Courtesy of NJ.com

RALPH PADILLA

Chief Executive Officer (CEO)

P.R.A.C. of Southern N.J. is led by a nationally recognized Hispanic leader who has a lengthy resume dedicated to public service, community and Hispanic initiatives. His resume includes a twenty five year law enforcement and criminal justice career.

During this time he held a multitude of supervisory and management positions and on January 5, 2005 was the first Hispanic in the history of New Jersey to be appointed Chief of a County Prosecutor’s Office.

After retirement he become the President of The Padilla Group LLC a consulting firm specializing in media, marketing, translation services and risk management, safety and security consultation for governmental and corporate clients.

In 2013 he became the first Hispanic ever elected to public office for a municipality in the history of Salem County. He broke another barrier by being unanimously appointed as the first Hispanic Mayor in Salem County history in the Township of Pittsgrove.

A dynamic visionary leader who speaks throughout the nation on topics ranging from Hispanic Empowerment Initiatives, Cultural Diversity and Police Accountability practices he has brought a clear and precise plan to P.R.A.C. to further its commitment to the community.

He has held a multitude of positions on national, state and local boards, commissions and authorities. He previously served as the Chairman of the Board of the United Way of Salem County, President of the N.J. Chiefs’ of Det.’s & Inv.’s Association, Board of Directors for Salem Community College Foundation, Salem County Vocational & Technical Career Center, Calvary Development Corporation and currently serves as the Chairman of the Board of the Memorial Hospital of Salem County.

At P.R.A.C. he has created a vibrant housing program to improve the quality of life of families from throughout the area along with creating a Hispanic Cultural, Heritage, Arts, Entertainment and Sporting Initiative component which has made PRAC the leader in the region for events such as these.

He is the son of Rosa Padilla from Villaba, Puerto Rico and the late Rafael Padilla from Jayuya, Puerto Rico. He currently resides in Pittsgrove Township with his wife Elba of nearly thirty years. He is the proud father of Ryan Padilla, Rutgers University-New Brunswick graduate, Ray, Rowan University graduate and Gabriella a ninth grade student at Arthur P. Schalick High School.

He enjoys spending time watching his daughter playing soccer throughout the nation and quality time with his yellow Labrador Retriever Luna and Black Labrador Retriever Layla!

Favorite quote: “There are those that look at things the way they are, and ask why? I dream of things that never were, and ask why not?”-Robert F. Kennedy