About Paul Drake

County Commissioner Paul Drake

Paul Drake currently serves as Deputy Director of the Somerset County Board of County Commissioners, where he brings decades of experience in planning, environmental stewardship, and public service to county government. A lifelong Somerset County resident, Paul lives in Hillsborough with his wife and has dedicated his career to building stronger, more sustainable communities.

Paul is a licensed Professional Planner and Certified Environmental Planner and before joining the Board of County Commissioners in 2021, he served on the Hillsborough Township Committee, the Hillsborough Planning Board, the Hillsborough Zoning Board of Adjustment, the Somerset County Parks Commission, and the Somerset County Energy Council. 

As a County Commissioner, Paul oversees Engineering and Planning, Cultural & Heritage, Farmland Preservation, Geographic Information Systems (GIS), Historic Preservation, and Open Space initiatives. He also serves as liaison to numerous county boards and regional organizations focused on transportation, parks, agriculture, sustainability, and economic development, helping to shape Somerset County’s long-term future.

Paul has worked with the National Park Service, the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, the New Jersey State Planning Commission, and as a Public Affairs Manager in the private sector. He also teaches urban planning and design courses at Rutgers University, where he received the University’s Excellence in Teaching Award in 2014