Bienvenido BJ Torres, Council Member
Bienvenido (BJ) Torres Jr is currently pursuing a Master’s in Labor Relations at Rutgers University. He is also currently an instructor at Rutgers University.
BJ Torres was born in Jersey City, NJ on November 15, 1974, where he grew up in a Puerto Rican Family. He graduated from Ferris High School in 1992. BJ went on to study at Rutgers University, majoring in Sociology. He left school to work for 20 years in health care and is an expert in the NJ Charity Care and Medicaid, and has been contracted to conduct audits of the programs for hospitals. BJ went back to school and graduated Summa Cum Laude from Rutgers University in 2020, earning a Bachelor of Science Degree in Labor and Management. He was awarded the Martin Gerber Award for his academic achievement and civic engagement.
BJ Torres has served in many leadership positions in Perth Amboy. He served as the chair of the Perth Amboy Arts Council, and was a member of Creative Placemaking Team that created the award-winning Perth Amboy Creative Placemaking Plan. He produces the “Live at the Ferry Slip Music Series” with Perth Amboy Artworks, which adds vibrancy to the waterfront every spring and summer, offering live music by local artists at the Ferry Slip. BJ has served as a Perth Amboy Civic Trustee, researching best practice, cost effective solutions to problems facing the city. He is an elected Democratic Committeeman and founder/organizer of the Waterfront Neighborhood Association, which keeps residents informed about community issues.
For the past 20 years, BJ has also been a professional musician actively involved in 5 bands and has played nationally and internationally and produced many recordings. He is a lead singer, songwriter, backup vocalist, guitar and bass player in several music genres.
As a Perth Amboy City Councilman, BJ brings with him an extensive background in the arts, health care and labor and management. He understands the problems currently facing the City and is able to offer creative, practical solutions to help build Perth Amboy back better.
BJ moved to Perth Amboy in 2012 to be with his fiancé Caroline Pozycki. They were married in September 2015 at St. Peter’s Church.
BJ is the proud father of Emilio and Joaquin Torres, who are both accomplished sailors thanks to the youth sailing program at the Raritan Yacht Club. The boys have also attended the Perth Amboy Gallery Center for the Arts Summer Youth Art Camp.
BJ and his wife, Caroline Pozycki Torres created the popular Arts and Culture blog called Perth Amboy Now. The blog offers a community calendar and publishes community stories and shares photos of Perth Amboy.