The Board of Directors of the Ironbound Business Improvement District (IBID) elected one new officer and returned several others to office for 2012 at the organization’s Annual Meeting in December.  Steven T. Yglesias, the owner of Mompou Tapas Wine Bar & Lounge on Ferry Street will return as President. Renato Baptista, a retired businessman, was reelected to the First Vice President position. Local businessman Manny Lopes, owner of Lopes and Sons Hardware on Ferry Street, was elected Second Vice President, replacing John Rodrigues of Lusitania Asset Management. Treasurer Susan M. Marques, Assistant Vice President and Branch Manager of PNC Bank’s Ferry Street office, and Secretary Maria Henriques, Branch Manager of Capitol One Bank’s Market Street office, were also reelected for 2012. Licinio “Lee” Cruz will continue to serve as President Emeritus. Assistant Secretary Leysly Roldan was also reelected to her position.

Seth A. Grossman, Ph.D., will also continue in his position as Executive Director. Grossman pointed to the diversity of the board as one of the organization’s strengths. “Our board includes business and restaurant owners, district residents, retail and professional service providers,” added Grossman. “All share a commitment to the Ironbound and to Newark, and are contributing to the community partnerships that are the hallmark of the IBID’s efforts to improve quality of life and business activity in the district.”

“We are pleased to welcome Manny Lopes, a longtime Ironbound business owner as a new officer for 2012, and thank our returning officers for their continued commitment to the organization,” said Mr. Yglesias. “We look forward to the continuation of work towards completion of the Ferry Street streetscape revitalization project and marketing programs, tangible signs of the hard work and dedication of volunteers from our community who serve on the IBID’s Board of Directors and have dedicated their time and effort towards making the Ironbound a great place to live and work, and a world class destination for great dining, entertainment, international shopping and services.”

For more information about the Ironbound Business Improvement District, call 973.491.9191 or visit GoIronbound.com.

(left to right) Longtime Ironbound business owner Manny Lopes, of Lopes and Sons Hardware on Ferry Street, is welcomed to his new position as Second Vice President by IBID Executive Director Seth A. Grossman.