About
The National Puerto Rican Day Parade (NPRDP) is the largest demonstration of cultural pride in the nation. Now in its 60th year, the parade takes place from 44th Street to 79th Street along Fifth Avenue in Manhattan, in honor of the 3.5 million inhabitants of Puerto Rico and over 5 million people residing in the United States.
Reborn in 2014, our programs and events focus on promoting Culture, Arts and Education, with special tributes to prominent, historical figures and campaigns to raise awareness of important issues in the community. We are also committed to advancing the pursuit of higher education, awarding scholarships to students of Puerto Rican descent.
Each year, NPRDP hosts a variety of cultural, educational and social, cultural and social events throughout the New York City leading up to the day of the Parade. These include the Education Leadership Awards, Rising Stars Challenge, 152nd Street Cultural Festival, Annual Parade Mass at Saint Patrick’s Cathedral, and the Gala Fundraiser Banquet.
National Puerto Rican Day Parade, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) non-profit tax exempt organization and we rely heavily on the support of its sponsors and donations from the community to help produce the events that make up the largest demonstration of cultural pride in the United States. All donations are tax deductible to the full extent permissible by law.
An iconic institution for over half a century, the mission of the National Puerto Rican Day Parade (NPRDP) is to create awareness and appreciation of Puerto Rican culture and history, as well as to highlight our community’s contributions to the global society. Under the theme Un Pueblo, Muchas Voces (One Nation, Many Voices), NPRDP celebrates the creativity and diversity of thought in Puerto Rico and across our patria extendida (diaspora).
The NPRDP delivers on its mission by producing and hosting a series of events and programs that are designed to celebrate and advance Art, Culture and Education in the Puerto Rican community, both in Puerto Rico and the mainland U.S. NPRDP is committed to promoting the pursuit of higher education through its annual scholarship program, having expanded the NPRDP Scholarship Program 20-fold since 2013, awarding a total of $200,000 to 100 exceptional high school and college students of Puerto Rican descent in 2017.
The New York Puerto Rican Day Parade Board Members graciously & generously donate their time and expertise to make the parade a monumental success, year after year.
Dora Diaz
Eduardo Rosario
Since becoming a union member in 1985, Eduardo Rosario has been an activist leader holding numerous elected and appointed positions in the union movement. He was an organizer and chair of the Community Services committee for the Northern California Conference of Newspaper Unions during the Northern California Newspaper Strike of November 1994. He later became president of Graphic Communications International Union Local 4, executive board member of the San Francisco Labor Council (AFL-CIO), as well as president of the San Francisco chapter of the Labor Council for Latin American Advancement (LCLAA).
As a member of the executive board of the San Francisco Labor Council (AFL-CIO), he has coordinated international conferences such as the Western Hemisphere Conference Against NAFTA and Privatization that brought together 413 delegates from 21 nations from throughout the Americas, and the Open World Conference that brought together 560 delegates from 56 nations from around the globe. He has proudly represented the U.S. labor movement as a juror to the International Conference Against Child Labor and Forced Labor, held in Mexico City, and was a member of the National AFL-CIO delegation to the People’s Summit held in Santiago, Chile. Today he is the Contract Administration Coordinator for AFSCME Local 375 at District Council 37 in New York City.
A fellow of the Cornell University/Worker Institute, he has earned a Master of Arts in Labor Studies from the CUNY Graduate Center/School of Professional Studies, a Bachelor of Arts in Labor Studies from the National Labor College, as well as a Certificate and Advanced Certificate in Labor Studies from Cornell University. His Master degree thesis was titled, “U.S. Labor Combating Environmental Injustices: organizing opportunities locally and globally”, as well as his Bachelor degree thesis titled, “The Dismantling of the Manufacturing Clause: another victim of deregulation”, which earned him a “Distinguished Paper Award” from the National Labor College. Hermano Rosario is the president of the New York City chapter of LCLAA the largest chapter in National LCLAA, and is the first person to ever become president of a LCLAA chapter on both West and East Coasts.
Eduardo is married and a proud father of three daughters.
Rosevelie Marquez Morales
Nancy Ortiz
Nancy Ortiz is the Senior Events Producer at Zumba Fitness, the largest dance-fitness brand in the world. She travels around the globe to Europe, Latin America, the Middle East, and South East Asia spearheading 30 plus productions a year for Zumba creator Beto Perez.
Born in Brooklyn and raised in Queens, this fast-talking native New Yorker started her marketing career at Nassau Community College. It is there that she landed her first big break working on a Marc Anthony concert. Nancy’s NCC experience helped open the door to the Spanish Broadcasting System (SBS), where she worked for New York local radio stations La Mega (97.9 FM) and Amor (93.1 FM).
When an entry level marketing position at Viacom opened up, Nancy’s gregarious personality caught the attention of an MTV recruiter, who hired her as an Events Coordinator. For the next 10 years she honed her skills there moving up the ranks to the title Director of Events. Responsible for tent pole shows like the Video Music Awards (VMA’s) and the MTV Movie Awards, Nancy has worked alongside numerous A-list talent including the likes of Jay-Z, Beyoncé, Gwen Stefani, Christina Aguilera, Wisin y Yandel, and Calle 13 to name a few.
Always wanting to go above and beyond her role at MTV, Nancy organized a networking group to push for diversity within the Viacom brand. The group connected employees of color with top-level executives. Her devotion to company culture and inclusivity was recognized when she was awarded the Diversity Award by MTV.
Nancy believes the key to living a balanced life is to work hard and enjoy life harder! She attributes her success and outlook on life to Carmen, her mother and biggest role model, who raised her four siblings on her own. “There are no shortcuts in life, “ Nancy says, “My mom worked hard her whole life, I admire and mirror her work ethic to be the best woman I can be.”
When not traveling the world, Nancy resides in Florida, but her heart lives in New York where
she visits her family as often as possible. In her spare time, she volunteers with organizations like Habitat for Humanity, Toys for Tots, and local soup kitchens.
Nancy Ortiz
Nancy Ortiz is the Senior Events Producer at Zumba Fitness, the largest dance-fitness brand in the world. She travels around the globe to Europe, Latin America, the Middle East, and South East Asia spearheading 30 plus productions a year for Zumba creator Beto Perez.
Born in Brooklyn and raised in Queens, this fast-talking native New Yorker started her marketing career at Nassau Community College. It is there that she landed her first big break working on a Marc Anthony concert. Nancy’s NCC experience helped open the door to the Spanish Broadcasting System (SBS), where she worked for New York local radio stations La Mega (97.9 FM) and Amor (93.1 FM).
When an entry level marketing position at Viacom opened up, Nancy’s gregarious personality caught the attention of an MTV recruiter, who hired her as an Events Coordinator. For the next 10 years she honed her skills there moving up the ranks to the title Director of Events. Responsible for tent pole shows like the Video Music Awards (VMA’s) and the MTV Movie Awards, Nancy has worked alongside numerous A-list talent including the likes of Jay-Z, Beyoncé, Gwen Stefani, Christina Aguilera, Wisin y Yandel, and Calle 13 to name a few.
Always wanting to go above and beyond her role at MTV, Nancy organized a networking group to push for diversity within the Viacom brand. The group connected employees of color with top-level executives. Her devotion to company culture and inclusivity was recognized when she was awarded the Diversity Award by MTV.
Nancy believes the key to living a balanced life is to work hard and enjoy life harder! She attributes her success and outlook on life to Carmen, her mother and biggest role model, who raised her four siblings on her own. “There are no shortcuts in life, “ Nancy says, “My mom worked hard her whole life, I admire and mirror her work ethic to be the best woman I can be.”
When not traveling the world, Nancy resides in Florida, but her heart lives in New York where
she visits her family as often as possible. In her spare time, she volunteers with organizations like Habitat for Humanity, Toys for Tots, and local soup kitchens.
Santos Rodriguez
Santos Rodriguez is the Director of Community Affairs & Strategic Initiatives for the Building & Construction Trades Council of Greater New York since February 2015. He is responsible for engaging with all community groups, organizations and special interest groups. His responsibilities further include communication with all Building Trades affiliates to implement strategic initiatives and assists with all council lobbying efforts.
Prior to joining the Building & Construction Trades Council of Greater New York, Mr. Rodriguez launched his career at the International Association of Heat & Frost Insulators and Allied Workers Local #12. In 2007, Mr. Rodriguez was appointed the Organizer for the Heat & Frost Insulators Local #12 union. He was the youngest person to be appointed as a full time officer of the local. As the Organizer, he was responsible for organizing a non-union work force which provided workers an opportunity to work in a safe environment with fair wages, benefits and representation. Having been actively involved within Local union #12, in 2010 he was appointed as the Political Director for the union. He has been recognized by numerous elected officials and organizations for his work in supporting a strong middle class.
Mr. Rodriguez is a graduate of Project Pathways (a pre-apprenticeship training program that provided inner city high school graduates the ability to become a direct applicant into the building and construction trades unions of NYC). Today the program has been re-named The Edward J. Malloy Initiative For Construction Skills. Santos continues his involvement with Construction Skills as the program’s community liaison. He also serves as a board member of Catholic Charities Brooklyn and Queens. Santos is married and has two wonderful children.
Lorraine A. Cortés-Vázquez
Lorraine Cortés-Vázquez, M.P.A.
Senior Vice President, Corporate Relations & Government Affairs, EmblemHealth
Ms. Lorraine Cortés-Vázquez is responsible for EmblemHealth’s relationships with key government, community and industry stakeholders, better positioning EmblemHealth for new growth opportunities.
Lorraine was the Executive Vice President for Multicultural Markets & Engagement at AARP where she developed a comprehensive 5-year strategic plan. At AARP, she ensured that the interests of multicultural audiences age 50-plus were integrated into everything AARP does, with the goal to increase multicultural presence among AARP membership and increase AARP’s presence and involvement in multicultural communities.
Prior to AARP, Lorraine was New York’s 65th Secretary of State, and the first Hispanic to serve in that role. She also served as Vice President of Government and Public Affairs at Cablevision Systems Corporation, a leading media, entertainment and telecommunications company.
She brought to this position a distinguished career in the nonprofit, government and corporate sectors that extends more than 30 years.
Her work in the nonprofit sector has gained her national recognition and numerous awards. She served as President of the Hispanic Federation, a nonprofit network of 92 Latino health and human service agency in New York, New Jersey, Connecticut and Pennsylvania. Lorraine has extensive experience organizing major community and media partnerships to leverage civic participation and increase educational campaigns. In the early 1990s, she served as Executive Director of ASPIRA of New York, the nation’s oldest and largest nonprofit Latino youth leadership development and education advocacy agency.
Ms. Cortés-Vázquez obtained her undergraduate of Hunter College, earned a master’s degree from New York University Robert F. Wagner Graduate School of Public Service. She is a Toll Fellow, having completed the national leadership program for elected and appointed officials. She earned certificates from Harvard University’s John F. Kennedy School of Government and from Columbia University’s School of Non-Profit Management.
Ululy Rafael Martinez
Ululy Rafael Martinez serves as Vice Chairperson and Executive Board member for the Board of Directors of the National Puerto Rican Day Parade, Inc.
Ululy Rafael Martinez began his legal career in public service as a staff attorney for the Bronx Defenders. As a public defender, he represented low-income individuals accused of felony and misdemeanor crimes while working to secure placement in alternative to incarceration programs.
Ululy’s interactions with the local community, as a public defender, lead him to accept a position as General Counsel to a New York City Council Member. Ululy acted as a legal resource to constituents trying to navigate housing, debt, bankruptcy, social security, judicial proceedings and not-for-profit matters.
Inspired to learn election law, Ululy became Chief of Staff to the Bronx Democratic County Committee. While at the Party, Ululy also became particularly adept at managing campaigns in diverse communities with a specific emphasis on how to engage and mobilize Latino constituencies. Upon leaving the Democratic Party, Ululy became involved in a multi-million dollar real estate development called the Bronx Terminal Market. His advocacy resulted in the successful negotiation of a Community Benefits Agreement that required the developer to make contractual commitments to hire people from the Bronx and provide millions of dollars in funding to local not-for-profits.
Ululy continued his involvement in government when he accepted an opportunity to become Deputy Chief-of-Staff to the Speaker of the New York City Council (Council), Christine C. Quinn, where he helped revise the Harassment and Discrimination policy and served as a procedural legislative resource to 51 Council Members. Ululy proposed and managed many reforms to internal Council regulations. Recognizing the need for greater education and transparency about the Council’s legislative process, Ululy created a comprehensive legislative procedure manual on “how a bill becomes a law”.
After several years in the public sector, Ululy made a transition to the private sector as the Director of Government and Business for a telecommunications company, which provides cable, telephone and Internet service to millions of New York, New Jersey and Connecticut residents. In this capacity, he advises the company on local, state and federal video regulatory matters, consultant contracts and franchise compliance. The company designated him to be a member of Mayor Bloomberg’s Climate Adaptation Taskforce, where he worked with government and other telecommunications providers to develop adaptation strategies to protect vulnerable infrastructure from extreme weather events.
In his spare time, Ululy is an active board member of the scholarship foundation for Bronx Community College. Ululy is also a salsa dancer and a poet who has recited his poetry at the Nuyorican Poets Café and featured at The Inspired Word.
Louis Maldonado
Louis Maldonado – Partner and Managing Director
Louis Maldonado is a consummate marketing professional and champion for the Hispanic community. He is Partner and Managing Director at d expósito & Partners, an advertising and marketing agency specializing in Hispanic marketing, where he leads key agency accounts, including AARP, as well as pro-bono assignments, such as the National Puerto Day Parade and the José Limón Dance Foundation. Additionally, he is integrally involved in new business development, leading several new business pitches that have significantly contributed to the agency’s growth. He also played a key leadership role on the team that developed the award-winning, integrated, Hispanic communications campaign for the 2010 Census. His account leadership has yielded several awards for the agency’s work, including a David Ogilvy Award from the Advertising Research Foundation, several Telly Awards and a Hispanic Account Planning Excelencia Award. Prior to joining d expósito & Partners, Louis worked at The Marketing Store in Oakbrook, IL, where he was the Account Director overseeing the McDonald’s national Hispanic promotions and brand activation activity, including the LoMcXimo de la Música concert tour, the FIFA World Cup and Mexican National Team activations and the Hispanic overlay to the largest, national promotion, McDonald’s Monopoly.
Prior to his work at The Marketing Store, Louis worked at The Bravo Group, as well as general market ad shop, Warwick-Baker-O’Neill. While at Bravo, he worked in the OTC and Pharmaceutical categories where he led the Wyeth Consumer Healthcare, GlaxoSmithKline, Novartis, and AstraZeneca teams. Louis also led the Philip-Morris USA business, handling the Youth Smoking Prevention and QuitAssist brands. Other Hispanic marketing experience includes work on the Pfizer, H&R Block and Hellmann’s/Best Foods teams. While at Warwick-Baker-O’Neill, Louis worked on brands like French’s Mustard, Frank’s RedHot Hot Sauce and Magner’s Irish Cider.
In addition to his work at d expósito & Partners, Louis has served as guest speaker at premier conferences in Marketing and Advertising, including the ANA Masters of Marketing Conference and LatinVision CEO Summit. He has also guest lectured at several prestigious university MBA programs, including Columbia University, New York University and Indiana University’s Kelley School of Business.
In early 2014, Louis was appointed to the Board of Directors of the National Puerto Rican Day Parade, where he was instrumental in implement in ushering a new era for an iconic institution. His work, in partnership with his fellow board members, resulted in an Emmy nomination for the 2014 Parade broadcast and laid a solid, fiscally sound foundation from which to build in 2015 and beyond. Louis also serves on the Board of Directors for the José Limón Dance Foundation, he sits on the Latina Advisory Panel for Girls Inc. Formerly, he was part of the Next Generation Council for the Philharmonic Orchestra of the Americas and provided pro-bono consultation to Start Strong Bronx, an organization dedicated to fostering healthy, positive relationships to prevent teen dating violence and abuse.
Louis earned an MBA from Indiana University, with concentrations in Marketing and International Business. He completed his undergraduate studies at Baldwin-Wallace College, where he graduated cum laude with a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration and Music. A native of Cleveland, Ohio, Louis is also a professional clarinetist and avid musician. He and his life partner, Wilson Guzman, reside in New Jersey and are proud parents of their Standard Schnauzer, Picasso.
Myra Santiago
Vincent Torres
Vincent Torres serves as a member of the National Puerto Rican Day Parade Board of Directors.
Born and raised in New York City “Vinny” has been involved with the non profit sector for over 25 years. As Director of Positive Workforce, a Construction advocacy organization dedicated to obtaining gainful employment opportunities for local and minority building trade workers, he has been responsible for over 10,000 placements in the construction industry. Vinny currently is a board member of El Barrio/East Harlem Community Board 11. He has an important role in initiating and reviewing planning, land use and zoning matters, the City budget, municipal service delivery and many other advocacy matters relating to the welfare of East Harlem. With a number of monthly public committee meeting covering a range of important community issues, Vinny currently serves both the Economic Development and Land Use Committees.
Lorraine Rodriguez-Reyes
Lorraine Rodriguez-Reyes serves as a member of the National Puerto Rican Day Parade Board of Directors.
Ms. Rodriguez-Reyes is an Actor, Producer. Theatre, Film, Television. These words, when used in reference to Lorraine Rodriguez‐Reyes, describe creative pathways on which a consummate artist can relentlessly pursue her passion.
Lorraine received her MFA from Harvard’s American Repertory Theatre (A.R.T.)/Moscow Art Theatre Institute For Advanced Theatre Training illuminating an acting career that has led her to the stages of Cherry Lane Theatre (Verse Chorus Verse), Mint Theatre (On The Edge), Repertorio Espaniol (La Gringa), Theatre Row (A Bicycle Country, Dog Day Afternoon), and so many others. Lorraine’s love of character development is what makes her such a versatile actor, and she insists it’s difficult to choose favorites. But if pressed, she may tell you she’s quite fond of Three Sisters, performed at Columbia Stages; Dostoevsky Demons, performed at Moscow Art Theatre; and Melancholy, a show she did at the beginning of her career at Harvard, directed by Scott Zigler; and the role of La Extrana in De Donde at The Looking Glass Theatre which earned her an OOBer Award.
Lorraine’s on-camera work is nearly as prolific as her stage work. Some highlights include, in television, Lorraine was cast on the HBO mega-‐hit series, The Sopranos, as Nurse Ramirez, and over at ABC she was cast in a recurring Guest Star role on “What Would You Do?” In film, Lorraine again joined team HBO as part of the HBO International Latino Film Festival as Carmen in Taught To Hate. Another of her many film projects, Willets Point, an independent film by TJ Collins, made its World Premiere at the Quad Cinema in New York City. For her performance as Doris, one of Willets Point’s leads, Lorraine was nominated for Best Dramatic Actress at The Long Island International Film Expo.
Lorraine’s credits as Producer are no less impressive. At the Atlantic Theatre she produced the reading of The Genius by Daniel Mitura; at Cherry Lane she produced the Stripped Festival in association with Barefoot Theatre Company and East 3rd Productions; at Theatre Row, the Israel Horovitz Festival Reading and A Bicycle Country by Pulitzer Prize Winner, Nilo Cruz; and at the Gene Frankel, Weird Sisters. Also with East 3rd Productions she produced Strange Snow by Steven Metcalf, Mary Esther (conceived by Christopher Petit and written by Nick Zagone), and the Enter Playwright Reading Festival. Lorraine’s credits as a Film Producer include the Award Winning short films Tape Worm and Capicu. And these are but a few of her credits. Lorraine is currently producing at the Fresh Bread Group in New York City.
Orlando Plaza
Orlando Plaza serves as a member of the National Puerto Rican Day Parade Board of Directors. Orlando Plaza was born and raised in New York City’s Lower East Side. His mother came to the United States from Puerto Rico in the 1950s and his father in the 1960s; they raised him with a deep sense of cultural pride and identity.
Growing up in the multicultural milieu of the Lower East Side exposed Orlando to a great deal of cultures and worldviews for which he is very grateful. Nevertheless, the Lower East Side in the 1970s and 1980s was one of many neighborhoods in New York City that was influenced greatly by the Puerto Rican Diaspora.
Social clubs with the names of Puerto Rican towns proliferated, Caribbean produce in “La Marqueta” was always available, movies featuring Spanish language films could be seen, restaurants with Puerto Rican cuisine were plentiful and music stores selling the latest albums by Puerto Rican musicians filled the soundscape throughout the Lower East Side.
Growing up Puerto Rican in that neighborhood was a joy. Puerto Ricans collectively felt as if they were not only a part of New York City but also connected to their brothers and sisters on the Island and in the Diaspora in general.
In the early 1990s, Orlando attended the Borough of Manhattan Community College (BMCC) where he met his first academic mentor professor Salvador Ocasio and he immersed himself in the Puerto Rican Studies courses offered at BMCC.
However, his experience at BMCC was only the beginning of his academic journey. After having finished the two-year program at BMCC in a year and half he received a partial scholarship to Fordham University. Once again, he was fortunate enough to meet yet another academic mentor who would have a profound influence on his life, professor Mark Niason. After having written a paper comparing and contrasting the political ideologies of Puerto Rican nationalist leader, Don Pedro Albizu Campos and UNIA leader, Marcus Garvey, Naison called Orlando into his office and told him, “Young man, you are a scholar.”
Orlando graduated from Fordham University in 1995 with a B.A in history and a minor in sociology.
After having worked nearly two years for the Board of Education as a drug prevention counselor and serving as interim director at the Lower East Side-based Clemente Soto Vélez Cultural Center (named after a Puerto Rican poet), Orlando applied to the Ph.D. program at New York University. In 1999 he was granted the Opportunity Fellowship and the Warren Dean Fellowship. He earned a master’s degree in History majoring in the African Diaspora and Latin America.
In 2002, while working on his prospectus for his dissertation, the opportunity arose to open the bar/restaurant, Camaradas El Barrio.
After a great deal of thought and deliberation Orlando decided that the academy could wait and that entrepreneurship could not. He submerged himself completely into building and developing the bar/restaurant and brand that is known today as Camaradas El Barrio in East Harlem.
From the beginning it was important that Camaradas become more than just a local for food and drink. It needed to be organically connected to El Barrio and its rich cultural and artistic history. He, along with his business partners, were keenly aware of the importance of El Barrio to the Puerto Rican Diaspora and Camaradas needed to be a place that expressed that with pride and respect.
After nine years he can confidently say that Camaradas El Barrio has achieved its goal and to many it is more than just a place for food and drink it has become an institution.
María Cristina “Cristy” Marrero
CRISTY MARRERO is obsessed with creating content with substance that connects with people. Developing audiences while helping brands engaging “the right way” is her calling. This avid “conversationalist” as she prefers to be identified, promptly became the Group Content Chief of Siempre Mujer and Ser Padres magazines, published by Meredith Corp., the first Latina to ever win a Women in Communications, Inc. Rising Star Award (2013), as well as a Julia de Burgos Award honoree (2014) from National Puerto Rican Day Parade, a MIN Most Intriguing People in Media honoree (2015) and a Folio Awards Top Women in Media 2015 honoree. Most recently, NYC Comptroller, Scott Stringer honored Cristy with the prestigious Hispanic Heritage Month Award (2015), along with other two Hispanics making a difference. Under her leadership, Siempre Mujer was named “Best Women’s Magazine” on Adweek’s Hot List in 2011. Most recently, Cristy has become the Editorial Vice President for Hola and Hello Media and founding Editor-In-Chief of Hola! US edition.
A nationally recognized #influencer and lifestyle expert frequently quoted in media, Cristy is a regular contributor at CNN en Español’s Showbiz and Despierta América (Univision). She frequently appears on Primer Impacto, Nuestra Belleza Latina (Univision), Un Nuevo Día, Yo Soy El Artista and Al Rojo Vivo (Telemundo), The Today Show and 4 New York NBC News (NBC), among others.
Her expertise on the Latino community in the U.S. has secured her important speaking engagements as a moderator, judge, panelist and emcee, such as Celebrando (San Diego), San Antonio Book Fair, Hispanicize (Miami), PRSA Travel and Tourism Conference (San Antonio), FIT Future of Fashion Judge (New York), among others.
Cristy began her career as a reporter for Caras Puerto Rico before becoming fashion and beauty editor for Vanidades, both owned by Televisa Publishing. Today, she is also a proud Board Member of the National Puerto Rican Day Parade, and an Advisory Board Member at March of Dimes and A.S.M.E.
This passionate traveler who has lived in three different continents (so far!), is also a certified Kundalini Yoga instructor and Reiki master, the last two being her biggest accomplishments in life because they keep her sane.
Her first novel published in 2016 by Penguin Group “Las Imperfectas” became an Amazon bestseller within the first 30 days.
Edwin Lopez
Edwin Lopez serves as a member of the National Puerto Rican Day Parade Board of Directors. Edwin is a third generation member of Local Union # 3, I.B.E.W., who started his career as an electrical apprentice in 1977. From 1986-1992, Mr. Lopez served as the President of the Santiago Iglesias Educational Society; an organization of electricians that his father founded in 1958, along with Harry Van Arsdale, Jr. From 1992-2005, he served as the Union’s Construction Department Business Representative in The Bronx.
Throughout his union career, Mr. Lopez was a community and political activist. In 1996 and 2000, he served as a Delegate to the Democratic National Convention. In 2004, he served as the National Political Coordinator for the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers in Washington DC, where he developed and coordinated the national grassroots political campaign “GOTV” that involved over 750,000 union members. He served as a board member of the BOEDC, under Bronx Borough President(s) Fernando Ferrer and Adolfo Carrion. He also served on the “Somos el Futuro” Board of Directors, as well as Chairman of the Board.
In 2005, Mr. Lopez became the Executive Secretary of the New York Electrical Contractors Association (NYECA) as well as the Chapter Manager of the New York City Chapter of the National Electrical Contractors Association (NECA). Founded in 1892, NYECA is the largest and oldest union electrical contractor trade association in the country.
His industry activities include being an active board member for The Edward J. Malloy Initiative for Construction Skills; a pre-apprenticeship program that offers direct access for NYC high school students to careers in the NYC union building trades. He serves as a board member for Helmet to Hardhats; a direct- entry program for veterans into NYC Building Trades apprenticeship programs. He is also a Board of Governors member of the Building Trades Employer Association (BTEA)in New York City.
In 1982 Mr. Lopez earned his Associates Degree in Labor Studies. In 1994, he earned his B.S. from the Harry Van Arsdale Jr. School of Labor Studies, Empire State College. In 2011 Mr. Lopez earned his Master’s Degree from Cornell University School of Industrial Labor Relations.
Mr. Lopez is active in many philanthropic causes.
Rosa J. Gutierrez, MBA
Rosa J. Gutierrez serves as Treasurer and Executive Board member for the Board of Directors of the National Puerto Rican Day Parade, Inc.
Ms. Gutierrez has over 30 years of experience in the Insurance Finance sector with her most recent role as Vice President of Finance for American International Group (AIG). Ms. Gutierrez also served as Business Leader and President of the AIG Latino Network; an Employee Resource Group.
Ms. Gutierrez is a Board Member for the Hope for Families and Children Foundation (HFFC), the supporting organization and fundraising arm of the Puerto Rican Family Institute, a not-for-profit, multi-program health and human services organization.
Ms. Gutierrez received her MBA in Finance from Benedictine University. She has also earned the designation of Associate in Insurance Accounting and Finance (AIAF) and received a Certificate in Non Profit Management from the State University of New York, Purchase College.
A parade/marching contingent is an organized group of 50 people or less representing a registered organization. All contingents must file a parade application. The NPRDP will provide permits and access wristbands upon completion of the registration process. No contingent will be permitted to march without the applicable permits and wristbands.
All organizations must file parade applications, separately. Parade formation permits cannot be shared.
Yes, you can request a float as part of your initial parade application. Additional fees and conditions may apply.
(Example: Organization XYZ’s float is sponsored by Coqui National Bank)
National corporations or franchises must obtain written permission from the NPRDP Committee in order to participate in the Parade. A contingent cannot be sponsored by or display logos or trademarks from, third party businesses or organizations without the written permission of the NPRDP and its affiliates.
All commercial/corporate opportunities must be directed to the NPRDP Development Committee, via email, NPRDP.Sponsors@gmail.com.
No. The broadcast viewing stands (or bleachers) are NOT reserved public seating. Currently, the seating is reserved for parade honorees and sponsors among other contingents that hold official roles in parade operations.
Every marching contingent MUST provide Contingent Liaison; usually the contact person on the parade application. Each contingent must designate a ‘Liaison’ to ensure that all precautions are taken during the parade experience.
Gaps in the Parade disrupt the steady flow of the procession. The success of our parade depends on the cooperation of all contingents. If you foresee a gap developing between your contingent and those preceding you then…speed up! Proactively, we assign parade marshals at each street corner that will direct you, accordingly. Please comply with their directions.
Absolutely, NOT! For the safety of our parade community, it is irresponsible and dangerous to throw anything out to our parade goers. However, you can feel free to hand out shirts or other promo items. A warning will be given to your contingent should you fail to comply with this regulation. Any subsequent violations will result in immediate ejection from the parade route.
In most years, we have over 100 marching contingents participating in the NPRDP. A number of factors determine your placement in the Parade. We will work diligently to direct all contingents to the parade route in a reasonable amount of time. It is also important that your organization adhere to the formation time which will alleviate some of the wait time.
Yes, elected officials and political candidates can participate in the parade. However, in order to preserve our 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status, we must comply with all rules and policies in relation to partisan political activity. An important distinction is that an incumbent may participate in the Parade in their capacity as an office holder but cannot participate in the parade with the intent to distribute campaign literature and other political propaganda. For example, “Congressman John Smith” can march in the parade with a banner that reads “Congressman John Smith supports the Puerto Rican Community.” Conversely, if Congressman John Smith is running for Governor and wants the banner to read “Puerto Ricans support John Smith for Governor of Hawaii.” The latter would be considered a direct violation of political campaigning and will result in immediate ejection.
Motorcycle riding is prohibited on the parade route. If you represent a contingent of motorcycles then they may be displayed on a float or platform; the gas tanks should also be empty.
All drivers must possess a valid driver’s license. Only insured and registered convertible vehicles will be permitted on the parade route.
Application Fees vary based on the requesting entity (e.g. non-profits, business, government). All payments have to be made by money order or certified check payable to National Puerto Rican Day Parade, Inc. Cash is NOT accepted.
Yes. All participants must reflect a respect for general public decency and moral values. Although subjective, we ask that all participants use their best judgment and realize the importance of demonstrating a positive image to past, present, and future generations of Puerto Ricans.
No, we do not provide Puerto Rican Flags to any participants. Furthermore, as part of our policy, the use of the Puerto Rican flag must be done in the most respectable and dignified manner. The Parade does not allow Puerto Rican flags with symbols like coquis, dominoes, congas etc. It is considered a desecration of our national flag.
