William T. Sommeling

William T. Sommeling was appointed to the Casino Control Commission by Governor Christine Todd Whitman in November 2000. He was reappointed by Governor Richard Codey in 2005. He served as vice chair in 2004 and 2007.

Prior to joining the commission, Sommeling served as Undersheriff in Ocean County for 11 years. Previously, he served in the Seaside Heights Police Department from 1955 to 1967, and the Dover Township Police Department from 1967 to 1981. For a time he was assigned to the Ocean County Prosecutor's Office and served as the Deputy Director of the Ocean County Narcotics Bureau.

From 1981 to 1989, Sommeling worked in casino surveillance departments in Atlantic City, culminating as the Director of Surveillance at Tropicana Atlantic City. He also served as chairman of the Dover Township Board of Adjustment and the Dover Township Municipal Utilities Authority and was a member of the Ocean County Utilities Authority and chaired its Administration Committee.

Sommeling holds a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from The College of New Jersey (Trenton State College) and a master’s degree in administration from Rider University. He also received an associate’s degree from Ocean County College, a certificate in Police Science and Administration from Temple University, and completed post graduate courses at Cornell University and the University of Virginia. He received professional training at the New Jersey State Police Academy, the FBI National Academy, and the National Sheriff's Institute. He served in both the New Jersey National Guard and the United States Marine Corps Reserve.

After leaving the Commission at the end of 2010, Sommeling was reappointed as Undersheriff of Ocean County. He was Acting Sheriff from December 14, 2012 to January 2014. At the end of 2015, Sommeling retired as Undersheriff after more than four decades of public service.