In a letter to Piscataway Mayor Brian Wahler, who is president of the League, Dressel said, “Over the past 41 years, I have had the honor and privilege of spending a professional career committed to improving the institution of municipal government. This was indeed ‘my dream job’ and owe a great debt of gratitude to the League’s leadership, staff and the thousands of elected and appointed officials with whom I have personally worked. I have the deepest respect and admiration for the local officials who contribute and sacrifice so much to improve the quality of life in their communities.”
Dressel said he is a New Jersey transplant who moved to the Garden State from northern Virginia when he was 25, taking the position with the League of Municipalities as a stepping stone to becoming a municipal manager. He said he has never regretted his decision not to pursue that line of work and now calls New Jersey his home, where he met his wife of 33 years.
He’s optimistic about the future leadership of the League.
“I can assure you that the League Executive Board will undertake a thorough and deliberative recruitment and selection process. This will surely result in the best available replacement for this position. With this change in leadership, the entire staff will continue to serve the best interests of the membership, as they have during my tenure,” Dressel said. “I will continue with my regular duties and do what I can to assist in an orderly transition.”