The RVSA 2008 Board of Commissioners

Maria A. Abram
Springfield
www.springfield-nj.com
Maria A. Abram was appointed to the RVSA in February 2008. A life-long resident of Union County, Maria has resided in Springfield for the past four years. Her work on a local township committee member's election campaign inspired her to get involved in the community and seek a position on the RVSA Board of Commissioners. As a graduate of Northeastern University in Boston with a bachelor's degree in Political Science/Law and Public Policy, Maria brings effective communications skills to the Board and will serve as a valuable liaison for the people of Springfield. Maria is currently employed by EKR Therapeutics, Inc., where she works as a Marketing Assistant and Exhibit Planner. Formerly, Maria worked in Federal grants for 8 years, most recently for Solix Inc. in Program Compliance and Client Operations. There, she was tasked with reviewing Federal telecommunications grants for schools and libraries. Maria has volunteered with the Special Olympics and she has done fundraising for The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. She is an active member of St. James Church in Springfield.

Allen Chin
Westfield
www.westfieldnj.gov
Allen Chin was appointed to the RVSA in 1985 and has served four terms as Chairman. He earned Bachelor and Master of Science degrees in Mechanical Engineering, and is a registered Professional Engineer in New York and New Jersey. Since 1957, Allen has been employed by George G. Sharp, Inc., a naval architectural and marine engineering firm, and now serves as President and part owner. He was the U.S. Small Business Administration Person of the Year in 1997 and won their Entrepreneurial Success Award. Allen was Mayor of Westfield for four years, a Town Councilman and served as Chairman of the Westfield Town Republican Committee. He was on the Board of Trustees of the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey and is Director on the Board of The Town Bank of Westfield.

C. Clark Landale
Mountainside
www.mountainside-nj.com
C. Clark Landale was appointed to the RVSA in 2004. Presently employed by Automatic Data Processing, Inc. as a Sales Executive, Clark is responsible for generating up to $3 million annually in corporate revenue, as well as courting and retaining clients ranging from Fortune 500 companies to small proprietorships. Formerly, Clark held the most senior IS position within ADP Credit Corporation. In his 20-year career he has worked in the technology field as a Lead Systems Analyst, a Senior Systems Administrator and a Database Administrator. Clark graduated from Wittenberg University in Ohio, earning a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science, and earned his Masters degree in Information Systems from Stevens Institute of Technology, N.J. Clark is the First Vice President of the Mountainside Republican Club, a Union County Committeeperson for District 2, and a valued strategist on the Club's Executive Board.

Richard LoForte
Kenilworth
www.kenilworthnj.com
Rich LoForte was appointed to the RVSA in 2008. He has a history of dedicated public service to Kenilworth spanning more than 35 years. He has served Kenilworth as Recreation Chairman; Emergency Management Coordinator, during which time he prepared the Borough's State Certified Emergency Operations Plan; a member of the Planning Board for 16 years, including serving as its Vice Chairman; and two terms as a town Councilman, during which he was elected as Council President twice. Rich also chaired the Council's Rezoning Committee and served on the town's Master Plan Committee. He has been a member of the Kenilworth Republican Municipal Committee for more than 30 years and currently serves as its Vice Chairman. Rich retired from Engelhard Corp. in 2002 following 33 years as a Manufacturing Supervisor. He is currently an Operations Manager for Pirtek Hydraulic Hose Co. of Kenilworth.

Charles P. Lombardo
Garwood
www.garwood.org
Charles P. Lombardo was appointed to the RVSA in 1995, and served one term as Chairman. He is currently serving as Vice Chairman. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Management from Fairleigh Dickinson University, N.J., and a Masters of Public Administration from Kean University, N.J. He is presently employed by the County of Union, Department of Public Works as the Safety Coordinator. He is serving a sixth term as Councilman in the Borough of Garwood, and serves as Borough Council President and both Police and Fire Commissioner. He has served as liaison to the Union County Solid Waste Authority, the School Board, the Planning Board, the Shade Tree Commission and the Union County Air Traffic Noise Advisory Board. He is a communicant of the Church of St. Anne, a member of the Knights of Columbus (third degree) and a member of the National Eagle Scout Association.

Robert G. Luban
Woodbridge
www.twp.woodbridge.nj.us
Robert G. Luban was appointed to the RVSA in 1996, and served one term as Chairman. He graduated from Kean University earning a Bachelor of Arts degree in Business Management. Bob worked at AT&T for 16 years before his retirement in 1998. There, he worked in data processing, marketing, operations and computer auditing. Bob is currently serving a sixth term as Fifth Ward Councilman in Woodbridge Township, of which he has served as both Council President and as Vice-President. He is a former member of the Governor's Council on Affordable Housing, the Middlesex County Improvement Authority, the Middlesex County Economic Opportunities Corporation and the Woodbridge Township Planning Board.

Frank G. Mazzarella
Clark
www.ourclark.com
Frank G. Mazzarella was appointed to the RVSA in 1992 and served two terms as Chairman. He is presently employed as Director of Rahway Public Works. Frank previously worked as an Environmental Analyst for the N.J. Turnpike Authority. Prior to that, he was Director of Sewer Utility for the Township of Bridgewater. He worked his way up from Design Engineer to Assistant Sewer Utility Manager, then to the Director's position. Frank is a Clark Councilman and is a former member of the Planning Board. He has served on the Volunteer Emergency Squad for eight years, was a member of the Zoning Board of Adjustment and is a Representative to the Union County Alliance Against Substance Abuse. He is a third Degree Knights of Columbus member and belongs to the Benevolent and the Protective Order of the Elks.

James J. Murphy
Cranford
www.cranford.com/township
James J. Murphy was appointed to the RVSA in 2001 and has served one term as Chairman. Jim earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from the University of Florida. For more than 10 years, Jim has been the Comptroller of Morgan, Melhuish, Monaghan, Arvidson, Abrutyn & Lisowski, a law firm located in Northern New Jersey. Jim has served on the Cranford Citizen Budget Advisory Committee and also as Secretary on the Cranford Planning Board. He is a member of the Knights of Columbus and a former member of the Cranford Jaycees.

Joan Papen
Scotch Plains
www.scotchplainsnj.com
Joan Papen, appointed to the RVSA in 1995, served one term as Chairwoman and is currently serving a second term as Chairwoman. Joan is a four-time Mayor and Deputy Mayor of Scotch Plains, serving on the Township Council for 16 years. She initiated the Municipal TV Programming, Environmental Commission and the Downtown Business Alliance. She served on the Planning Board, Master Plan Review Committee, Library Board of Trustees and Local Assistance Board. Joan was President of the Scotch Plains/Fanwood PTA Council and the Union County Women's Political Caucus; was Vice Chair of the Union County League of Municipalities and Union County Republican Committee; and is presently serving as Vice Chair of the Scotch Plains Republican Committee.

Peter H. Pelissier
Rahway
www.cityofrahway.com
Peter H. Pelissier was appointed to the RVSA in February of 2007. He began his career in 1976 as an Elected Municipal Clerk and Appointed Administrator in Passaic Township (now called Long Hill Township), Morris County, where he worked for 12 years before taking a government position as Town Clerk and Administrator with the Town of Boonton, Morris County, in 1988. He then served as the Municipal Business Administrator for the City of Rahway from 1990 to 2002, retired briefly to Montana, and then was reappointed to that role in January 2007 for a four year-term. As Municipal Business Administrator he oversees operations of the local government serving at the direction of the Mayor. His responsibilities cover day-to-day operations of various departments, including Police, Fire, Public Works, Planning and Economic Development, Revenue and Finance, and Community Services. During his brief retirement, Peter served as the Executive Director for the Rahway Redevelopment Agency on a consultant basis - a role he now fulfills full-time in addition to his responsibilities as Municipal Business Administrator. Peter earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Health - Physical Education from the University of Bridgeport, Conn.; a Masters of Education from Springfield College, Ma.; and a Masters of Public Administration from Rutgers University, N.J. In addition to serving communities here in New Jersey, Peter has served the Country. He was in the United States Marine Corps from 1968 to 1970, obtaining the rank of Captain. In 1969, he served as a Riffle Platoon Commander in the Vietnam War.

Attilio S. Venturo
Roselle Park
www.rosellepark.net
Attilio ("Sonny") Venturo was appointed to the RVSA in 1980 and served on the Board for 15 years. He was reappointed to the Board in 2001 and again in 2006. During his 20 years on the Board, he served three terms as Chairman. Sonny served three years in the armed services; two during World War II as an Aerial Crew Engineer with the 33rd T.C. Squadron. In 1946 he became General Manager of N. Venturo & Sons, and in 1969 became President of the firm. He completed studies in Real Estate and Real Estate Appraisal. He also completed special studies in Construction at Rutgers School of Engineering.

Top of Page