Josh Valdez, DBA, Joins Board of GROW Elect to Ensure California Latino Republican Voices Are Heard

LOS ANGELES, March 28, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Josh Valdez, DBA, the former Regional Director for the Federal Department of Health & Human Services (DHHS), has accepted an appointment to the Board of GROW Elect, Latino Consultants announced today. GROW Elect is a political organization founded in 2011 for the purpose of electing Latino Republicans to local office in California.

"Forty-four percent of Latinos voted for President George W. Bush in the 2004 general election – we need to re-energize and exceed that engagement that so our patriotic values are represented," said Dr. Valdez. "Civic engagement and participation is vital for all of us who love this country and the State of California."

The importance of Latinos becoming involved in policy and civics comes from perspective of deep-rooted empathy for the issues Latinos face. "It is personal for me because my parents' family – all U.S. Citizens – was deprived of their home and business in the forced 'Repatriation' of the Great Depression," Dr. Valdez said. His father and family were part of the more than 500,000 Mexican-Americans that were gathered and forced to go to Mexico despite the fact they were citizens. The tragedy ripped the Valdez family apart along with the death of his younger brother – due to starvation – and who was forced to work at age eight and never again given the opportunity to attend school. "By becoming involved, we assure an equitable future for our families while honoring those who sacrificed so that we could succeed."

Dr. Valdez, who is the President and CEO of Right Way HealthCare Consulting, was also the highest ranking Latino in a 42,000+ company as the Senior Vice President of Health Care Management for WellPoint from 2003-2007 and was appointed by President George W. Bush as a Regional Director for DHHS, 2001-2003. He co-authored "Strategies for Improving Latino Health Care in America" which included budget-neutral recommendations for expanding access. Most recently, Dr. Valdez was the Chair of Health Care Insurance Industry Group to advise the Romney for President Campaign.

Dr. Valdez plans on being an integral part of re-energizing Latinos in civic engagement, both as a GROW Elect ( http://www.GrowElect.com/ ) Board Member and as a future candidate for publically-elected office, of which he is exploring the options.

PHOTO 72dpi: Send2Press.com/mediaboom/13-0328-valdez_72dpi.jpg

This release was issued on behalf of the above organization by Send2Press(R), a unit of Neotrope(R). http://www.Send2Press.com

SOURCE Latino Consultants, LLC