My husband Jim and I and our two children Nick and Juli moved to Lopatcong in 1999.  Nick was a first grader then, and Juli had just turned two.  We moved to Lopatcong from Morris County, because we were looking for a less hectic, more rural environment in which to raise our children, and we found Lopatcong to be all that and more.

From day one, we were involved in our new community and our children’s activities.  Whether it was singing in our church choir or assisting with the Children’s Liturgy, coaching sports or being a class parent,  being on the Lopatcong PTA Executive Board or volunteering at many Lopatcong school events, we have been actively engaged and always eager to help.

I’ve worked in finance since I was 18, starting as a bank teller working my way through college.  I ended my banking career as an Assistant Branch Manager when my son Nick was born.  My next job was doing accounts payable reconciliation for a local doctor’s office and as an office manager of his satellite office.  As Nick got older, I began working in the premium accounts receivable department of a local, major insurance company.  They sent me to the Chubb Institute as a “Top Gun” candidate to study computer programming.  I came back from the Institute and went to work in Chubb’s financial department as an IT professional. Now I support the underwriting side of our business.

In 2013, the call to public service led me to the Lopatcong Township Council.  It is an experience that is, at times, challenging, invigorating and trying, but always compelling, rewarding and satisfying.  My banking, insurance, financial, managerial and technical experience has benefited me greatly in my role on Council and has allowed me to acclimate quickly to the position.  A pre-law/paralegal program from college has also served me well as a Councilwoman.

Fast forward 15 years and both my children have graduated from the Lopatcong School District. My youngest, Juli,  will soon join her brother as a Phillipsburg High School alumnus.  My children are, without a doubt, “Panthers and Liners for Life”.  By association, so are their parents!   This is our hometown.  It is the place where we “hang our hats”.  It is where Jim and I chose to raise our family.  Most of all, it is the place we have come to love and embrace and the place I will work to make the best it can possibly be!

**paid for by the Committee to Elect Lori Ciesla**