A resident of Hoboken since 1984, Elizabeth “Beth” Mason has a unique understanding of our city and the people who join her in calling it home. The oldest daughter of a working class family, Beth learned early the power of hard work and determination. Her father, a third generation Italian American grew up in the Bronx while her mother came from a family that has proudly called Virginia home since the early 1600’s.

Over the course of Beth’s time in Hoboken the city has undoubtedly experienced drastic changes. From the influx of new residents coming from across the Hudson, to the physical alteration that has by necessity accompanied it. Beth has worked hard to ensure that Hoboken remains the attractive city she planted her family’s roots in over twenty years ago.

As a leading management consultant who specializes in organizational change Beth knows the value of having qualified professionals overseeing our municipal government. She has dedicated countless hours to that effect. Having worked for both private and public entities such as MCI/World Com, St. Luke’s/Roosevelt Hospital, The New York City Administration for Children’s Services, and New York City’s Youth Line, Beth brings and unusual blend of experience and management skills necessary for our city to efficiently manage its limited resources.

While chairing the Hoboken Master Plan Sub-Committee, Beth used her expertise to help lead the Planning Board in conducting its first full review of the Master Plan in almost twenty years. As a founder of the community group Historic Hudson Street Coalition, and having served on the Board of Directors of the Quality of Life Coalition, Beth understands where Hoboken has been, and where it is going.

Beth has received much attention for steamrolling through those who believe politics as usual is the best way to run our city. In 2007 Beth successfully sought a seat on the Hoboken City Council putting herself in a better position to root at the mismanagement and malfeasance that our city can no longer afford. As past president of the non-profit New Jersey Foundation for Open Government, Beth paved the way to increase the transparency of government throughout the state and right here at home, presently spearheading efforts to revise the Open Public Meetings Act. Beth has sued the city time and again to open up Hoboken’s books and contract procedures to ensure that government is working in the best interest of the residents and not for the enrichment of the few. Particularly in these difficult economic times, Beth has made it clear that pay to play politics has no business in our city.

Beth’s work has been recognized by Who’s Who of Young American Professionals and International Who’s Who of Professional Business Women. She and her husband Ricky recently received the Hoboken Activist Award from the Quality of Life Coalition, and are scheduled to be honored by Common Cause of New Jersey in the coming months.

Beth is an active member and supporter of United Synagogue of Hoboken, the Jubilee Center, Rutgers University Ethics Initiative, Parents League, Scenic Hudson Preservation Society, the New Jersey Chapter of the National Council of Jewish Women, and Hoboken Rotary.