About Carlos M. Pomares

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Carlos M. Pomares was born and raised in Hudson County, NJ, where he

attended St. Peter's Prep. He continued his education at Caldwell University,

earning a BA in History while receiving awards for his work at the President

Grover Cleveland Birthplace historic site. He later earned his MA in Museum

Professions at Seton Hall University. He has diligently served numerous

museums including King Manor Museum, Waterloo Foundation for the Arts,

the NYC Police Museum, the Montclair Historical Society and others. He has

also served as an adjunct professor of history and political science and as a

consultant for non-profit organizations.

In 2013 Pomares was elected as Councilman At-Large in Bloomfield where he

was instrumental in the creation of the Morris Canal Greenway in Bloomfield,

notably with the creation of Canal Park at Oak Tree Lane. He also initiated the

restoration of the historic Collins House and the development of the Morris

Canal Greenway finder signs. In 2017, he was elected to the first of three

terms on the Essex County Board of Commissioners representing District 5

(Belleville, Bloomfield, Glen Ridge, Montclair and Nutley). He served as the

first Hispanic Vice President of the Board from 2021-2024. In 2025, Pomares

elected President of the Essex County Board of Commissioners, the first

Hispanic to hold the office and continues ot serve in that capacity. He is

noted for his strong advocacy in the arts, historic preservation, and

education, which reflects many of the defining attributes of his professional

career.

Similar to the federal government, Essex County government operates under

a system of checks and balances. with the executive branch, led by

Executive Joseph DiVincenzo Jr., working alongside the legislative branch, the

Essex County Board of Commissioners, bihind the leadership of Board

President Carlos Pomares. The primary responsibility of the Commissioners

is to adopt, review, and monitor the County’s annual budget and to pass

ordinances and resolutions necessary for proper and good governance of the

County including providing oversight of county services such as corrections,

infrastructure, public health, parks, and social services. The Commissioners

approve most contracts and give advice and consent to the appointments of

the County Executive of all Department and Division heads, the County

Administrator, County Counsel, and members of all boardscommissions, and​

authorities The Board also has investigative powers to oversee the

functioning of all departments of county government, as well as its boards,

commissions, and authorities.

Carlos M. Pomares, the third of three children, was born in Jersey City, NJ. He

is the first American-born member of his family. His parents, Carmen and Dr.

Carlos Pomares were natives of Havana, Cuba who met while studying

medicine. Dr. Pomares fell victim to an unjust government and was

eventually arrested for disbelief in the Castro-led government. He was

sentenced to 25 years in prison. After serving several years, his sentence

was reduced. This allowed Dr. Pomares limited visits from the detention

center to his family home to visit his wife and two daughters.

The U.S. granted the Pomares family asylum visas through the Cuban

Refugee Program. However, the Cuban government did not allow Dr.

Pomares to accept the U.S. visa, leaving Mrs. Pomares, then pregnant with

Carlos, to leave with her daughters and other relatives in 1970. The family

settled in Hudson County. It would be over two decades until Dr. Pomares

was reunited with his family. The immigration experience had a profound

impact on young Carlos, motivating him to become involved in public

education in academic institutions and museums before getting involved in

local government.

Aside from his work in Essex County, Pomares serves as the Executive

Director of the Cuban Artists Fund and continues to teach as an adjunct

professor. He volunteers on the Board of Trustees at Caldwell University,

President Grover Cleveland Birthplace, Morris Canal Greenway, and

Sanctuary on the Green Alliance.

Pomares is the Founder/President of the Bloomfield Cruisers, a non-profit,

vintage automobile organization that supports a variety of local charities, an​

annual scholarship for a local high school student attending a trade school

and provides free public events. Carlos is married with three children and

resides in Bloomfield’s historic District. The family enjoys road trips, the arts,

and classic cars.