OPRAmachine founder to step down, hand reins to New Brunswick Today editor
The Jersey Vindicator covered Gavin Rozzi’s decision to step down from managing OPRAmachine on January 1, 2024, and transition leadership to Charlie Kratovil, editor of New Brunswick Today. The article emphasizes Rozzi’s legacy as founder and the platform’s growth into a key resource for transparency.
Background and Achievement
The article profiles Rozzi as an award-winning data scientist, web developer, and former independent journalist who founded OPRAmachine in 2017. Under his leadership, the platform evolved into a robust tool that facilitated widespread access to public information while defending the privacy rights of its users.
Key accomplishments highlighted:
- Created a website that helps citizens file and track public records requests in New Jersey
- Published all requests, responses, and records online for public access
- Established OPRAmachine as a key resource for journalists, researchers, and citizens
- Built a platform that defended user privacy rights while promoting transparency
Reasons for Transition
The article explains that Rozzi decided to seek new leadership after running the platform for six years in order to explore other professional opportunities. At the time, he indicated plans to announce his future endeavors soon.
On selecting his successor, Rozzi stated:
“I am excited to see Charlie take over OPRAmachine. His passion for open governance, tenacity, and proven track record in investigative journalism make him the ideal successor. I am confident that with Charlie at the helm, OPRAmachine will not only continue its vital mission but also reach new frontiers in empowering New Jerseyans with access to information.”
Kratovil’s Background and Vision
The article provides context on Charlie Kratovil’s qualifications, noting his activism (including mayoral campaigns in New Brunswick in 2018 and 2022) and his role as publisher and editor of New Brunswick Today, which he founded in 2011.
Kratovil’s perspective on the transition:
“Leading OPRAmachine is a tremendous responsibility and an opportunity I am eager to embrace. Building on Gavin’s incredible work, I am committed to enhancing the platform’s impact and ensuring that it remains an indispensable tool for those seeking to hold power to account in New Jersey.”
Continuity and Support
The Jersey Vindicator emphasized that the platform’s services would continue without interruption under new leadership. The article concluded with Rozzi’s commitment to the project’s future:
Rozzi’s closing statement:
“As I embark on new ventures, I leave OPRAmachine in capable hands. Charlie’s vision for the platform aligns perfectly with its founding principles, and I look forward to seeing it flourish further.”
Impact and Legacy
The coverage frames the transition as a significant moment for government transparency in New Jersey, highlighting how OPRAmachine grew from a single person’s vision into an indispensable institutional resource. The article emphasizes the platform’s dual achievement of promoting access to information while protecting user privacy.
The Jersey Vindicator’s reporting situates the leadership change within the broader context of Rozzi’s six-year commitment to building and defending transparent government in New Jersey, acknowledging both his technical achievements in creating the platform and his advocacy in protecting it from legal and political challenges.
Publication Context
The Jersey Vindicator is a nonprofit news organization and member of the New Jersey Center for Nonprofit Journalism. The article was written by Krystal Knapp, the founder of The Jersey Vindicator and Planet Princeton, and a former reporter at The Trenton Times.