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David Hollod ’82 returned to his roots upon graduation and firmly nestled himself in local politics in Somerville, N.J.
Hollod, mayor since 1995, will step aside to pursue other paths, including building on the career he chose when he stepped onto the campus of Lafayette: civil engineering.
“I’m very proud of our accomplishments,” Hollod says of his years in office. “We have done a lot.”
In an effort to rebuild downtown Somerville, where merchants lost business to a shopping mall, two new large office buildings and a parking garage were built during Hollod’s years in office, and through active streetscapes and a business owner-friendly administrative office in the borough, the downtown has seen a revitilization.
“The downtown has thrived,” Hollod says, “and I’d like to think that I had something to do with it.”
Prior to his campaign for mayor, Hollod served nine years with three consecutive terms on borough council.
“A friend of mine ran for office, and I worked for his campaign, which helped me meet a number of people in town. I always had an interest in American and political history, and I always thought in the back of my mind that I would like to serve in office somewhere in the future.”
He now works with Parsons Transportation Group as deputy department manager in the roads and highways division. Parsons does general consulting engineering work. Hollod is specifically involved with roadway and highway design and transportation studies.
“I’m very glad to have explored two career paths. It gives two very different perspectives of things, and puts me in a unique position to have been involved in both professions for so long.”
At Lafayette, Hollod was a member of the Delta Kappa Epsilon fraternity and the local chapter of the American Society of Civil Engineers.
“Lafayette provided a well rounded and balanced education,” he says. “I took other courses in government and other departments that have prepared me for the two-career path I have taken.”
He recalls Vincent Viscomi, professor of civil and environmental engineering and former director of engineering, as a mentor who had an impact.
Now that he is stepping away from public service, Hollod says, “I’d like to explore some hobbies, catch up on my reading, and find some other ways to contribute to the community.”
As it has been for the last 17 years, however, politics will remain a part of Hollod’s life.
“I will still be involved with the local political party — I am just stepping out of elected office.”