JOE NEVES
Interviewed by Bill Reipe
For many of his 57 years Joe Neves has been acquiring and refining the people skills which uniquely qualify him to serve as a member of the Board of Trustees. He is a relative rarity among us, since he is a lifelong N.J. resident in a community where most trace their roots to Brooklyn or Queens, or some other New York locality. Many of these transplanted New Yorkers still think of the Garden State as "a distant land so very far away."
Joe's early years were spent in Jersey City and Woodbridge. He met his wife, Nanette, on a blind date. This fortuitous date, which Joe declares is "the best thing I ever did," resulted in a marriage now in its 28th year, and produced three sons and three grandchildren. Although the question was not put directly to Nanette, an underwriter with Amboy National Bank, Joe says she is in complete agreement that it was the best thing he ever did.
The "Empty Nest Syndrome" was the catalyst which caused their move to Covered Bridge. The second best thing he ever did, according to Joe. When their youngest son moved into a place of his own, Joe and Nanette found themselves with more housing than they could use. They looked about for a practical means of downsizing, and found Covered Bridge to be the perfect solution.
Most of Joe's working life has been devoted to situations requiring close interaction with others. As a customer care representative his responsibilities included assisting customers with problems including contracts, billing issues, and liaison with suppliers, and of course dealing with complaints. Oftentimes, finding a middle ground between an irate customer and the cold, impersonal corporate business practices required the tact of a diplomat, the patience of a saint and the nerves of a tightrope walker. His resume also includes experience in safety and security, operation of a customer manufacturing facility, and ownership of a catering business.
Conciliatory by nature, Joe deplores the current trend toward bluster and bombast in the conduct of public business. He puts his faith in quiet compromise as essential to harmony in human relations. Basic principles of truthfulness and honesty he emphasizes, may never be compromised. Decisions must be based on facts, rather than personalities or irrelevant issues. Above all, each individual must be treated with the respect and dignity which is his natural right.
Speaking with Joe Neves, one is impressed with an aura of sincerity, competence and commitment. He is well aware of the difficulties and challenges which lie ahead, and that hard choices sometimes result in hard feelings. Still, he is willing to make those hard choices. Joe accepts in all humility the responsibilities which have been entrusted to him, and is anxious to repay that trust with dedicated service to the community.
All indications are that the community has made a wise choice, and will be well served by his appointment to the Board of Trustees.