 Bob Sandak: MayorBob Sandak was born and raised in Brooklyn where he attended Brooklyn Technical High School and Brooklyn College. He studied industrial engineering at CCNY and later earned graduate degrees in Education and Administration from Dowling College and C.W. Post. Bob, his wife Ruth, and their two sons lived in Coram for 29 years. They fulfilled their dream of moving to Belle Terre in 1998. Bob spent 38 years in the field of education as a teacher (elementary school and secondary math and science) and curriculum supervisor. He retired, in 2002, after 13 years as Deputy Superintendent of Schools. After retirement, Bob worked for four years as a school district consultant, assisting Boards of Education with capital improvement bonds, construction and financial matters. Bob enjoys world travel, golf, photography, fishing, woodworking and gardening. He has served as Village Trustee from June of 2004. Bob is delighted to serve the residents of the Village of Belle Terre and is particularly proud of his Election as Mayor.
 Jacquelyn Gernaey: Deputy Mayor
Jacquelyn Gernaey has served as a member of the Belle Terre Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA) for several years. As a business woman, she was the first to be promoted to the position of President of a division of American Home Products, an $8.5 billion corporation. In this position, she oversaw the 200 employees on Long Island. She also served as Vice-President of Sales, Marketing and Business Development for United Biomedical Inc., a vaccine therapeutics and diagnostics company. She was the first woman to purchase a franchise in the Alternative Board (TAB). Now having over 150 business owner members on Long Island, the Alternative Board uses peer advice and coaching to provide these business owners with a peer board group, which focuses on practical advise and holding the business owner accountable to take the actions necessary to achieve their business and personal economic and non economic goals. She has logged over 10,000 coaching hours. Jacquelyn has more than 30 years experience leading both entrepreneurial and large corporations. She was selected as one of “The World’s Greatest Business Mentors” – an honor bestowed to only 50 professionals internationally.
 Michael Solo: Trustee
Mike Solo was born and raised in Port Jefferson Village. After graduating from
Boston University, he started his career in Investment Operations in Boston and in
1994 he returned to New York working and living in Manhattan. Work took him to
many parts of the globe including living in London for 3 years. Travels and
experience only furthered his recognition that Long Island remains one of the most
beautiful places in the world. That love of Long Island brought Mike and his wife
Susan back from NYC to Belle Terre in 2018. The beauty of Belle Terre, the
proximity of family and the many close friends here that go back to Elementary
School days made the decision to come back easy. Both he and Susan have a passion
for the natural beauty here and especially enjoy the beach and the cabanas. Looking
to not only enjoy, but also to support our community, Mike has served as the Belle
Terre Road Commissioner since 2020. With Dr. Richard Musto stepping down from
his role as Trustee, Mike was asked to step in and fill this role for the Village for the
remaining term and also added the responsibility of Parks Commissioner. Mike was
formally elected to continue his role as Trustee and is honored to support Belle
Terre. Maintaining the beauty of our Village, the safety of our residents, and
continued quality of life improvements are a priority. You will likely see Mike and
Susan out on daily walks with their two rescue dogs, Thursday and Artie.
 Leza Di Bella: Trustee
Leza M. Di Bella was born and raised on Long Island. A graduate of Boston College and American University law school, she returned to Long Island in 2014, after marrying her high school sweetheart (and former Belle Telle Board Member, Richard Harris). She is a practicing attorney with over 25 years of experience specializing in complex commercial litigation. She has lived in Belle Terre for over 9 years with her husband, their two sons and their Maltese Shih-Tzu “Einstein”. Since coming to Belle Terre, Leza has been an active member of the greater Port Jefferson Community, serving as President of the Port Jefferson Special Education Parents and Teachers Association and in the past organizing and helping to run Belle Terre’s annual Halloween and Christmas parties. This past year, she worked alongside her husband in giving the Community Center a “facelift”. She is currently a member of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Educational Foundation. Leza will serve as Building Commissioner.
 Jim von Oiste, Trustee
James von Oiste Jr. was raised in Belle Terre where his father and mother settled in 1966. Jim’s father served as our Village Attorney for 38 years. Jim and his wife moved back to Belle Terre 10 years ago to start their family after living in Miami and working in yacht brokerage and commercial real estate. Following in his father’s footsteps, Jim has been an active member of our community. He and his wife Hana, have organized and run the children’s Halloween and Christmas parties for the past 6 years. He has been a member of the Belle Terre Ethics Board as well as the all-important Village Planning Board. For the past year, he has been the Deputy Beach Commissioner working very closely with Sheila Knapp. Prior to her passing, Sheila expressed her hope that Jim would take her place as Trustee on the Village Board and continue caring for the beach and beach programs that she loved so much. Following Shelia’s wishes, Jim was appointed to the Board to fill Sheila’s unexpired term in office and will serve as beach Commissioner.
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