Pastor John Digiamberardino, the new COO of OGCMA. Internet photo.
Considering how long it took to find J.P. Gradone, it comes as a shock that the CMA has already replaced him, especially since Gradone resigned less than one month ago.
We have received word from a reliable Blogfinger source that the current Senior Pastor of St. Paul’s United Methodist Church in OG has already signed a contract yesterday to become the new COO starting in June.
He is Pastor John Digiamberardino. Pastor John, as he is understandably called, had been the Pastor at St. Paul’s UMC in Brick for 10 years before being named to the spot in OG three years ago. He also has been a CMA trustee since 2011 and is currently program chair. The new COO is married and has 2 children; he works as an Uber driver in town. It is said that he likes music and sports.
Since we know nothing about the inner workings of the CMA, and since we know nothing about why Gradone left, we will have to wait for more information regarding what changes might occur with the new COO.
As we have pointed out in the past, the CMA has its central religious mission, but it also has important ties to the secular community of Ocean Grove as with the North End Redevelopment Plan and the reconstruction of the North End boardwalk which has lately hit some snags.
Then there is the delicate matter of their relationship with the gay community in town.
So, with that in mind, we are reporting on this significant appointment and keeping our eyes open as to its implications for all of us who live in the Grove.