2020 NAHJ National Board Election Results

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 5, 2020

(Washington, D.C.) – The National Association of Hispanic Journalists (NAHJ) is pleased to announce eight newly elected individuals to the Board of Directors and re-welcome one current board member elected to a new role. On Friday evening, NAHJ announced the election results to members celebrating president Nora López and nine other open race winners.  

The association is grateful for all candidates’ unwavering commitment and willingness to dedicate their time and leadership on behalf of NAHJ.

Following several years of uncontested races and low voter turnout, the 2020 election yielded tremendous interest and participation with a total of 550 voters. The turnout is the highest in recent NAHJ history. The eight proposed bylaw amendments received overwhelming support, but a quorum was not met.  

The winners in the 2020 NAHJ national board elections are: 

Nora López, President 

Julio-César Chávez, VP of Broadcast 

Yvette Cabrera, VP of Digital  

Arelis R. Hernández, VP of Print 

Keldy Ortiz, Financial Officer 

Blanca Rios, Secretary

Jennifer Marcial Ocasio, Spanish At-Large Officer

Jessica Retis, Academic At-Large Officer

Mc Nelly Torres, General At-Large Officer 

Luis Joel Méndez González, Student Representative 

“I am honored that the members put their trust in me, and I intend to carry on NAHJ’s mission with dignity and integrity,” said Nora López, NAHJ President. “NAHJ belongs to its members.” 

“Service will be this board’s top priority,” she added. 

“NAHJ has spent over 35 years preparing and contributing to a better future for our Latino journalists,” commented Hugo Balta, ex officio President. “I’m confident this board’s dynamic and vision will meet this nation’s moment with bold decisions and leadership.”   

The national board will review three regional director vacancies that include regions one, two, and six. Members will receive a notification for nominations and position appointments made at the direction of newly elected NAHJ President Nora López. 

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About the National Association of Hispanic Journalists (NAHJ) 

The National Association of Hispanic Journalists (NAHJ) is the largest organization of Latino journalists in the United States and dedicated to the recognition and professional advancement of Hispanics in the news industry. The mission of NAHJ is to increase the number of Latinos in the newsrooms and to work toward fair and accurate representation of Latinos in the news media. Established in April 1984, NAHJ created a national voice and unified vision for all Hispanic journalists. NAHJ has over 3,000 members, including working journalists, journalism students, other media-related professionals, and journalism educators. For more information please visit NAHJ.org or follow on Twitter @NAHJ. 

Media Contact: 

BA Snyder
Veritas Group for NAHJ
512.630.6337
BA@VeritasAustin.com