About ClearPath
Founded in 2026 by two municipal government veterans with a combined 40+ years of experience, ClearPath partners with local governments and residents across New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania.
Making municipal systems work for everyone.
ClearPath was built on a straightforward belief: the systems that govern our communities should be accessible, efficient, and fair — for the governments that run them and the residents who depend on them.
Founded in 2026 by two professionals with a combined 40+ years of hands-on experience in municipal government, ClearPath was created to put that expertise directly to work for communities across the tri-state area.
We bridge the gap between complex government systems and the people who depend on them — bringing professional expertise, practical guidance, and genuine commitment to every engagement.
40+
Combined years in municipal government
Our Core Values
Clarity Over Complexity
Municipal systems are inherently complex. Our job is to cut through that complexity and give clients a clear, actionable path forward — every time.
Partnership, Not Transactions
We build long-term relationships with the communities we serve. We measure success by your outcomes, not by billable hours.
Expertise You Can Trust
Our team brings deep, hands-on experience in public administration, grant management, and municipal law — not just theoretical knowledge.
Community-Centered
Every decision we make is grounded in what's best for the communities our clients serve — residents, businesses, and local institutions alike.
The Team Behind ClearPath
Our team is made up of former local government employees — people who've sat on both sides of the desk. We've held the roles we now advise on, which means we understand the pressures, constraints, and realities that come with serving a community from the inside.
Jennifer M. Smith
Founder & Principal Consultant
With over 35 years of hands-on experience across all departments of municipal government, Jennifer founded ClearPath to bring that insider knowledge directly to municipalities and residents navigating complex government systems.
Gina F. Ficarotta
Co-Founder & Consultant
With more than 10 years of experience in local government, Gina F. Ficarotta helps bridge the gap between public agencies and the communities they serve. At ClearPath, she partners with municipalities and residents to simplify complex processes and deliver clear, actionable guidance.
Serving the Tri-State Area
ClearPath operates across New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania — with consultants embedded in each state who understand local regulations, funding landscapes, and community dynamics.
New Jersey
Our founding state. Deep relationships with municipalities from Bergen County to Cape May, with particular expertise in NJ state grant programs and DCA compliance.
New York
Serving municipalities across upstate New York and the Hudson Valley, with experience navigating NYSDOS, Empire State Development, and federal programs in the state.
Pennsylvania
Supporting townships, boroughs, and counties across Pennsylvania with DCED compliance, Act 13 funding, and state procurement requirements.
Ready to partner with ClearPath?
Whether you're a municipality looking to strengthen capacity or a resident navigating a complex process, we're here to help.