LOS ANGELES, CA -– Today the National Association of Latino Elected and Appointed Officials (NALEO) Educational Fund announced that that two respected leaders will join the organization in top policy and civic engagement positions. On September 8, Gloria Montaño Greene will become the Director of the NALEO Educational Fund’s Washington, DC office, where she will lead the policy development and advocacy activities of the organization on Census 2010, naturalization,
comprehensive immigration reform and appointment issues.
In early October, Jose Cruz will become the Senior Director of Civic Engagement, working in the Los Angeles headquarters office, where he will oversee the organization’s Census 2010 outreach, naturalization assistance and voter engagement programs. These programs include the ya es hora (It’s Time) campaign, the nation’s largest and most comprehensive non-partisan effort to incorporate Latinos as full participants in the American political process.
Ms. Montaño Greene comes to the NALEO Educational Fund with seven and a half years’ experience working in various positions of responsibility for U.S. Representative Raúl M. Grijalva (D-AZ), and she is currently his Chief of Staff. She has also served as the Executive Director of Tucson Latina Action, a non-profit Latina empowerment group. In 2007, Hispanic Business Magazine named her one of the 100 Most Influential Hispanics. Ms. Montaño Greene earned her B.A. from the University of Arizona, Tucson.
Mr. Cruz is the President of Cruz & Associates, an educational and political consulting firm, and he is the founder and Chair of the Immigration PAC, a federal political action committee, which promotes the passage of comprehensive immigration reform. He also served as Manager of Special Programs and Director of Corporate Affairs for the Equity Research Corporation. In addition, Mr. Cruz began his career with the White House Office of Public Liaison, where he worked closely with national Hispanic constituency groups and elected officials. He earned his B.A. from Eureka College, and his J.D. from Southern Illinois University School of Law.
According to NALEO Educational Fund Executive Director Arturo Vargas, “Gloria and Jose bring a wealth of expertise and experience to the NALEO Educational Fund at a time when we are embracing critical opportunities for the civic engagement of the Latinos throughout the nation. With the 2010 Census less than eight months away, we are conducting a comprehensive policy, outreach and education campaign to ensure the most accurate count possible of the nation’s population, including the Latino community. The Obama Administration has named new leadership for the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services, and we are working with the Administration and Congress to promote policies that will make U.S. citizenship more affordable and accessible. Latinos will play a key role in the 2010 elections, and we will continue our efforts to help them become full participants in the electoral process.”
Ms. Montano Greene stated, “As Congress and the Administration prepare to address such pressing issues as comprehensive immigration reform, naturalization and Census 2010 policy, I am excited to lead the advocacy work that is key to the NALEO Educational Fund’s mission. It is great time for the Latino community to make its voice heard on these issues, and I am proud to be part of the process.”
According to Mr. Cruz, “It is an honor to be part of an organization I have admired for so many years. I welcome the opportunity to work with our ya es hora partners to achieve a successful Census 2010 enumeration, and to further the civic engagement of the Latino community.”
Mr. Vargas concluded, “Greater Latino participation in America’s political process is enriching and revitalizing our nation’s civic life. We look forward to having two talented and committed leaders join our efforts to create a stronger and more vibrant democracy for all Americans.”
