Mary Aversa, at left, will be retiring from the Ambler Borough Manager role at the end of January 2025. Here, she enjoys some Ambler fun with (from left to right) Elizabeth Wahl Kunzier, borough manager assistant, Dave Kralle, and Haley Welch, and Karen Sheedy, borough council chairperson. (Image courtesy of Mary Aversa)
Aversa's final day is Jan. 31, 2025.
A new year is about to begin, and for one Ambler resident, 2025 is THE year. It’s her chance to retire. After more than 22 years of service to the Ambler Borough, Mary Aversa, the Borough Manager, is set to retire.
Though she came to Ambler Borough’s administrative offices in 2002, it was not until 2007 that she became the interim manager. By 2008, she officially took on the role and has been here ever since.
Before she found her career in Ambler, Aversa came from a finance background.
“I worked in banking,” said Aversa. “[I worked in] accounting and then loan origination and documentation specialist until I had my children.”
After her second child, Aversa said she wanted to take time to stay home with them, focusing on being a mom. From there, she cared for her family, a full-time position as most moms can attest.
While she will hang up her manager “hat,” Aversa said that she will likely find something to keep her busy.
“I will do something,” she said. “I am going to take some time and decide what I want to do in the future.”
Aversa said all she knows for sure is that she no longer wishes to be “on” 24/7, allowing her time to enjoy her family, hobbies, and herself.
“I will continue to work with Ambler Main Street and volunteer my time,” she added. 
From left are Elizabeth Wahl Kunzier, Bob King, the president of Ambler Main Street, and Aversa. (Image courtesy of Mary Aversa)
The long-time borough manager said she has considered some general ideas about how to utilize her time after retirement. She knows the kind of work, at least, that she hopes to do.
“I would like to do something that impacts people in need,” she said. “I have enjoyed serving the public, but at this stage in my life I feel working with seniors or children will be very rewarding.”
If nothing else, Aversa knows that the absolute most fun and important job in the world will definitely be calling her name.
“I will also enjoy more time being a Mimi, that is the best job ever,” said the grandmother who is looking forward to more time with her grandchildren.
A resident of the borough since 1992, Aversa has seen the transformation of the area. For the most part, her experience as this borough’s manager has been largely positive.
“I have enjoyed my time with Ambler,” she said. “I think watching the town with empty storefronts, and the events that were fading away, was very concerning in the beginning.”
But thankfully, the town began to come together to make a change.
“By working with business owners, Borough Council, and property owners wanting to see Ambler thrive, we have become a very desirable place to live and invest.”
Aversa said that it was this transformation that was likely the best part of her position over the years.
“It was great to see the town progress, with vacant properties filled, empty factories and closed schools reused,” she said. “Everything that is needed for a town to revive itself, that is what I am most proud of.”
Evolving from a community once known as “The Town that Asbestos Built,” to, well, anything positive is a massive step for a borough. It was this process that, Aversa said, was the most fun to watch and participate in through her role.
“We are often referred to as the ‘Jewel of Montgomery County,’” she said. “And to have a successful Downtown you need willing partners and a strong dedicated staff to make things happen. We have managed to do this and keep taxes affordable to the Ambler residents.”
In addition to its growth, preservation, and improvements, Aversa said that Ambler has so much to offer, even in its most basic of structures and offerings.
“Ambler is unique,” she said. “The SEPTA station, bus access, a local market, and theaters make this the perfect place to live. We have it all.”
Besides its reviving evolution, the borough’s manager said that the easy access to all things needed in life is one of the best parts of this community.
“Having a walkable community is also very desirable, that is what brought me to Ambler over 30 years ago, and after growing up in Philadelphia I couldn’t imagine not being able to walk to local stores or having access to the train,” said Aversa. “They were a necessity for me.”
No job is perfect, and of course managing an entire borough has some “downs” along with its “ups,” which Aversa does not deny.
“I think the most frustrating thing is social media,” she said. “In this day and age, an issue gets traction on social media, and often people do not pick up the phone and call the Borough and ask about a specific topic.”
Of course, such social media trends impact more than her professional career. We’ve all had to adapt to the “new world order” that comes along with the world wide web and its many offerings. And Aversa said she realizes this challenge isn’t something exclusive to her job.
“This creates a snowball effect, and we end up with many angry and upset residents over posts that are typically misinformation,” she said. “I know this is a sign of the times, but this is a very big challenge for local government both professionally.”
Reflecting back, Aversa said she is able to take pride in the tough work she’d done over the years.
“I believe I was a manager that worked honestly and tirelessly for the resident’s, no matter the issue,” she said. “I always took the time to speak or meet with anyone that called or stopped by. I feel this is my duty, and I never passed off a resident or their concern to another member of my staff if they wanted to speak to me.”
Aversa said that, in all of her time with Ambler, it wasn’t just the borough’s council she wanted to keep happy.
“I have a Council that I directly answer to, but I work for the residents of the Borough, and they deserved my full attention no matter how big or small the issue was,” she said. “I always did my best to make sure they knew they were being heard. That is what is expected of local government and that is what I worked to provide.”
When asked about what she took the most pride in while working in her role, Aversa said that was an easy one.
“I am also most proud of the Borough Hall purchase, when the Community was devastated by the closing of our school, Mattison Avenue Elementary,” said Aversa. “I fought tirelessly to make sure that the building stayed a part of the Community.”
Without her work, it is unlikely Ambler would be what it is today. In the case of the former elementary school, for example, the borough may not have been able to grow as it has.
“We would have lost the opportunity to expand our services,” said Aversa. “All of our indoor sporting programs, our summer camp program and much more would have been lost. Youth programs are so important, and the children and residents would have suffered from the loss of the space. Because of the work we did to obtain the property and having a Council that listened to my concerns, they made the purchase, and we have a wonderful Town Hall.”
Since that time, Aversa said the borough has put the building to many good uses.
“We have many of the local sporting groups that use the space,” said Aversa. “We have a successful after-school program, and we have the Montgomery County Intermediate Unit here, making sure the needs of our children can be met. This space is enjoyed by all members of the community, including the Ambler Symphony, local families of the Ambler YMCA … everyone has a place to use when needed.”
Though Aversa isn’t leaving the borough, and plans to not only remain a resident but volunteer her time with local nonprofits, she is thankful for all Ambler has done for her, too.
“I am extremely grateful for the opportunity I had to serve the residents of Ambler,” she said. “I will still work to support my community, the Main Street events, and volunteer my time to the town that is also my home. I look forward to spending more time with my family, especially my loving and supportive parents, who happen to be two of my favorite residents.”
She said she will certainly miss her day-to-day interactions most, getting to know the people of Ambler.
“I will also miss my staff,” she said. “I feel very fortunate to work alongside people that share the desire for Ambler to be a wonderful place to live and continue to be successful.”
She said, while she is ready to leave her position, she knows the next borough manager is in good hands.
“I am confident that my replacement will have the support needed to continue to grow Ambler and serve the people of a town that I adore,” she said. “I also give credit and appreciation to all of the wonderful volunteers I have had the pleasure of working with, especially the Wissahickon Fire Company! The Borough of Ambler is very fortunate to have such wonderful volunteers serving our community.”
Aversa’s final day in the office will be Jan. 31. Be sure to stop in to thank this manager for her service to Ambler Borough.
