Board Members

Board Member

Bonnie has served on the Board of Trustees of Samaritan Center for the past 12 years and has been its President since 2023.

Bonnie and her husband, John, live in Brielle. Together, they have three grown children, who attended local public schools. Bonnie is also a member of St. Denis Parish in Manasquan, NJ.

Bonnie is deeply committed to Samaritan Center at the Jersey Shore’s mission of providing professional mental health counseling to our neighbors in local communities, regardless of their financial or insurance coverage circumstances. She has been a strong advocate for breaking down barriers to mental health care and for creating a safe, inclusive space for healing at The Samaritan Center.

Board Member

Jon enjoyed a 32-year career as a bond broker, spending most of those years as the Head of Corporate Bond Trading at BGC. After decades in the fast-paced world of finance, he is now retired and happily settled in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida.
Jon and his wife, Deb, spend their summers in Spring Lake New Jersey. Together, they have two children.
These days, Jon serves as the Board Vice President at Samaritan Center at the Jersey Shore and devotes his time to what matters most: enjoying family and friends, staying connected to the communities he loves, and giving back. He volunteers with several charities and finds great fulfillment in using his time and experience to support others.

Board Member

Mark Beriault, Senior Executive Vice President and Chief Lending Officer, oversees all residential and commercial lending operations for the Bank of Manasquan. He joined the bank in 2004 to lead the expansion of its lending division. Mark was appointed to the Board of Directors in 2016 and later became Treasurer in 2018.

Board Member

Cathy Carlson graduated from Rowan University in December 1975. As a former Special Education teacher of over 30 years, she has always had a passion for helping children realize their potential. Cathy volunteered for and supported Special Olympics for many years.

Cathy is currently a member of the Manasquan Presbyterian Church, where she is active with several groups. Locally, she participates philanthropically with Just Us Girls and Holiday Express.

After living in the Manasquan/Wall area for most of her life, Cathy now resides in Brick. Her family; daughter Suzanne, son in law Ryan and grandchildren Davis and Lizzie reside in Manasquan.

Cathy was appointed to the Board of Directors in 2023 and began serving as secretary in 2025. She is so happy to be giving back to the community where she grew up.

Board Member

Board Member

Dara Brown is an award-winning journalist and former anchor for MSNBC/NBC News. She joined the network in 2000, pioneering webcasts for msnbc.com and has covered world news and politics for MSNBC, Early Today, First Look, Today, CNBC and TWC’s Wake Up with Al Roker. She is currently seen covering tri-state stories on News12 and teaches Public Speaking as an adjunct professor at Brookdale Community College.

Dara was inducted into Wall High’s Hall of Fame in 2001and received the Distinguished Alumni Award in 2022. She holds a BA in Broadcast Journalism and a BS in East Asian Studies from NYU and studied Shakespeare with Yale Drama School at Oxford University.
At age 10, Dara began working in NYC’s Milliken Show. National tours include “Annie” and “Gypsy” with Angela Lansbury, Broadway showcases, musicals in Japan, commercials, and voiceovers. TV shows include ABC Afterschool Specials, Guiding Light, and Law & Order: SVU. Her caricature hangs in Sardi’s.

Dara served on the Board of Directors at Algonquin Arts and has been a long time Ambassador for The Samaritan Center.

Board Member

Steve Jacobus is a retired Wall Street executive, with more than 20 years of experience specializing in options and derivatives. He is a graduate of Northeastern University, majoring in Finance & Accounting.  

Steve lives with his wife Jeanne in Brielle, they have three adult children, Austin, Tara, and Steve.  He has been involved in charity work for several decades in our shore communities and remains actively involved with Holiday Express.

Board Member

John J. Jackson III has been admitted to practice in the State of New Jersey since 1986 and certified as a Civil Trial Attorney by the Supreme Court of New Jersey since 1998. Mr. Jackson’s extensive litigation experience began while serving as an Assistant Prosecutor in Ocean County (1988-1992) and while serving as defense counsel for a major national insurance company. His litigation experience encompasses commercial, real estate related, and personal injury matters.

As the managing member of JJJ Law Firm, Mr. Jackson brings a multifaceted approach to legal representation, specializing in land use & zoning, litigation, real estate, and personal injury law. With 38 years of experience, he is well known for his unwavering client advocacy. 

Beyond his legal expertise, John serves as a trusted referral source within the legal community. Colleagues and clients alike rely on John’s recommendations and connections, knowing that he maintains a vast network of top-tier professionals across variance practice areas. John was appointed to the Board of the Samaritan Center at the Jersey Shore in 2024.

Board Member

Guy is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and lifelong advocate for mental health, shaped in part by years of living through the devastating impact of mental health crises and suicide loss in the Jersey Shore community. That experience gave him an enduring personal commitment to the kind of accessible, compassionate care the Samaritan Center provides.

Guy is the founder of his own private therapy practice specializing in mental health care for men and boys and spent nine years as a Regional Director for a mental health education organization - building mental health education programs across schools, businesses, and community organizations throughout New Jersey and Florida and beyond. He brings clinical depth, strategic experience, and deep local roots to his board service.

Guy is honored to support the Samaritan Center's mission of fostering hope and resilience at the Jersey Shore.