The RVSA 2009 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. She currently serves as the Springfield Republican District Leader. As a graduate of Northeastern University in Boston with a bachelor's degree in Political Science/Law and Public Policy, Maria is a valuable liaison for the people of Springfield. Maria is currently employed by EKR Therapeutics, Inc., where she works as a Manager of the Speaker Program Bureau. 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.

Rene Dierkes
Mountainside
www.mountainside-nj.com
Rene Dierkes was appointed to the RVSA in February 2009. Born in Naples, Italy, Rene grew-up overseas on military bases in Italy, Germany and Spain. When he was 16-years-old, Rene's family moved to the states and he has been a Union County resident ever since. He has lived in Mountainside for the past 10 years. Rene is a former President of the Westfield Lions and the Westfield Jaycees. He holds a degree in Political Science from Seton Hall University, and is currently a Financial Advisor with Smith Barney where he has been employed for 20 years.

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.

Stephen D. Greet
Garwood
www.garwood.org
Stephen D. Greet was appointed to the RVSA in October 2009. A long-time resident of Garwood, Steve and his wife moved to the town 22 years ago because it was the perfect tight-knit community in which to raise a family. He has a history of being active in the community, having served on the Garwood Planning Board for the past 10 years where he currently serves as Vice Chairman. Steve was also a member of the Master Plan Committee and coached and was President of little league in Garwood for many years. Steve has been employed by the United States Postal Service for 36 years. Through the years, he’s held a number of management positions ranging from Manager of Plant Maintenance, to Facilities Activations and Personnel. His current position is Manager of Vehicle Maintenance. Steve holds an Associates degree in Applied Science from the College of Staten Island and is a Certified Plant Maintenance Manager by the Association for Facilities Engineering.

Robert G. Luban
Woodbridge
www.twp.woodbridge.nj.us
Robert G. Luban was appointed to the RVSA in 1996, and is currently serving as Chairman. He previously served one term as Chairman. He graduated from Kean University earning a Bachelor of Arts degree in Business Management. Bob retired from AT&T Corporation in 1998 after 16 years where he worked in Data Processing, Auditing, and Marketing. Bob is currently Council President serving a sixth term as Fifth Ward Councilman in Woodbridge Township, and has previously 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 currently serving as Vice 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 15 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 was appointed to the RVSA in 1995 and has served two terms as Chairman. 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.

Paul M. Sefranka
Rahway
www.cityofrahway.com
Paul M. Sefranka was appointed to the RVSA in May 2008. A long-time resident of Rahway, Paul is active in the community and has served multiple terms on the Rahway Zoning Board of Adjustment, including terms as Chairman. Paul is a Combat Veteran of the Vietnam War and was appointed as a member of the New Jersey Vietnam Veterans' Memorial Committee. For the past 11 years, Paul has been employed by Prysmian Power Cable and Systems USA, LLC - High Voltage Cables & Submarine Systems Group, where he currently works as the Marketing Manager. Paul earned his Bachelor's degree in Management Science from Kean University. He is an active member of St. John the Baptist Episcopal Church in Linden, where he serves on the vestry.

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. During his more than 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.