Ted Fetter

Trustee

Education

Ph.D. in American History from University of Wisconsin
M.A. from University of Wisconsin
A.B. from Lafayette College

Previous/Other Position(s)

President of the UU District of Metropolitan New York (2009 – 2013)
Deputy Administrative Director of the New Jersey Judiciary (1985 – 2008)

Biography

Theodore J. Fetter had a career of more than 30 years in court management, and has been an active Unitarian Universalist lay leader for more than 20 years.

In his distinguished career in court management, Fetter led statewide court systems, managing functions such as organizational development and planning, budgeting, training, racial sensitivity, and many others. Fetter served as the Deputy Administrative Director of the New Jersey Judiciary, the second-ranking administrative position of this large court system, from 1985 to 2008. During this time him also served for two years as the Clerk of the Superior Court, revitalizing what had been a lackluster office. Prior to serving as the Deputy Administrative Director, Fetter worked in the New Jersey Judiciary from 1982 to 1985. He has also served as the State Court Administrator and Court Planner for the Wyoming Judiciary, and as a Staff Associate for the National Center of State Courts.

Fetter has also consulted on trial court operations and planning functions in several states, as well as for two European countries. He has also given several court-related conferences and workshops.

For more than 20 years, Fetter has also been an active Unitarian Universalist lay leader, serving in several UU organizations. He is currently the Chair of the Immigration Task Force of the UU Legislative Ministry of NJ and a member of the Journey Toward Wholeness Transformation Committee. He served as Chair of the UUA Moderator Nominating Committee in 2011-2012. He was the President of the Unitarian Universalist District Presidents Association that same year. He served as President of the UU District of Metropolitan New York from 2009 – 2013, and a Board Member of the District from 2005 – 2009.

Fetter has also authored several publications including A History of the Conference of State Court Administrators: 1955 – 2005, “Remembering Chief Justice Wilentz, “Planning for Court Management” in Hays and Graham’s Handbook of Court Administration and Management, and co-authored Rural Courts: The Effect of Space and Distance on the Administration of Justice.

Fetter earned his Ph.D. in American History and his M.A. from the University of Wisconsin, and his A.B. from Lafayette College.

He has volunteered for People and Stories, Habitat for Humanity, and HomeFront. He is also active in other community and church-related activities, especially in local efforts towards anti-racism and multiculturalism.

Fetter is married with three adult children and three grandchildren.