Candidates

Thomas is currently the Controller for a local engineering consulting firm. His professional career includes significant experience with Macy’s Inc. In-Store Design, Construction, and Facilities Maintenance. He also has extensive experience in finance, having worked on large-scale projects with Turner Construction on the $300 million Whitney Museum and the $787 million New York Police Academy, as well as Delta Airlines on major terminal projects at LGA ($4.5 billion) and JFK ($1.25 billion).

In the community, Thomas is a Lector and Extraordinary Minister at St. Joseph’s Church and a former Faith Formation teacher at St. Anne’s. He serves as a Mile Marshall for the Garden City Turkey Trot Committee and was a baseball coach with the GCAA. Thomas is also a prolific blood and platelet donor, ending 2025 with 253 lifetime donations credited to the St. Joseph’s Blood Bank and the NY Blood Center.

Jo-Ann’s academic background is extensive, including a BA from Vassar College, a J.D. from Antioch Law School, an LL.M. in Labor Law from Georgetown Law School, a Master’s in Education from Hunter College, and a Master’s in Social Work from Stony Brook University. Her professional career was a life dedicated to public service including serving as an attorney for the U.S. Department of Education and as the Chief Regional Civil Rights Attorney for the New York DoE. She also served the City of New York as a supervising attorney at the Conflicts of Interest Board, where she managed the agency’s budget. Additionally, she held leadership roles at the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) in both New Jersey and New York.

Since returning to Garden City, Jo-Ann has re-engaged with the community as a member of the Nassau Community College Alumni Board and the Garden City Welcoming Club. She is a member of the American Legion Auxiliary, a Nassau County Homemakers group, and is a regular blood donor at the Garden City Library.

Tom’s diverse work history includes serving as a Lieutenant in the NYPD after serving in the US Army. In the private sector, he served as a Director in Advisory Financial Services at PriceWaterhouseCoopers (PwC), First VP at INSTINET Corporation, and IT Manager at Brown Brothers Harriman. 

In Garden City, Tom was instrumental in past local initiatives such as the efforts regarding the Clinton Road Bypass and Seabury Road. Since retiring ten years ago, Thomas remained active for eight years as a certified high school referee and official for basketball, volleyball, soccer, and lacrosse across Nassau County.Thomas is a member of the St. Joseph’s Knights of Columbus, has coached youth basketball and soccer for many years and currently teaches CCD at St. Joseph’s. He continues to support the community through his involvement in the Village's various athletic and religious programs.

Neha has held leadership roles in Finance and Strategy for national education non-profits, where she oversaw financial reporting and analysis, cash forecasting, budgeting and financial modeling.  Previously, she worked at UNICEF USA, helping to launch the organization’s first impact investment fund. Her work there included developing operations and investor relations, facilitating $44 million in deals within the fund’s first two years. Neha has also served on multiple non-profit boards, providing guidance on sustainable program models and board governance.

A resident of Garden City, Neha has been an active member of the community for over a decade. She has served on various committees within the PTA and the Special Education PTA (SEPTA), including a four-year tenure on the PTA curriculum committee. Her leadership roles within SEPTA have included serving as Co-President, Treasurer, and Vice President of Grants.