January 24, 2014
LANSING, Mich. – Gov. Rick Snyder today announced the appointments of Armando Hernandez, of Swartz Creek, and Sonya Hernandez, of Muskegon, and the reappointments of Norma Huizar, of Grosse Pointe Park, Gilberto Guevara, of Saginaw, and Julio Morales, of Byron Center, to the Hispanic/Latino Commission of Michigan.
Housed within the Michigan Department of Civil Rights, the 15-member commission develops a unified policy and plan of action to serve the needs of Michigan's Hispanic and Latino residents.
"I thank all of these appointees for their commitment to service, and I know they will do great work promoting the diverse interests of Hispanics and Latinos in the Great Lakes State," said Snyder.
Appointed
Armando Hernandez is assistant vice president and office manager for Security Credit Union. He has extensive experience with banking and community and economic development. Hernandez is the board chair of the Genesee County Hispanic Latino Collaborative and of the American GI Forum of Flint/Hispanic Technology and Community Center. He founded the West Michigan Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. Hernandez holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Universidad de Guadalajara. He replaces Raquel Castaneda-Lopez.
Sonya Hernandez is a migrant/title III director and dean of students of Hart Public Schools. Hernandez holds an associate degree in general studies from Muskegon Community College, a bachelor’s degree in Spanish from Grand Valley State University, and a master’s degree in educational leadership from Grand Valley State University. She replaces Olga Hernandez-Patino.
Reappointed
Huizar volunteers in multiple capacities, including as a National Service Organization Policy volunteer, Junior Achievement volunteer, and as a Defer Elementary volunteer. She previously served as a substitute teacher, a trainer at College of DuPage, senior project consultant for Meredith & Associates, diversity manager and financial analyst for Southern California Edison, and an analyst for the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco. Huizar holds a bachelor’s degree in political science and Spanish from Wellesley College and a master’s of public policy in international trade and finance from the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard.
Guevara is the community service coordinator for the Mexican-American Council Inc., and serves on the board of directors of the Saginaw Economic Development Corp. He previously served in numerous capacities in the Catholic Diocese of Saginaw. Guevara holds an associate degree in general studies from Delta College and certificates in paralegal studies, immigration studies, and youth ministry studies. He served in the U.S. Army from 1967-1969.
Morales is the executive director of utility business development for Consumers Energy, where he is responsible for development and implementation of a strategic business plan that includes enhancement of current business practices, refocused investment philosophy and development of plans for opportunities that deliver expansion and growth for the Distribution & Customer Operations Division. Morales holds a bachelor’s degree in manufacturing/industrial engineering technology and a master’s of business management from Aquinas College.
With the exception of Sonya Hernandez, appointees will serve three-year terms expiring Dec. 10, 2016. Sonya Hernandez will serve the remainder of a term expiring Dec. 10, 2015. Appointments are not subject to the advice and consent of the state Senate.
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