Developer Ray Rice and community volunteer Mary Jo Harris have been elected to the Washington Business Improvement District’s Board of Directors.

The board’s newest directors, as elected by WBID member businesses and property owners, will assume their roles on the board in January. The election results were announced at the board’s November meeting.

“We are thrilled to have Ray and Mary Jo on our board,” said Monika Hamburger, President of the WBID Board. “Ray’s expertise and knowledge in regards to construction projects and development is second to none. Mary Jo has a proven track record of being committed to the well being of Washington Borough.”

Rice ran against Get-A-Grip owner Dan Rossi for the “Professional Business Operators At Large” seat. Owner of Jade Land Co, LLC. Rice is deeply involved and committed to Washington Borough and Warren County. He is currently overseeing the construction of a mixed use project (Towne Center) on West Washington Ave.in Washington consisting of 50 apartments, and 7100 sq. ft. of retail space as well as a stand-alone pad site at the signalized intersection across Washington Ave. from the PNC Bank. Rice is also involved in a multiple housing development project on Route 57 going east in close proximity to Washington Borough.

“Improving Washington in the Residential, Retail and Jobs arenas is close to my heart,” said Rice.

Jade Land Co. LLC is involved in the brokering, acquisition and development on different levels not only in Washington and the surrounding area, but of over 5,000 building lots in the Northeast, primarily in New Jersey.

Harris replaces the retired Kathy Halpin in the “Resident Property Owner” category. She ran unopposed.

Harris has been a resident of Washington Borough since 1986. She has been an active member of the community through numerous volunteer and community based organizations since 1989 until present. Harris has worked for the Family Guidance Center of Warren County since 2008 serving the residents of Warren County by providing education, support and trainings for residents and professionals as it pertains to reducing substance abuse among youth, young adults, adults and senior citizens. Through his effort, she has has received a number of recognitions from various organizations and agencies for her efforts.

No stranger to WBID projects, most recently Harris has worked with the WBID to coordinate the planting of the planters in the downtown business district, and encouraging residents to adopt a planter to subsidize the cost of the planting.

For more about the WBID, visit www.washingtonbid.org.