Governor Introduces Top Latino Appointments at Latino Leadership Reception

CHICAGO - At a reception honoring Latino leaders before Little Village's Mexican Independence Day parade, Gov. Rod R. Blagojevich today introduced top Latino members of his administration.  In all, Blagojevich has appointed five Latinos to head state agencies - the most Latino cabinet appointments of any Illinois governor.

"I promised the people of Illinois that my administration would look for the best people who could bring new ideas and valuable experience to state government," said Blagojevich.  "By interviewing candidates from different backgrounds and different communities, we're building a leadership team that reflects the diversity of our state.  That's critical to making sure government truly represents the people it serves."

Blagojevich's top Latino appointments are:

Fernando Grillo - Director of the Department of Professional Regulation

Grillo was an attorney in private practice before joining the administration.  Throughout the 1990's, he worked in public finance, most recently serving as Vice President of Public Finance for Samuel A. Ramirez & Co., Inc.

Roxanne Nava - Director of the Department of Financial Institutions

Nava brings more than 14 years of banking and financial service experience to the Department of Financial Institutions.  She worked for the Northern Trust Company, where she serves as a Vice President and Commercial Banking Relationship Manager of the Logan Square Center. 

Lorenzo Padron - Commissioner of the Office of Banks and Real Estate

Padron helped found helped Chicago's Latin American Chamber of Commerce - the largest Latin American trade organization in the Midwest with 1,300 members. He worked in the banking industry for more than 20 years until he started his own business, National Facility and Supply Company/Chicago Contract Cleaning and Supply Company.

Leticia Peralta-Davis - CEO of the Metropolitan Pier and Exposition Authority

Peralta-Davis founded and was president of the financial advisory firm Davis Financial, Inc., which specializes in debt financing, and chaired the Finance Committee for the Board of Commissioners of the Chicago Housing Authority.

Peter Viña - State Fire Marshal

Viña has nearly 17 years of fire service experience, including 11 years with the Maywood Fire Department, and six with the Illinois State Fire Marshal's office. He also served as an internal affairs investigator for the Department of Public Aid.

In addition, the Governor presented nearly 40 of the Latinos to key positions in his administration:

Anthony Rolondo                       Corrections Assistant Warden

Carlos Montoya                      Property Tax Appeal Board

Cesar Lopez                             DCEO Senior public Service Administrator

Cynthia Moreno                        DCFS Deputy Director/Service Intervention

David Andalcio                         IL Tollway Authority Board

David Rodriquez                     OBRE Deputy Commissioner

Dean Martinez                         Chief of Legislative Affairs/Dept. of Financial Institutions

Dorca Ramirez                        Governors Office Receptionist

Edgar Lopez                            DFI Assistant Director

Eduardo Flores                       Tollway Oasis Project Manager

Elizabeth Diaz                           Deputy Director of Administration for the Department of Professional Regulations

Enrique Unanue                        DPH Deputy Director of Health Care Regulation

Fernando Grillo                        Department of Professional Regulation Director

Francisco DuPrey                     DHS Assistant Director

Gloria Camarena                       Intergovernmental Affairs Liaison

Ivonne Sambolin                        DHS Assistant Director of Hispanic Affairs

Jack Garcia                               State Police Assistant Deputy Director of Forensic Services

Jaime Viteri                               DCEO Director, Entrepreneurship Center Development

James Marron                           Deputy Director of the Illinois Department Employment Securities

Jen Ortega Piron                         DCFS Deputy Director of Guardianship and Advocacy

Jorge Montes                               Prisoner Review Board

Jose Gonzalez                              Statewide Independent Living Council

Joseph Becerra                            DCFS Regional Administrator

Julio Rodriquez                            DCEO WIA Manager Statewide Activities

Leticia Peralta-Davis                    MPEA CEO

Lopez Esther                                Assistant Director of Labor

Lorenzo Padron                           OBRE Commissioner

Maribel Bracho                            Director of Community Relations Office of the Governor

Maribel Crespo                            Department of Insurance Private Secretary

Maritza Torres-Hernandez            Human Rights Council

Michael Alvarez                            Community Liaison/Department of Employment Securities

Mike Gonzalez                              Health Facility Planning Board

Patricia Verduzco                          MPEA Chief of Staff

Peter Vina                                     State Fire Marshal

Petra Porras                                  DCFS Deputy Chief

Ralph Caro                                   Constituent information Program Administrator

Ray Mota                                     CDB Member

Roxanne Nava                              Department of financial Institutions Director

Sadzie Oliva                                  Department of Professional Regulations Attorney

Santiago Romero                          Prisoner Review Board

Steven Guerra                              DHS Associate Director of Community Health/Prevention