TEXAS STATE REPRESENTATIVE RAFAEL ANCHIA UNANIMOUSLY ELECTED CHAIR OF NALEO EDUCATIONAL FUND
Board Continues to Lead Community’s Journey towards Full Political Participation |
Los Angeles, California ––The Honorable Rafael Anchía, Texas State Representative (District 103), was unanimously re-elected to the Board of Directors, and named Chair, of the National Association of Latino Elected and Appointed Officials (NALEO) Educational Fund to serve a three-year term. Additionally, the NALEO Board of Directors elected Mr. Andrew Baldonado, Vice President, Industry and Government Affairs, Western Region, for Anheuser-Busch Companies, Inc, to serve a three-year term. The election of these board members continues to strengthen the NALEO Educational Fund’s Board of Directors and its mission to empower Latinos to become active participants in the American political process.
Mr. Andrew Baldonado is responsible for working with Sales and Marketing, Wholesalers, Facility Managers, and Busch Entertainment Corporation on corporate and government issues at the state and local level. Mr. Baldonado holds extensive experience in serving on numerous public and nonprofit boards including the California Manufacturers & Technology Association and Coro of Southern California. The Anheuser-Busch Companies, Inc. has been a long standing partner and supporter of the NALEO Educational Fund for more than 20 years.
The Honorable Rafael Anchía takes the helm of this nation’s leading civic engagement organization bringing with him extensive leadership experience that includes service as twice-elected Trustee of the Dallas Independent School District where he served as First Vice President and chaired the Policy and Governance Committee. First elected to the Texas House of Representatives in 2004, Representative Anchía has distinguished himself for his passionate work on various issues including education, women’s health and fighting crime. His unwavering commitment to public service has earned him “Rookie of the Year” by Texas Monthly, “Freshman of the Year” by the Mexican American Legislative Caucus and “Top Freshman” by Capitol insider.
Representative Anchía succeeds outgoing Chair, Maricopa Supervisor Mary Rose Wilcox. “It has been an honor to have served as Chair of the NALEO Educational Fund for the past seven years and to help lead a period of sustained organizational growth and quality programming for our community. The future of our organization is in very capable hands in Representative Anchía,” commented Supervisor Wilcox.
“It is an honor to serve as the new Chair of the Board for the NALEO Educational Fund organization, and a privilege to lead a Board of talented men and women from across the nation who are committed to creating a strong culture of political participation in the Latino community,” said Representative Rafael Anchía. “As the second largest population group in the country, Latinos have the unique opportunity to lead the nation as we elect our nation’s leaders and participate in greater numbers in the electoral process,” concluded Anchía.
“The NALEO Educational Fund is fortunate to have Board Members who have demonstrated a passion to increasing Latino political participation. They are committed to our mission and programs and bring a deep understanding of the American political process to the table,” said Arturo Vargas, Executive Director of the NALEO Educational Fund. “Under the leadership of our new Chair, we look forward to meeting the opportunities and challenges facing the Latino community,” concluded Vargas.
In addition to the election of Mr. Baldonado and Representative Anchía, two current members were re-elected to serve additional three-year terms. They are Ms. Rita DiMartino, Special Advisory, International and Intergovernmental Affairs and Mr. Henry Fernandez, Executive Director of Scholarships, Outreach and Philanthropy for USA Funds.
The officers and members of the Board were elected at their annual NALEO Educational Fund meeting that was held in conjunction with the 6th Biennial National Institute for Newly Elected Officials in Washington, D.C., November 16-19, 2006.
About the NALEO Educational Fund - The NALEO Educational Fund is the leading organization that facilitates full Latino participation in the American political process, from citizenship to public service. The NALEO Educational Fund is a national non-profit, non-partisan organization whose constituency includes the more than 6,000 Latino elected and appointed officials nationwide.
