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Ponce Bank Board of Directors
- Member of the Audit Committee
- Member of the Compensation Committee
- Member of the Nomination Committee
Marlene Cintron embodies a life dedicated to uplifting communities and fostering economic empowerment. A lifelong resident of the Bronx and a proud Puerto Rican, Marlene has broken barriers as a trailblazer in finance, public policy, and economic development, and government relations while continuously advocating for the historically underserved communities.
She has a foundation in public service. She worked for notable leaders such as Congressman Robert Garcia as his New York Chief of Staff, Mayor David Dinkins as his Director of Latino Affairs, and Governor Pedro Rosselló, as director of the NY Office of Puerto Rican Affairs. Marlene also served as the Executive Director of the NYS Senate Puerto Rican and Latino Caucus, where she influenced public policy on issues impacting Latino communities statewide.
In the private sector, Marlene worked as an AVP for Government Affairs under H. Carl McCall at Citibank and as a financial advisor at Merrill Lynch, where she specialized in empowering women and nonprofits to achieve financial independence. Her entrepreneurial spirit led her to co-found the New York Women’s Chamber of Commerce, advancing opportunities for women in business.
As President of the Bronx Overall Economic Development Corporation (BOEDC), Marlene achieved transformative results for her community. Under her leadership, unemployment in the Bronx dropped from 14% to under 6%, thanks to her innovative approach of providing below-market-rate loans, rebranding the borough through her Office of Tourism, and offering financial support to local and prospective businesses.
Her vision and work with then Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr, attracted over $9 billion in private equity, which created over 44,000 housing units, and brought major commercial developments to the Bronx such Fresh Direct, the very first enclosed mall in Co-op City, and the restructuring of the Bruckner Expressway directly into Hunts Point.
During that period of time, she served as Director on the board of NYCEDC as a mayoral appointee and was appointed by then Governor Cuomo to the Regional Economic Development Council covering the downstate region.
In 2021, she was appointed by President Biden to serve as the U.S. Small Business Administration’s (SBA) Region 2 Administrator, overseeing New York, New Jersey, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands where she championed programs to expand government contracting, export opportunities, and access to technical assistance for small businesses. Her efforts have been instrumental in driving a 20% increase in small business growth across the region, as was detailed in the SBA’s annual report. She resigned from the Presidential Appointment in January 2025.
Marlene’s impact extends beyond professional achievements. A member of the Young Lords in her youth, she has always advocated for civil rights and access to health care for all. Her leadership is further exemplified by her dynamic public speaking engagements throughout the year as she inspires future generations of leaders.
A Georgetown University School of Law graduate with a master's degree in education administration from Fordham University, she brings a strong voice in the area of economic development as well as education for all.
Edward Delatorre Jr. serves as a member of the Board of Directors of Ponce Bank.
Mr. Delatorre has more than 40 years of executive leadership and public service experience with the New York City Police Department, where he has held senior leadership positions including Deputy Commissioner of Labor Relations, Chief of Transit and Commanding Officer of the Police Academy. His experience includes leading large-scale operations, managing significant budgets, labor relations and major public safety initiatives.
In addition, Mr. Delatorre brings extensive experience in real estate development and investment throughout the New York metropolitan area, as well as entrepreneurship and business management. He is the founder of Alboro Security Corp., specializing in security training and risk management. Mr. Delatorre has also been actively involved in mentoring and community organizations, including the NYPD Hispanic Society and Law Enforcement Exploring.
Mr. Demetriou is the President and Chief Executive Officer of First Management Corp., a property management company with a portfolio of over 130 residential, cooperative, condominium and commercial buildings located in Astoria, New York, established in 1985. Mr. Demetriou is also a partner in the accounting firm, J. Demetriou & Co., established in 1970. In addition, Mr. Demetriou has been a New York licensed real estate broker and sponsoring broker of Archway Realty, Inc., in Astoria, New York since 1985. Furthermore, Mr. Demetriou is the President and Founder of Foxx Capital Funding, Inc. a New York licensed mortgage broker established in 1999.
- Member of the Audit Committee
- Member of the Compensation Committee
Nick R. Lugo has served as a member of the Board of Directors of Ponce De Leon Federal Bank since 1999. Mr. Lugo is currently serving on the Board of Directors of Ponce Bank, Ponce Bank Mutual Holding Company, and Ponce Financial Group, Inc.
Mr. Lugo is an investor in real estate properties located in the New York area. Mr. Lugo is also President of Nick Lugo Travel Corp., a company he founded in 1980. In addition, Mr. Lugo is also the owner and publisher of La Voz Hispana, New York’s largest Spanish weekly newspaper. Mr. Lugo also founded in 2006 the New York City Hispanic Chamber of Commerce and serves as its Chairman and President. Mr. Lugo is a Director of the Southern Boulevard Business Improvement District.
- Member of the Audit Committee
- Member of the Compensation Committee
José L. Orengo is an attorney, nonprofit executive, veteran, and community leader whose career has been defined by service, stewardship, and an unwavering commitment to helping institutions and individuals build stronger futures. For more than 30 years, he has advised organizations, families, business leaders, and public officials on matters involving law, governance, philanthropy, public policy, and strategic growth. His unique ability to navigate complex challenges while remaining grounded in relationships and values has earned him a reputation as a trusted counselor and respected leader across the nonprofit, legal, educational, financial, and government sectors.
Mr. Orengo currently serves as Director of Planned Giving for the Archdiocese of New York, where he oversees planned giving initiatives across one of the nation's largest and most influential faith-based institutions. In this role, he advises clergy and senior leadership on charitable planning, estate gifts, trusts, and long-term philanthropic strategy.
Prior to joining the Archdiocese, Mr. Orengo served as National Executive Director for Planned Giving at CARE, one of the world's leading humanitarian organizations. There, he led planned giving teams across the United States and worked closely with executive leadership to strengthen philanthropic support.
Mr. Orengo is also the founder of Orengo Law Firm, where he concentrates his practice in wills, trusts and estates, estate administration, elder law, nonprofit matters, business law, and real estate. His legal work reflects a lifelong commitment to helping individuals, families, and organizations make thoughtful decisions that protect their assets and advance their goals.
His leadership journey has spanned some of New York's most respected institutions. As Deputy Borough President of Manhattan, he helped oversee an $80 million budget and more than 250 public employees while advising on public policy, community development, health initiatives, and constituent services. At LaGuardia Community College, he founded the LaGuardia Foundation and helped secure more than $100 million in capital funding and philanthropic support. Earlier in his career, he served as Legislative Attorney to the New York City Council's health and youth committees, advising elected officials, drafting legislation, and helping shape public policy affecting millions of New Yorkers.
Beyond his professional accomplishments, Mr. Orengo has distinguished himself through a lifetime of public and community service. A veteran of the United States Army and New York National Guard, he served as a Combat Medical Specialist, an experience that instilled in him a deep sense of duty, discipline, and compassion for others.
Known for his practical judgement and success securing significant public and private investments to advance mission-driven organizations, he is a sought-after advisor and board leader for matters involving governance, succession planning, charitable giving, and long-term strategy. Throughout his career, he has served on numerous boards and commissions, including the New York City Industrial Development Agency, the New York City Capital Resource Corporation, the Puerto Rican Bar Association, and as chair of education for the New York City Hispanic Chamber of Commerce.
His work has taken him across the United States and throughout Latin America, where he has advised educational institutions, governments, businesses, and nonprofit organizations on workforce development, fundraising, international partnerships, and community engagement.
Mr. Orengo was born in Puerto Rico and raised in the Bronx. He is a proud graduate of Queens College and The City University of New York School of Law. He is admitted to practice law in New York State, the United States District Courts for the Eastern and Southern Districts of New York, and the Supreme Court of the United States.
While his professional achievements are substantial, those who know José best often point first to his character. He is a man of deep faith, devoted to his family and wife of more than 30 years, and guided by a belief that leadership is ultimately an act of service. He has spent his career opening doors for others, mentoring emerging leaders, and helping organizations fulfill their missions.
Mr. Naudon, age 73, has served as a director since 2014. Mr. Naudon served as President and Chief Operating Officer of Ponce De Leon Federal Bank beginning in 2015 and presently serves as President and Chief Executive Officer of Ponce Bank. Mr. Naudon is President and Chief Executive Officer of Ponce Financial Group, Inc. Mr. Naudon is a member of the Board of Directors of the Foundation. Prior to becoming President of Ponce De Leon Federal Bank, Mr. Naudon served as a consultant and compliance counsel to Ponce De Leon Federal Bank. Mr. Naudon owns Banking Spectrum, Inc., now a banking publishing company, formerly a bank consulting company. Until 2015, Mr. Naudon was a partner in the law firm of Allister & Naudon. Both of the foregoing firms were established in 1984 to provide services to banking institutions. Mr. Naudon, a retired CPA, was Of Counsel to the law firm Cullen & Dykman from 2015 to 2019. Mr. Naudon has also previously served in many board positions at other companies, public and private. Before retiring from his consulting and law firms in 2015, Mr. Naudon was a frequent lecturer and speaker on banking issues, corporate governance, quality assurance and performance incentives. Mr. Naudon has current and previous service in various healthcare and community organizations and serves on the board of the Brooklyn Hospital Center of which he was the Chairman of the Board until 2018. Mr. Naudon is a member of the New York CityHispanic Chamber of Commerce and other professional associations. Mr. Naudon is a member
of the boards and committees of various banking trade associations and regulatory advisory councils, including serving as vice Chairman of the Community Development Bankers Association, Chairman of the Minority Institutions Council of the Independent Bankers Association of America and Chairman of the Community Bank Advisory Council of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.
- Member of the Nomination Committee
- Member of the Audit Committee
- Member of the Compensation Committee
Mr. Tsavaris, age 74, has served as a director since 1990. In 2013, Mr. Tsavaris became Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of Ponce De Leon Federal Bank. Mr. Tsavaris currently serves as Executive Chairman, a salaried officer, of Ponce Bank.
Mr. Tsavaris is Chairman of the Board and Executive Chairman, a salaried officer, of Ponce Financial Group, Inc. Mr. Tsavaris joined Ponce De Leon Federal Bank as an Executive Vice President in 1995, became President in 1999, and was made Chief Executive Officer in 2011. Mr. Tsavaris is the Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Foundation. His prior banking experience includes service with the National Bank of North America and the Bank Services Division of Litton Industries. Mr. Tsavaris is a U.S Army veteran and a graduate of City College of New York. Mr. Tsavaris is an experienced real estate investor and an active member of various community and philanthropic organizations, including the Southern Boulevard Chamber of Commerce, New York City Area Policy Board (Chairman), SOBO Business Improvement District (Treasurer) and the Neighborhood S.H.O.P.P. Program. He served as a trustee of the Westchester Medical Center, a then affiliate of Columbia-Presbyterian Hospital and was chairman of its audit committee.