Byrne Joins Atlantic Cape’s Board of Trustees

MAYS LANDING – Ellen Nicholson Byrne of Sea Isle City, appointed by freeholders Sept. 9 as one of Cape May County’s five, volunteer members of the Board of Trustees of Atlantic Cape Community College attended her first meeting Sept. 23. Her term continues until Oct. 31, 2017.
Byrne, an attorney, specializes in contracts, real estate, land use and nonprofit organizations at her Sea Isle City practice. She is also the city’s part-time public defender and is former solicitor of the Sea Isle City Zoning Board of Adjustment.
According to a release from the college, Byrne’s interest in nonprofit groups stems from her own days as a Girl Scout. She decided to become an attorney after scout mentors encouraged her to consider a nontraditional career path, one in which she might make a difference.
Six years after graduation from Syracuse University College of Law, she was recruited to serve on a “due diligence committee” working on a merger of four Girl Scout councils. She became an active member in that organization as a board member, committee chair, policy writer, vice president, and a National Council delegate as well as a legal advisor.
Through those Girl Scout experiences, Byrne has, over the past two decades, developed a legal practice that focuses on the needs of nonprofit groups in the area.
She has consulted for, or helped attain state and federal nonprofit status for many groups, including those that work with autistic children, low-income housing, historic lighthouse preservation, feral cat rescue and sea turtle rehabilitation.
On a professional level, Byrne is past president and vice president of Cape May County Bar Assocaition.
For two years, Byrne served on the Sea Isle City Board of Education.
The board consists of 15 voting members 14 of which are appointed in accordance with the laws of the state, one of which will be elected from the immediate graduating class.
The college president is an ex-officio member of the board, but without vote. Appointment to the board is accomplished as follows: By statute, seven members are appointed by the County Executive of Atlantic County, with approval of the freeholders and three members are appointed by the Cape May County Board of Chosen Freeholders.
The county superintendents of schools of Atlantic and Cape May Counties are also members of the board by statute. Two members, one from each Atlantic County and one from Cape May County, are appointed by the governor. One alumnus from the most recent graduating class is elected for a one-year term by each year’s graduating class.
Thus, the board has a place for five members that represent Cape May County – should the alumni representative be a Cape May County resident it would that number to six, presently the alumni is a resident of Atlantic County.
Other members appointed by Cape May County are Dave Coskey and Mary Long.
Dr. Richard Stepura, appointed by statute in his capacity as executive county superintendent of Cape May represents the county.
In July, Andrew Melchiorre resigned leaving a vacancy on the board. He served via gubernatorial appointment and the Governor’s office is presently engaged in finding a replacement.