Brian was born and raised in Cape May, attending both Our Lady Star of The Sea & Lower Cape May Regional Schools.  After high school, Brian attended Florida Atlantic University in Boca Raton, FL earning a bachelors degree in Small Business.  While in college Brian met his wife Jessica, and moved home to Cape May knowing that was where they wanted to raise their family.  All 3 of Brian’s children have attended West Cape May Elementary School. Brian is a Real Estate Broker, and owner of RE/MAX in Cape May.  He actively volunteers both professionally & in his community having previously served as President of the Cape May County Association of REALTORS® & MLS and currently serving as First Vice President of The Mid-Atlantic Center for the Arts & Humanities.  Brian’s family is big in to athletics, which has him coaching both youth basketball as well as Little League Baseball when he’s not in the stands watching a dance recital, basketball, soccer, lacrosse or field hockey game! In his free time, you can find him on the beach, out surfing or on the golf course.

Shelly Ward Richards has spent her life in the South Jersey area. She moved to West Cape May when her youngest child graduated from High School in 2019. She has spent every summer at the Jersey shore including the last 20 years here in Cape May.  Shelly has an Educational Doctorate from Nova Southeastern University. She recently retired from the NJ Public School System where  she served throughout her career as an Aide, Teacher, Supervisor, Principal and Superintendent.  Part of her tenure as an educator was spent at the West Cape May Elementary School where she fell in love with the small community school.  She is involved with different charitable organizations in the town that focuses on educating children and the inclusivity of all people. Shelly also works part time as a Real Estate Agent for Coldwell Banker Sol Needles in Cape May. 

T.J. Belasco was born in Wildwood Crest, NJ and has lived in South Jersey most of his life. He tried moving to Massachusetts, but couldn't get the Jersey sand out of his feet. He graduated Rutgers College in 1989 with a B.A. in American Literature. He earned a post-baccalaureate degree in Secondary Education from Glassboro (Rowan University). He has been an educator in South Jersey for 25 years. He currently teaches Advanced Placement Literature and Composition, Public Speaking, and Tomorrow’s Teachers. He also organizes and takes part in the annual St. Baldrick’s Cancer Fundraiser. T.J .has lived in West Cape May since 1990 and was first elected on the school board in 1996. He proudly boasts that both of his children are graduates of West Cape May Elementary. He loves watching the incredible success of West Cape May students when they get to high school.

Elaine Lawler was born in North Jersey and has lived in Pennsylvania, New York City, Dublin, Ireland and London before finding her true home in West Cape May. Elaine moved to WCM in 2010 with her husband, Sam, and their three children. All of their children attend or are alumni of WCME. Elaine is a graduate of Lehigh Universtiy with a BS in accounting and finance and also attended Villanova University for additional graduate studies. Elaine brings over 20 years of business experience to our board where she has worked as an auditor, investment banker and a partner in a project management consultancy. In addition to her volunteer work at the school, Elaine has been active in coaching and mentoring youth activities. For the last 5 years, Elaine has coached for the Cape May PAL travel girls' basketball team.

David  is the Director of NJ Audubon’s Cape May Bird Observatory. He is an ornithologist, conservationist, and photographer. In addition to birding, David can be found with his wife and two girls on the beaches of Cape May catching waves and pointing out Black Skimmers. David received his PhD from Rutgers University where he studied the effects of fire on the Federally Endangered Cape Sable Seaside Sparrow in the Florida Everglades, and conducted two postdoctoral research projects on Radar Ornithology (using radar to study bird migration, stopover habitat usage, and ultimately to better inform migratory bird conservation) with New Jersey Audubon and the University of Delaware. David has also worked in the field of high-end optical devices, as the Product Specialist for Leica Sports Optics. David is excited about being on the West Cape May School Board because he feels WCME has great potential to be a leader in elementary education with its small class size and the benefit of being in one of the most naturally wonderful locations in the country - perfect for outdoor experiential learning opportunities!