Heart & Soul Leadership Team
Equipo de liderazgo de Heart & Soul
Cassie Iacovelli is beginning her twelfth year as the Executive Director of MainStreet Hammonton, a program started in 1993 and recognized as one of the most successful in New Jersey. Cassie also serves on the Hammonton Arts Advisory Committee, Hammonton Health Coalition, Hammonton Covid Relief Economic Impact Committee and Hammonton Pedestrian & Bike Steering Committee.
Cassie is the Program Coordinator of the Hammonton Heart & Soul Leadership Team. “Our town has a history to be proud of and it is also experiencing lots of change with new people moving in and wanting to call Hammonton their home. It’s an exciting time for our town to grow with endless possibilities. Heart and Soul provides a road map for us to tap into the talents of all and become a stronger community. This is my home and I am glad to offer my skills in any way I can to make our town a better place for all.”
Prior to her position in Hammonton, Cassie was the Assistant Dean of Campus Life at Rider University. She holds a Master of Education in Student Personnel Services from The College of New Jersey and Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Seton Hall University
Cassie has lived in Hammonton with her husband John since 2008. Together they enjoy time with their son’s and two daughters' families. They cherish being grandparents to their three grandsons and a granddaughter. The charm, tranquility and closeness to the shore are why they love living in Hammonton.
Cassie Iacovelli
Christina Birchler is the Director of Operations at Stockton University’s campus located in the heart of Hammonton. She was one of the original members of the Hammonton Heart & Soul Leadership Team formed in September of 2019. Her desire to be a part of Heart & Soul is both personal and professional. Her work brought her to Hammonton in 2012, where she has always felt embraced by the community. She wants to ensure that all residents can experience that same sense of belonging.
Christina grew up in Cape May, NJ and currently resides in Mays Landing. She enjoys reading, shopping, and spending as much time as possible on the beach or at a baseball field. She shares her life with husband of 19 years, Wayne, and son, Brayden. Family entertainment provided by their pets, Sadie and Shelli.
Christina Birchler
Copelia Morales grew up in Hammonton. She was born in Zacatecas, Mexico. She has worked as a volunteer for Migrant Worker Outreach for eight years and currently runs a nutritional program for migrant pregnant women and young kids. She is now the Community Engagement Manager for Allies in Caring/Con-Vivir hub. The majority of Copelia’s time is spent volunteering on many different non-profits and other organizations like Hammonton Green committee, Hammonton Health Coalition, Hammonton task force EIC, MOPS, Hammonton Mothers club etc. Copelia loves interacting with people and getting to know the community better. She strives to achieve a healthier Hispanic/Latinx community, one that can be more comfortable getting involved with other groups and cultures. Copelia believes that by being involved, she can be the voice of those that are not present or left out. Copelia is passionate about being a part of Hammonton Heart and Soul.
Copelia Morales
Denise Mazzeo was raised in Hammonton surrounded by a large family. She chose to remain in Hammonton with her husband, Lou Mazzeo to raise their children, Erika, Amanda and Nico, in that same lively family atmosphere. A graduate of Hammonton High School, Denise now works for the Town of Hammonton as the Communications Manager, Aide to Mayor Steve DiDonato and Recreation Leader.
Denise’s eagerness to be effective in her position with the town brought her to the Heart & Soul Leadership Team in 2019. She found that the best way to keep residents informed, is to be informed and connected. Denise will lead the Communications and Outreach sub-committee for Hammonton Heart & Soul and looks forward to keeping everyone in our community looped in on all things Hammonton!
Denise Mazzeo
Dr. Johanna R. Johnson lives what she believes. After her family, education and helping others is her life. Prior to her retirement, she was the Coordinator of Curriculum and Special Projects at the Atlantic County Institute of Technology for 12 years, retiring in 2013. Her duties at A.C.I.T. required her to be involved in all aspects of the education process including Director of the Academy programs, District Test Coordinator, Grant Administrator, Affirmative Action Officer, Title IX Coordinator and District Professional Development Administrator.
Immersed in education for 30(+) years, Dr. Johnson was a middle school teacher of both science and language arts prior to becoming an administrator in 1999. Presently, she is an Adjunct Instructor for Stockton University, supervising Student Teachers, which requires observing, evaluating and mentoring student teachers.
A life-long resident of Hammonton, Dr. Johnson has been actively involved with community and county organizations over many years. She was a member of the Hammonton Environmental Commission and a member and Past President of the Hammonton Home School Association. She was also a member of the Women’s Civic Club. She was active in the Presbyterian Church, serving on Session for several terms. She was elected to the Hammonton Board of Education for two terms. A founding member and first Treasurer of the Hammonton Education Foundation in 2004, she continues as an active member today. She served on the Executive Board of the Literacy Volunteers Association, Cape Atlantic until it merged with Literacy NJ. In 2011, Dr. Johnson walked 60 miles in the Philadelphia Susan G. Komen 3-Day Walk for the Cure; the next two years she was a “crew” member aiding the Komen walkers. After participating in Creative Hammonton, Dr. Johnson recruited volunteers for an ad hoc exploratory committee, Hammonton @ Home. The committee’s purpose was to research the viability of establishing a virtual “village” of vetted volunteers and vendors offering services and a social network for older community members so they could “age in place” for as long as possible. It has been her privilege to be on the Stockton University Foundation for the past 10 years serving as Foundation Chair (2017-2019). On National Philanthropy Day 2019, the Association of Fundraising Professionals NJ, Southern Chapter, honored her as Outstanding Volunteer Fundraiser. In 2020, the Lions Club of Hammonton chose her Citizen of the Year. Dr. Johnson is proud to be on the Leadership Team for Hammonton Heart and Soul.
Dr. Johnson graduated from Peirce Junior College in 1967 with an Associate Degree in Science. She graduated from Glassboro State College with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in 1972. Twenty years later, she earned a Masters Degree in Elementary Education from now Rowan University. Her post-graduate studies were at Rutgers University, New Brunswick where she earned the Degree of Doctor of Education in 2003.
Dr. Johnson is married to Nelson C. Johnson, JSC, Retired. They have three children; Sarah Beth Johnson, JSC, (Colin Bell), Ethan Johnson (Alisa T.), and Emily Jokinen (Jack). She and Nelson are the proud grandparents of Asher Bell, Sloane Bell, Ava Johnson and Johanna Jokinen.
Dr. Johanna R. Johnson
Richard Rehmann is the third-generation owner of ARH Associates, Inc. (ARH), a civil engineering firm headquartered in Hammonton since the 1930s. Rich is a community-oriented individual and life-ling resident of Hammonton. He currently volunteers for Hammonton MainStreet (Board President), Hammonton Health Coalition, Hammonton Coronavirus Task Force, and the Greater Hammonton Chamber of Commerce. Previous volunteering included Hammonton Little League coach and Board member and Creative Hammonton organizer.
Rich is excited to participate on the Hammonton Heart & Soul Leadership Team, contributing his energy and talents to collaborate with the Group and achieve our Mission.
Rich returned to Hammonton shortly after graduating with a Masters in Civil and Environmental Engineering in 1993. In 2020 during the COVID-19 Pandemic, ARH established ARH in the Community, a non-profit to focus our support communities across the State.
Rich lives in Hammonton with his wife (Linda), daughter (Erin), and son (Jack), and he enjoys working with and spending time with his father (Chris) and mother (Loretta) who both live in Town.
Richard Rehmann
Tracy Carr is a founding member of the Hammonton Makers, which is Hammonton’s makerspace in the former Morano Paper Supply warehouse. As an elementary school teacher for 25 years teaching sixth grade and gifted and talented K-6, she brings a wealth of knowledge and skills to the makerspace.
Tracy grew up on the Delaware River in Penns Grove, NJ, and moved to Hammonton in 2003. She is married to Steven Carr, and when not working on the makerspace she enjoys traveling, cooking, reading, and gardening.
Tracy is excited to be a part of Hammonton Heart and Soul because she feels it can foster a more vibrant community with opportunities for all of its citizens, young and old. As a lifetime member of her hometown’s historical society, connecting to the past is something natural. She is excited to hear what Hammontonians love about their town.
Tracy Carr
Tricia Donio is the Director of AtlantiCare, Hammonton Family Success Center for the past 23 years. Tricia is a life-long resident of Hammonton. She currently is a volunteer coach for the Hammonton Stick Chixs and one of the coordinators of Hammonton’s National Night Out.
Tricia has a Master of Social Work degree from Widener University and was an adjunct Professor for ACCC and Cumberland County College.
She enjoys working in her community and assisting the members of her Town with needed services and activities.
Tricia lives in Hammonton with her two children, AJ and Milania and she loves spending time with her family and friends.
Tricia Donio
Zack Brown began his professional work in town with his university internship at MainStreet Hammonton in 2012. After that, he took a position as the Eagle Theatre's Marketing & Outreach Coordinator and later wrote for the Hammonton Gazette. He moved into town in 2017 and became involved with Hammonton Heart & Soul in 2021, a decision that was motivated by a desire to combat the isolation and loneliness that many felt through the Covid-19 pandemic, an issue that has only been exacerbated by social media and other factors. He believes real-world connections between neighbors is the way to strengthen a community from the inside out.
As a member of the Heart & Soul Leadership Team, he has assisted in communications efforts and helped organize public events. He looks forward to continuing this work to keep Hammonton a great place to live today and for years to come.
Zack lives in Hammonton with his wife, Alyssa, and they are expecting their first child in August 2023. When not hanging in with their two cats, they enjoy visiting our local restaurants and breweries, taking rides around the pine barrens on their Harley-Davidson, going on hikes in Batsto and visiting the Jersey shore.