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 Vice-President

Jennifer Bett is currently the Business Continuity Program Specialist with Disaster Recovery and Business Continuity Services at Carnegie Mellon University. Jennifer received her Master of Public Management from Carnegie Mellon’s Heinz School and has spent the past several decades 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, 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  daughters in this community-centric neighborhood. Jennifer is on Council to be your voice in Ben Avon promoting honest government, strong public safety, and preservation of our infrastructure and community.

Ben Avon Council Member

Russell is a 28 year resident of Breading Avenue. He is a retired high school teacher who taught English and Film Studies at The Pittsburgh Creative and Performing Arts school. During his tenure at CAPA, he was: the Facilitator for the CAS Program, a program for the academically gifted; the Instructional Teacher Leader for the academic staff; the coordinator of the Middle States evaluation;  the District curriculum team leader for CAS English; District editor for Secondary English curricula; and yearbook advisor. He hopes to use his experience to help maintain the quality of living that Ben Avon provides. He currently lives with Max and Brother Boy, his two cats.

Ben Avon Council Member

Ben Avon Council Member

Kara is a small business owner, parent, and a resident of Ben Avon for over 15 years. She is a Principal with Pashek+MTR, an award-winning landscape architecture and community planning firm. Her professional design career includes work with public gardens, schools, National Cemeteries, parks, and non-profit organizations, with particular expertise in sustainable design and landscapes for children. Kara lives in Ben Avon with her husband and two children.

Ben Avon Council Member

Jim is an independent consultant focused on strategy, planning and management of Health Information Solutions for Integrated Health Delivery Networks.  Jim and his wife Susan, have been residents of Ben Avon for 31 years and have proudly raised their two children in the borough.  He believes in honest and transparent government and will work to ensure the best interests of our borough residents are represented. Jim looks forward to working with our council to further enhance and improve the lives of our residents.

Ben Avon Council President

Richard Wagner is a 17-year resident of Ben Avon and resides on Ridge avenue with his wife Jennifer and their four children. Richard is a Senior Global Business Advancement Manager for Bentley Systems Inc (BSY), a provider of engineering/infrastructure software solutions. He is active in the community through his volunteer work and is on the Board of Directors for the Quaker Valley Council of Governments (QVCOG) and participates in the Congress of Neighboring Communities (CONNECT Pittsburgh).

Ben Avon Council Member

Tavia has been a Ben Avon resident since 2015. Her career has centered around providing behavioral and mental health services to teens and adults with intellectual disabilities and autism. Tavia enjoys volunteering with several area organizations and is currently serving as the President of the Avon Club Foundation. She is honored to serve on Council where she will strive to promote government transparency and enhance the everyday lives of Ben Avon residents.

Borough Secretary

Public Works Foreman