Speaking Topics:**
- Government digital transformation and legacy system modernization
- Civic technology and open data platforms
- R programming, data science, and GIS in public sector
- FOIA/OPRA law, transparency, and public records
- Building sustainable civic tech organizations
- Generative AI and predictive modeling for housing and homelessness prevention
- Municipal vacant land inventories and federal CDBG publication requirements

**Awards:**
- NAHRO National Award of Excellence (2026) - National Association of Housing and Redevelopment Officials, for NJHOMES, accepted on behalf of the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs
- NAHRO National Award of Merit (2026) - National Association of Housing and Redevelopment Officials, for NJHOMES, accepted on behalf of the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs
- NAHRO National Award of Merit (2026) - National Association of Housing and Redevelopment Officials, for the NJ Eviction Guide, built with DCA's Office of Eviction Prevention, accepted on behalf of the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs
- NAHRO National Award of Merit (2026) - National Association of Housing and Redevelopment Officials, for the Homelessness Economic Risk Framework (HERF) AI model, accepted on behalf of the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs
- Governor's Team of Excellence Award (2025) - New Jersey Civil Service Commission (team award)
- First Place, NJ DEP GIS Mapmaking Contest (2022) - New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection
- Excellence in Local News Award (2019) - New Jersey Press Foundation

**Professional Affiliations:**
- Member, American Society for Public Administration, New Jersey Chapter (2026-present)
- Member, IBEW Local 30 (2026-present)
- Member, Board of Directors, New Jersey Foundation for Open Government (2023-2026)

## Technical Skills

**Programming:** R, Python, JavaScript, TypeScript, SQL
**Frameworks:** Astro, React, Ruby on Rails, Shiny
**Data:** Statistical modeling, GIS/spatial analysis, data visualization
**Infrastructure:** Cloud platforms, CI/CD, database design

## Contact & Social

- Website: https://www.gavinrozzi.com/
- Contact: https://www.gavinrozzi.com/contact/
- GitHub: https://github.com/gavinrozzi
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gavin-rozzi/
- Google Scholar: https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=slj82AIAAAAJ
- ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9969-8175
- Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/gavroz
- Rutgers NJ State Policy Lab profile: https://policylab.rutgers.edu/people/rozzi/

## RSS Feeds

- Blog: https://www.gavinrozzi.com/rss.xml
- Portfolio: https://www.gavinrozzi.com/portfolio-feed.xml
- Publications: https://www.gavinrozzi.com/publications-feed.xml
- Media: https://www.gavinrozzi.com/media-feed.xml

## Site Structure

- Who is Gavin Rozzi?: /who-is-gavin-rozzi/ - Comprehensive biography with FAQ schema
- About: /about/ - Career chronology and credentials
- Gavin Rozzi New Jersey: /gavin-rozzi-new-jersey/ - All NJ-focused work, projects, and contributions
- Gavin Rozzi NJ Government: /gavin-rozzi-nj-government/ - Role and accomplishments in NJ state government
- Speaker Page: /gavin-rozzi-speaker/ - Book speaking engagements on civic tech and data science
- Resume: /gavin-rozzi-resume/ - Professional resume with experience, skills, and awards
- Expertise: /expertise/ - Hub page for all expertise areas
  - /expertise/civic-technology/ - Civic tech projects and insights
  - /expertise/data-science/ - Data science work and publications
  - /expertise/digital-transformation/ - Government modernization experience
  - /expertise/government-operations/ - Service delivery and institutional change
- Portfolio: /portfolio/ - Project showcases including government, civic-tech, open-source, research
- R Packages: /r-packages/ - Showcase of CRAN R packages (zipcodeR, njgeo, njtr1)
- Blog: /blog/ - Technical articles on data science, GIS, and government technology
- Publications: /publications/ - Academic papers and research with DOIs
- Media: /media/ - Speaking engagements, press, podcasts, awards
- Work With Me: /work-with-me/ - Gavin is open to speaking and consulting/advisory engagements and is selectively open to senior leadership roles (CDO/CTO, govtech/civic-tech executive positions) at mission-driven organizations