ArchivesWhen reports began circulating last month that former Nogales Mayor Marco Antonio Lopez Jr. would go to Washington, D.C., to join Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano’s team, the local business community was abuzz.
 Marco Antonio Lopez Jr. (right) stands with Janet Napolitano (second from left) and his parents, Marco Antonio Sr., and Esther Melendez-Lopez. |
Olivia Ainza Kramer, director of the Nogales Santa Cruz County Chamber of Commerce, said, “This is an example “ an inspiration and incentive to our youth. What an honor for him to have emerged from our community.”
In an e-mailed statement, Napolitano said, “I have worked with Marco for over five years and I know that he brings great experience to CBP. As a former mayor of Arizona’s largest border community, he understands the challenges that we face along the border and will be a strong asset within DHS.”
Lopez, who was 22 when he served as mayor of Nogales, took over last fall as director of the Arizona Department of Commerce under Gov. Napolitano.
It was the latest stint in a rising political trajectory since resigning his post in 2003 as one of the nation's youngest mayors to accept an appointment by Napolitano as Executive Director of the Arizona-Mexico Commission.
The AMC is designed to help develop international policy and enhance the economic power of the Arizona-Sonora region.
At CBP, Lopez will help oversee a workforce of more than 51,550, including 19,726 CBP officers, 17,499 Border Patrol agents and 2,277 agriculture specialists.
In a telephone interview from his D.C. apartment, where he was recovering from sticker shock from the rental rates in and around the capital, Lopez said, “I’m honored and excited. It still hasn’t quite sunk in.
“CBP is central to DHS’ primary responsibility: to keep the American people safe while at the same time facilitating the safe and efficient flow of people and goods through our borders,” he said. “The agency is at America’s front line.”
For example, he noted, in fiscal year 2008, CBP apprehended more than 1.02 million people; seized more than 2.78 million pounds of narcotics; apprehended more than 200 people with serious criminal records including murder, rape, and child molestation; collected nearly $32.5 billion in revenues; initiated more than 19,000 trade enforcement seizures valued at $351 million, an increase in volume from more than 17,000 seizures recorded in FY 2007.
In 2000, Lopez was elected mayor of Nogales, and two years later was re-elected. He is the son of Marco Antonio Lopez and Esther Lopez Melendez.
Juan Pablo Guzman helped Lopez with his mayoral campaign and later became public information officer for the city. In November, he was elected clerk of the Santa Cruz County Superior Court.
He said Lopez “was very enthusiastic about making a difference in Nogales and putting Nogales on the map in a positive sense. He made every effort to connect with the community, opening city hall after hours to take care of the needs of those who worked during the day, visiting the senior citizens center and local schools. We knocked on doors in what became known as ‘community walks’ just to hear out residents’ concerns.”
John E. Kissinger, who was appointed chief of police by Lopez and later was promoted to deputy city manager, said, “Mayor Lopez was able to form a strong relationship with the municipality of Nogales, Sonora and with Sonoran state officials. The City of Nogales became well known and relevant at the state, federal and international levels. We are still reaping the fruits of that today,” he said.
As mayor, Lopez with help from the governor initiated a process that would eventually link the Nogales Police Department communications center with its Mexican counterpart in Nogales, Sonora. This was a successful pilot program that has been imitated in other border communities.
Partly under his watch, the AMC has been a force behind improvements to Arizona's ports of entry, as well as an increase in cooperation between law enforcement agencies on both sides of the border.
Lopez later became senior policy adviser for Latin America, which is a cabinet level division of the governor's office responsible for overseeing and coordinating all international Latin American affairs for the State of Arizona.
In 2006 Napolitano promoted him to be her senior adviser on the state's political relationship with other countries and Arizona's trade relationship with Mexico, Canada, Europe, the Asia-Pacific, and Japan.
Born in Nogales, Sonora in 1978, he is a graduate of the University of Arizona. He earned a bachelor’s degree in liberal studies and political science.
He began his political career as a congressional page in 1994 in Washington, D.C., for U.S. Rep. Ed Pastor, (D-Ariz.) and then was a member of the advance team in 1998 for Al Gore's presidential campaign.
He was inspired to pursue a career in public service “by my mom,” Lopez said. “She is outspoken because she understands the issues facing everyday people who feel like they aren’t heard. She isn’t afraid to take on a good fight for the right cause when it comes to bettering our community and helping everyone and not just a few.”
Mary Rose Wilcox, a friend and member of the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors for the past 16 years, said, “He is blessed with a mother who is so outgoing and caring and a father who is just solid.
“One of the things I appreciate about Marco is he has such deep respect for women and women’s minds,” she said. “In our (Mexican) culture, we just don’t see that. We see a lot of machismo. That’s just not the case with Marco, and of course, I have to credit his mother for that.
“You have to admire his rapid rise,” Wilcox said. “This isn’t the last stop for Marco, either. We can expect to see more great things from him.”
Through his work both with the AMC and as adviser to Napolitano he “helped bring immigration front and center” in state politics, she said.
Victor Flores, president of the AMC who worked with Lopez, agreed.
“When he was appointed to the AMC, I knew nothing about him except that he was this young mayor from Nogales,” he said. “I have to admit that I asked myself, ‘my God, what does this young guy know about running this organization? I always figure the position required at least some managerial training. I was pleasantly surprised.
“With his demeanor and laid-back attitude he listens and isn’t one to react,” Flores said. “In this manner he was able to learn about the commission. We developed a wonderful relationship both personally and professionally.
“The governor became truly engaged in international relations and immigration with the advice and knowledge she gained through Marco. These are very complex, intricate and politically sensitive issues that Marco was able to articulate to the governor.
“Marco was key “ working with a very capable team at AMC “ to leading this organization’s most important development in these areas in its 49-year history.
“Nogales should be proud, of Marco” Flores said. “I know we certainly are.”
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BP Agent wrote on Mar 7, 2009 6:55 AM:
oncerned wrote on Feb 21, 2009 9:51 AM:
George Wilgers wrote on Feb 19, 2009 12:35 PM:
Bordergal wrote on Feb 17, 2009 9:09 PM:
How do you expect anyone to take you seriously if you spew stupid lies like Obama was not born here.
Do you think your tiny little self here in the county knows more than the Supreme Court of the United States, which is mostly Republican?
Hahaha. You sure have a big ego. Come down a notch will you?
Marco thank goodness will never be President I agree. He is a rude little kiss up. He also has huge problems with Unions, firefighters and police all while working for Napolitano who enjoys tremendous support from Unions, firefighter and Police. So I venture to say that he will do what he is told by Napolitano. "
Concerned wrote on Feb 17, 2009 8:02 AM:
Bordergal wrote on Feb 15, 2009 10:25 PM:
This has nothing to do with him being Mexican and everything to do with him a political hack. If you are worried that he is an extreme liberal just waiting to allow illegals in here. Don't worry about it. He just does what Napolitano tells him to and she is not going to anything of the sort.
Did any of you READ the article? Well actually the article implies that he will oversee the CBP. that is not correct. The commissioner oversees the CBP, and he is an advisor to the commissioner, soon to be his Chief of Staff.
There are tons of people over him, and tons of people with more power in a department that has very little power and very little money.
Again, don't worry about it. This guy has never worked a day in his life and has just sucked up to Napolitano for everything. He is a big fish in our little pond, but over there he will be a staffer to the big guns like everyone else.
Oh and he does not support public safety. Which is odd now that he will be "overseeing" CBP. "
Dee wrote on Feb 15, 2009 7:42 AM:
Alfonso wrote on Feb 14, 2009 11:30 PM:
Marisol wrote on Feb 14, 2009 3:58 PM:
Of course, this shouldn't be any kind of surprise watching this administration. "
Jimi wrote on Feb 14, 2009 10:36 AM:
Brittanicus wrote on Feb 13, 2009 6:54 PM:
Thought this was the whole point of the Stimulus package, to get unemployed legal workers on the job. Not another magnet for jobs in new construction and other work for millions of illegal aliens.
The mandatory Federal law with a 99.6 success rate would have halted illegal aliens stealing work from AMERICAN WORKERS. We must thank Speaker Pelosi and Senator Harry Reid who are obviously in collusion with SPECIAL INTEREST GROUPS to kill this amendment.
Tell the Democratic politicians what you think and demand E-Verify be made a mandate! Jam the Washington Switchboard with your angry voices: (202) 224-3121 Don't give up on the phone call or go to your Senator or Congressman webite.
Other honest information at JUDICIALWATCH, NUMBERSUSA, AMERICANPATROL & CAPSWEB.
COPY & PASTE! PASS THIS ON! "
Bobby wrote on Feb 13, 2009 1:35 PM:
Bobby wrote on Feb 13, 2009 1:30 PM: