Who is Edward in the novel, J: A Novel?

Edward Everett Phineas Zermansky is an artist and professor of the arts at the academy in Port Reuben. He is also a secret administrator for Ofnow, tasked with seeking out descendants of Jews. Edward is vain and very much tows the government line, despite knowing the truth behind WHAT HAPPENED. He warns Kevern about digging too much into his own past and about keeping his family heirlooms to himself.