Chairman Joseph C. Bodek joined the Union County Board of County Commissioners in 2023 after being appointed to fill a vacancy on December 14, 2022. In 2026, he was sworn in as Chairman of the Board, bringing decades of public service experience and a deep commitment to responsible, community-focused governance.
Chairman Bodek is the son of a Jersey City Battalion Fire Chief and a graduate of New Jersey City University (formerly Jersey City State College), where he earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science with a minor in Economics in 1977. While at NJCU, he developed a strong interest in how communities function and how government can best serve residents in practical, effective ways.
A lifelong New Jersey resident, Chairman Bodek grew up in Jersey City and moved to Linden following his high school graduation. He continues to reside in Linden with his wife, Christine. He is the proud father of two children — son Joseph John Bodek and daughter Beth Ann Rivera — and grandfather to Evelyn Mary Bodek, Adalyn Gene Rivera, and Aria Grace Rivera.
Chairman Bodek’s public service career spans more than four decades. He first served in elected office as a member of the Linden Board of Education beginning in 1981, where he served for more than 12 years. During that time, he also worked as a store manager for Meat City Companies. In 1989, he was appointed Clerk to the Union County Utilities Authority, overseeing environmentally responsible solid waste operations for more than 30 years before stepping down to become a County Commissioner.
As a Union County Commissioner, Chairman Bodek has served on numerous boards and committees, including the Union County College Board of School Estimates, Union County Vocational-Technical School Board of Estimates, Solid Waste Advisory Board, Construction Board of Appeals, Union County Voter Accessibility Advisory Board, and the New Jersey League of Municipalities.
In addition to his role as Chairman, Joseph C. Bodek has served as City Clerk of the City of Linden for over a decade. In that capacity, he oversees vital municipal functions including Registrar of Vital Statistics, Secretary to the Governing Body, ABC Secretary, Chairman of the Insurance Commission, and head of Personnel.
As Chairman, Bodek’s 2026 Chairman’s Initiatives are guided by the theme “Honoring the Past, Strengthening Our Tomorrow.” His focus includes reinforcing core County services, supporting public safety and emergency preparedness, investing in parks, environmental stewardship, and quality-of-life initiatives, and recognizing historic milestones that reflect Union County’s legacy
while strengthening its foundation for future generations.