Mission

To enhance public parks and spaces in Beach Haven, and to foster a vibrant and healthy community

Founder & Board of Directors

  • A woman with shoulder-length blonde hair, wearing a light blue button-up shirt, sitting outdoors on a wooden surface with various green plants, purple flowers, and foliage in the background.

    Catherine “Kitty” Snyder

    FOUNDER

    Kitty’s vision led to the creation of Friends of Beach Haven in early 2024. She has been the President of the Beach Haven Council since 2022. For decades, she worked at Southern Regional Middle School and served on the Beach Haven School Board for 5 years. She and her late husband, Stuart Snyder, have lived in Beach Haven since 1988. They raised five children and enjoyed visits from their eight grandchildren.

  • A man with gray hair and a beard smiling outdoors at sunset near a body of water, with boats and a colorful sky in the background.

    Ken Rubin

    PRESIDENT

    Ken is a retired attorney whose practice focused on representing large financial institutions. He has been actively involved in municipal, public, and higher education organizations in Mercer County, NJ, and Bucks County, PA. Ken and his wife, Lisa, have been Beach Haven homeowners since 2001 and are active members of the Little Egg Harbor Yacht Club.  They have two grown children who love spending time at the beach.

  • A woman smiling outdoors in front of green foliage, wearing a colorful floral shirt.

    Sally Poblete

    VICE PRESIDENT

    Sally is an entrepreneur passionate about preserving natural environments. She serves on the Beach Haven Parks & Recreation Committee and previously served on the Beach Haven Chamber of Commerce. Sally and her husband, Jon, have two daughters and have lovingly restored their Victorian cottage in the historic district for 15 years.

  • A woman with long brown hair, glasses, wearing a black blazer and white shirt, smiling in an office setting.

    Helene Koseff

    TREASURER

    Helene is a CPA, MBA, and co-founder of Ciccone Koseff & Company, a well-respected accounting firm on Long Beach Island, where she has served businesses, non-profits, and individuals since 1988. She also owns the Ben & Jerry’s in Beach Haven. Helene has held officer positions in Soroptimist International and the Rotary Club of LBI. She has been in LBI for  over 40 years.

  • A smiling elderly man with white hair, wearing a yellow sweater over a blue checkered shirt, outdoors in a mountainous area with trees and a small river.

    Don Kakstis

    SECRETARY

    Don is a retired executive from Johnson & Johnson. He served on the Beach Haven Borough Council from 2014-2018 and on the Land Use Board for 10 years. Don is an active member of the Beach Haven Parks & Recreation Committee and volunteers with Coastal Volunteers in Medicine. He has owned a home in Beach Haven for over 40 years and is now a full-time resident.

  • A smiling woman with brown hair wearing a navy blue shirt standing outdoors with a cloudy sky in the background.

    Denise Hodes

    BOARD MEMBER

    Denise retired from a long career as a retail executive at Lord & Taylor.  She served on the local Board of Education and as church trustee in Bergen County, NJ.  Denise has been in Beach Haven since 2001, and is an active member of the Little Egg Harbor Yacht Club and the Parks & Recreation Committee. She and her late husband have 3 grown children and 3 grandchildren.

Press

May 23, 2024
Hundreds Celebrate Beach Haven’s 150th Anniversary at Heritage Day
By Emma Desiderio

June 05, 2024
Friends of Beach Haven Gathering Momentum
By Eric Englund