The Burlington County Commissioners held their 2026 organization meeting at the Historic Olde Courthouse on Jan. 7. Pictured are Commissioner Randy Brolo (clockwise from top left), Commissioner Deputy Director Allison Eckel, Commissioner Director Dr. Felicia Hopson, Commissioner Tom Pullion, Commissioner Tyler Burrell, board clerk Erin Kelly, deputy clerk Stacy Byard, county solicitor Ashley Buono and county administrator Eve Cullinan.
The Burlington County Board of Commissioners’ 2026 organization meeting at the Historic Olde Courthouse in Mount Holly on Jan. 7 featured the installation of Commissioner Dr. Felicia Hopson as director, along with the swearing in of Commissioners Allison Eckel and Randy Brolo to terms on the five-member board.
Eckel was also named deputy director.
“From keeping county taxes the lowest in New Jersey to protecting farmland and open space, Burlington County continues to succeed thanks to our ability to collaborate and create partnerships with all levels of government, businesses and nonprofits,” Eckel said.
“Working together, we believe we can make Burlington County even better in 2026.”
“This is a time when we reflect on the past year,” Hopson noted. “We look at what challenged us. We celebrate our achievements. And we continue to make progress on the things that matter most. The last several years have been challenging for many of our residents. Our communities have had to weather economic uncertainty, a global health crisis, political unrest and rising household costs.
“But through all that and more,” she added, “Burlington County has been there for our residents, businesses and communities. We’ve delivered compassionate services to those in need, and made sure that our county stays affordable, and continues to offer opportunities for the best quality of life.
“We are a strong, caring and supportive community that will come together in times of need and celebrate our collective wins with one another.”
This will be Hopson’s sixth year as commissioner board director, a modern record dating back to the 1970s. She first took office in 2019 as only the second Black woman in county history to be elected a county commissioner, and she served as the board’s director in 2020, 2021, 2023, 2024 and 2025.
In addition to her duties as director, Hopson will serve as the board liaison to county administration, the Department of Corrections and the Department of Economic Development.
Eckel returns for her second full term as a commissioner. For 2026, she was picked to be deputy director for the second consecutive year and will also remain board liaison to the Department of Resource Conservation, Parks and Farmland Preservation, the Department of Public Safety and to Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst.
Brolo is finishing the remaining year of an unexpired term. He was originally appointed commissioner last year after Balvir Singh vacated his board seat to join the state assembly. Brolo was then elected in November to finish the unexpired term. He will serve as the liaison to the Health Department, Department of Human Services and the Superior Court.
“I want to thank the residents of Burlington County who have trusted us to be their representatives in government and to make the right decisions for them,” Brolo related. “I’m proud to be part of this incredible team. Every one of us devotes a lot of time and energy to making sure Burlington County remains the outstanding destination we all love.”
Returning Commissioner Tom Pullion will remain liaison to the Department of Public Works, the Department of Solid Waste and Recycling and the Burlington County Library System. Commissioner Tyler Burrell will serve as liaison to the county elections offices, the Burlington County Prosecutor’s Office, Rowan College at Burlington County, the Burlington County Institute of Technology and the county’s Special Services School District.
Among the projects scheduled to be completed this year is construction of the county’s first emergency shelter at the Burlington County Human Services complex off Woodlane Road in Westampton. The county also plans to expand outreach with a new Hope One vehicle and add additional staff to the Hope One for Youth unit.
Hope One and Hope One for Youth are mobile teams that travel to locations throughout Burlington County to offer mental health services, education and resources. The health department is also launching a new mobile medical unit that will bring health screenings, immunizations, outreach and other health services directly to local communities.
The commissioners also plan to continue advancing parks and trails improvements and add to the more than 67,000 acres of farmland preserved in the county.
“As you can see, Burlington County is blessed,” Hopson observed. “From our farmland and forests to our historic downtowns, diverse neighborhoods and thriving businesses, this commissioner board strives to ensure that our county remains the best and most affordable destination in the region.”
