Council President Edward Bethea

Appointed to Bridgeton City Council to fill the seat vacated by Gladys Lugardo-Hemple, Councilman Bethea looks forward to working with his fellow council members to serve the best interests of Bridgeton's residents.

In addition to his work as an elected official, Councilman Bethea serves as the Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of Gateway Community Action Partnership headquartered in Bridgeton. He was promoted from CFO to COO in 2008. Councilman Bethea oversees all financial, managerial, and revenue-generating departments and activities within the agency. He is the chief negotiator of all contracts and leases and serves as chief developer on all construction projects. Other departments outside of Finance and Accounting he oversees include Head Start, Health Services, Economic Development, and Facilities Management.

Supported by a Bachelor of Science in Accounting with a concentration in Administrative Services (Rutgers University-New Brunswick, NJ), Councilman Bethea brings years of experience in tax consulting, financial planning, cash flow projection, and asset management. In addition to his 20 years of service to the agency, Councilman Edward Bethea extends his dedication to service as the Secretary and Treasurer of the Inspira Health Center's Board of Directors, President of the Bridgeton Board of Education, Cumberland County Empowerment Zone, as well as, serving as former President of the Bridgeton Main Street Association. He heralds a lifetime membership to the NAACP - Greater Vineland Chapter for which he served as Treasurer, as well as, a member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity - Upsilon Phi Graduate Chapter serving as a former President; the National Association of Black Accountants; and Union Baptist Temple of Bridgeton, NJ.

Mr. Edwards began his first term as a member of the City Council in January 2015 as part of the slate of candidates headed by Mayor Albert Kelly that won the election in November 2014, In addition to serving as a member of the Council, Mr. Edwards is the President of the Complete Care Health Network.

Mr. Edwards has a BA in Business Administration from Rowan University and a Master of Business Administration from Wilmington College in Wilmington, DE. Mr. Edwards served in the U.S. NAVY in San Diego, CA. earning an honorable discharge from the U.S. Navy,

Mr. Edwards is very active in his community and has many civic responsibilities including Board Member for the Bridgeton Board of Education, Secretary for Gateway Community Action Partnership, and has served on the Nehemiah Coalition, Human Services Advisory Council, and President of the Bridgeton Rotary Lunch Club. Mr. Edwards was awarded the MCN 2009 Unsung Hero Award for distinguished dedication to migrant health. He is married with two daughters.