Mayor-Elect Jeff Martin Announces Transition Committees

Community News
Mayor-Elect Jeff Martin. File Photo by Michael A. Sabo.

Hamilton Mayor-Elect Jeff Martin announced the full membership of his transition committees.  The transition committees will work with the current administration and the Mayor-elect in ensuring a smooth transition. 

“I’m thrilled to have such qualified and experienced members of our transition committees.  These members are volunteering their time to make Hamilton a better place to live, work and raise a family and I cannot thank them enough for their willingness to serve,” said Martin.  “Each committee is tasked with brainstorming new ideas to improve services to our residents, visitors and business members.  I look forward to working with them learning from their expertise.” 

The following persons are Co-Chairs and members of the listed transition committee:

Transition – Rachel Holland & Sharon Shinkle Gardner

Animal Welfare –

Co-Chairs: Brian Hackett (Director, NJ Humane Society) & Kristin Mercer (Co-Founder, It’s a Ruff Life Rescue)

Members: Terry Pfiefer (Animal Advocate); Lucinda Tucker (Stray Catz); Steve Clegg (Animal Advocate); Wendy Sturgeon (Animal Advocate)

Operations & Finance –

Co-Chairs: Hon. Anthony “Skip” Cimino (Executive Director, NJ Assembly Majority Office) & R. David Rousseau (former New Jersey State Treasurer)

Members: Ken DeRoberts (Former Business Administrator); Missy Balmir (Former Business Administrator); Robert Landolfi (Former Business Administrator); Steve Petrecca (Retired, New Jersey Dept of Treasury); Mark Meara (CIO, Rowan College at Burlington County)

Public Works & Infrastructure –

Co-Chairs: Nicole Minutoli (NJDOT) & Steven Gardner (NJLECET)

Members: Mojgan Mohtashamni (CEO, Advanced Infrastructure Design); Greg Whitehead (Director of Public Works – Lawrence); Dominic Chianese (Retired Architect), Joe Webber (Retired, NJDOT)

Public Authorities –

Co-Chairs: Hon. Anthony Carabelli, Sr. (former Mercer County Freeholder) & Andrew Hendry (former President, New Jersey Utilities Association)

Members: Frank Lucchesi (PSE&G); Joe McIntyre (Trenton Sewer Authority); Anthony Pompei (Retired, Hamilton Water Pollution Control)

Legal & Court Operations –

Co-Chairs: Arthur Sypek, Esq. (former Mercer County Counsel) & Michael Donahue, Esq. (Managing Partner, Stark & Stark)

Members: Ana Bauersachs, Esq. (Capehardt); Kristine Walsh, Esq., (Law Office of Kristine Walsh); Paul Adezio, Esq. (Mercer County Counsel), Mike Ziccardi (Recovery Advocates)

Recreation, Education & Youth Activities –

Co-Chairs: Toni DeAngelo (Hamilton Library Board Member) & Jeff Hurley (General Manager, Trenton Thunder)

Members: Robin Walton (Thomas Edison State University); Diana Vasil (Hamilton Public Schools); James Angelino (Hamilton Public Schools); James Stevenson (Former Hamilton School Board Member); Melanie Schulz (NJASA); Janna Sheiman, Esq. (Wong Fleming)

Economic Development –

Co-Chairs: Jeff Perlman (Managing Partner, Borden Perlman) & Jeannine Cimino (Regional President, Berkshire Bank)

Members: Pete Golden (Genesis Biotechnology Group); Sezar Ates (Caesar’s Bagels); Kate Stevens Kane (Princeton Mercer Regional Chamber & HTEDAC); Susan Carella (Carella’s Chocolates & Gifts); Marilyn Silverman (Word Center Printing); Daniel Popkin (Studio Park)

Non-Profit & Community Development –

Co-Chairs: Dr. Joseph E. Woods (Pastor, St. Phillips Baptist Church) & Diana Zita (CEO, Hamilton YMCA)

Members: Lori Leonard (CEO, Habitat for Humanity of Burlington/Trenton); Diane Grillo (RWJ & Hamilton Rotary); Lorraine Porcella (Hamilton Kiwanis); John Kroshwitz (Retired Teacher); Dave Schultz (Ryan’s Quest); Tyrell Smith (Smith Family Foundation)

Public Safety –

Co-Chairs: Hon. Samuel Plumeri, Jr. (Chairman, New Jersey Parole Board) & Hon. Gilbert Lugossy (Commissioner, Hamilton Fire District 3)

Members: Veldon Harris (Former Chief of County Detectives – Mercer County Prosecutors Office); Michael Fedorko (Former Lt. Col. & EO of New Jersey State Police); Scott McCormick (Hamilton Fire Inspection); Brian Skillman (RWJ Mobile Health Supervisor); James Boozan (Capital Health Divisional Director of EMS); Jason Ryan (Hamilton Firefighter); Sean Golden (Hamilton Firefighter)

Health & Special Needs –

Co-Chairs: Stephanie Pratico (Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia), Lisa Breza (Senior Vice President, Robert Wood Johnson Hamilton Hospital), & Suzanne Borgos (Vice President, Capital Health)

Members: Deb Millar (Princeton Health); Gretchen DiMarco (Formerly with Advancing Opportunities); Dan Sczweck (Miracle League of Mercer County); Sarah Kevett (Capital Health); Roberto Hernandez (Catholic Charities of Trenton & Hamilton YMCA), Kelly Rouba-Boyd (Arthritis Foundation)

Senior & Veteran Services –

Co-Chairs: Madina Wilson (Director, Mercer County Veteran Services) & Yolanda Stinger (Director of Community Relations, Hamilton Continuing Care)

Members: Charles Othold (Commander, VFW 3525); Joe & Stacy Santo (Retired Teachers); Juzy Gonzales (Regional Director, Care One); Larry Rosenthal (Former Director, Mercer County Veterans Services); Christina Cantitano (Senior Bridge and Co-Founder of Vets & Pets)

Labor & Workforce Development –

Co-Chairs: Debbie Parks (International Vice President, AFSCME) & Charles “Chuddy” Whalen (Assistant Business Manager, Plumbers and Pipefitters Local 9)

Members: Sam Rubino (Ironworkers 399); Karen Bellamy (IFPTE); Paul Belardo (Carpenters); John Retalis (FMBA); Robert O’Hare (PBA); Anthony Angelico (IBEW); Alfonso Guarraggi (Laborers); Frank Gatto (HTEA); John Amadio (Insulators 89); Virgen Velez (Mercer County One Stop)

Land Use & Environment –

Co-Chairs: Jennifer Coffey (Executive Director, Association of New Jersey Environmental Commissions) & Peter Kasabach (Executive Director, New Jersey Future)

Members: Kristin Crossney (West Chester University); Bruce Engel (Capital 5 Realty);); Ed Pattik (Mercer County Hosing Office); Michael Maloney (Business Manager, Plumbers & Pipefitters Local 9)

Arts & Tourism –

Co-Chairs: Ellen Renee (Chairwoman, Hamilton Cultural Affairs and Arts Commission) & Gary Schneider (Executive Director, Grounds for Sculpture)

Members: Janine Verduci (Playwright); Lauren Otis (Trenton Artworks); Tom Kelly (Hamilton Artist); Denise Wyers (Hamilton Photographer)

About The Author


Irving Lawrence Duckwald III is a freelance writer and blogger based in Central New Jersey. He has a penchant for fried chicken, fast cars, and fancy suits. With a knack for "setting the record straight", he can argue till the cows come home why it's Pork Roll and not Taylor Ham.