When reviewing applications for the vacant council seat in Medford Township, Mayor Chris Buoni couldn’t argue against the community involvement of Brad Denn.
Not only did his resume include involvement with the Medford Memorial Community Center, the Medford Soccer Club and local church organizations, but he has also called Medford home for his entire life.
Medford council unanimously voted to appoint Denn to fill former Councilman Randy Pace’s seat at Tuesday night’s council meeting. Denn was chosen from a list of three candidates named by the Burlington County Republican Committee. The other two nominees were planning board member Chris Benstead and Matthew Keane, chair of the Environmental Affairs Advisory Committee.
Council appointed Pace’s replacement since Pace resigned fewer than 60 days prior to Election Day. Denn will fill Pace’s seat through 2015.
Council went into executive session at the start of the meeting to discuss the nominees. Buoni said all three candidates were qualified to fill the seat.
“We really got three good nominees, and I’m thankful to the Republican Party for that list,” Buoni said. “They all had different characteristics, professionally and personally.”
Denn is a lifetime resident of Medford and works as a certified public accountant for Padden Cooper LLC. His experience as a CPA is something council valued greatly from a financial standpoint. Denn is the second CPA on council, along with Councilman Frank Czekay.
“One of the most important things we do is look at the budget,” Buoni said. “It never hurts to get another set of eyes.”
Denn said he hopes his good decision making skills and business consulting will be beneficial to council.
“I hope to continue the momentum that Randy Pace had and the current council is doing with the budget,” Denn said.
Denn’s involvement in the community goes beyond the workplace. Denn coaches with the Medford Soccer Club, where two of his four children play. He serves on the board of trustees for the Medford Memorial Community Center and has previously served on the township’s recreation board.
Denn’s involvement in multiple organizations, along with the time he’s lived in Medford, was another factor in his selection.
“We had to look at length of service,” Buoni said. “Brad has been involved with the community for a number of years. He really knows the community well.”
Denn said his drive to serve the community comes from being an Eagle Scout. Applying for the vacant council seat was a way he felt he could extend his service further.
“I always wanted to served the community,” Denn said. “When Randy Pace said he was moving, I did get calls from various people to apply for the vacant council seat, so I did.”
Denn believes the township is heading in the right direction under the current council. He said he is excited to get started and be able to serve the community he has called home his entire life.
