BRICK TOWNSHIP, NJ – Brick Township ushered in a new era of leadership Monday as Mayor Lisa Crate and three members of the Township Council took their oaths of office during the annual reorganization meeting held January 6. The ceremony, which marked the start of a new four-year term for Mayor Crate, celebrated both continuity and progress for one of Ocean County’s largest municipalities.
Township Clerk Lynnette Iannarone administered the oath to Mayor Crate, who made history as the first elected female mayor in Brick’s history following her re-election in November. Crate was originally appointed in 2023 after the resignation of former Mayor John Ducey, later winning a special election to complete the unexpired term. Her swearing-in signals the beginning of a full four-year term leading the township she has called home for more than three decades.
Former Lieutenant Governor Kim Guadagno conducted the oaths for three returning and newly elected council members: Councilman Perry Albanese, Councilman Gregory J. Cohen, and Councilwoman Lisa Reina.
Mayor Crate, a former educator with more than 30 years of classroom experience, emphasized her continued focus on quality-of-life improvements, public safety, and community engagement. During her time in municipal government, she helped launch initiatives such as the Senior Shuttle, the Brick Farmers Market, and the township’s reimagined Teen Center. A steadfast supporter of the Brick Township Police Department and emergency services, she has prioritized ensuring first responders have the tools needed to keep residents safe.
Councilman Perry Albanese begins his second term after first being elected in 2021. A lifelong Brick resident and Rutgers University graduate, Albanese works as a health investigator with the Ocean County Health Department. During his first term, he served on several township committees focused on recreation, sustainability, and responsible growth.
Councilman Gregory J. Cohen, a resident of Brick for more than 50 years, brings decades of leadership in education, business, and public service. His experience includes roles in school transportation management and private insurance, as well as long-standing involvement in local organizations such as the Pioneer Hose Fire Company and the American Legion Riders.
Councilwoman Lisa Reina, newly elected in November, enters her first term on the council. With over 40 years in healthcare and more than 15 years in executive leadership, Reina currently serves as Senior Director of Post-Acute Clinical Solutions for Carelon Health. She has pledged to focus on fiscal responsibility, open communication, and preservation of Brick’s community character.
The reorganization meeting set the tone for the township’s next chapter under Mayor Crate’s administration, one defined by continuity, collaboration, and community-driven leadership.