Lopez Sworn in to New Jersey General Assembly
Lopez Sworn in to New Jersey General Assembly
(TRENTON) – Perth Amboy resident Yvonne Lopez took the oath of office on Tuesday to represent the 19th Legislative District in the New Jersey General Assembly.
Lopez was sworn-in during the Assembly’s reorganization meeting at the War Memorial in Trenton. She joins Assembly Speaker Craig Coughlin in representing District 19.
“I am deeply honored and humbled to have been chosen as the legislative representative for the 19th district,” said Lopez. “I look forward to working closely with Speaker Coughlin, Senator Vitale and all members to meet the needs of our constituents and the needs of all New Jerseyans.”
Lopez is a Democratic state committeewoman and former North Brunswick Democratic committeewoman. She currently serves as the Executive Director/CEO of the Puerto Rican Association for Human Development, Inc. in Perth Amboy. The agency operates 10 programs including a full time preschool, and provides services to approximately 17,000 clients annually.
Prior to joining the Puerto Rican Association for Human Development, Inc., Lopez served as the Vice President/Community Affairs Manager for Wachovia Bank and several of its predecessor banks, where she managed a $5 million foundation budget and a public relations/sponsorship budget of $1.5 million, and was responsible for setting the direction for community relations goals and objectives relative to philanthropy and employee involvement in the tri-state region.
Lopez also worked as the Director of Donor Relations for the Trinitas Health Foundation, where she was responsible for establishing new funding relationships for the Foundation. Lopez supported the management and implementation of the Foundation’s comprehensive stewardship and donor campaigns, including strategic and visionary thinking for greater community outreach.
Lopez is the founder of the Boys and Girls Clubs of Perth Amboy, and currently serves on several boards and commissions—including the Middlesex County Human Services Advisory Council and the Local Advisory Committee for Hackensack Meridian Health, Raritan Bay Medical Center.
Lopez studied at Rutgers University and completed several advanced certificate programs with Boston College, Union School of Business and Rutgers University—Center for Strategic Urban Community Leadership Institute.
“My experience, working for a large financial institution in the beginning of my career and, for the past several years as Executive Director/CEO of a comprehensive social service nonprofit organization, has given me a very real understanding of community resident needs,” said Lopez.
“Access to jobs and financial security, affordable housing, quality child care, poverty and poor health factors are just a few of the issues that I have witnessed first-hand, and have been addressing professionally,” said Lopez. “I have a very good sense of what our constituents need, and will work diligently and responsibly to meet these needs.”
District 19 covers Carteret, Perth Amboy, Sayreville, South Amboy and Woodbridge.
