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 while serving as Councilman on the City of Linwood’s Governing body. 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 as well as the Atlantic County Board of Taxation. 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 Degree. 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 Operations Manager for the Greater Egg Harbor National Scenic and Recreational River Council, and the Great Egg Harbor Watershed Association.  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 served on the Atlantic County Groundwater Advisory Committee and Atlantic County’s Watershed Management initiative.  Mr. Akers serves on three Advisory Panels for the Mid-Atlantic Fisheries Management Council, the leadership Committee for the National Wild and Scenic Rivers Coalition, and the Wildlife Conservation Corp.  Mr. Akers received the Governor’s Award of Excellence for Water Resources in 2021. He 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.  

Frank D. Formica of Absecon, NJ, was appointed to the ACUA Board of Commissioners in March 2024. 

Mr. Formica served nearly 12 years on the Board of Atlantic County Commissioners (formerly Freeholders), with 10 years as its Chairman. For many years he acted as the liaison to the Atlantic County Utilities Authority (ACUA) where he became deeply familiar with its operations, budgets, and policies.

Mr. Formica currently serves as an Associate for Salmon Ventures Limited, which provides consulting services to utilities, government agencies, school districts, higher education institutions, and healthcare providers. He holds more than 35 years of business experience as the owner of Formica Bros. Bakery in Atlantic City, and previously served as Executive Administrator of Resorts International Hotel.

As a Vietnam Era Veteran in the active U.S. Air Force, Mr. Formica was trained at the Sheppard AFB Civil Engineering Tech School. His MOS was Engineer Environmental Support Specialist, which included the science of water treatment methods and operations, water testing, environmental impacts of hazmat landfills, and more. Mr. Formica was honorably discharged from the USAF with Plant Operator certificates, valid in 50 states, for both water and wastewater treatment, and plant operator’s licenses.

Mr. Formica is a member of the Greater Atlantic County Economic Development Commission, Atlantic County Chamber of Commerce, and Cape May County Chamber of Commerce. He serves as a board member of the Ducktown Revitalization Association and the Dante Hall Theatre of Arts at Stockton University. He is the recipient of numerous community awards, including New Jersey’s Leading Infrastructure Project Award for his role in the Stockton University – Atlantic City Gateway project, among many others.
 

Maria K. Mento was appointed to the ACUA Board of Commissioners in August 2021. Ms. Mento currently serves as Commissioner for the City of Ventnor, NJ, and previously served as its City Administrator where she was 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, and she has been named a Distinguished Alumni of ACCC.

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.

Mrs. Pfrommer is a graduate of Richard Stockton College and has a degree in Accounting. She is a retiree of Capaldi, Reynolds and Pelosi.

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.