Seven candidates – two of which are incumbents – are vying for two seats on the Cherry Hill Township Council in the election, Tuesday, Nov. 5.
The following four candidates are vying for one, one-year term on the council listed alphabetically: Anna R. Adler for the Republican Party, incumbent Jill R. Hulnick for the Democratic Party, Mohammed Jawaad Hussain running independently for Advocate for Children and Nicole Nance running independently for Ebony Ivory 1124.
The following three candidates are vying for one, three-year term on the council in alphabetical order: Incumbent Daniel V. Direnzo, Jr. for the Democratic Party, Judi Giacoboni-Russo for the Republican Party, and independent Stephen Heath, Jr. for Ebony Ivory 1124.
All were asked to submit an election questionnaire. As of deadline, Adler, Giacoboni-Russo, and Heath had not responded before press time.
Name: Daniel V. DiRenzo, Jr. (No photo was submitted)
Age: 73
How many years have you lived in Cherry Hill? 69 years
Family: My family moved to Cherry Hill when I was four years old – almost a life-long resident. I graduated from Cherry Hill High School West and Rutgers University/Camden, and I am proud that my two children also graduated from West! My family is committed to public service. My son is a retired Cherry Hill Fire Department Captain and my daughter has a Master’s degree and teaches in an elementary school in Cherry Hill. My wife Lisa is the Administrative Assistant to the Principal at one of the high schools. You will often see me at interscholastic sporting events cheering on my 4 grandchildren.
School and degree: Rutgers University with a BA in Education. Post graduate, I completed courses in the Rutgers University Edward Bloustein School of Planning & Public Policy (Municipal Finance Officer Program) and I understand the New Jersey Uniform Fire Safety Act and Uniform Fire Safety Code.
Profession: Retired Fire Department Captain/Chief Financial Office. Retired Student Support Supervisor at West.
Is this the first time you have run for the seat on the council? Yes. This is my first time running for office. I was appointed to fill a vacancy on the Township Council in January 2024 and am currently serving on Council.
What is your involvement in the community?
I have been very active in my neighborhood civic association for many years and have served as Vice President, on the Township Joint Civic Association Board and volunteered side-by-side with my neighbors on park clean-up projects. I served on the Township Zoning Board for 12 years, as well as on the Township-School District-Fire Department-Library Liaison Committee, the Cherry Hill Economic Development Committee, Mayor’s Citizen Advisory Boards and Cherry Hill School District Long Range Facilities Planning Committee.
Why are you running for an elected seat?
I have been proud to serve my community as a Council Member, as a volunteer, and as a Fire District Commissioner, and I hope that the community will elect me to serve as Council Member. I am committed to working with everyone in Cherry Hill to make our community the best it can be. I I believe that my long-time commitment to Cherry Hill and experience serving in many different capacities gives me the knowledge and the perspective to serve our community.
What is one area you would like to concentrate on if elected?
I have been focused on community outreach and engagement-to improve communication with residents and our neighborhoods, and if elected, will continue to listen to residents to make our government better. We need to provide high quality municipal services and public safety initiatives, support our neighborhoods as they represent the heart of the town and bring our residents together with community events such as the Township Independence Day celebration which was on a hiatus for ten years.
Name: Jill Hulnick
Age: 45
How many years have you lived in Cherry Hill? 10 years
Family: Married to David Hulnick and a 9-year-old son Micah
School and degree: BA in Economics from Tufts University, MBA from Harvard Business School
Profession: Nonprofit Consultant
Is this the first time you have run for the seat on the council? This is my first time running for office, however, I was appointed to township council in January where I have been serving as a councilwoman for the last 9 months.
What is your involvement in the community?
I have been actively involved in the Cherry Hill community in various capacities. For nearly a year, I have served on the Town Council, which has given me a deeper understanding of our community’s needs and the importance of governance in addressing them. I am committed to continuing this work, using my skills and experiences to benefit our town.
Beyond my role on the Council, my family and I are engaged in many local activities. We love cleaning up trails with the Environmental Board, listening to concerts at Barclay Farmstead, participating in Cherry Hill FC soccer matches, exploring the Cherry Hill Public Library, or biking around our neighborhood.
In addition, I am actively involved with the Jewish Federation, where I serve on several committees. This February, my husband and I will once again co-chair the Federation’s Super Sunday and Community Mitzvah Day, a signature event that brings people together to support our community.
Why are you running for an elected seat?
Through my career and volunteer work, I have supported national, statewide, and local organizations. While I’ve contributed to many great causes, I feel the greatest impact when supporting my immediate community. Since joining the Township Council in January, I’ve seen how we can effectively address local challenges alongside community partners. We have secured grants to enhance infrastructure, revived our community fireworks celebration, and resolved thousands of resident issues. I deeply appreciate the trust this community has placed in me and look forward to serving Cherry Hill for years to come.
What is one area you would like to concentrate on if elected?
Customer Service: Cherry Hill Township government’s primary purpose is to serve its residents and neighborhoods effectively and efficiently. As a council member, I will work with the mayor, township officials, fellow council members, and community organizations to enhance communications and responsiveness. This includes building on initiatives like the My Cherry Hill app and expanding our social media outreach.
Name: Mohammed Jawaad Hussain, MD
Age: 41
How many years have you lived in Cherry Hill? Lived in Cherry Hill nine years
Family: Married, three kids (two middle schoolers, one elementary school)
School and degree: B.A. Biology at Swarthmore College then MD at SUNY Downstate Medical Center, Brooklyn then Pediatric Residency at St. Christopher’s Hospital for Children, Philadelphia
Profession: Pediatrician
Is this the first time you have run for the seat on the board of education? First time running for Cherry Hill Township Council.
What is your involvement in the community? I have been working in southern New Jersey as a pediatrician for over 12 years. In recent years, I’ve volunteered as coach and assistant coach at the Cherry Hill Football Club and the New Jersey Flag Football League. Campaign website: VoteMJH.com
Why are you running for an elected seat? My decision to run for Cherry Hill Town Council was inspired by many recent statements by the Surgeon General, Dr. Vivek Murthy. The Office of the Surgeon General has been sounding the alarms about the mental health crises affecting American families–whether its worsening childhood depression, the epidemic of loneliness, or undue parental stress. To confront these grave problems, we need community solutions. When I look at the current council, it is predominantly staffed by lawyers and businesspeople–there are no healthcare workers. I felt compelled to serve to help our community.
What is one area you would like to concentrate on if elected? My duty on the Cherry Hill Township council would be to ensure our community’s health is factored into every decision that is made. As a healthcare worker, I can provide a unique, informed perspective on how any decision made by the council would affect our community’s physical and mental health.
Name: Nicole Nance
Age: 52
How many years have you lived in Cherry Hill? Four years
School and degree: Bachelors Degree in Biblical Administration – JDT Bible College Training Center
Profession: Clergy and Administration
Is this the first time you have run for the seat on the council? No
What is your involvement in the community? Community Advocate and Community Health Worker
Why are you running for an elected seat? I believe that elected officials should be people who are compelled or called to serve the greater good. I am running to see a recovery and restoring of why government exists. To be a representation of the people, for the people. To be the voice for community members who may not get to be heard any other way. We need to see taxpayer results in our town on the smallest to the largest levels.
What is one area you would like to concentrate on if elected? To be more engaging by making sure the ENTIRE town knows and stays updated about what’s going on in our town. By getting their input into some of the daily matters. By making sure that everyone doesn’t just get a “seat at the table” but helping my fellow Cherry Hillians realize – we “own the table” that contributes to the betterment of Cherry Hill.
This article was updated on Tuesday, Oct. 15 to clarify that Jill Hulnick is running with the Democratic Party.
