HANOVER — Our elected officials’ jobs should be to ensure the safety of the community, promote a positive environment for families to live in, learn in, and for businesses to grow in. Hanover Township is a remarkable community filled with residents who care deeply for their township. Thomas “Ace” Gallagher has an appreciation for the things that make Hanover Township the ideal municipality that it is. A born leader, he has what it takes to make Hanover Township a thriving, economically viable sustainable, and safe environment for families. Please continue to familiarize yourself with Thomas “Ace” Gallagher by reading below.
THOMAS “ACE” GALLAGHER
Thomas “Ace” Gallagher is an entrepreneur, a prominent Hanover Township Deputy Mayor, and a strong voice advocating effective change that can bring positive solutions to issues concerning not only residents of Hanover Township, but also to many surrounding municipalities, counties, the State, and the nation. As a trustworthy problem solver, “Ace” has had much experience in budget preparation, township management, policy development, land use, property maintenance, educational issues, traffic, community service, a good listener, and more. He stands up for his convictions on the Township Committee and for the concerns of his neighbors and friends. Those of you who know him can attest to his contagious enthusiasm with which he continues to garner support and confidence. How did “Thomas “Ace” Gallagher become the man he is and how did it all begin?
The son of Terry & Michael Gallagher, “Ace” was born in Bayonne. His family moved to East Hanover Township where his mother taught music in the Hanover Township school district. Coming from a musical family, he inherited a rare talent. Ace was playing the drums at 4 and appearing on stage by the age of 6. His passion follows him to this day – spanning a musical career of 40 years on stage where he has played at some of the best venues and with some of the most impressive people. It was important for Ace to share his love and talent for the drums by teaching for more than 18 years, two of which were spent teaching in Hanover Township schools. He has always believed that the structure and discipline in earning a back belt in karate partnered with his musical study and teaching have helped him immensely with his approach to public service.
Ace’s love and dedication to his music opened the door to many opportunities enabling him to participate in impressive events while meeting some extraordinary people. He continued studying music and began to study business and marketing at County College of Morris. It was then when Ace started to understand the validity of what his parents and musical relatives always told him, “As a musician, no matter how good you may be, you had better start to consider having a Plan B because many musicians that do make big money, typically only make it for a short period of time.” As Ace was beginning to prepare for his Plan B, he accidentally became involved in the tree business. He immediately took to this business because it was loud, and aggressive, and gave him a feeling of accomplishment. If handled properly, he could stand to make a very good living. By the age of 24, Ace became the foreman of the tree company. Realizing that he needed to find something in the industry that would make him unique and put him in demand, he had an epiphany. Everyone was cutting down trees, but no one was grinding the stumps. With that in mind, Ace bought a stump grinder and 12 tee shirts. He took out a $5 ad in the newspaper and so Ace Gallagher Stump Grinding was born.
Gallagher was born into a family of true public servants whose mantra has always been to give back to the community, especially to those who truly need a helping hand. Most of Ace’s introduction to public service began at a very young age through Scouts and church most notably performing several times for Vietnam Veterans in West Orange NJ as early as 1974. So it is only fitting that Ace took his caring for people, and the skills and connections he developed in his field to create, develop and refine the nationally recognized, award-winning “One Day One School” Beautification and Safety Initiative. A source of motivation and inspiration, his beautification program transformed schools throughout the state. This unique program garnered accolades not only for private, and public sector partnerships but for the entire tree care industry and various other trades and skill sets. It isn’t easy to say no to Ace. Armed with volunteers, he was able to complete the most attractive projects amid raves.
Giving back to the community is something that has always been important to Ace. When the late Carmen Blandino asked him to join the Knights of Columbus, he was afraid to add one more meeting to his calendar and considered declining the invitation. He will never forget what Carmen told him, “You already live the life of a Knight every day. You’re doing quite a bit of work to help people in every way you can and it’s noticed, at least by me. Don’t worry about your schedule and the meeting conflicts. We’d love to have you be part of our chapter.” It is impossible to say no to Carmen and Ace never has.
It made sense and was a Fourth Degree Knight, Ace is especially appreciative of the opportunity to participate in this wonderful organization that does so much good for so many.
Throughout Ace’s career in public and community service, he has accumulated numerous accomplishments, awards, and recognitions:
• National recognition and award for One Day One School Beautification & Safety Initiative
• Worked with the state of Massachusetts to create a One Day One School program
• Created and coordinated the Hanover Township School & Park Traffic Safety Advisory Committee for which he received two recognition from the County of Morris
• 2011 elected to the Board of Education
• 2012 Received black belt in Isshinryu Karate
(Ace believes that his black belt has helped him in serving the public)
• 2013 re-elected to Board of Education
• 2014 Sworn in as a member of Hanover Township Committee.
• NJ Green Achievement Award for Excellence in Forestry – Individual and group categories
o NJ Forestry Association
o NJ Urban Forestry Association
o NJ DEP
o NJ Shade Tree Federation
• The SAGE Award from Livingston Township Committee
• Set A Good Example Award- for his participation as a board member of Little League
• Admired for his work with Bandit Industries, the second-largest manufacturer of forestry equipment. His recommendations have been incorporated into equipment being used today.
• Created the NJ Coalition 4 Education & Positive Choices and earned the NJ Governor’s Jefferson Award
NJ Coalition 4 Education & Positive Choices
One of Ace’s most notable achievements has been his creation of the NJ Coalition 4 Education & Positive Choices in which he has united educational leaders, law enforcement, municipal leaders, and local businesses with residents of the community to increase awareness of the drug epidemic and foster a positive lifestyle for our youth.
• He has formed many private and public collaborative relationships with the Morris County Sheriff’s Department, more than 10 New Jersey police departments, MADD (Mothers Against Drink Driving), the NY Jets, Orange County Choppers, and local organized sports groups.
• Provided informational seminars for parents and teens on important subjects such as vaping, mental health, and teen suicide. Updated parents on the latest drug trends and where to get help if needed.
• Provided many social events for kids such as Friday Nights at Mennen Arena, Drum Clinic, Career Night, Law Enforcement Night, Teen Concert Series, family picnics, volleyball tournaments, Martial Arts & Fitness Night, Dance Night, etc.
Hanover Township Committee
Since 2014, Ace has served on the Hanover Township Committee. As a committeeman, his duties have included:
• Director of Hanover Township Building Department
• Liaison to the Hanover Township Board of Education
• Liaison to Economic Development Advisory Committee
• Liaison to Property, Maintenance, and Zoning
• Liaison to the Garden Club
• Liaison to the Hanover Township Substance Awareness Council
• Co-liaison to the Hanover Township Cultural Arts Program
• In his first year, Ace introduced a very aggressive township social media presence to share relevant information with the public. To this day he is known to follow up and continually update and develop the latest trends in social media incorporating the newest forms of technology and media.
Created the “unofficial” Hanover Township Senior Citizens Page.
• Ace worked to create safer pedestrian and vehicular traffic patterns in and around the schools and parks in Hanover Township. The Township School and Park Traffic Safety Sub Committee which he formed was recognized by the NJ Department of Transportation.
*Hanover Township Deputy Mayor
After serving 8 years as Committeeman, Ace assumed the role of Deputy Mayor which assigns him the responsibility of Director of Engineering. It is in this capacity that he has helped Hanover Township thrive with many new and positive initiatives.
• Called attention to the problems of the Whippany River and formed an aggressive Whippany River Flooding Remediation Strike Force. Joining Hanover Township in this venture are Morris Plains, Parsippany, East Hanover, and Florham Park. Together with a renowned engineering firm, they performed a comprehensive analysis and submitted a series of recommendations. These recommendations may very well contribute to valuable federal grant monies.
• As Director of Planning, Ace has been busy evaluating and modernizing local ordinances that have been on the books for many years. This has already translated to benefits for Hanover Township residents.
• Presented to the Township Committee the idea of implementing a new structure for the PILOT (Payment in lieu of taxes) Program and worked with them to achieve one that was more beneficial to the K-8 school district. Met with so much success, it is now being used as a model in other Morris County municipalities.
• Initiated a new, much more aggressive approach in dealing with tax appeals which has already benefited Hanover Township.
• Currently working with the Economic Development Advisory Board to initiate a collaboration with Whippany Park High School Future Business Leaders.
• Created and is currently implementing a three-part Hanover Township Beautification Plan.
*CURRENT AFFILIATIONS
• Board of Trustees 200 Club
• Executive Board Morris County Republican Committee. Co-chair of a County-Wide Strike Force Republican Voter Registration Drive
• Morris County Open Space Advisory Board
• Morris County Chair for Mental Health Association and Gala.
Thomas “Ace” Gallagher resides in Whippany with his wife Sheila and two children where he continues to be a well-respected community leader.
A fine upstanding citizen, Ace Gallagher is known to devote his heart and soul to his family, music, business, and public service.
To learn more about Thomas “Ace” Gallagher, visit: Thomas Ace Gallagher on Facebook
or email him at acegallagher@gmail.com.
