Secaucus, New Jersey · The Jewel of the Meadowlands

Raj Pardasani

Entrepreneur. Civic servant. And quite possibly the loudest cheerleader Secaucus has ever had.

Raj Pardasani in a blue checked blazer, smiling beside a hand-painted elephant statue
Color, always.

“Secaucus has it all. Culturally diverse, harmonious, safe and eco‑friendly.”

— Raj, who will tell you this whether you ask or not
01

From Wall Street
to Main Street

Raj began his career as a banker with Citibank and JP Morgan Chase. In 1991 he traded the trading floor for the garment district and founded Citicraze Casualwear, a New York fashion apparel business he has run for more than three decades.

But ask anyone in Secaucus and they will tell you: the day job is only half the story. A long-time resident, Raj has spent years volunteering his time to the town he loves, from housing policy to library boards to festivals that fill Buchmuller Park with color, music and the smell of very good food.

He also writes about restaurants, films the town he lives in, mentors young entrepreneurs, and once lost thirty pounds in five months just to prove a point. In his words: “Is it easy? NO. Is it possible? YES.”

30+years running his own business
2appointed civic positions
120+videos celebrating food, travel & town life
Raj in a 'We Love Secaucus' shirt standing beside a mountain of donated toys and a new tricycle
Toy drive season. The shirt says it all.
02

Serving Secaucus

Volunteer appointments, taken seriously. As Raj puts it: this is about serving the residents of Secaucus, nothing more, nothing less.

I

Secaucus Housing Authority

State Commissioner

Appointed with the Lieutenant Governor's approval, Raj serves on the board that oversees affordable housing in town. He is a hands-on commissioner: reviewing budgets line by line and making sure residents hear about Section 8 application openings the moment they happen.

II

Secaucus Public Library

Vice President, Board of Trustees

Appointed by the Mayor to the board of the town's Library & Business Resource Center, Raj champions the library as a living room for the whole community, from trivia nights to meditation classes to small business resources.

III

Indian Caucus of Secaucus

Member & Event Organizer

With ICS, Raj helps bring the festivals he grew up with to the whole town: the annual Diwali Mela, Holi in the park, and Dandiya Dhamaka. Colors, food, music, dhol, dance, happy faces. Chaotically fun, exactly as intended.

Raj Pardasani in a pinstripe suit standing with Secaucus Mayor Michael Gonnelli
With Mayor Michael Gonnelli
Raj at a holiday community event with reindeer, elf and snowman mascots in the school gym
Holiday market duty
Raj in a patterned blazer with two friends at a town celebration
Town celebrations
03

The Wall

A few things the town has said back.

'Serving the Community' plaque presented to Raj Pardasani by Mayor Michael Gonnelli and the Secaucus Town Council, December 2014
“Serving the Community”Mayor Gonnelli & the Secaucus Town Council, 2014
The Terrific Citizen Award presented to Raj Pardasani by the Secaucus Public Library
The Terrific Citizen AwardSecaucus Public Library & Business Resource Center
Rutgers Center for Government Services certificate in Ethics awarded to Rajkumar Pardasani, May 2020
Government EthicsRutgers Center for Government Services, 2020
04

Around Town

Raj documents Secaucus the way other people document their vacations. Here is where to find him.

Patch The “Secaucus Patch Mayor” Community stories: young entrepreneurs, career days, fundraisers, festivals YouTube Embrace Life… with Raj Pardasani 120+ videos: restaurant reviews, travel, parades and town celebrations Blog Raj Life in Style Fine dining finds and honest, hard-won lessons on health Instagram @phenomenal_raj Nearly 10,000 posts of food, festivals and Secaucus pride Facebook Raj Pardasani Town updates, housing announcements and “Beautiful Secaucus!!!”
05

See You There

Community events Raj is part of or proudly cheering on in 2026.

Jul24

Young Entrepreneurs Expo

Kids run the show: dozens of young vendors selling their own creations. Raj has served as a judge and champion of this one for years.

Secaucus · 5–8 PM
Oct4

Diwali Mela — Festival of Lights

The Indian Caucus of Secaucus brings the festival of lights to the whole town. Food, music, dance and diyas.

Buchmuller Park
Oct24

Dandiya Dhamaka

Sticks up, music loud. An evening of garba and dandiya raas for every skill level, two left feet welcome.

Secaucus Recreation Center
Raj wearing a 'We Love Secaucus' face mask beneath the Citicraze sign at his office
06

The Day Job

Citicraze Casualwear, Inc. Women's fashion apparel, founded 1991. Three decades of sourcing, importing and selling casual wear, with roots in the New York garment district and headquarters at Harmon Cove in Secaucus.

Say Hello

For town matters, community events, or a strong opinion about
where to get the best meal in Hudson County.

Phone (201) 982-3464
Office 98 Harmon Cove Towers, Suite 12
Secaucus, NJ 07094
LinkedIn raj-pardasani