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