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Trustees Board Biographies |
This page presents biographies of the members of the Board
of Trustees:
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Trustee Area 3 |
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Trustee Area 1 |
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Trustee Area 5 |
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Trustee Area 4 |
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Trustee Area 2 |
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Angela Acosta-Salazar, Trustee Area 3 ,
President,
Term of Office 2005-2009
Trustee Acosta-Salazar was elected as President of
the Board of Trustees at the Annual Organizational Meeting held in December,
2007. She represents Trustee Area 3 which includes
the City of Whittier and South El Monte.
BIOGRAPHY
Elected in 2005, Ms.
Acosta-Salazar currently serves as the President of the Rio
Hondo College Board and represents the communities of
Whittier and South El Monte. Working with the recently hired
College President, Dr. Ted Martinez, Jr., the mantra for the
board and campus is “Student Success”. Under her leadership
the Board will engage in four major duties for 2008 which
include: Accreditation, implementation of technology
upgrades, keeping the building program on schedule and
moving towards a clear vision for the campus to achieve
student success. The vision for student success includes
increasing vocational training, working to increase
graduation and transfer rates, maintaining access to
education and creating a college that serves the local and
regional community.
As a dedicated education
advocate and educator, Ms. Acosta-Salazar is employed by The
Puente Project, University of California Office of the
President, as the Coordinator for the Community
Leadership/Mentoring Program in So. California. Ms.
Acosta-Salazar works in collaboration with high school
teachers and counselors to catapult students into higher
education and ensure that they return to their community as
civic leaders and mentors. In addition, Ms. Acosta-Salazar
serves as an adjunct Professor at Los Angeles City College
teaching Chicano Studies.
From
2001-2006, Ms. Acosta-Salazar directed the HOPE Leadership
Institute (HLI), a nine month program designed to train
Latina women from across the state in vital advocacy skills,
enabling them to create fundamental change within their
local neighborhoods to develop healthy communities across
California. In this position, she was able to engage in the
policy issues of education, health care access and economic
empowerment for Latinas. A cadre of close to 250 women was
trained under her direction.
HOPE is a
statewide nonprofit, nonpartisan organization committed to
ensuring political and economic parity for Latinas through
leadership, advocacy, and education to benefit all
communities and the status of women.
Ms.
Acosta-Salazar has experience in voter registration
campaigns, community economic development, research and
event coordination.
Ms.
Acosta-Salazar is a graduate of the University of California
at Irvine and has completed her M.A. in Community & Regional
Planning from the University of New Mexico in Albuquerque.
Ms. Acosta-Salazar currently resides in Whittier with her
husband and son.
Demographic Information on Trustee Area #3:
Total Population 80,171
Hispanic 76.64%
White 12.69%
Black/AM .052%
Am. Indian/Alaskan 0.35%
Asian 8.60%
Native Hawaiian/Other Pl 0.09%
Other Race 0.12%
Pop of 2 or more Races 0.99%
Voting Population 68.00%
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André Quintero, Trustee Area 1
Vice President,
Term of Office 2005-2009
Mr. Quintero was re-elected to the Board of Trustees in November, 2005.
Mr. Quintero was first elected to the Board in November,
2001.
Trustee Quintero was elected as Vice President of
the Board of Trustees at the Annual Organizational Meeting held in December,
2007. He represents Trustee Area 1 which includes the City
of El Monte.
BIOGRAPHY
Andre Quintero is serving in his second term as a member of the
Board of Trustees for the Rio Hondo Community College
District. He has fought against student fee increases and
worked to make Rio Hondo College a larger part of the community.
Quintero supported holding Board of Trustee meetings in locations
throughout the cities served by Rio Hondo College. He has also
been an advocate for student outreach programs that encourage
students to enroll in college after high school graduation. He
is especially proud of the College’s efforts to aggressively
pursue grants for outreach programs.
Quintero has also
advocated for the creation of higher paying jobs for the local
workforce. During Quintero’s tenure, the Board of Trustees
adopted a Project Labor Agreement to provide a skilled workforce
for construction projects during the college’s modernization and
expansion program. The Board also approved sustainable building
design standards so that the construction is friendly to the
environment.
Quintero currently works for the City Attorney of Los Angeles as a
Deputy City Attorney in the Criminal Branch. He previously
worked in a law firm that specialized in municipal and education
law. He also clerked in the General Counsel’s Office of the Los
Angeles Community College District, where he worked on student
privacy rights and other issues related to educational policy.
Quintero has also represented injured workers.
During law school at UCLA, Quintero was selected to participate in
the California Senate Fellows Program. During his year in
Sacramento, Quintero worked on veteran and senior issues for
Senator Joe Dunn. He was a key staff person to the Senator on
legislation that resulted in a $50 million bond act to build
group and retirement homes for veterans.
A graduate of the University of California Riverside, Quintero
received his Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science.
While at U.C. Riverside, he served as Student Body President for
one year and also served as President of the statewide U.C.
Student Association representing more than 160,000 students at
California’s nine U.C. campuses. Quintero fought against
increased college fees proposed by Governor Wilson and has
continued to lead that fight during both Governor Davis’ and
Governor Schwarzenegger’s terms in office.
Quintero grew up and
attended schools in El Monte, Monterey Park and Rosemead. He is
the eldest son of immigrant parents Gustavo and Marlene
Quintero.
Demographic Information on Trustee Area #1:
Total Population 80,402
Hispanic 70.38%
White 7.83%
Black/AM 0.66%
Am. Indian/Alaskan 0.30%
Asian 19.73%
Nat. Hawaiian/Other Pl 0.08%
Other Race 0.09%
Pop of 2 or more Races 0.94%
Voting Population 66.12%
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Garry Couso-Vasquez, Trustee Area
5
Clerk of the Board,
Term of Office 2005-2009
Garry Couso-Vasquez was elected to the Board of
Trustees in November, 2005. Trustee Couso-Vasquez was elected as Clerk of
the Board of Trustees at the Annual Organizational Meeting held in December,
2007.
BIOGRAPHY
Garry Couso-Vasquez was appointed as Chief of Police of the
Montebello Police Department on June 1, 1999. He entered Honorable
Retirement on December 28, 2007.
Garry’s law enforcement career began in 1972 as a Reserve
Police Officer with the City of Montebello.
In 1974 he joined the Los Angeles Police Department where he
was assigned to patrol operations at the Southwest, Wilshire, Hollenbeck and
Communications Divisions. He was also assigned to Metropolitan Division and
served six years on LAPD’s elite SWAT team. Garry retired honorably from LAPD
after serving over 22 years of dedicated service.
In 1995 Garry joined the Los Angeles County Police as the
commanding officer of the South County and then Assistant Chief of the Field
Services Bureau.
Throughout his career Garry has been the proud recipient of
several prestigious awards.
He has received the Medal of Merit from the Montebello City
Council, and twice received the Medal of Valor, once from LAPD and once from the
Montebello Fire Department. LAPD also awarded him with the Police Medal, Police
Star, and the Meritorious Service Medal for his dedication to duty as a member
of the SWAT team. He also received the Hometown Hero Award from the Los Angeles
Dodgers Organization and the 2004 Testimonial Award from the Montebello/Commerce
YMCA.
Garry holds a Third Degree Black Belt in Shorin-Ryu Karate,
and was a Martial Arts instructor in the Montebello Police Activities League
(PAL).
Garry and his wife, Helen, have two sons. Garry, Jr. is a
Police Officer with the Santa Ana Police Department. Michael is employed by
Southern California Gas Company.
Currently, Garry serves as the Press Relations & Leadership
Chairman for the Boy Scouts of America Rio Hondo District, and is the Past
District Chairman for the Boy Scouts Rio Hondo District. He is also Past
President of the East Los Angeles Chapter of the National Latino Peace Officers’
Association, and Past President of the Hispanic American Police Command Officers
Association of Los Angeles.
He also serves in various associations and civic groups such
as the Montebello Lions Club International, Montebello Elks, L.A. County Police
Chiefs’ Association, Southeast Chiefs’ Association, San Gabriel Valley Chiefs’
Association, L.A. County Police Chiefs’/Rio Hondo College Police Academy
Advisory Board, Peace Officers’ Association of Los Angeles County, California
Police Chiefs’ Association, International Association of Chiefs of Police, Fight
Crime: Invest in Kids California,
Montebello/Commerce YMCA, Montebello Police Activities League,
and Beverly Hospital Foundation Board of Trustees.
In November 2005, Garry was elected to the Rio Hondo College
Board of Trustees. He represents Area 5 (East Whittier).
Throughout his career, Garry has received his education and
advanced training through various educational institutions including POST
Executive Development Course (receiving his POST Executive Certificate, the
highest certification awarded by the Office of Peace Officers Standards and
Training, in 2002), FBI Southwest Command College, Cal State University-Long
Beach, Rio Hondo College, University of Southern California, University of La
Verne, Union Institute & University, California Narcotic Officers Association,
California Gang Investigators Association, Los Angeles Police Department, Los
Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, and numerous other institutions.
Demographic Information on Trustee Area #5:
Total Population 80,316
Hispanic 52.38%
White 40.55%
Black/AM 0.99%
Am. Indian/Alaskan 0.29%
Asian 3.84%
Nat. Hawaiian/Other Pl 0.12%
Other Race 0.12%
Pop of 2 or more Races 1.72%
Voting Population 71.25%
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Gary Mendez, Trustee Area 4
Member,
Term of Office 2007-2011
Gary Mendez
was first elected to the Rio Hondo Community College District Board of
Trustees in November 1999. He was re-elected in 2003 and 2007. Mr. Mendez represents Trustee Area 4, which includes Los Nietos,
Santa Fe Springs, South Whittier and North Norwalk.
BIOGRAPHY
Mr.
Mendez is proud to be a public servant in the traditional sense, with core
values of duty, honor, compassion, and service. Mr. Mendez began giving back by
working with community organizations and leaders long respected for their values
and commitment.
His public service
record includes working in local, county, regional, state and federal
government.
In his seven years on the Board, Mr. Mendez has been a
vocal advocate for students. His goal is to ensure that Rio Hondo successfully
meets the post-secondary educational needs of our communities now and in the
years to come. His accomplishments include:
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Actively working to pass
Measure A, the college’s first facilities construction bond in more than 40
years. Bond funds will allow for complete rehabilitation and augmentation of
the Rio Hondo College campus;
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Authoring the resolution
establishing priority registration for US War Veterans;
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Spearheading efforts to
create off-site centers in South Whittier and El Monte to increase access to
educational opportunities close to home;
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Assisting single mothers
attending Rio Hondo by creating a scholarship in honor of his mother Ruby
and grandmother Rose;
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Working to diversify the
College’s administrative team to ensure the community sees itself in Rio
Hondo’s internal leadership, which led to hiring the first Latina
Superintendent/President;
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Increasing
access to Rio Hondo by enhancing community outreach and by promoting the
college’s educational opportunities to all potential students in the
community college district;
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Ensuring
proactive financial planning to ensure a balanced budget;
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Encouraging
policies and programs that guarantee a well-balanced academic program and
quality student support services;
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Increasing
access to the College by making public transportation for students a
priority and by working on initiatives to subsidize student passes;
and
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Responding
to the needs of working families who want to attend college by creating Rio
Hondo’s first weekend accelerated program that allows students to attend
classes outside their work hours.
Gary Mendez was born
and raised in the Los Nietos-Whittier area, where his family has lived since
1856. He graduated from Whittier High School and at age 18 was elected as the
State Youth Chairman of the American GI Forum, a congressionally-chartered
national veteran’s organization dedicated to civil rights and education. Mr.
Mendez was also elected to serve as its National Youth Chairman. During his
tenure, he worked with the American GI Forum to create separate districts/areas
of representation for the Rio Hondo College Board of Trustees. Mr. Mendez also
worked with the Mexican American Political Association and the United Farm
Workers on issues important to his community.
While earning his
associate’s degree in political science and paralegal studies at Rio Hondo, Mr.
Mendez was elected to serve as student representative on the Rio Hondo Community
College District Board of Trustees. Mr. Mendez was also active in the
Associated Student Body (ASB), the statewide Council of Student Body
Governments, the California Student Association of Community Colleges and was
elected student member of the California Community College Trustee Board. He
also founded and was the first president of the Rio Hondo Young Democrats.
Mr. Mendez earned
his bachelor’s degree in Government, with a minor in Ancient History, at
California State University, Sacramento. As a student, he worked for the Chief
Clerk (Parliamentarian) of the California Assembly. Additionally, Mr. Mendez
worked for various members of the legislature in their Sacramento offices and on
their campaigns.
After graduation,
Mr. Mendez worked as a paralegal for the Los Angeles County Chicano Employees
Association preparing civil rights cases and employee grievances. He also
served in the Southern California Association of Governments’ (SCAG)
Governmental Affairs Department, working on regional issues that impact
communities throughout Southern California.
Mr. Mendez has
served as a member of then-Assemblywoman Grace Napolitano’s legislative staff,
and as her volunteer coordinator and field director during her bid for
Congress. He was special assistant to the Congresswoman after she was elected
to the House of Representatives. Mr. Mendez has also worked as a field deputy
for then-Assemblyman Thomas Calderon.
In 2004, Mr. Mendez
was elected to the Democratic Party Los Angeles County Central Committee by
democratic voters in the 56th Assembly District. In May, 2005, he
was elected to serve on the Executive Board of the California Democratic Party.
In the same year, State Party Chairman Art Torres appointed Mr. Mendez to serve
on the State Democratic Party’s Organizational Development Committee.
Mr. Mendez is
President and CEO of Urban Strategies (West), a governmental, public and
political affairs firm.
Mr.
Mendez holds
a third degree Black Belt in Okinawan Shorin-Ryu/Kenpo Karate and
has
taught the art to students of all ages for more than 20 years.
www.garymendez.com
Demographic Information on Trustee Area #4:
Total Population 80,359
Hispanic 74.43%
White 17.35%
Black/AM 2.23%
Am. Indian/Alaskan 0.42%
Asian 4.12%
Nat. Hawaiian/Other Pl 0.18%
Other Race 0.09%
Pop of 2 or more Races 1.18%
Voting Population 67.79%
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Maria Elena Martinez, Trustee Area 2
Member
Term of Office 2007-2011
Ms. Martinez was first elected to the Board of Trustees in 1991.
She has been re-elected to the Rio Hondo Community College District
Board of Trustees in 1995, 1999 and 2003 and 2007.
She represents Trustee Area 2 which
includes the City of Pico Rivera.
BIOGRAPHY
Maria Elena served as the Vice-President of Student Services
at San Bernardino Valley College before retiring. She has also held the position of
Vice-President of Instruction at SBVC. Prior to taking her position
at SBVC, Ms. Martinez
enjoyed a long tenure at East Los Angeles College where she served as
Vice-President of Academic Affairs.
Ms. Martinez is a product of the California Community College system
receiving her AA degree from East Los Angeles College, a BA from California State University Los Angeles and a
MS
degree from Pepperdine University.
Despite her busy schedule, Ms. Martinez is actively involved in the
community she represents. She is President of Navidad en Baja, an
organization that collects and distributes boxes filled with goods
to the needy in Baja California and throughout the State of California. She volunteers for the Lions Club,
is a member of the Latina Leadership Network of the California Community
Colleges and the National Institute for Leadership Development.
Demographic Information on Trustee Area #2:
Total Population 80,171
Hispanic 84.53%
White 11.36%
Black/Am 0.51%
Am. Indian/Alaskan 0.32%
Asian 2.36%
Nat. Hawaiian/Other Pl 0.07%
Other Race 0.08%
Pop of 2 or more Races 0.77%
Voting Population 69.46%
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