Board of Trustees
Project Freedom Inc is a membership organization who elects its Board of Trustees, who then set policy for the organization.
C. Herbert Schneider, Chairman — President of First Commerce BankC. Herbert Schneider has been involved with Project Freedom Inc since the early days and helped to pave the way for the construction of our first housing complex in Robbinsville.
Current Board of Trustee members are:
Timothy J. Lutz, Vice Chairman
Anthony Torrington, Treasurer
Daniel Surtz, Secretary
Gary R. Backinoff, member
Jack Blair, member
Kelly Borden, member
Kelly Boyd, member
Kristie Bouryal, member
Robert Buda, Jr, ( Former Board Chair )
Anthony Torrington, Treasurer
Daniel Surtz, Secretary
Gary R. Backinoff, member
Jack Blair, member
Kelly Borden, member
Kelly Boyd, member
Kristie Bouryal, member
Robert Buda, Jr, ( Former Board Chair )
Scott Elliott, member
Scott W. Ellis, member
David R. Fraytak, member
Lisa Killion-Smith, member
Mark E. Laccetti, member
Deborah Gennello, member
Douglas C. Heppe, member
Karol Moss, member
Scott W. Ellis, member
David R. Fraytak, member
Lisa Killion-Smith, member
Mark E. Laccetti, member
Deborah Gennello, member
Douglas C. Heppe, member
Karol Moss, member
Executive Leadership
Manages the day to day operations of the organization.
Tim Doherty, Executive Director, CEO — BS, MA Rider UniversityTim joined Project Freedom Inc in 1997 and has overseen the tremendous growth in the organization going from one housing project to seven, spread across New Jersey.
Norman Smith, Associate Executive Director and Co-Founder — Two BAs Long Island UniversityNorman A. Smith co- founded of Project Freedom Inc. in 1984 and is a leader in the NJ disability rights movement. Norman has worked with elected officials from both parties to create programs and supports for people with disabilities. Smith is recognized in NJ as a Subject Matter Expert on inclusive emergency management and preparedness for people with disabilities.
Stephen J. Schaefer, CFO of Project FreedomStephen comes to the Organization with over 35 years of diverse financial experiences at The Chase Manhattan Bank and a Distressed Assets Hedge Fund. Steve has been a Board member and Treasurer of Golden Cradle Adoption Services for 20+ years.
Tracee Battis, Director of Housing Development — BS MBA Rider UniversityTracee served as deputy Executive Director for NJ HMFA and had served over 35 years at the agency before retiring and joining Project Freedom Inc in 2012. She brings a wealth of knowledge and experience with housing development and knowledge of the Low Income Housing Tax Credit program to our agency.
Frank Sciarrotta, Compliance Officer/ Property ManagerRetired from NJHMFA after 25 years of service as LIHTC manager of compliance. Frank Joined Project Freedom Inc. in October 2016.