NJETA Advisory Council
Larry Cocco
NJETA Advisory Council Member
Laurence (Larry) Cocco is a Digital Learning Consultant whose goal is to actively promote and facilitate the transformation of educational practices through the design and implementation of 21st-century teaching strategies, professional learning, and learning environments. Formerly the Director of Educational Technology for the NJDOE, he currently serves on the N.J. Office of Broadband Connectivity’s Working Group for New Jerseys Digital Equity Plan, and also serves as an Advisor for NJETA, Garden State Esports, and edWeb.net. Larry’s previous positions include Senior Professional Learning Consultant, edWeb.net; Senior Program Consultant for Sustainable Jersey Digital Schools; and Senior Advisor for ClassLink.com. He was recognized in 2014 as the State Educational Technology Directors Association’s (SETDA) State Leader of the Year. In 2021 Larry received the ClassLink Visionary Technology Leader Award. He volunteers annually as a judge for the Milken-Penn GSE Education Business Plan Competition, as well as the SIIA CODIE Awards.
Education
Master of Arts, Educational Communication & Technology: New York University, New York, NY
Bachelor of Science, Administrative Sciences: Montclair State University, Montclair, NJ
Contact Information /Social
Email: lmcocco@gmail.com
Twitter: @lmcocco
Michael Esolda
NJETA Advisory Council Member
Michael Esolda leverages over 35 years of serving as a New Jersey IT public executive and CIO in Woodbridge Township, New Jersey (local government, school district and public safety) and as an independent technology consultant for various public sector organizations, including three years at New Jersey School Boards Association.
Michael’s passion has been promoting technology shared services across the country balanced with putting New Jersey’s 1.4 million students first. Michael’s mantra is, “A town is known for the school’s that it keeps”.
Education
Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Seton Hall University
Master of Science in Information Management from New Jersey Institute of Technology
Certifications
Rutgers Certified Public Supervisor/Certified Public Manager
Chief Information Officer Certification from the University Of North Carolina
Organizations/Affiliations
Rutgers Co-Adjunct Professor
NJ-GMIS Chapter (an Association of IT Leaders) Founder/President (2002)
NJ-GMIS 501c3 Foundation Board Member (currently)