Election Profile: Joseph Romano For Township Committee

HOLMDEL, NJ – The New Jersey primary election on July 7 will challenge several candidates seeking to fill two open seats on the Holmdel Township Committee. The coveted spots are being pursued by six candidates, including current committeeman (and mayor) Greg Buontempo alongside running mate Ron Emma, Victoria 'Vicky' Flynn with running mate Domenico 'DJ' Luccarelli, as well as Democrats Joseph Romano and Mike Jenkins.

Romano, 38, has worked in healthcare for over 15 years. He lives with his wife Shanna, daughter Mia and family dog Slinky.

"I am doing this for my daughter," Romano told Patch. "Holmdel needs better leadership than what it’s got currently."

Are you running for office in New Jersey? Contact Nicole Rosenthal at nicole.rosenthal@patch.com for information on being featured in a candidate's profile and submitting campaign announcements to Patch.

The single most pressing issue facing our community is _______, and this is what I intend to do about it.

Fiscal responsibility and infighting amongst Republicans.

What are the critical differences between you and the other candidates seeking this post?

I bring a different kind of leadership skill set coming from the healthcare space.

If you are a challenger, in what way has the current board or officeholder failed the community (or district or constituency)

Put their own petty drama ahead of the well being of the town and wasted taxpayers money.

Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform

Financial responsibility and safety are key pillars to my platform. Followed very closely by exploring some projects that improve the quality of life for the citizens of Holmdel, being transparent, and preserving the natural beauty of Holmdel.

What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you can handle this job?

I’ve spent my entire adult career in healthcare working in leadership roles both in hospital and outpatient settings. I’ve been a part of a large start up management company serving as the Vice President of Logistics, developed complex multi-million dollar Ambulatory Surgery Center buildout, and now own my own management company. Healthcare is a setting that demands transparency when it comes to finances, especially in for profit medicine; and given the double the town has had in the past, my skill set as an experienced administrator and executive will do the town some real good.

The best advice ever shared with me was:

At my mothers college graduation Senator John McCain was a speaker. As part of his speech he said the key to succeeding in business and politics was to “under-promise and over deliver” - these are words I try to live by.

What else would you like voters to know about yourself and your positions?

About me: I’m a die hard Yankee fan, love baseball, read as much as I can, love history (especially American history and Late Eastern Roman history), and am really enjoying being a dad. My wife Shanna and I welcomed our daughter Mia to the world in December and the last four and a half months have been the best of my life. I don’t even mind the diapers!

About my positions: well for most of my life I was a registered Republican. I used to refer to myself as a progressive republican but now I say I’m a conservative Democrat. Politics has always been a very macro/micro issue to me. With regard to my observations of Holmdel leadership: at a high level - we can do a lot better.