North Ward Council Member Anibal Ramos is an ASPIRAnte from Newark, NJ.  Anibal innovative leader with an extensive background in management, public service, and community development. Sworn into office in July 2006, he brings his professional experience gained through the Newark Public Schools (NPS) and the County of Essex.

Ramos began his professional career at FOCUS Hispanic Community Development, Inc., a nonprofit community-based organization that has been providing valuable social and employment training services to residents of Newark for more than 30 years. In his four-year tenure at FOCUS, Ramos served as a program manager, human development director, and, ultimately, vice president. He helped nearly double the number of programs and services offered, formalized operating and management procedures, and established strong organizational partnerships with government, foundation, and corporate officials.

In 2001, Ramos began working with the Newark Public Schools (NPS) as a management specialist for the Office of the Superintendent. He served as a member of the Facilities Taskforce and as a liaison to the school principals. In January 2003, he joined Joseph DiVincenzo's administration in the County of Essex as the deputy director for the Department of Citizen Services. In December 2003, he was named acting director of the Department of Citizen Services and the Department of Economic Development, Training, and Employment and was later confirmed by the Board of Chosen Freeholders.

Born and raised in Newark, Ramos is active in the following local and state-wide organizations:

• President, CHISPA (Concerned Hispanics In Search of Progress and Advancement)(1999-2003)
• Chairperson and Trustee, ASPIRA, Inc. of New Jersey (1997-2002)
• Member Essex County Workforce Investment Board (present)
• Member Hispanic Directors Association (1999-2002).
• Member NPS Advisory Board
• Chairperson (two-term appointments),NPS Advisory Board(elected in April 2003)
• Board of Trustees, United Way of Essex and West Hudson
• Chairperson, New Jersey Educational Opportunity Fund (EOF) Board of Trustees

Ramos became one of the youngest members ever elected to the State Democratic Committee representing Essex County and was the 2003 Democratic Party's Rookie of the Year. Ramos earned his bachelor's degree with high honors in urban history and political science from Rutgers University and is a member of Phi Beta Kappa. He also holds a graduate certificate in nonprofit management from Rutgers’s Department of Public Administration and has served as a presenter of various management and education workshops.