The Moorestown Democrat Municipal Committee selected its 2016 Council candidates. The candidates are Councilwoman Lisa Petriello, Amy Leis and Kati Angelini.
Democrat Chairman Robert Gorman is thrilled with the caliber of the candidates and is confident voters will look favorably upon them, especially in light of the recent high-profile case relating to the water infrastructure.
“Lisa, Amy and Kati each bring strong qualities to the ticket and together will restore public confidence to the Moorestown Town Council,” Gorman said.
Petriello has embraced her role as councilwoman, after having been appointed in December 2015 to serve the unexpired term of Councilman Greg Newcomer. Enjoying the work and responsibility, she has distinguished herself as a trusted steward of the township and its residents, and has advocated for, among other things, increased transparency, greater accountability, and improved internal and external communication.
With a bachelor’s degree in economics from Rutgers College, Petriello began a professional career in the financial services industry in New York City, within the areas of international trade, cash management and commercial lending. As an assistant vice president within the technology and operations sector, she developed an appreciation for planning, procedure, collaboration and problem solving that characterizes her leadership and management style today.
Petriello’s involvement with Moorestown Burlington County began years before her appointment to town council. She is chair and treasurer of South Valley Elementary School’s Home and School Association and is a trustee of the Moorestown Home and School Association. Petriello is also an active advisory board member at the Mt. Laurel YMCA and prior chair of the Togetherhood Service Committee for YMCA’s Burlington and Camden Counties. She served the community as an appointed member of the township’s Sustainable Moorestown Advisory Committee, where she held various leadership roles and is currently a Master Gardener with the Burlington County Cooperative Extension. Petriello looks forward to continuing her active role in the community with the support of her husband Sal and son Luca.
Leis, a financial advisor with Janney Montgomery Scott, has more than 10 years of experience in the financial services industry and holds the accredited wealth management advisor and the chartered retirement planning counselor designations issued through the College for Financial Planning. Leis’ bachelor’s degree is in communications from the University of Miami. Her masters and Ph.D. in educational psychology are from Temple University. She is on the board of the Moorestown Business Association and the Perkins Center for the Arts. In addition, she serves on the Planned Giving Committee for Samaritan Healthcare and Hospice and on the Voice of Business Committee for the Burlington County Chamber of Commerce. She is a member of the Builder’s League of South Jersey and is the founder of Working Moms of Southern New Jersey, a networking and support group for career-minded moms.
Leis, her husband Kevin and their daughter Zoe moved to Moorestown a few years ago because their family has strong roots in the community — Kevin’s grandfather, Albert Ellis, was a former mayor of Moorestown and Kevin’s parents met as students in Moorestown High School.
Leis questions the management of the budget, and strongly believes in the need for a revitalized Main Street and Lenola business district. Her vision for the future of Moorestown includes increased transparency between the town council and the community and she hopes voters will give her the opportunity to serve the town.
Angelini is a New Jersey native and proud resident of Moorestown, where she and her husband Frank settled down to raise their three children.
Angelini has devoted her life to giving back to her community — something her mother instilled in her at a very young age. After graduating from the University of California, Davis with a BFA, she has served for many years within the Moorestown School district currently as the Home and School Secretary for the William Allen Middle School, as well as committee chair for Moorestown High School. In addition, she volunteers at Samaritan Hospice and Healthcare, Operation Yellow Ribbon South Jersey, American Red Cross and Live Civilly. The Angelinis are active members of Our Lady of Good Counsel Parish.
After learning of the numerous water issues facing Moorestown, Angelini helped launch the Moorestown Water Group. Like most residents, Angelini had never given much thought to the water she and her family were being supplied and was alarmed to discover the multiple issues it had. This led to her desire to run for office. The type of change she believes is needed requires more than just community advocacy, or public dissent, it requires action and commitment. In a day and age of politics-as-usual, Angelini plans to bring a refreshing and simple candidacy working for you and every single resident in town.
