Nuestras Personalidades en Portada

Jim Click Jr.

Jim Click Jr. was born in Oklahoma State; he is third generation car dealer owner living in Tucson Arizona for the past 44 years with his wife Vicky and his 2 children.

Jim graduated from Oklahoma State University in 1966 where he received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business. Forty years later his graduation, Jim and his Uncle Bob Tuttle are co-owners of the Tucson-based Jim Click and Holmes Tuttle Automotive Teams which includes Ford, Lincoln, Dodge, Chrysler, Jeep, Mazda, Nissan, Hyundai and Kia. They also have several dealerships in Orange County, California, and was ranked 22nd in the 2000 Automotive News Top 100 Dealerships Group.

Jim Click is no doubt one of Tucson’s most visible philanthropists. Just some of his volunteerism includes: Junior Achievement, Board of Directors, President and recipient of the prestigious, Gold Lay Leadership award; Boys & Girls Clubs of Tucson, Board of Directors, and Chairman of the Capital Fund Drive, raising over $1.2 million to build the Holmes Tuttle Boys & Girls Club, the Roy Drachman Boys & Girls Club, and the Jim and Vicki Click Club; Salpointe Catholic High School, Chairman, of the 1988 Capital Campaign; and the University of Arizona Foundation, Board Member. In 1982, he was Tucson’s Man of the Year and is a member of the Tucson Conquistadores. A dedicated citizen, in 1999 he led a successful effort to maintain an adequate water supply for Tucson’s future. And as Chairman of the Capital Campaign for Primavera Builders, Jim raised the money to build a new training center for the homeless. In 2009, Jim Click was honored by the Boys & Girls Clubs of Tucson with the 1st Annual Click for Kids Award to recognize his 30+ years of service to the Clubs. It is the Club’s highest recognition and expression of gratitude.

Disabilities have always been at the center of Jim Click’s family focus. In 1975, he was one of the first Tucson employers to offer a workstation for people with developmental disabilities through the Beacon Foundation. Today, Jim employs sixty-eight individuals with disabilities at his dealerships. In 1999, President Bill Clinton presented Jim with the President’s Award from the Committee of Employment of People with Disabilities for his leadership in the development of LINKAGES, a unique non-profit organization that matches individuals with disabilities with employment opportunities.

As a devoted family man, Jim Click and The Click Family Foundation, help establish a Cristo Rey model high school in Tucson where at risk teenagers from disadvantaged neighbors are able to obtain a Catholic, college and career preparatory education. San Miguel High School, established built in 2004, has graduated five classes, with 100% graduation success and all of the seniors accepted to universities and college nationwide.

Although he has never run for any political office, Jim Click’s passion for politics and electing good citizens to serve has often driven him to positions of fund-raising and finance chair for numerous candidates at the local, state, and national levels.

Ramón O. Valadez

Ramón Valadez is a lifelong resident of Pima County. He attended and graduated from Wakefield Middle School and Pueblo High School. In 1989, he graduated from the University of Arizona with a Bachelors of Science Degree in Electrical Engineering (BSEE).

At present, Ramón also serves as Chair of the Pima Association of Governments Regional Council and member of Regional Transportation Authority Board. He is an Honorary Commander Alumnus for the 355 EMS Squadron at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base and a member of the 162nd Air Guardians. Ramón is a Commissioner on the Governor’s Military Affairs Commission and serves on the Board of Directors of the Interstate 11 Coalition.

Ramón has been actively involved in his community since high school. He has focused much of his time and energies on issues affecting children and youth in such important areas as education, youth employment, homelessness, crime prevention, health care and recreation.

As a result of his community service, Ramón has received numerous awards from organizations including the League of Mexican American Women, Labor Council for Latin American Advancement, Pima County, Pueblo Gardens Neighborhood Association, Federal Bureau of Investigation, League of United Latin American Citizens, and the Tucson Juneteenth Committee.

He is married to Lucia and has sons, Daniel and Fernando.

Humberto S. Lopez

Humberto Lopez practiced as Certified Public Accountant for almost six years with the accounting firm of Deloitte, Haskins & Sells in Los Angeles, California, developing an expertise in real estate. He has formed in excess of 150 limited partnerships and limited liability companies since the founding of his company in 1975. He has had direct responsibility for the acquisition, capitalization, financing, renovation and marketing of over 25,000 apartment units, over 1,000 hotel rooms and other commercial real estate. Mr. Lopez has been an active investor in diverse property types throughout the United States. He has acquired and disposed of over $1.2 billion worth of real estate and has handled all phases of real estate ownership and management. In addition to his real estate investments, Mr. Lopez is in a number of non-real estate related companies ranging from car dealerships, a contact lens company, health care and restaurants.

Mr. Lopez serves on the board of directors of Pinnacle West Capital Corporation, a Fortune 500 company. He previously served on the board of Capitol Bancorp Limited, one of the nation’s largest community banking organizations which held over 50 individual charters for banking operations in several states, and as Chairman of Tucson Saving and Loan. Mr. Lopez’s current and former appointments at the University of Arizona include the Chairmanship of the Board of Advisors of the Sarver Heart Center, Chairmanship of the University of Arizona Foundation, the National Board of Advisors for the Eller College of Business and Public Administration and the University of Arizona President’s Club. He has also served as a board member and as chairperson in a number of non-profit organizations throughout the City of Tucson. His past governmental appointments include the Tucson Downtown Redevelopment Committee, the Downtown Tucson Advisory Committee, the Arizona Office of Tourism, the Arizona Urban Lands Advisory Committee and the Arizona Small Business Conference. Mr. Lopez was a member of the Young Presidents Organization from 1986 to 1996 and is currently a member of the World Presidents Organization.

Nogales High School 1961 – 1965
Cochise College 1965 – 1967
University of Arizona 1967 – 1969 Associate of Arts/Bachelor of Science in Business

Francisco Romero

Francisco joined the Astros in 2008 after spending five seasons broadcasting Milwaukee Brewers games in Spanish on Telemundo Wisconsin. His Major League broadcasting experience also includes selected Minnesota Twins games over five seasons from 2003-08. His Major League broadcast debut was for the Arizona Diamondbacks on Telemundo Arizona in 1999, and he spent two years on Diamondbacks broadcasts from 1999-2000. Other Major League broadcasting experience includes selected games on Spanish Radio with the Cincinnati Reds in 2005. He also spent four seasons as the play-by-play broadcaster and pre – and post-game show producer on Spanish radio broadcasts for the Triple A Tucson Sidewinders of the Pacific Coast League. Additional sports broadcasting experience includes both football and basketball for the University of Arizona Spanish Radio Network 1999-present, as well as three seasons on the Arizona Cardinals radio halftime report. A graduate of the University of Arizona, Francisco spent 10 years as the sports anchor for the Telemundo affiliate in Tucson, AZ. In 2005, Francisco was inducted into his High School Media Hall of Fame, Pueblo High School in Tucson, AZ. In 2003, the Arizona Daily Star named him as one of the Top 100 Sports Figures of Southern Arizona. He earned a 2004 Emmy Award from the Rocky Mountain Chapter in the sports reporting category.

Dan Peterson

Dan Peterson was born in Wisconsin and grew up in Phoenix, AZ.  He moved to Tucson to attend the University of Arizona.  After college, Dan and his wife, Lea Marquez, moved to California.  Dan earned his MBA from Pepperdine University.  Currently, Dan is the Vice President and General Manager of CareMore-Arizona, a unique Medicare Advantage health plan that offers award-winning healthcare through a coordinated approach to care delivery.   CareMore is currently the second largest Medicare Advantage health plan in Tucson.    Dan and Lea have two kids, Emma (16) and Luke (9).  Dan enjoys hiking, fly fishing, UofA sports, and coaching soccer.

Rubén Reyes

Rubén Reyes was born in San Luis, Rio Colorado, Sonora, but is a naturalized American citizen.  As the son of immigrants from Durango (Ruben Sr. and Angelina Reyes), Rubén’s family worked in the fields in Somerton, Arizona, and Salinas, California.  His family followed the lettuce crops as migrant farm workers while his father worked and joined with Cesar Chavez and the United Farm Workers Union.  It is during this period that heavily influenced Rubén into hard work, education, family, and activism.

Rubén graduated from Arizona Western College and moved to Tucson in 1986 to attend the University of Arizona, where he graduated in 1988 in Radio/Television Production.  As a student activist, he met the future congressman, Raúl M. Grijalva, and became heavily involved in local issues and politics.  Ruben has worked with the homeless at the Jackson Employment Center, with at risk students at Cholla High School, as a producer for Telemundo, and several radio stations.  He now works with Congressman Raúl M. Grijalva as a Senior District Advisor, and works on many issues such as immigration, education, labor, and the environment.  He is happily married to councilmember Regina Romero and has two children, Emiliano (8) and Luciana (5).

As a former cross country runner in high school, Rubén loves his sports, mostly his beloved Wildcats and boxing.  While not working or campaigning, Ruben loves to spend time with his family, take Arizona trips, movies, concerts, or any social activity.  But the day-to-day grind is what he loves the most:  dropping off and picking up Emiliano and Luciana at school, soccer practice, mariachi camp, or any other event. “It’s the daily routine with my children that I cherish the most:  watching them grow, teaching them about the world we live in.”  As active parents, Rubén and Regina regularly take their children to community civic and social events, such as marches, protests, dinners, and political rallies.  “Never too young or old to learn,” says Rubén.

Lic. Jorge Pesqueira Leal

Originally from a small mining community in the state of Sonora, Mexico which also happened to be the birthing home of the Mexican revolution. From early age and in his youth, he has been known for his preoccupation over social injustice which has been present in his country of origin.
This is the reason why since those early times he has committed himself to social causes which are oriented to make common good and social justice a reality in our vulnerable Latin-American societies.
His years as a community activist, and always from the margin of a civilian’s standpoint, has allowed him to direct numerous social movements which have been peaceful but have enabled the construction of community works to be destined to the protection of vulnerable groups.
Most of the activities that he organizes and does, have a philosophical foundation, that of selflessness which is based on giving without expecting any type of compensation in exchange.
Among the most distinguished activities that he is currently overseeing, you can find the following:
1.     Coordination of Postgraduate programs in the school of law of University of Sonora;
2.     President of the Community Collaboration Committee of Mexico, A.C.;
3.     President of the Mexico Mediation Institute, S.C;
4.     President of the Mexican Academy of Restorative Justice and Orality, A.C.;
5.     Secretary-General of the International Center for Studies on Democracy and Social Peace, A.C;
6.     President of civilian organizations which tend to vulnerable groups, such as: alcoholics and mentally disabled that wonder the streets; minors victims of domestic violence; homeless children and adolescents and underprivileged elderly.
His biggest success has been the democratization of his family, in such a way that his four children – Jorge Antonio, Georgina Andrea, Cecilia Alejandrina and Erick Rene- have all become socially committed and brilliant professionals.

Dr. Javier Rios

Javier Rios, MD born in Mexico and completed his education at the University of Xochimilco, then emigrate to the United State completing his residency at King Drew Medical Center . He started practicing general family medicine in the Inland Empire area in 1998.
In September 2002 he opened Tucson Clinica Medica Familiar in Tucson, Arizona and has been serving the Tucson community providing a quality care to all his patients.

Abel A. Leon

Abel A. Leon is a 32 year old Mexican American who is currently residing in Tucson, Arizona. He graduated with degree in a business administration and within time also graduated from a well know Christian institute for his the pastoral ministry. Abel currently serves at his 24 year old home church Centro Cristiano Carismatico as one of the few associate pastors.
Abel is the 4th child of five. He and his family arrived in Arizona when he was only 7 years old. His family moved to Arizona due to a life threatening situation. Abel was on the verge of death, but his families’ faith in God caused an amazing miracle in him. Abel is now a co-owner along with his family of Perfectos Mexican Restaurant which for the past six years has been rated with an A+. Most importantly, Abel greatly enjoys being a father and a husband to his wife Nelly and daughter Emely. Abel is a greatly respected man in the world of faith as well as business administration.
Gracias a los padres y hombres de negocios por ser partícipes de esta portada del mes de Junio. Ustedes son un modelo a seguir en nuestra comunidad. Nuestro agradecimiento siempre. Feliz día del Padre!

Thank you to all parents and business men for participating in June’s front cover.  You are a role model to follow in our community. Our recognition forever.

Happy Father’s Day!
Alma R. Gallardo
Editor
The Arizona Bilingual Newspaper