NAHJ Welcomes Newest Regional Directors to the Board
WASHINGTON -- The National Association of Hispanic Journalists is proud to welcome its newest board members following elections to select the association’s regional directors.
The NAHJ held elections to select eight regional directors following the association’s convention in Phoenix this past June. Elections for regional directors are held every two years.
"We welcome the new regional directors to the board," said NAHJ President Cecilia Alvear. "It is a major responsibility and I am grateful for their commitment and their willingness to serve. As an association we face major challenges in the year ahead. I hope that through the combined efforts of the board, the staff and the members we overcome them."
The Region 8 election was the only contested race with Veronica Villafane, an independent producer, defeating Anne Martinez of the San Jose Mercury News. Villafane joins O. Ricardo Pimentel, who was elected the region 7 director, as first-time board members.
The NAHJ welcomes the return of two former board members, Ivan Roman and Rose Marie Arce, who were once again elected to the board. Board member Rafael Olmeda relinquished his at-large officer post position and was elected the region 4 director.
Regional Directors Gina Acosta, Nora Lopez and Rosa Maria Santana also won re-election.
"I also take this opportunity to thank the outgoing regional directors Claudio Alvarez-Dunn, Carolina Gonzalez, Luisa Yanez, Julie Amparano and Manny De La Rosa," said Alvear. "Their contributions to the NAHJ were invaluable. Gracias por todo."
ELECTION RESULTS:
REGION 1 (Puerto Rico and Virgin Islands)
Director: Iván Román, San Juan Bureau Chief, Orlando Sentinel
Former board member Román is elected to the post, replacing Claudio Alvarez-Dunn, managing editor of Primera Hora.
REGION 2 (Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York, New Jersey, Rhode Island and Vermont)
Director: Rose Marie Arce, producer, CNN
Arce, a former board member, replaces Carolina Gonzalez, reporter for the New York Daily News.
REGION 3 (Delaware, Kentucky, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia, Washington D.C. and West Virginia)
Director Gina Acosta, assistant editor, editorial, Washington Post
Acosta wins re-election.
REGION 4 (Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina and Tennessee)
Director: Rafael Olmeda, reporter, Sun-Sentinel
Olmeda replaces Luisa Yanez, reporter for the Miami Herald, who did not seek re-election.
REGION 5 (Arkansas, Louisiana, Oklahoma, and Texas)
Director Nora Lopez, reporter, San Antonio Express-News
Lopez wins re-election.
REGION 6 (Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota, and Wisconsin)
Director: Rosa Maria Santana, reporter, The Plain Dealer (Cleveland)
Santana wins re-election.
REGION 7 (Arizona, Colorado, Nevada, New Mexico, Utah and Wyoming)
Director: O. Ricardo Pimentel, columnist, Arizona Republic
Pimentel replaces Julie Amparano, president of Politicomagazine.com, who did not seek re-election. (Uncontested race)
REGION 8 (Alaska, California, Hawaii, Idaho, Oregon and Washington)
Director: Veronica Villafane, independent producer
Villafane defeats Anne Martinez of the San Jose Mercury News. Villafane also replaces Manny De La Rosa, bureau chief for KSBY-TV in Santa Maria, who did not seek reelection.
