Yuma native named executive director of state Democratic Party
Yuma native Luis Heredia has accepted the position of Arizona Democratic Party Executive Director. Party Chairman Don Bivens appointed Heredia to the position, and made the official announcement Thursday.
"Luis Heredia brings a fresh perspective and a frontline understanding of Arizona politics," said Bivens. "He is a talented, dynamic leader with direct campaign experience in local and statewide elections. He is broadly respected and trusted within the state party, and he knows Arizona inside and out.
"Luis is deeply committed to the future of Arizona, and we look forward to his leadership and vision as executive director," Bivens added.
Heredia will now have a full-time position with the state level party, and will help coordinate and manage party operations on the county level.
Heredia will leave his position with Union Pacific Railroad, where he has served as the public affairs director for Arizona and New Mexico.
"Arizona Democrats are well prepared, and well poised to lead our great state. It is an honor to join a strong group of Democratic leaders and staff statewide as we unite for Democratic victories in 2010 and beyond," Heredia said.
"This is a great responsibility and a great opportunity to act in the political process of the party in the state. I think the leadership we have at the national level is outstanding and I would like to translate that success to the local level. I think Arizona Democrats provide leadership in the state, and it is clear they have an approach which is in the best interests of all Arizonans."
Heredia was born in Yuma and raised in Somerton. He graduated from Cibola High School in 1994, and is an alumnus of Arizona State University.
In 2000, Heredia was elected at the age of 24 to the Somerton Elementary School District Governing Board, where he served as board president from 2005-2008.
In 2003, the Yuma Education Foundation inducted him into the Education Hall of Fame with a Special Achievement Award for organizing families on issues of public education. Heredia also served for seven years on the Yuma County Planning and Zoning Commission.
Prior to his position with Union Pacific Railroad, Heredia served as a senior congressional aide to U.S. Rep. Raul M. Grijalva. He also worked as a director of college services for Arizona Western College, and as a neighborhood planner for the city of Yuma, where he assisted the city's Community Development block grant program.
Heredia has led a number of coordinated campaign efforts with a focus on door-to-door voter contact and voter registration drives. He has served in several capacities as a state and county Democratic Party officer. He was named the Arizona Democratic Party's Young Democrat of the Year in 2005.
The Chicano Faculty and Staff Association recognized Heredia with the Robert L. Pastor Outstanding Undergraduate Award. He was also named a Woodrow Wilson-PPIA Fellow and completed a masters degree in public administration at Indiana University.
He resides with his wife and son in Gilbert, Ariz.
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Chris McDaniel can be reached at cmcdaniel@yumasun.com or 539-6849.
