Preserving the Past is our Gift to the Future
Board of Directors
Board of Directors
Michael Van Hooker, Chair/ Construction CommitteeMark Lynch, Co-Chair/ Construction Director
Susan Lynch, Treasurer
Sandy Hefferon, Secretary
Ron Perez, Grants Administrator/ Construction Committee
Michael Van Hooker, Chair/Construction Committee
Mike is a lifelong resident of West Milford with extensive family roots in town. He has a deep passion for West Milford, its history, and the preservation and use of places such as the Wallisch Homestead. In addition to his heavy involvement in the Friends of Wallisch Homestead organization, Mike is also a member of the West Milford Heritage Committee where he volunteers to staff the West Milford Museum. He holds a bachelor’s degree in Sociology with a concentration in Criminology from Ramapo College of New Jersey where he graduated from in 20212. Mike works full time for the County of Passaic and also holds a NJ real estate license. His past work experience in many fields of construction and heavy equipment repair help make him a well rounded member to the board of directors.
Mark Lynch, Co-Chair/ Construction Director
Mark is a lifetime resident of West Milford, and former business owner of M Lynch Landscaping for over 40 years. Although Mark is recently retired, he has extensive experience with local volunteer organizations and was named West Milford Township Volunteer of the Year in 2007. He still remains active in his community and has been a regular member of FOWH since shortly after its founding.
1978-Present Owner-Operator of M. Lynch Landscaping Inc.
2005-2016 Trustee Board Echo Lake Baptist Church
2016-2018 Leadership Board at Echo Lake Baptist Church
2018-Board member, Director of Landscaping FOWH
2021-Present Board member Construction Manager FOWH
West Milford Parks and Recreation Board
West Milford Fields Committee
West Milford PAL Executive Board
West Milford Recreation Girls Soccer and Girls Travelling Soccer Coach
Former member West Milford Elks Lodge #2236
Susan Lynch, Treasurer
Sue is a Founding Member of FOWH. She worked for Passaic County Board of Social Services for over 42 years before retiring in 2020. In addition to her work with The Friends of Wallisch Homestead, her community service efforts include being a Member of Passaic County Juvenile Conference Committee, and Member and Deacon at Echo Lake Baptist Church. Sue holds a BS in Criminology from William Paterson University.
2005-2018 Leadership Board at Echo Lake Baptist Church
2008-Present: Passaic County Juvenile Conference Committee Member
2013 Founding member of Friends of Wallisch Homestead (FOWH)
2014 Vice President
2018 FOWH Treasurer
2019 FOWH Board Member
2021-2024 FOWH Chair and Treasurer
2008-Present: Passaic County Juvenile Conference Committee Member
2013 Founding member of Friends of Wallisch Homestead (FOWH)
2014 Vice President
2018 FOWH Treasurer
2019 FOWH Board Member
2021-2024 FOWH Chair and Treasurer
Sandy Hefferon, Secretary
Sandy is currently a teacher at Macopin Middle School. She previously taught 6th grade at Marshall Hill School for over 20 years. She holds a BA degree in Education from Fairleigh Dickinson University and a Master’s degree from Mary Grove College. She was awarded both Teacher of Year at Marshall Hill School and the NJ Governor’s Teacher Award.
She was a founding member of the West Milford Creative playground in 1991, and has served as a Girl Scout Brownie leader. Sandy has volunteered as an active member of the Juvenile Conference Committee (JCC) of Passaic County since 2008. She is a long-time member of the Daughters of Penelope with St. Andrew’s Greek Orthodox Church. She is a founding board member of The Friends of Wallisch Homestead since 2013 in the role of Secretary for the organization. Sandy has lived in West Milford for over 36 years with her husband John where they have raised their 3 children. In her spare time Sandy enjoys reading, gardening and hiking.
Ron Perez, Grants Administrator
Ron is a retired Project Engineer with extensive experience in Site Development and Construction Management in process plants, pharmaceutical, nuclear power and consumer product industries. He volunteered for New Jersey Special Olympics Winter games for several years at Mountain Creek, Vernon NJ and Mennen Arena, Morristown, NJ. He also volunteered at St. Luke Church, Morristown NJ in the Caring Ministries Program, preparing and serving meals during Thanksgiving and Christmas. Ron was a member of the West Milford Men’s Softball League for 30 years serving as Treasurer, Vice President and President. He partnered the League with the township in promoting and participating in West Milford’s Pride Day. He joined the Friends of Wallisch Homestead to restore and preserve the Wallisch Homestead for our community. Ron has been a West Milford resident since 1970 and was a neighbor and friend of Louis Wallisch.
