Board of Trustees
Project Freedom Inc is a membership organization that elects its Board of Trustees, who then set policy for the organization.
C. Herbert Schneider, Chairman C. 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
Mark E. Laccetti, Treasurer
Daniel Surtz, Secretary
Mark E. Laccetti, Treasurer
Daniel Surtz, Secretary
Gary R. Backinoff, member
Jack Blair, member
Kelly Borden, member
Kelly Boyd, member
Robert Buda, Jr., member (Former Board Chair )
James Colitsas, member
Scott Elliott, member
David R. Fraytak, member
Deborah Gershen Gennello, member
Mark Markovich, member
Karol Moss, member
Sheree Sachs-McGowan, member
Scott Elliott, member
David R. Fraytak, member
Deborah Gershen Gennello, member
Mark Markovich, member
Karol Moss, member
Sheree Sachs-McGowan, member
Executive Leadership
Manages the day-to-day operations of the organization.
Tracee Battis, Executive Director – CEO — 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.
Norman A. Smith, Associate Executive Director and Co-Founder — Two BAs Long Island UniversityNorman A. Smith co-founded 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.
Anne Hamlin, Director of Housing Development – BA Rowan University. Anne has nearly 20 years of experience in the affordable housing industry, both in the public and private sectors. Prior to joining Project Freedom, Inc. in April 2021, she was the Director of Tax Credit Services at the NJ Housing and Mortgage Finance Agency.