Beginnings, Education... Oliver “Ollie” Starnes, II was born in 1988, to Kim (Wright) Jones and Oliver “Buddy” Starnes at Morristown Medical Center. His family lived in Randolph and Parsippany, before Ollie and his mom settled in Roxbury Township. In 1996, Lawrence “Larry” Jones and Kim got married, while Ollie successfully navigated his education in the Roxbury School District, graduating from high school in 2006.
He attended Trinity College (CT), a liberal arts college in Hartford, Connecticut, where he earned diplomas in Political Science (B.A.) and Public Policy (MPP).
After returning to New Jersey in 2013, he volunteered as a field representative with Cory Booker’s special election campaign for the United States Senate. His interest in local politics grew and he became an official member of the Morris County Democratic Committee (MCDC) in 2014. He started as an intern at their headquarters where he was provided various learning experiences and leadership opportunities.
Professional Experience
Millennium Strategies, LLC, Morristown, NJ. Grants Manager; advises a diverse client portfolio on pertinent grant funding opportunities and coordinates appropriate points of contact. 2018 - 2019
Tronex International Inc., Mount Olive, NJ. Corporate Contract Development. 2015 - 2017
Staff Assistant for United States Senator Joseph I. Lieberman, Hartford, CT. Responsibilities included interdepartmental communications, media relations, and constituent services. 2012 - 2013
Morris County Young Democrats (MCYD) In 2014, the MCDC undertook a county-wide initiative to engage youth to become more involved in the political process. Ollie was elected President of the Morris County Young Democrats (MCYD) in 2015. He has drawn invaluable lessons from this experience that continue to influence his pursuit of a seat on the Morristown Council.
Ollie’s achievements during his two-year tenure as MCYD President, alongside a dedicated membership core included:
Holding over 20 monthly meetings and planning and hosting several fundraising events.
Creating graphic design elements and the establishing a digital presence on social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.
Encouraging and mentoring MCYD’s future leaders to position them for success
Ollie: A Team Player In 2008, as a student-athlete at Trinity College (CT) Ollie played an integral role on the undefeated NESCAC Champions football team. Ollie was named by his peers as team co-captain ahead of his final football season in 2009. This was the third time Ollie received this distinctive honor, following votes held by his high school teammates where he was named co-captain in his final season on the Roxbury Gaels football and lacrosse teams.