For Immediate Release: Wednesday, May 22, 2019
From the Office of Council President Nancy Navarro
ROCKVILLE, Md., May 22, 2019—Montgomery County Council President Nancy Navarro and Councilmember Gabe Albornoz have been listed among the 100 most influential members of the Washington DC metropolitan area’s Latino community by El Tiempo Latino, a DC-based Spanish-language newspaper. The newspaper’s “Powermeter 100” list was selected by a panel of judges from more than 400 nominees. The awards event will be held on Wednesday, June 5 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the Washington Gas Terrace at The District Wharf in Washington DC. Admissions are free with registration.
“It is an honor and a privilege to have been named on a list of the most influential members of the DC metro-area’s proud Latino community,” said Council President Navarro, who is the first Latina immigrant ever elected to the Council. “Moments like this are incredibly humbling, as you are reminded that our work on the Council really does have a tremendous impact on the lives of both our residents and all those working and visiting in our County.”
“Our Latino community is growing in its economic, social, and political impact across the country and in our region,” said Councilmember Albornoz. “I am truly humbled to be listed among this group of leaders. I look forward to continuing to work on behalf of all Montgomery County residents and ensure that everyone has a chance to succeed.”
Council President Navarro has represented the County’s District 4 on the Council since 2009. As Council President, among her top priorities are increasing access to quality and affordable early care and education, and establishing a Racial Equity and Social Justice Policy for County government. She chairs the Government Operations and Fiscal Policy Committee and serves on the Education and Culture Committee. In 2011, former President Barack Obama appointed Nancy to the President’s Commission on Educational Excellence for Hispanics, where she served on the Early Childhood Education Committee. Prior to joining the Council, Nancy was a member of the Montgomery County Board of Education. Her office has led the groundbreaking Latino Civic Project, an effort to engage underrepresented residents in the civic process. Before entering public office, Nancy co-founded a non-profit, community-based organization with a mission to assist the economic and educational development of Latino and other immigrant communities. Nancy was born in Caracas, Venezuela and has lived in Montgomery County for more than two decades with her husband, Reginald, and two daughters.
Councilmember Albornoz is an at-large Councilmember who represents all of the County’s 1.1 million residents. He is the first-generation son of immigrant parents. He currently serves as chair of the Council’s Health and Human Services Committee and a member of the Public Safety Committee. Previously he was the director of the County’s Department of Recreation from 2007 until 2018. Under his leadership, the department expanded programming to vulnerable populations and received countless awards for its strategic engagement with the community from organizations such as the National Association of Counties (NACo). Highlights of his tenure as director include construction of four new senior centers, six new recreation centers, and major renovations to six others.
Release ID: 19-188