Alex Torpey

Alex Torpey is the mayor of South Orange, New Jersey, sworn-in in 2011 as the youngest mayor in New Jersey at 23 years old. Since his election, Alex has been recognized state-wide and nationally for among many initiatives, leading technology and open government implementations in addition to helping stabilize the government's budget and making municipal budget information more transparent through online visualization tools. Professionally, Alex founded Veracity Media, a digital strategies and organizing firm, and recently founded Rethink Leadership, a nonpartisan nonprofit aimed at educated more young people about the value of running for office and building cross-party coalitions. Alex also serves as South Orange's Office of Emergency Management Director, and has been recognized for his leadership through Hurricanes Irene and Sandy, and still rides as a volunteer EMT on South Orange's Rescue Squad. Alex graduated from Hampshire College with his BA and is completing his MPA at John Jay College of Criminal Justice. Alex gave a keynote at PDF 2012 entitled "The Local Revolution." Alex is a registered independent. You can find him on Facebook or Twitter @alextorpey.