Angel Fuentes is the Fourth Ward, Camden City Council, and was Council President since December 2000. In New Jersey, Camden is under the Mayor-Council form of government. Camden is the States seventh largest municipality with 80,000 residents and covers a land area of 9.8 square miles in Camden County in the Southwest portion of the State. Angel represents all of North Camden, Cramer Hill, Cooper Grant, Downtown Camden and the Waterfront. He resides in Cramer Hill and is a proud father of his son and daughter, Josuel Angel and Mariangelis.

Angel's commitment through his public and private sector experience has introduced legislation, i.e., improving the quality of life issues and making people's lives better in Camden. His caring personality has earned him the respect of his constituents. He is committed to advocacy for social justice, and enhancement of youth and senior citizens programs. Fuentes' philosophy is "Don't walk in front of me, I might not follow, don't walk behind me, I might not lead; walk beside me and be my friend." --author unknown. When asked to comment on his job, "I am thankful to my voters. Everyday they remind me that we have to struggle and challenge the status quo together in order to succeed". He is strong against crime and violence in this City; and, the co-author of the Citizen Public Safety Council. Along with the Ethics and Municipal Human Relations Commissions, Mr. Fuentes is the author of the Taxicab Commission, Public Safety Council, Asian American Advisory Board, and many more. He has introduced a resolution supporting a Pledge of Reform to the citizens of Camden for a new vision called the Ten Point Plan; getting the City's fiscal house in order and make City government more accessible, more accountable, more efficient, and more responsive to the needs of the people.

He led the effort to positive changes, for e.g., the neighborhood stabilization by spearheading the anti-graffiti task force which helped fight war on drugs and provided hope for the residents and businesses in Cramer Hill; thereby local schools adopted an anti-graffiti curriculum; and along with legislation, hotline number and visible traffic signs were introduced by Councilperson Angel Fuentes. Currently, he is spearheading, along with Presidents of Tenant Associations, throughout the City, the establishment, by ordinance, of a Municipal Tenants Commission for the City of Camden.

Council President is also known for spearheading a few civil society initiatives; such as a nine week Leadership Development Program to promote civic engagement, an annual Youth Summit; Annual Volleyball Charitable Tournament, which enhance programs and services to the citizens of Camden.

Also, through Angel's courage and leadership, there was a call for a State review of city finances, which allowed for improved services and City's financial recovery. Fuentes' personal dedication to the grassroots organizations (e.g., Save Our Waterfront in

North Camden; Cramer Hill Neighborhood Advisory Board; and Eastside Association, etc.) is evidenced by the exemplary role he assures as a facilitator; collaborator and liaison to City Hall. He played an important role in helping economic and housing development come to Camden in his Fourth Ward, which has helped increase job-opportunities; and housing opportunities. Also, Capital and Parks improvements for local neighborhoods, by leveraging $500,000 dollars.

Fuentes, who has worked his way through Woodrow Wilson High School in Camden and holds a B.A. degree in Philosophy from Saint John Vianney College and Seminary, Miami Florida. He is a certified by the State for his field in Social Work. He is on the Board of Directors for Center for Family Services, Camden County Chapter of the American Red Cross, Cramer Hill Lions Club, Greater Camden Partnership, Cooper's Ferry Development Board, American Cancer Society and others.

He graduated from numerous state and national leadership development programs such as; Rutgers University on Strategic Urban Community Leadership and Leadership Management for Urban Community Executives Institute in 1994; the Leadership New Jersey in 1995; Neighborhood Leadership Institute in 1996; and, Candidate Training and Campaign Management from The United States Hispanic Leadership Institute Chicago, III. 1998. He serves on the Strategic Planning Committee for the United States Hispanic Leadership Institute. He is a member of the National Association of Latino Elected and Appointed Officials (NALEO). As an experienced leader, he developed a four month leadership training for adults called T.E.A.M. (Teaching Empowerment And Mentoring), private and public sectors, how to write proposals, understanding local and County budget, policy-making, roles and responsibilities for board of directors. In 2001, he graduated from a program by Rutgers University; South Jersey Regional Leadership institute.

Fuentes has received numerous honors, awards, citations and proclamations for his public service, including the Humanitarian of the Year by Goodwill Industries of Southern New Jersey in 1990, the Whitney M. Young Jr. Award by the Camden County Boy Scouts of America and Urban Emphasis in 1996; Youth Service Award from Paterson, New Jersey in 1996. Proclamations and Certificate of Recognition's from Mayors, County Freeholders, Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey and Congress of the United States of the following municipalities: Atlantic City, New Jersey; Woodlynne, New Jersey; Camden, New Jersey; Santa Isabel, Puerto Rico; Mao, Dominican Republic; East London, South Africa; Waivis Bay; Republic of Namibia. He received the Distinguished Achievement Awards from the Camden City Board of education in 1995, including the Organization Award from the Camden Hispanic Police Officers Society in 1997; and the Dedication and Service Award from the International Festival Committee in 1997.

Recently he was selected as an Outstanding Community Leader by Camden County Hispanic Affairs and Community Development in 1997.

In 1998 he received the Human Service Award from Respond, Inc; Appreciation Award from the Camden County Council of Girl Scouts of America in 1998; and, 1998 Good Neighbor Award from the American Red Cross of Camden County Chapter. In 2002, he received a distinguished award from the Peace Troopers of Camden City.In 2003, he received the Christian Political Professional Award by the Christian Quarterly.

Currently he is spearheading two major projects: Camden World Film Festival and Citywide Ecumenical Praise and Songs.