MAYOR • ELECTED 2024
FORMER BOROUGH COUNCIL PRESIDENT
COUNCIL PERSON

“I am honored to serve as Mayor of Atlantic Highlands. In this role, I have championed a collaborative approach to responding to the needs of our neighbors, our community, and our borough employees. I am working side-by-side with the council to bring regionalization to fruition, celebrate our town’s diverse residents, improve accessibility to public meetings, and establish the Open Space committee. I also formerly served on the Harbor, Finance, Personnel, Police, and Shade Tree commissions, and the Cannabis Research committee.

“A lot of the work of the Atlantic Highlands council is done behind the scenes. As Mayor, I am able to publicly set an active agenda to address what is important to Atlantic Highlands. This includes promoting a vibrant, welcoming harbor that maximizes enjoyment for our residents, visitors, and tenants; supporting the efforts underway to closely examine our building codes and regulations to be sure our historic business district retains its small-town feel; proactively communicating to residents when important decisions are in the works; and prioritizing long-neglected issues.”

Lori and her husband Paul, owner of Jersey Shore Coffee Roasters, have been AH residents for almost 20 years. They are outnumbered by their three dogs (Tessie, Billie Holiday, and Cisco).

COUNCIL PRESIDENT • RE-ELECTED 2024

Brian Dougherty was elected to Atlantic Highlands Borough Council in 2021. He and his wife Erin have lived in Atlantic Highlands since 2012 where they are raising their three children and one dog, Ember.

Councilman Dougherty was elected Council President in 2024. His committee service includes the Finance and Personnel Committee (Chair), Planning Board, Environmental Commission, Recreation Committee, and as liaison to the Henry Hudson Regional Board of Education. He previously served on the Technology and Communications Committee, Shade Tree Commission, Parking Committee, the EMS Task Force and as liaison to the Atlantic Highlands Fire Department. He coaches baseball and soccer and is a former board member of Sandy Hook Little League.

Professionally, Councilman Dougherty maintains two vibrant careers. He works in board administration at The Rockefeller University in New York and sings professionally. For over 25 years, he has performed with symphony orchestras, in operas, musicals and cabarets, in venues ranging from churches to Carnegie Hall to Madison Square Garden (and just about everywhere in between). He has appeared alongside Sting, Madonna, Andrea Bocelli, and Paul McCartney.

He is a proud union member of the American Guild of Musical Artists and Actors Equity Association.

COUNCIL PERSON • RE-ELECTED 2023

“As an Emmy Award–winning producer of shows such as “Impractical Jokers,” collaboration is a skill I use to achieve goals for our community. In my two terms as councilman, I’ve authored 14 laws including a ban on single use plastics; levied fines against new construction with insufficient parking; and created a law allowing for art in public spaces.

“I’ve also designed the borough’s livestream system, overhauled the town’s website, and recently created the Atlantic Highlands emergency radio station (1690 AM) initiatives that improve communication between residents and local government. I’ve also enjoyed producing our yearly Movie Nights at the Marina, the Music and Food Truck Festival, and Atlantic Highlands Day. During my third term, I plan to create a borough television station operated by students, as well as continuing my mission to create a community recreation center, more open space, and bring affordable housing for seniors to Atlantic Highlands.”

Jon has been married 22 years to his wife Suzanne and their son is a recent graduate of Henry Hudson High School.

COUNCIL PERSON • ELECTED 2023

Alyson Forbes and her husband Nicolas live in Atlantic Highlands with their two rescue dogs, Dexter and Blue (aka Big and Little). Alyson is the Publisher and COO of Catapult, an independent publishing house dedicated to amplifying underrepresented and diverse voices. Through her work with Catapult, she is frequently called upon to support free speech initiatives and participate in legal strategies that combat book banning and ensure open access to literature across the country. Alyson is also the founder of Perfect Bound, a start-up that seeks connect independent publishers and authors to new and dynamic print suppliers around the globe.

As an elected official, Alyson serves as council liaison to the Finance and Personnel Committee, the Green Team, and the Environmental and Harbor Commissions. She is also a member of the Monmouth County Democrats, the Atlantic Highlands Arts Council, and the Friends of the Atlantic Highlands Library.

Alyson is specifically interested in building an equitable and diverse community, supporting and growing our small business-focused downtown, and working towards future proofing the NJ coastline against environmental challenges.

COUNCIL PERSON • ELECTED 2024

Husband to Nancy and proud father of adult twins, José has been an Atlantic Highlands resident since 2019. A United States Air Force Veteran who served as an Aeromedical Evacuation Technician, Councilman Pujols has been a professional firefighter for over 23 years with Local 3951 at North Hudson Regional Fire and Rescue. He currently holds the rank of Captain and is the Fire Prevention Official to the Borough of Matawan.

Councilman Pujols is a member of the Atlantic Highlands Yacht Club and council liaison to the Police and Fire Departments, EMS, OEM, and the Veterans Affairs and Senior Citizens Committees.  

COUNCIL PERSON • ELECTED 2025

Kathleen lives in Atlantic Highlands with her husband Joe and daughter Mira, a 3rd grader at AHES. A former newspaper reporter, Kathleen now works with organizations confronting climate change. A founding member of Atlantic Highlands for Equity &  Justice, Kathleen also serves on the Advisory Board for Waterspirit, the Monmouth County-based center for ecology and spirituality.

Kathleen has worked in the environmental movement for most of her career but got her start as a newspaper reporter covering communities in Middlesex County. Her favorite stories to write weren't about important or powerful people, but about those who cared about their community and making it better.

Councilwoman Scatassa serves as council liaison to the Environmental Commission, Green Team and the Shade Tree commission.

COUNCIL PERSON • ELECTED 2025

Brian grew up in Atlantic Highlands and now lives here with his wife Manda and daughter Dottie, a 6th grader at AHES. Brian worked as a teenager at Foodtown and Atlantic Cinema (Smodcastle), as well as with his  family’s business Gorsegner Brothers Hardwood Floors.

Creative and enterprising, Brian has spent the last decade touring the world in several bands, which has naturally lent itself to his latest venture: starting his own tour booking agency. He now manages over 30 clients internationally. He also serves as a consultant on archival work in conjunction with several museums and ivy league universities.

Councilman Gorsegner serves as council liaison to the Recreation Committee, Arts and Council Commission, Shade Tree Committee and the Harbor Commission.