Dr. DeForest B. Soaries, Jr.
Highlights of Dr. Soaries’ work include recruiting 265 families to become foster parents to 325 abandoned babies; helping 140 children find adoptive parents; constructing 124 new homes for low and moderate income residents to own; creating the first faith based Cisco Technology Academy in the country; operating the Central New Jersey STRIVE program for job readiness; serving hundreds of youth in an after school center and homework club; forming a youth entrepreneurship program; and redeveloping commercial real estate. Dr. Soaries is also the former Chairman of the United States Election Assistance Commission. This Commission was established by Congress to implement the “Help America Vote Act” of 2002 and to create new national standards for voting in federal elections. Dr. Soaries was appointed by President George W. Bush on December 15, 2003 after being confirmed by the United States Senate. He was elected chairman of the Commission on January 5, 2004 at the first meeting of the four member, bi-partisan Commission. He resigned from the Commission in April 2005. In February 2003, Dr. Soaries was appointed to be a public director of the Federal Home Loan Bank of New York. He was a member of the affordable housing committee of the bank. From January 12, 1999 to January 15, 2002, Dr. Soaries served as New Jersey's 30th Secretary of State. Appointed by former Governor Christine Todd Whitman, he managed one of the premier departments of state government and served as a senior advisor to the governor on issues that transcended traditional departmental lines. Dr. Soaries has received numerous awards for his leadership and community service. He was recently recognized by the both houses of the New Jersey Legislature for his religious and community leadership. He recently visited Belgium to address government and religious leaders at the invitation of the United States Department of State. His worked has been featured in various publications including the New York Times, Black Enterprise and Government Executive magazines. Dr. Soaries earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree from Fordham University; a Master of Divinity Degree from Princeton Theological Seminary; and a Doctor of Ministry Degree from United Theological Seminary. He has also received six honorary Doctorate degrees from institutions of higher learning. Additionally, Dr. Soaries has taught courses at Princeton Theological Seminary, Drew University Theological School, Kean University and Mercer County College. Born in New York and raised in New Jersey, Dr. Soaries resides in Monmouth Junction, New Jersey with his wife, Donna and twin sons, Malcolm and Martin. |
Dr. DeForest B. Soaries, Jr. is the Senior Pastor of the First Baptist Church of Lincoln Gardens in Somerset, New Jersey. A pioneer of faith-based community development, Dr. Soaries has led First Baptist in the construction of a new $17 million church complex and the formation of many not-for-profit entities to serve the community surrounding the church.