Board of Trustees
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Sgt. Sean Hebbon
President Sergeant, Franklin Police Dept. Sean Hebbon has been a member of the Franklin Township Police Department since 1997. He currently holds the rank of Sergeant. He has actively served in numerous programs and committees throughout Franklin Township, and the County of Somerset including the Youth Services Commission, Human Relations Committee, Franklin Youth Initiative, Somerset County Juvenile Officer's Association, Somerset County JDAI, and has served on the Martin Luther King Scholarship Breakfast Committee since 2001. Sergeant Hebbon is currently a patrol supervisor at the police department. He also supervises the PACER Program, and remains actively involved in the Franklin Township community. Sergeant Hebbon earned a bachelor's degree from Rutgers University and is a certified elementary educator. He was an elementary school teacher for the New Brunswick school system prior to becoming a law enforcement officer. He also earned a Masters Degree from Fairleigh Dickinson University. |
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Gary Rosenthal
1st Vice-President Chair, Human Relations Commission Gary retired as a Senior Vice President and Chief Lending Officer at the Brunswick Bank & Trust Company, New Brunswick, New Jersey, having been in the banking profession since 1956. He has resided in Somerset, New Jersey since 1969. He serves on the Zoning Board and is Chairman of the Human Relations Commission. He has three children, ten grandchildren, and three great grandchildren. |
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Surya Sonti
Treasurer Indian-American Community Surya Sonti believes in philanthropy and giving back to community has a profound positive impact on our local communities. In addition to being an Executive board member for Franklin Township Dr. Martin Luther King Community Foundation, Surya actively engages in several other philanthropy activities through Habitat for Humanity. Surya believes in the value of incorporating his time, talent and expertise in all that he does to serve his community. Surya holds an MBA and MS degrees from Penn State University. Surya is an avid aviator and holds his private pilot license. An active member of American Red Cross and lives in Somerset, NJ. |
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Dr. Sheila Tabanli
Secretary Dr. Sheila Tabanli has been a Franklin Township resident since 2006. Prior to moving to Franklin, she lived in Missouri where she received her M.Sc. and Ph.D. in Computer Science from Missouri University of Science & Tech. She has been passionately teaching college and high school level mathematics and computer science courses. Dr. Tabanli holds NJDOE teacher certifications in Mathematics, Computer Science Technology, as well as, Supervisor certification. She has been actively participating in various community service projects including volunteering at food banks, women shelters, student mentoring & advising specifically in college readiness and STEM fields, and Red Cross. She is happily married with two boys. |
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Dr. Alex Kharazi
Trustee Muslim-American Community Director & Vice-President, Masjid-e-Ali President, Franklin township Interfaith Council Dr. Alex Kharazi has a Ph.D in Mechanical Engineering from University of California In Berkeley and has over 30 years of industry experience as director of technology in a major chemical company. He has been an adjunct professor at Rutgers University. Dr. Kharazi is an active member of the community promoting strong relationship and understanding among diverse faith groups. For many years he has focused his time and energy on philanthropy and giving back to the community. He serves as a director and vice president of Muslim Foundation Inc. (Masjid-e-Ali), President of Franklin Township Interfaith Council, President of Razi Health Foundation of NY, Board of Trustee member of Franklin Township Dr. Martin Luther King Community Foundation, a member of Human Relations Commission, and a board member of Muslim-Jewish Advisory Council. He is a co-founder of New Jersey Interfaith Coalition. Dr. Kharazi was named the "Man of the Year" in 2017 by Franklin Reporter & Advocate, "Hometown Hero" in 2019 by Tapinto and was the recipient of NJ Governor’s Jefferson Award for community service. |
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Meher Rafiq
Trustee Muslim-American Community Meher Rafiq has been a Franklin Township resident for twenty-nine years. She is a World citizen, American, New Yorker, Muslim, Indian Heritage; Mom of three children; rescued and adopted two feline sisters; City University of New York Alum; and Banker-VP. Interests close to heart include cross-culture, diversity, inclusive training and dialogue, conflict resolution, grassroot organizer for charity events, partner for causes relating to women, children, and injustice. Passions include travels, hiking, cooking, Zumba, zen-gardening and the New York Yankees. |
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Rabbi Eli Garfinkel
Temple Beth El Trustee Rabbi Eli L. Garfinkel received his B.A. at Indiana University in 1993 and was ordained by the Jewish Theological Seminary of America in 1999. Since ordination, he has served as an assistant rabbi in Toronto and Cincinnati. In 2005, he became the spiritual leader of Temple Beth El in Somerset, New Jersey, where he has started an annual Jewish film festival, organized communal seders, and taught popular adult education course. He is the author three books and the developer of several mobile apps. Rabbi Garfinkel lives in Somerset, New Jersey, with his wife, Naomi Lasky, and their twins, Sari and Josh. |
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Alice Osipowitz
Trustee Director, Parks & Recreation Alice is the Director of Parks & Recreation for Franklin Township. As a graduate of Franklin High School and Montclair University, she is dedicated to improving the quality of life through leisure services for Franklin over the last 37 years. As Chairperson for the Municipal Alliance for the Prevention of Substance Abuse and the Youth Service Commission, she has worked with a broad base of community representatives to enhance services targeted at reducing juvenile delinquency and illegal substance abuse. |
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Dr. Ron Poustchi
Trustee Baha'i Community of Franklin Township Dr. Enayat Ron Poustchi has a doctorate in chemical engineering with over 30 years of experience in environmental compliance. He is a member of the Baha’i Faith and has supported and participated in the Franklin Township Dr. Martin Luther King Programs from the very beginning. He is a resident of Franklin Township for over 30 years and with his wife Rana Poustchi have raised their daughters Dr. Yasmin Poustchi and Dr. Shirin Poustchi through Franklin Township Schools to serve humanity. He has been supportive of Dr. King’s vision of unity among races, which is very much in line with Baha’i Faith’s teachings of oneness of humanity and elimination of all kinds of prejudices. He is also one of the founding members of the Franklin Township Interfaith Council. |
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Maxine Robinson
Trustee First Baptist Church of Lincoln Garden Maxine Robinson has been an active Franklin Township resident for 22 years. She holds a BS in Economics/Business from Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ and a M.Ed in Educational Leadership from Capella University, Minneapolis, MN. She has been an educator for the Franklin Township Board of Education for over 17 years. She is a passionate and dedicated member of the community and has served with various organizations that uplift and builds character for our youth such as: PopWarner-Board Member; National Phi Delta Kappa, Inc-Board Member and Youth Advisor for high school students in grades 9-12; Rutgers Alumni Association; Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc , Omega Mu Zeta Chapter; and a member of First Baptist Church of Lincoln Gardens for 26 years- Deaconess Board. Maxine is permanently married to Rodney Robinson and they have three adult children. |
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Torrie Rumph-Hurd
Trustee |
Orvyl Wilson
Trustee
Director, School Management
Bill Grippo
Trustee
Retired Principal of Franklin Public Schools
Trustee
Retired Principal of Franklin Public Schools
John Karma
Trustee, West African Community
Trustee, West African Community
Trustees Emeriti
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Eva Nagy
Trustee Emeritus Former President, Franklin Township Board of Education ftmlkcf@gmail.com Eva M. Nagy has lived in Franklin for more than 40 years with her 2 children graduation from the Franklin public schools. While serving on the Board of Education for 22 years, she was active on the local, county, state and national levels in various leadership positions championing and advocating for public education for all children in NJ and the Franklin community. Eva was Board President for 15 years, along with positions of NJ School Boards Association Vice President for Legislation/Resolutions, Somerset County School Board President and Chair of NJ Schools Insurance Group Trustees. She earned her B.A. from the College of NJ in secondary education. Having served on several state and local boards, she also earned NJSBA’s Certified, Master and Certified Board Leader Certifications. Eva was one of the co-founders of the annual Franklin Township Dr. Martin Luther King Breakfast Committee which became the FTMLKC Foundation. |
FTPD Chief Daniel Livak (ret.)
Trustee Emeritus
Chief Daniel J. Livak Retired Deputy Director
Business Administrator Somerset County Park Commission
Dan Livak, born and raised in Franklin Township, received his education through the Franklin Township School system and was a 43 year resident and co-founder of the annual Franklin Township Dr. Martin Luther King Community Breakfast/Committee. He received his BS in Criminal Justice from the College of NJ graduating cum laude, his MA from Seton Hall University, attended a fellowship at the JFK School of Government at Harvard University and is a Certified Public Manager. Dan served in every rank in the Franklin Township Police Department retiring as Chief of Police after 25 years of service.
Trustee Emeritus
Chief Daniel J. Livak Retired Deputy Director
Business Administrator Somerset County Park Commission
Dan Livak, born and raised in Franklin Township, received his education through the Franklin Township School system and was a 43 year resident and co-founder of the annual Franklin Township Dr. Martin Luther King Community Breakfast/Committee. He received his BS in Criminal Justice from the College of NJ graduating cum laude, his MA from Seton Hall University, attended a fellowship at the JFK School of Government at Harvard University and is a Certified Public Manager. Dan served in every rank in the Franklin Township Police Department retiring as Chief of Police after 25 years of service.
Barbara J. Nicol
Trustee Emeritus
Somerset Presbyterian Church
Barbara J. Nicol has been a resident of Franklin Township for over 36 years. Her two children are graduates of the Franklin Township school system. She received a Bachelor’s Degree from Rutgers University and a Masters Certificate in Project Management from Stevens Institute of Technology. Barbara owned her own business, worked for AT&T and is a 34-year breast cancer survivor. She has supported the Annual Martin Luther King Community Breakfast since 1998. Barbara has held several positions including President of the AT&T Pioneers Central Region Club, President of a 4,200-member Pioneer Life Member Club, and Secretary of the Week of the People Organization in Franklin Township. As a member of Somerset Presbyterian Church for over 37 years, Barbara has served as an Elder, Deacon, Sunday School teacher, and youth leader. Volunteering is a part of who she is and what she loves.
Trustee Emeritus
Somerset Presbyterian Church
Barbara J. Nicol has been a resident of Franklin Township for over 36 years. Her two children are graduates of the Franklin Township school system. She received a Bachelor’s Degree from Rutgers University and a Masters Certificate in Project Management from Stevens Institute of Technology. Barbara owned her own business, worked for AT&T and is a 34-year breast cancer survivor. She has supported the Annual Martin Luther King Community Breakfast since 1998. Barbara has held several positions including President of the AT&T Pioneers Central Region Club, President of a 4,200-member Pioneer Life Member Club, and Secretary of the Week of the People Organization in Franklin Township. As a member of Somerset Presbyterian Church for over 37 years, Barbara has served as an Elder, Deacon, Sunday School teacher, and youth leader. Volunteering is a part of who she is and what she loves.
Jimmy Lee
Trustee Emeritus
Praise Korean Church
Dr. Shirin Poustchi
Trustee Emeritus
Baha’i Community of Franklin Township
Trustee Emeritus
Praise Korean Church
Dr. Shirin Poustchi
Trustee Emeritus
Baha’i Community of Franklin Township