The HNBA Legal Education Fund Board Announces New Officers: Omar Vargas, Mark Gallegos and Josefina Fernandez McEvoy; HNBA National President Peter M. Reyes Joins the Board

WASHINGTON, Sept. 20, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The HNBA Legal Education Fund ("The Fund") announced the election of new officers and the addition of Peter M. Reyes, Jr., Hispanic National Bar Association ("HNBA") National President. The Fund Board named Omar Vargas as the Fund's second President, Mark Gallegos as Secretary and Josefina Fernandez McEvoy as Treasurer.

"I thank the Board for their trust in me and I look forward to working with my colleagues and the HNBA to grow the Fund on the solid foundation set by Roman Hernandez and Benny Agosto, who championed the Fund from its inception some years ago," said Omar Vargas shortly after his election as President. Vargas added that "as the HNBA's only charitable arm, I look forward to collaborating with HNBA National President Peter M. Reyes and HNBA National President-elect Miguel Pozo to promote the education of Hispanic legal professionals and the diversity of our profession." Roman Hernandez and Benny Agosto, co-founders of the Fund with Mr. Vargas, were elected to another full term and will remain on the Board.

Peter M. Reyes, Jr. commented on his new appointment to the Fund Board, "As the new National President of the HNBA, I am proud to continue the work of past presidents Roman D. Hernandez and Benny Agosto, Jr. who worked hard to create this successful charitable arm of the HNBA. The Fund's work is an extremely valuable asset to our community and I am honored to work alongside the dedicated members of its Board to provide the education, guidance, resources, and support of the HNBA to Hispanics in the legal profession."

Fund Board members Frank Angones, a partner at Angones, McClure, and Garcia; Hon. Lorenzo Arredondo, former Lake County, Indiana Circuit Court Judge; Hon. Alberto Gonzales, former United States Attorney General; and Hon. Patricia Madrid, former New Mexico Attorney General were also reelected to the  Board.  Former Bexar County Texas District Judge Cathy Torres Stahl stepped down from the Fund's Board. "I appreciate Judge Stahl's service to the Board and thank Frank, Judge Gonzales and General Madrid for their continued dedication to the mission of the Fund. With their leadership we will continue to assist Hispanic law students and lawyers in the years ahead," said Omar Vargas, commenting on the Board changes.

About the HNBA Legal Education Fund:
The HNBA Legal Education Fund (the "Fund"), incorporated in April 2010, is an IRS Section 501(c)(3) not-for-profit, charitable and educational organization dedicated to promoting and facilitating educational programs, exposing underrepresented students and professional to the benefits and opportunities in the legal profession, providing scholarship and financial support to individuals from underrepresented communities to pursue legal careers, and supporting the charitable and education mission of the Hispanic National Bar Association. The Fund is based in Washington, DC, and is the only foundation affiliated with the Hispanic National Bar Association. For information about The Fund, please visit its website: www.hnbafund.org.

SOURCE Hispanic National Bar Association