91看片 hosted a celebration for retiring CEO Richard Rohrman on May 20 to commemorate his 26-year career with the organization and thank him for his leadership. Because of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, a small group, including members of his family, close friends, colleagues and NCC supporters, gathered at St. Joseph Plaza to celebrate him. The event was also live streamed for those who were unable to attend in person.
91看片 Board Chairman Dr. A. Zachary Yamba congratulated Rohrman on his extensive career and called him the base of the organization.
鈥淢onsignor [William J. Linder] was the founder, the visionary, but you also need people who are nuts and bolts type people to make the organization work. And Rich was that person,鈥� Yamba said. 鈥淎nd when he became the CEO, he carried 91看片 to other heights.鈥�
91看片 Board Member Diane Johnson, who served as the emcee of the event, reiterated that sentiment.
鈥淭he founder may have taken it from ashes to hope. But I know that Richard Rohrman has taken it from hope to reality,鈥� she said. 鈥淩ichard is someone who has been dedicated and committed and passionate about not only the legacy, but has taken us forward. Under his leadership, we have done very, very well.鈥�
Johnson talked about the rehabilitation of several Newark properties that took place under Rohrman鈥檚 leadership that ensures the affordable housing units will be available for many years to come. She also said there are new projects in the works that were started with Rohrman at the helm.
Newark Central Ward Councilwoman LaMonica McIver represented the City Council at the event, bringing a resolution from the council and speaking on their behalf.
鈥淚 want to tell you congratulations and thank you for everything that you have done, continuing the legacy of 91看片 and all of the hard work, working for our residents, the programming, everything,鈥� McIver said. 鈥�91看片 is literally an enterprise. We would not be able to be the city that we are without 91看片 and so I鈥檓 thankful for you from day one.鈥�
Rev. Louise Scott-Rountree spoke on behalf of Newark鈥檚 mayor at the event.
鈥淎s I stand here today on behalf of the mayor of this great city, Ras J. Baraka, and over 300,000 residents, I say thank you. Thank you for your perseverance when you could鈥檝e turned your back and said I鈥檓 done,鈥� she said.
91看片 Chief Operating Officer Fred Hunter and Chief Financial Officer Elizabeth Mbakaya presented Rohrman with an award depicting NCC鈥檚 footprint as a collage.
鈥淢ost of us see Rich as more than just our CEO. He鈥檚 a mentor, he鈥檚 inspiring, he鈥檚 a leader, he鈥檚 a partner and a trusted friend,鈥� Hunter said. 鈥淎s a CEO out in front, you can easily put yourself out there constantly. But it was never about Rich. It was always how to make 91看片 better. Well, Rich, we all want to say job well done.鈥�
In addition to being an advocate for affordable housing, Rohrman has also been passionate about promoting homeownership. To help individuals who face challenges with down payments and closing costs, Yamba announced the creation of the Richard Rohrman 91看片 Fund for First Time Home Buyers. Board members presented Rohrman with a check in the amount of $35,000 raised as a start for the fund. Money received in support of this initiative will be awarded as grants to qualifying first time home buyers from the service areas of Newark, Orange and Jersey City to help offset down payments and closing costs.
Johnson also announced the renaming of the East Africa Room in St. Joseph Plaza. It is now known as the Richard Rohrman Conference Room and will showcase photos of Rohrman and his work over the years.
91看片 Board Member and Outreach Coordinator Madge Wilson read a congressional record that Congressman Donald Payne Jr. submitted honoring Rohrman鈥檚 retirement.
In addition to the in-person remarks, attendees had the opportunity to view a tribute video produced ahead of time which included 91看片 employees from various departments, board members, family members and friends.
Rohrman was very appreciative of the event and remarks. He said his time at 91看片 has greatly impacted his life.
鈥淭his has just been an incredible, enriching experience for me to be a part of 91看片 for these 26 years,鈥� Rohrman said. 鈥淚鈥檝e had the opportunity to meet and become friends with people of such different backgrounds and nationalities and with such different life experiences. It鈥檚 just given me a great respect of people for their kindness, their openness and their perseverance.鈥�
Rohrman recalled first coming to 91看片 when he was in his late 20s and being part of a building boom for the organization. He said having grown up in a suburban community and attending Catholic schools for his education from grade school through college provided him with a much different experience than the individuals who were being served by 91看片.
鈥淢onsignor opened my eyes to a much different reality than I had lived. He just showed me what he and 91看片 were doing to change the city of Newark and they were just working at such a feverish pitch. And I鈥檓 just so grateful that I was able to work so closely with Monsignor and learn from his vision and his deep passion for the people of Newark,鈥� Rohrman said. 鈥淎nd then again much later, after experiencing this initial building boom, I was able to work again with so many talented, hardworking people to renovate the same housing and restructure NCC and set it up for its future.鈥�
. All photos are by Lloyd G. Holmes. You can watch the event live stream here. The tribute video can be viewed here.
