NALEO Elects New President and Board Leadership
Election took place following the organization’s annual conference in Las Vegas, which convened more than 1200 Latino policymakers and leaders from across the country
The National Association of Latino Elected and Appointed Officials (NALEO) announced the election of its new president, Santa Ana City (Calif.) Councilmember Michele Martinez, officers and board members. The president and board leadership were elected at the organization’s board of directors meeting on June 20, 2015 in Las Vegas, Nev., following the group’s 32nd Annual Conference.
Councilmember Michele Martinez
The NALEO Board of Directors unanimously elected Santa Ana City (Calif.) Councilmember Michele Martinez to serve a one-year term as president of the organization. Other board officers elected to serve for the 2015-2016 term include Texas State Representative Justin Rodriguez as vice president; Gila Regional Partnership Regional Chairman (Ariz.) Fernando Shipley as treasurer; and El Camino Community College Trustee (Calif.) John Vargas as secretary.
“I am humbled and honored that my colleagues have chosen me to lead this organization during such an exciting and historic time for our community. I am ready to do my part to continue to help our nation’s Latino elected officials develop the leadership and governance skills they need to be effective advocates for their communities,” said newly elected NALEO President Michele Martinez. “I thank my predecessor President Alex Padilla for his tireless efforts on behalf of the organization the past three years and look forward to working with the board and the rest of our membership as the Latino community prepares to play a decisive role in the race for the White House in 2016.”
“It’s been an honor to serve the members of NALEO and the national Latino community over the last three years,” said outgoing NALEO President and California Secretary of State Alex Padilla. “I look forward to working with Councilmember Martinez to further our mission, empower the Latino community and strengthen our democracy.”
The board also elected seven new members to serve an initial three-year term during its meeting in Las Vegas. The new additions to the NALEO Board of Directors include: Gadsden Elementary School District (Ariz.) Board Member Tadeo de la Hoya, Justice of the Peace (Texas) Sergio de Leon, Colorado State Representative and House Majority Leader Crisanta Duran, Florida State Senator Anitere Flores, California State Senator Ricardo Lara, City of Corona (Calif.) Mayor Eugene Montanez, and El Camino Community College (Calif.) Trustee John Vargas.
Martinez went on to say, “I’d like to also thank the departing members of the NALEO Board of Directors. Their commitment and diligent efforts on behalf of our organization will be missed; we know they will continue to be an integral part of the NALEO family for years to come.”
Seven members of the NALEO Board of Directors will be departing. These individuals include: Former Chicago Alderman (Ill.) Rey Colon, Azusa Unified School District (Calif.) Board Member Xilonin Cruz-Gonzalez, City of West Hollywood (Calif.) Councilmember John Duran, Orange County Housing and Community Development Commission Commissioner (Calif.) Ron Garcia, Texas State Senator Sylvia Garcia, City and County of Denver (Colo.) Councilmember Paul Lopez, and Miami-Dade Expressway Authority Appointee Luz Weinberg.
