Gavin Rozzi, the founder of OPRAmachine, is stepping down from managing the project on Jan. 1. Charlie Kratovil, the editor of the local news website New Brunswick Today, will become the new project leader for OPRAmachine.

Rozzi, an award-winning data scientist, web developer, and former independent journalist, founded OPRAmachine in 2017. The website helps citizens file and track public records requests in New Jersey and also publishes all requests, responses, and records online.

OPRAmachine has become a key resource for journalists, researchers, and citizens. Rozzi’s leadership saw OPRAmachine grow into a robust platform that facilitated widespread access to public information while defending the privacy rights of its users.

Rozzi decided to seek out someone else to take over the leadership of the platform after running it for six years so he could explore other professional opportunities. He said he hopes to have an announcement soon about his future plans.

“I am excited to see Charlie take over OPRAmachine. His passion for open governance, tenacity, and proven track record in investigative journalism make him the ideal successor,” Rozzi said. “I am confident that with Charlie at the helm, OPRAmachine will not only continue its vital mission but also reach new frontiers in empowering New Jerseyans with access to information.”

Kratovil is an activist who ran for mayor of New Brunswick in both 2018 and 2022. He is the publisher and editor of New Brunswick Today, a local news site covering New Brunswick, which he founded in 2011.

“Leading OPRAmachine is a tremendous responsibility and an opportunity I am eager to embrace,” Kratovil said. “Building on Gavin’s incredible work, I am committed to enhancing the platform’s impact and ensuring that it remains an indispensable tool for those seeking to hold power to account in New Jersey.”

The platform’s services will continue without interruption. Rozzi affirmed his ongoing support for the project:

“As I embark on new ventures, I leave OPRAmachine in capable hands,” Rozzi said. “Charlie’s vision for the platform aligns perfectly with its founding principles, and I look forward to seeing it flourish further.”