Essex County Executive Joseph N. DiVincenzo, Jr. dedicated a bronze plaque in Newark on Wednesday to honor the late John M. Alati. A long-time resident of Verona, Alati passed away in January.
Alati was deeply involved in Essex County’s civic and cultural life. He was the director of the Essex County Improvement Authority; executive director, Essex County Democratic Committee; and the chief of staff of former Essex County Executive Nick Amato, among other positions.
He then went on to co-found the entertainment production company LaGuardia and Associates, which organized summer concerts throughout New Jersey. Alati was very active in Italian American organizations, including UNICO National and Verona UNICO.
In addition to Alati, Essex County also recognized the late Wynona Moore Lipman, the first female African American to serve in the state Senate; the late Casto Maldonado, president and CEO of FOCUS Hispanic Center for Community Development; and the late Calvin D. West, the first African American to serve as an at-large councilman in Newark. The plaques will be located along Essex County Legends Way at the Essex County Government Complex in Newark.
