Ben Avon Council and Employees

Ben Avon Mayor

Melanie is the Education Director at Community Presbyterian Church of Ben Avon. She is the former owner of The Fire Escape coffee shop (now the Anchor & Anvil). Melanie’s has worked in non-profit arts management, in which she still finds opportunities to dabble. She is an active member of the Avon Club, involved in Avonworth school activities, a proud wife and mother, and a resident of Ben Avon for 11 years. Melanie would be honored to serve her vibrant borough, and will work diligently to enhance communication and transparency.

Ben Avon Council President

Jennifer Bett is currently the Compliance Manager with Carnegie Mellon University’s technology transfer office. Jennifer received her Master of Public Management from Carnegie Mellon’s Heinz School and has spent the past 25 years working as a project manager, small business owner, and entrepreneur. Jennifer is a dedicated community member and serial volunteer who currently holds local volunteer leadership roles with Community Theatre Players, Avon Club, Ben Avon Democratic Committee, Friends of the Ben Avon Bookmobile, among others. She and her husband, Michael, have been residents of Ben Avon for over 20 years and are proud to be raising their two teen-age daughters in this community-centric neighborhood. Jennifer is running for Council to be your voice in Ben Avon promoting honest government, strong public safety, and preservation of our infrastructure and community.

Ben Avon Council Vice President

Megan presently serves as Vice President and Senior Compliance Officer-Investment Management at Federated Investors, Inc. Previously, she served as Compliance Officer and Senior Compliance Examiner at Federated. Prior to joining Federated in 2005, Megan worked for a large regional bank in Trust Administration. She holds a J.D. from State University of New York at Buffalo and a B.A. from Hamilton College and FINRA Securities Licenses Series 7, 24 and 66. She is a member of the National Society of Compliance Professionals, Inc. Megan lives in Ben Avon with her husband Kevin and their three children.

Member of Council

Henry Casale is a partner with the health law firm of Horty, Springer & Mattern, P.C. in Oakland and is also a licensed pharmacist. He has served as a member of the Board of Directors and as President and Vice President of the Society of Healthcare Attorneys of Western Pennsylvania and also is an active member of the Allegheny County Bar Association. He is on the Board of Trustees at the Bradley Center, a regional and behavioral healthcare and child welfare system that provides comprehensive and caring services to children, youth and families. Henry, his wife Dana and their two children, Maddy and Sam, have been residents of Ben Avon for 18 years.