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Township Committee Bios

Jim Van Arsdale

Jim is a lifelong resident of New Jersey. He and his wife Connie have lived in Green Brook for nearly 30 years. Both of their adult children, Kathryn (Kat) and James attended IEF, GBMS and graduated from Watchung Hills. Jim served on Green Brook volunteer boards from 2008-2018 and was elected to the Township Committee in 2018. He was re-elected in 2021. During his time on the Committee, he has served as Deputy Mayor. This is his third year as Mayor. 

He graduated from The University of South Carolina where he received his B.S. in Finance. He will be receiving his Master of Public Administration from Kent State University in May 2024. Jim has worked in the banking/finance/wealth management field for over 35 years and recently retired from UBS after a 20 year career. He is currently the managing member of JR Van Arsdale Consulting LLC.

Jim serves on Green Brook Troop 129’s Operating Committee and works with many of our local Boy Scouts as a merit badge counselor. He enjoys mentoring Master of International Business students at The Darla Moore School of Business and serves his high school alma mater as Chair of Enrollment as a member of the Board of Trustees of Riverside Military Academy in Gainesville, GA. Previously, Jim spent many years managing fundraising campaigns for local NJ charities as a volunteer and board member for The United Way among others.

Jim Benscoter

James was born and raised in Somerville N.J. and has been a Somerset County resident for his entire life.  He moved onto Greenbrier Road in Green Brook, where he and his three sons – Aaron, William, and Eric – still reside.  While living in Green Brook, the Benscoter’s have been involved in Boy Scouts, little league, roller hockey, basketball, and soccer.

James was elected to Green Brook Board of Education in 2004 and served continuously until 2015.  He served as BOE President for nine (9) years, leaving to be appointed to the Township Committee in May 2015.  Since 2015, he has proudly served on Green Brook’s Land Use Board, Municipal Drug Alliance, and the Cultural, Heritage and Historic Preservation Committee, as well as serving as both Mayor and Deputy Mayor during this time.

James earned his B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from Rensselaer, and his M.B.A from Rutgers.  He recently retired as the Director of Investment Planning, from PSE&G, after 31 years.  Currently, James enjoys working at H&R Block as a tax professional.

Brian Conway

Brian grew up on the Route 22 corridor in New Jersey and has lived in Green Brook for more than 20 years, raising his family here.

A Graduate of Cook College, Rutgers University with a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Planning and Design, Brian is a Licensed Landscape Architect And Licensed Professional Planner with more than 30 years of experience in Land Use, Municipal Planning and development on all levels. Brian owned and operated a local small business for more than 23 years. Brian has been an adjunct instructor for Temple University and Rutgers University.  He is currently employed by Casey & Keller in Millburn as a Project Manager, Planner, and Landscape Architect.

Brian has been actively involved in the Green Brook community for many years volunteering countless hours of service.  He was involved in Breen Brook Hockey for more than 10 years as a coach, Vice President and ultimately President. Brian served on the Land Use Board, Open Space, Environmental Commission, and Flood Control.

Jerry Searfoss

Jerry is a twenty nine year resident of Green Brook and life long New Jerseyan. He is married to Kate and they have raised 3 boys in Green Brook; Matthew, Drew and Timothy, all of whom attended Green Brook schools and Watchung Hills High School. Jerry and Kate have volunteered on numerous occasions for Little League, Pop Warner football, Watchung Hills Wrestling, Somerset County Vo-Tech, GBMS theater, Cub Scouts, river clean-ups, junk days, disaster relief, Operation Shoebox, Green Brook Lions, Arthur Lewis Park, Oktoberfest etc.

Jerry initially filled an open seat on the Township Committee in 2006 and then was elected in 2007. He is currently the longest serving member at 17 years. Jerry has served as Mayor 3 times and Deputy Mayor for 4 years. He has served on every existing committee with the sole purpose of maintaining Green Brook as a premier residential town in Somerset County.

Jerry has been in the financial services industry for over 35 years with an emphasis on the automotive sector. He looks forward to continuing his service as an elected official and improving the quality of life in Green Brook.

Nancy Stoll

Nancy is a lifelong New Jersey resident, growing up in Bound Brook, later marrying Steve and together raising their family — Mickey, Matthew and Kate — on Pine Street in Green Brook.   Over the past 31 years, the Stoll family has been involved in many facets of the community, including the Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, Fire-EMS, CERT, PTO, baseball, football, basketball, hockey and ultimate to name a few.

Nancy was first elected to the Township Committee in 2011 and then again in 2014, serving as both Mayor and Deputy Mayor during this time.  Later, Nancy was re-elected to the Committee (2022).  Over the years, she proudly served on Green Brook’s Land Use Board, Open Space Committee and  Recreation Committee as well as liaison to our Senior’s Group.  

Earning her degree in Accounting from Montclair State University and Nancy’s early career in the Comptroller’s Department at The Prudential Insurance Company of America has strengthened her focus on financial planning and accountability.  Currently, Nancy enjoys working at St. Mary-Stony Hill Parish in Watchung as Administrative Assistant.