LOS ANGELES —Today, the National Association of Latino Elected and Appointed Officials (NALEO) issued the following statement regarding President Obama’s appointment of NALEO and Bronx Borough President Adolfo Carrión, Jr., to serve as White House Director of Urban Affairs:

“The National Association of Latino Elected and Appointed Officials (NALEO), the nation’s preeminent Latino leadership organization, congratulates Bronx Borough President Adolfo Carrión, Jr., on his appointment by President Barack Obama to serve as White House Director of Urban Affairs.” 

“Adolfo Carrión represents the best and the brightest of public servants the Latino community has to offer. Like the President’s personal and professional experience on the South Side of Chicago, Carrión’s experiences also emanated in urban America, New York City.  He has demonstrated a life-long commitment to public service and he can now utilize his passion for urban planning to serve a nation that is hungry for leaders with solutions. We congratulate the Obama Administration for recognizing that the pool of talent among Latino elected officials runs deep.”

 “As Director of the White House Office of Urban Affairs, Carrión will report directly to the President and work to shape policies that will affect the more than 203 million Americans who live in urban areas, including 36.8 million Latinos, or 83.5% of the nation’s Latino population.  As our nation confronts its economic crisis, it is critical that federal resources are used in a cost-effective manner to revitalize our cities.  Carrión is one of the many talented Latinos who are committed to help America address its toughest challenges, and his appointment will greatly enrich the Obama Administration.” 

“Carrión began his public service career after earning a Master’s Degree in Urban Planning from Hunter College, part of the City University of New York. Carrión worked for three years in the Bronx office of the New York City Department of City Planning.  He then became the district manager for Community Board 5 in the Bronx and, in 1997, Carrión ran for and won a seat in the City Council representing the Bronx’s 14th District. While on the council he sat on the Economic Development, Education, Higher Education, Environmental Protection, Governmental Operations and Land Use committees.” 

“In 2001, Carrión became the Bronx’s 12th chief executive representing the borough’s 1.4 million people, and since then, the Bronx has seen a pace of development never before experienced in the history of the county.  During his tenure, over $4.5 billion has been invested in residential real estate in the borough.” 

“Carrión has worked with developers to create a set of standards for economic development in the Bronx that benefits residents, Bronx businesses, community groups and neighborhoods alike.  Under his vision and leadership, over $1 billion in business has been invested throughout the borough, including such high profile projects as the development on the new Yankee Stadium and its surroundings which open for baseball in the Fall of 2009, and the redevelopment of The Bronx Terminal Market and Hunts Point.” 

“Among his many accomplishments, he serves as Vice-President of International Affairs for the County Executives of America, an organization committed to empowering county executives by making their voices heard at all levels of government and by offering economic opportunities and programs to improve local services.  In 2006, Carrión was selected by the prestigious Aspen Institute as one of 24 of America’s most promising emerging leaders to be a member of the Aspen-Rodel Fellowship in Public Leadership.”

“Carrión began his association with NALEO in 1998 as a participant in the NALEO National Institute for Newly Elected Officials, which is held every two years.  He has been a presenter at every Institute since, providing newly elected municipal officials with expert advice and mentorship.  After several years of being an active member, Carrión was elected to the NALEO Board of Directors in 2003.  In 2007, Carrión was elected to his first one-year term as President of NALEO, becoming the first person of Puerto Rican descent to serve in this national leadership capacity.  Carrión was elected to a second one-year term as NALEO President in June of 2008.”