Ian Abreu, IOM

COUNCILOR AT-LARGE IAN ABREU WAS FIRST ELECTED IN 2015. COUNCILOR ABREU WAS THEN SUBSEQUENTLY RE-ELECTED TO THE NEW BEDFORD CITY COUNCIL 2017 WITH A SECOND HIGHEST VOTE TOTAL IN THE COUNCILOR AT-LARGE RACE WITH 7,468 VOTES. He is a lifelong resident of New Bedford and is married to his loving wife, Samantha. They have one daughter, Adriah Les, who was born on May 27, 2016. He is a proud graduate of the New Bedford Public School System. After graduating from New Bedford High School in 2004, Ian went on to attend Bridgewater State University where he received a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Communication Studies in 2009. Additionally, Ian also holds a certificate in Nonprofit Organization Management from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s “Institute of Organization Management” course, which consisted of 96 credit hours of nonprofit instruction focusing on professional growth and development. Ian is currently the Manager of Business Development & Public Policy with the SouthCoast Chamber. He oversees all Chamber-related business development, workforce development, government affairs and educational initiatives throughout the Greater New Bedford community. In his workforce development role at the Chamber, Ian also serves on the Executive Committee of the “Rail to Boston” Coalition, which is a community-led organization aimed at establishing commuter rail connections to Southeastern Massachusetts in order to drive economic development, attract intellectual capital, reduce pollution, enhance public safety, create workforce housing and promote smart growth. Ian has been involved in many community service initiatives throughout most of his adult-life, serving as an Executive Officer (Treasurer) for both the 98th and 104th Annual Feast of the Blessed Sacrament (2012/2018) in New Bedford.