Governor Laura Kelly appointed Claudia Yaujar-Amaro and Richard Martinez to the Hispanic and Latino American Affairs Commission.
The purpose of the commission is to gather and disseminate information regarding problems and programs concerning Hispanic and Latino Kansans; coordinate, assist and cooperate with state departments and agencies to serve the needs of Hispanic and Latino Kansans; propose new programs; evaluate existing programs and propose legislation; stimulate public awareness; conduct training programs; cooperate with the state board of education in advising and assisting school districts, upon request, in conducting in-service training programs for bilingual education personnel; and other duties.
“Claudia and Richard are extremely qualified and ready to take on the important duties of the commission. I am glad to have them on the team,” Kelly said. “My administration is committed to serving the needs of Hispanic and Latino Kansans in all areas, including culture, education, employment, health, housing, welfare and recreation.”
Yaujar-Amaro, Wichita, is the founder and owner of AB&C Bilingual Resources, LLC, where she works as a marketing and outreach director and translator. She has also worked as a family engagement educator for USD 260. Yaujar-Amaro is currently working toward an Associate of Applied Science in advertising from Butler Community College, has completed coursework related to industrial and systems engineering from Universidad Autonoma de la Laguna, received a Band 3 certificate in English to Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) from the University of Cambridge and earned her ESOL teacher certification from Instituto Angloamericano.
Martinez, Topeka, is the High Performance Incentive Program manager for the Kansas Department of Commerce. Previously, he served as Executive Director of the Hispanic and Latino Affairs Commission and as Commerce’s chief financial officer. Martinez earned a Bachelor of Business Administration from Washburn University, and completed the Certified Employee Benefits Specialist exam at the University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School.
The governor appoints all seven members to the council, and her appointments are not subject to confirmation by the Kansas Senate.