Evesham Township wasted no time in finding a replacement for retiring township manager Michael Barth.
At a special meeting last Tuesday, Evesham Township Council approved Robert Corrales as its new township manager. Council voted 4-0 to approve Corrales, with Councilman Ken D’Andrea absent.
Council approved Corrales after an executive session lasting nearly 40 minutes. According to the resolution, Corrales was scheduled to begin his position on July 29. He will receive a salary of $130,000.
After the vote, Mayor Jaclyn Veasy and members of council spoke briefly about the township manager search and expressed their confidence in moving forward with Corrales.
“I am looking forward to working with Robert…I think he’ll be a good addition to the township and will really shepherd us into what we would like to see happen and how this township can grow and what we can do,” Veasy said.
Deputy Mayor Heather Cooper said the township received many applications for the position and appreciated how all members of council had the opportunity to give their input. Township council had previously held a special meeting on the morning of July 13 to interview candidates for the open township manager position.
“I feel confident that we have taken it through that process, having limited time to find a replacement and ensuring a smooth transition was important for me,” Cooper said.
In a statement released following last Tuesday’s meeting, Corrales expressed his gratitude toward council for selecting him as the new township manager.
“Evesham is a wonderful community with residents and employees who take great pride in ensuring the township remains a great place to raise a family,” Corrales said in the statement. “Working with the mayor and council, I truly look forward to playing a key role in enhancing services to residents and expanding economic opportunities within Evesham.”
A resident from neighboring Mt. Laurel Township, Corrales brings a wealth of experience to Evesham Township, having worked in government at both the state and local levels. From 2014 to 2018, Corrales managed day-to-day operations as the business administrator for Camden City. Prior to being the business administrator, Corrales served as the city’s communications director and deputy director of code enforcement.
Corrales’ most recent position was at the state level as a senior advisor to state Senate President Steve Sweeney, working out of the Senate Majority Office in Trenton. A decade ago, Corrales also worked as the deputy press secretary and press secretary for Gov. Corzine during the latter part of Corzine’s term in office from 2008 to 2010. Corrales has also worked for the state’s Casino Reinvestment Development Authority and the Department of Labor and Workforce Development.
The hiring of Corrales was the second of two major vacancies filled by council in July. At its July 16 meeting, council unanimously approved the promotion of current treasurer Elizabeth Peddicord to the director of finance position. Peddicord is taking over for Thomas Shanahan, who is also retiring this month.
