Mayor Makes Board of Education, Chicago Housing Authority Appointments
CHICAGO (CBS)-- Mayor Rahm Emanuel on Sunday made an appointment to the Chicago Board of Education and a nomination to the Chicago Housing Authority board.
Dr. Carlos Azcoitia has been appointed to serve as a member of the Chicago Board of Education, a release Sunday from the mayor's office said.
Azcoitia currently serves as Distinguished Professor of Practice in Educational Leadership at National Louis University.
From 2011-2012, he oversaw and supported thirty-six schools in his role as Interim Chief of Midway Network in Chicago Public Schools. Previously, from 2003-2007, Azcoitia served as the founding principal of John Spry Elementary Community School in the Little Village community, the release said. Before he founded John Spry Elementary Community School, Dr. Azcoitia served as the Deputy Chief of Education at Chicago Public Schools (1996-2003), where he was responsible for managing wide-ranging departments, programs and services. He began his career as a teacher at Kosciuszko School, teaching 7th and 8th grades (1974-1982).
He also serves as the Chair of the Board of Trustees at Northeastern Illinois University, as a Steering Committee Member of the Coalition of Community Schools, and a member of the Board of Directors of the Chicago High School for the Arts and Ignatian Spirituality Center in Miami, Florida.
"For over 30 years, Carlos has dedicated his career to helping students succeed, as a teacher, principal and administrator and the breadth of his experience makes him uniquely qualified for this role on the Board of Education," Emanuel said.
"His years working directly with students, teachers and principals bring an invaluable perspective to the Board and I know he will use his expertise and his unwavering commitment to the students of Chicago to be a strong advocate for their success."
Additionally on Sunday, Emanuel nominated Rodrigo Sierra, currently senior vice president and chief communications and marketing officer of the American Medical Association (AMA), who served for 10 years in a variety of communications positions at Integrys Energy Group and its predecessor, Peoples Energy, to be a member of the Chicago Housing Authority (CHA) Board of Commissioners. Sierra will replace long-time member Carlos Ponce, who is stepping down after serving for over 10 years as a member of the CHA Board of Commissioners and interim CHA CEO.
Sierra will leave his role on the Board of Education, where he has served for over a year, with this appointment to the CHA Board of Commissioners, the release said.
"I commend Carlos Ponce for his long and distinguished service to this city. He has helped guide the Chicago Housing Authority through times of incredible reform and we are grateful for his work, which has touched the lives of thousands of Chicagoans," Emanuel said.
"I also welcome Rodrigo into this position and am confident that his experience developing innovative solutions for large organizations, leading companies through times of change and his commitment to Chicago will serve him well in this role."
Prior to his position at AMA, Sierra served as the Chief Marketing Officer for Johnson Publishing Company. Sierra was a founder and steering committee member of Nuestro Futuro, a partnership with the Chicago Community Trust that encourages giving from Latinos and increased grants to organizations that serve Latinos. He serves on the board of the Puerto Rican Arts Alliance and on the executive committee of the board of the Goodman Theater.
(Source: Sun-Times Media Wire © Chicago Sun-Times 2012. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)
