The Livingston chapter of UNICO has announced that Rufino “Rudy” Fernandez, Jr. has been named the organization’s 2024 Citizen of the Year. Fernandez, the 67th recipient of this award, will be honored at a brunch on Sunday, April 21, at Hanover Manor. He follows in the footsteps of Stacey Rubinstein, Brian Boyle, Walter Joyce, Nick Santinelli, Sandy and Len Goodman, Nancy Dinar, Tom Cooney, and many more who have been honored for their service to the community, embodying the UNICO motto of “Service Above Self.”
Fernandez is well known for his commitment to public service. He served on the Township Council for 15 years, and was mayor in 2011, 2013, and 2020. Since 1998, he has taken a leadership role in Kiwanis, a community not-for-profit organization, serving as president, vice president, and, for the last ten years, as treasurer. Femandez has served on the Livingston Planning Board for six years and has recently taken on the role of board chairman.