About Ian Abreu

Councilor At-Large Ian Abreu was first elected in 2015. He is a lifelong resident of New Bedford and is married to Samantha Abreu. They have one daughter, Adriah Les, who just turned 1. He is a proud graduate of the New Bedford Public School System.

After graduating from New Bedford High School in 2004, Ian went on to attend Bridgewater State University where he received a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Communication Studies in 2009. He also holds a certificate of completion from the Connecticut School of Broadcasting and Media.

Additionally, Ian also holds a certificate in Nonprofit Organization Management from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s “Institute of Organization Management” course, which consisted of 96 credit hours of nonprofit instruction focusing on professional growth and development.

Ian is currently the Manager of Workforce & Business Development with the New Bedford Area Chamber of Commerce. He oversees all Chamber-related workforce development, government affairs and educational initiatives throughout the Greater New Bedford community. His duties also include the handling of all membership recruitment, retention, marketing and public outreach.

In his workforce development role at the Chamber, Councilor Abreu also serves on the Executive Committee of the “Rail to Boston” Coalition, which is a community-led organization aimed at establishing commuter rail connections to Southeastern Massachusetts in order to drive economic development, attract intellectual capital, reduce pollution, enhance public safety, create workforce housing and promote smart growth.

In addition, he also serves in the capacity as an advisor to New Bedford High School on the Education and Industry Coordinating Council (EICC). The Education and Industry Coordinating Council (EICC) is a group of business and workforce development leaders who advise and oversee New Bedford High School’s Career Academy models. The role of the committee is to shape program curriculum, development and execution to ensure all participating students are “college and career ready.”

Prior to his current post at the Chamber, he had the privilege of serving as a Re-entry Case Manager for Bristol County Sheriff Thomas Hodgson for over two years.

Ian has been involved in many community service initiatives throughout most of his adult-life, serving as an Executive Officer (Treasurer) for the 98th Annual Feast of the Blessed Sacrament (2012) in New Bedford. He is also a very active member of the Prince Henry Society’s New Bedford Chapter, a civic-minded organization which awards $35,000 in local scholarships each year on average.

He is also very proud of his Portuguese ancestry, having ties to both the Madeiran and Azorean islands.

Ian currently holds the following council committee memberships:
Appointments and Briefings
Finance
Ordinance
Public Safety & Neighborhoods

Ian currently holds the following council special committee memberships:
Chairman of Special Committee of Zoning & Ordinance of Cannabis
Vice-Chairman of Employment Opportunities
Vice-Chairman of Labor & Industry
Environmental Affairs
Fisheries
Internal Affairs
Soccer Fields
Airport
Memorials & Dedications
Charter Revision