Board of Trustees
Pete Potochney
Pete has owned a vacation home in Brant Beach for over 30 years. He began his professional career as a naval officer and then became a civilian employee in the Pentagon with oversight responsibilities for a broad range of military basing decisions worldwide. Since military bases are similar to small cities, he has a great deal of experience dealing with many of the things involved in sustaining Brant Beach as the premier location that we all love. After retiring last year, he and his wife, Marie, sold their home in Virginia and have made Brant Beach their primary residence. He is grateful for the opportunity to serve on the BBTA’s Board of Directors.
Ben Tonti
Ben is in his second year as a BBTA Board Member, helping administratively with membership and email communication. He lives on E. 57th Street with his wife Maria. They became full time residents of Brant Beach in the Summer of 2013. Ben is a retired IT software developer and project manager, traveling extensively throughout the US and Europe. Born in northern New Jersey, he has lived most of his life in Bergen and Monmouth Counties.
Russ Johnson
Russ is serving on the board as Secretary. Additionally, he has assumed responsibility for several filings with the IRS and NJ Department of Taxation. Russ is a retired CPA, 40+ years working in New York. He and his wife Anne live full time in Brant Beach.
David Herron
David moved his family from Boston to Medford NJ in 1997. They spent 24 wonderful years in Medford raising the two youngest of their four children. They ran an IT management consulting company from their home. David’s favorite destinations included Rome and Paris. In 1999 they bought a vacation home in Brant Beach with his wife’s sister and brother- in- law. They bought them out one month before hurricane Sandy hit the island. Talk about bad timing. In the end it all worked out and in 2021 they decided to make Brant Beach their permanent home. For as long as he can remember he has been serving on non-profit volunteer boards and was thrilled to have found BBTA. “I love the fact that I can have a positive impact on the community in which I live”.
Anne Johnson
Anne is chairing the Beautification Committee. Recently she started attending the BOE meetings to report to the BBTA. Anne has lived in Brant Beach full time since 2016, after many years of vacationing here. She is a member of LBI Girlfriends and the Lighthouse International Film Festival. Previously Anne was a school aide and very active member of the PTO serving as President in Ramsey N.J.
Donn O’Brien
Donn grew up in Chappaqua, New York. A graduate of New York University, he is a veteran of the United States Marine Corps. Married to Nan O’Brien for 64 + years, the O’Brien’s live full time by the ocean in Brant Beach. Members of the Brant Beach Yacht Club for ov er 55 years, Donn, Nan and two daughters have been active LBI sailors and tennis players. He is an active real estate sales executive on Long Beach Island. His business background has been primarily focused in television broadcasting and communications. He was with CBS in New York City for 30 years with positions including Vice President of Programing. On LBI, Donn has served on the Board of Directors of The Surflight Theatre.
Carol Formica
Carol was born and raised in Fort Lee, NJ. For over 40 years, nursing has been her lifelong passion. She began at Hackensack Medical Center and recently retired from school nursing. Husband Lou and Carol raised two children in Kinnelon, NJ. They have been homeowners in Brant Beach since 1998 and have been a member of the Brant Beach Homeowners Assoc. since 2006, and was involved in the initial neighborhood watch program. Today, she coordinates the Brant Beach Community Watch program, with cochair Donn O’Brien. She also manages the Brant Beach Taxpayers Facebook page. “I have enjoyed meeting new neighbors, whose common goals we share in keeping Brant Beach a special place”.
Steve Havelka
Steve first vacationed on LBI in 1980. Steve is recently retired from The SandPaper where he was Advertising Director. Steve was a founding member of the LBI chamber of Commerce and the Surf City Merchants Association. Also, as a volunteer Steve has served Chowder at Chowderfest, set up the fields for Kitefest, and fried fish for the High Point Volunteer Fire Dept “fish fry”. In the summer you can find Steve driving a Gator over the dunes for LBT. Steve is Vice President of the Ocean Club condo Association where he lives full time with his lovely wife and lively dog.
Georgia Glasser-Nehls
Georgia and her husband Bill spent 40 years residing in Watchung raising their 2 daughters. In 1999 they bought their vacation home in Brant Beach and semiretired to LBI about three years ago. She previously was the owner of a florist and left that to pursue her dream to become a nurse. She served for 28-years as a member of the rescue squad, volunteered on the Traffic and Beautification Committee, as well as the PTO. Georgia became a New Jersey School Board Certified Master Board of Education Member. She is eager to contribute her time and energy to our amazing Brant Beach community.
Mike F.
Mike has been visiting LBI since the ‘70s and a Brant Beach resident since the teens. He chairs our Adopt a Beach Path Committee and works closely with the Township on items the committee brings to his attention. A Board member since 2022 he says “I am excited to be involved in BBTA and help our Brant Beach Community and Long Beach Township”
Janis Metz
Janis Metz has been a Brant Beach homeowner for 30 years, and now resides year round on the island. She is a retired IT and management consultant, and wrote multiple large IT-related RFPs for the State of New Jersey. She is experienced in contract oversight, technical and nontechnical writing, and creating newsletters and communications for profit and nonprofit organizations. Her hobbies include sailing, RV travel, and volunteering for the Brant Beach Yacht Club.
John Fiore
John, and family, have owned in Brant Beach since 1980. Originally from Verona, Glen Ridge and Montclair NJ, they lived in Medford NJ for 26 years. Upon graduation from Monmouth University, John served in the US Army, including a tour of duty in Viet Nam. He then spent 50+ years in the furniture industry. His service to community started as a teenager and member of the High Point Vol Fire Co. in Harvey Cedars. John has been an active member of the BBYC and a year round resident in Brant Beach since 2016. He’s served as President of BBHO/BBTA twice, from Sep. 2017 until Jan 2020, and again from May 2021 until Oct 2023.