Board Information

Marvin Embry was appointed to the ACUA Board of Commissioners in 1995 and has served as Chairman since March 2011. During his tenure, Mr. Embry has been vigilant about finances and effective management, relying upon his expertise in the financial and real estate sectors. He has actively supported and encouraged ACUA’s emergence as a national leader in energy and environmental stewardship. 

Mr. Embry operated Embry Real Estate Agency in Northfield and was honored by the National Association of Realtors with a Distinguished Realtor Emeritus designation in 2010 for his long-term commitment to the organization. Mr. Embry previously served as president of the Atlantic City and Atlantic County Board of Realtors as well as the District Vice President of the New Jersey Association of Realtors. He is a past director of the Title Company of Jersey and member of numerous professional organizations.

Mr. Embry’s public service has extended beyond ACUA. He was appointed to the District One Ethics Committee by former New Jersey Governor Christine Whitman in 1995 as well as the Atlantic County Board of Taxation in 1998. In 2004, former Kentucky Governor Ernie Fletcher commissioned Mr. Embry as a Kentucky Colonel. Mr. Embry spent many years serving others through his involvement with the Lions Club where he was named Lion of the Year.

Mr. Embry is a graduate of the University of Kentucky where he received a Bachelor of Science in Commerce. Mr. Embry and his wife reside in Linwood.

Fred Akers was appointed to the ACUA Board of Commissioners in March 2011. Fred Akers is a graduate of Drexel University where he received a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration. He is currently the River Administrator for the Greater Egg Harbor National Scenic and Recreational River Council, and the Great Egg Harbor Watershed Association, positions he has held since 2002. In this and other civic and environmental positions, Mr. Akers has worked to promote healthy river systems through research, education and by increasing public awareness of the unique and valuable natural resources in our area.

Mr. Akers serves on the Atlantic County Groundwater Advisory Committee, the leadership Committee for the National Wild and Scenic Rivers Coalition, the Wildlife Conservation Corp, and three Advisory Panels for the Mid-Atlantic Fisheries Management Council.  He is a past member of advisory committees to the NJ Division of Watershed Management. Mr. Akers is an Eagle Scout and an environmental writer. He resides in Newtonville with his wife Julie. 

Andrew G. Berenato III was appointed to the ACUA Board of Commissioners in February 2012. Mr. Berenato is a graduate of Villanova University’s College of Commerce and Finance, and has served as an estimator for his family’s business, M.L. Ruberton Construction Company, since June 2008. Prior to this, he served in various capacities within the company since 2006. Mr. Berenato’s volunteer experience includes having participated in an after-school learning program in Philadelphia, sled hockey for disabled children and a litter abatement program in Camden. He currently resides in Hammonton.  

John E. Lyons was appointed to the ACUA Board of Commissioners in July 2015. He is a graduate of Stockton University where he received a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science. Mr. Lyons is a Program Manager with the Internal Revenue Service.  Lyons has served as a volunteer firefighter in Hammonton since 2003. He also serves as a member of the Hammonton Board of Education, where he began his board service as the youngest elected official in the history of the town at the age of 23.  Mr. Lyons resides in Hammonton with his wife and two children. 
 

Maria K. Mento was appointed to the ACUA Board of Commissioners in August 2021. Ms. Mento currently serves as the City Administrator for the City of Ventnor, NJ, where she is responsible for overseeing the operations of the City. Ms. Mento is also a Sr. Manager and Management Consultant for Jersey Professional Management, a management consulting service covering a full range of municipal activity and responsibilities.  She is a retiree of the Atlantic County Utilities Authority, where she served as Executive Vice President and Chief Finance Officer for nearly 25 years. Prior to this, Ms. Mento worked for Atlantic County Government for 11 years.

Ms. Mento holds an MBA in Finance from Rutgers University and a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from Rowan University. She is also a Certified County Finance Officer, a Certified Municipal Finance Officer, a Certified Public Manager and holds a real estate license.

Ms. Mento is an active participant in the community and has served in many board positions with various community organizations throughout her career. She recently retired from the Atlantic Cape Community College (ACCC) Board of Trustees after serving more than 12 years, twice as Chair – including in her final year – and as Treasurer and Vice Chair. She previously served on the board of the United Way of Greater Philadelphia and Southern New Jersey for many years where she was recognized as Volunteer of the Year and was longstanding Chair of its Women’s Leadership Initiative.   She also served on the American Red Cross and Rowan Advisory Board.  Ms. Mento’s contributions to the Atlantic County community were recognized with an induction into the Atlantic County Women’s Hall of Fame in 2012.

Laura Pfrommer was appointed to the ACUA Board of Commissioners in June 2019. Mrs. Pfrommer currently serves as Mayor of Egg Harbor Township. As a Committeeperson, she also serves on the Planning Board and is a member of the Egg Harbor Township Green Team. In the past, she has also served on the Township’s Zoning Board and the Economic Development Board. She is a graduate of Richard Stockton College, she has a degree in Accounting and holds the position of senior account at Capaldi, Reynolds and Pelosi where she has been employed since 2013. Mrs. Pfrommer has a long history of volunteerism which includes her current service to the St. Katherine Drexel Church’s Finance Committee and past board membership on the Richard Stockton College Honor Society Delta Mu Delta. Mrs. Pfrommer has also offered her accounting and financial experience in past service as Treasurer for Egg Harbor Township school organizations including the High School Crew Boosters and the Home and School Association. Mrs. Pfrommer lives in Egg Harbor Township with her husband Charles and is the mother of two adult children, Lindsey and Lauren. 

Judy Ward was appointed to the ACUA Board of Commissioners in March 2019. Following a 30-year career with Verizon, Mrs. Ward currently serves as Mayor of the City of Pleasantville. She previously served as the 2nd Ward City Council Member, where she served on every council committee, including Finance, Public Safety, Stormwater, and Planning and Development. She previously served as Mayor Pro Tempore, and in 2010, became the first female City Council President for the City of Pleasantville. 

Dedicated to community service, Mrs. Ward is currently the Chairperson for the Coalition for Safe Community Youth. She previously served as the Honorary Chairman of the Pleasantville Cancer Initiative and has acted as liaison between the City and its schools. Mrs. Ward was inducted into the Atlantic County Women’s Hall of Fame and has received recognition for her work and commitment to the community, including the Taft McKenzie award, NAACP Community Service award, Omega Psi Phi Perseverance award, and Mother of Merit awards.  

Mrs. Ward lives in Pleasantville with her husband. She is the proud mother of two sons and three grandchildren.

Dennis Levinson is currently serving his fourth term as Atlantic County Executive. He was first elected to the Atlantic County Board of Chosen Freeholders in 1986 and served five terms before becoming County Executive. He served as Vice Chairman of the Board of Freeholders in 1988, 1991, and 1992, and was elected Chairman of the Board in 1994, 1996, 1997, and 1998. Prior to his election to the Board of Freeholders, he served as a Councilman in the City of Northfield from 1982 to 1986. Mr. Levinson is a member of many professional and community organizations. Mr. Levinson resides in Linwood.