River Road Improvement Corp. Adds Two Board Members

The River Road Improvement Corporation, a non-profit business organization that works to foster the River Road district’s economic development, announced the addition of two men to its Board of Trustees Wednesday who have long ties to the Fair Lawn community.

John Melissas, owner of the and Richard Noorigian, operating partner of Noorigian Properties, bring the total number of RRIC trustees to 15.

“We are pleased to welcome John and Rich to the board,” RRIC president Robert Landzettel said in a statement. “We look forward to their contributions as we continue to improve the River Road District and encourage Fair Lawn residents and consumers from surrounding communities to shop and dine locally.” 

The Melissas family has owned and operated the Empress Diner at the corner of River Road and Fair Lawn Avenue for 46 years. John’s grandfather opened the restaurant in 1965.

Noorigian grew up in Fair Lawn and is a 1968 graduate of Fair Lawn High School. He helped found the RRIC in 1995, while president of the Fair Lawn Chamber of Commerce, and served as an RRIC board member until 1999.

More recently, Noorigian managed a luxury car franchise from 2000 to 2011, and he is currently the operating partner of Noorigian Properties on River Road and Broadway.

“It is exciting to be reunited with my old friends and meeting new faces from the River Road community,” Noorigian said in a statement. “I look forward to continuing the fine work done by this group to make River Road and Fair Lawn a better place to live, shop and do business.”  

For more information about the programs and services provided by the RRIC, visit FairLawnRiverRoad.com.