Three Join South Orange Village Alliance Board

The South Orange Village Center Alliance (SOVCA), the not-for-profit management entity of the Village's Special Improvement District, recently inducted three members to its Board of Directors.

Leslie Pogany, Ed Ayuso and Stephen Schnall joined the 12-member board, which is led by chairman Matt Glass. In addition, board member Ben Salmon committed to serve another three-year term as Board Secretary.

SOVCA provided biographies of the three in a press release:

Leslie Cucciniello Pogany│ President, Bunny’s Sports Bar, South Orange

Leslie “Bunny” Pogany will serve a one year term replacing Randy Schmidt as a property owner director.  Leslie runs a very successful five generation restaurant in South Orange that was started by her grandmother in 1933 at 12-14 West South Orange Avenue.  Leslie has previously served as the President of the South Orange Chamber of Commerce and has been a Board Member for many years.   In addition, Leslie owns 10 West South Orange Avenue.  She resides in South Orange with her husband, John. As a resident, business and property owner Leslie brings a triple level of commitment to the Board.  

Edward E. Ayuso │ EEA Industries Managing Member

Ed Ayuso will serve a three year term replacing Jared Hutter as a property owner director.  Ed owns and has an interest in The Gateway, a luxury mixed use development site located at 1-25 West South Orange Avenue.  The anticipated opening is September, 2014. Ed also owns and has an interest in 10 N. Ridgewood Road. In addition, he owns and has an interest in 109-115 South Orange Avenue.  This retail site is slated for possible development in the future. In South Orange alone, Ayuso owns over $50M of real estate.  He holds a degree in Accounting from the University of Connecticut. Ed and his family reside in West Orange and he brings a wealth of experience to the board.  

Stephen Schnall │Trustee │Co-Producer Broadway Theatricals

Stephen Schnall will serve a one year term replacing Nancy Gould as the Trustee liaison. Stephen was elected to the South Orange Board of Trustees in May, 2013 and also serves as the Trustee liaison to SOPAC and the Baird Center.

Additionally, Stephen has enjoyed several non-profit Board appointments, currently serving as the fundraising chair for the Essex County College Foundation Board, as a Director for the Montrose Park Historic District Association, and also as Development Chairperson and executive committee member for the Board of Directors of Big Apple Greeters for more than 10 years.

Stephen was recently involved as co-producer for the Tony award winning show “Pippin” and is currently working on the upcoming Broadway musical “Tuck Everlasting.”  He holds degrees in Mathematics and Computer Science from Lafayette College, and has resided in South Orange with his wife and daughter for more than 13 years. 

"These three new Board members join SOVCA at an exciting time," said SOVCA executive director Lisa Hackett. "As the organization begins its second year of operation, South Orange Village Center’s momentum continues to build with Town Hall deli’s re-launch, the opening of 7-11 and Falafelly-Yours and the anticipation for Tito’s Burritos. In addition, new construction such as The Gateway, the historic Village Hall renovation and the 3rd and Valley development are signs of the continued growth and health of South Orange Village Center."