NDN Welcomes 23 Champions of Change from the Southwest Border Region

For the past few months, NDN and the New Policy Institute have been working with the White House to organize a Champions of Change event. As anyone who follows our work knows, NDN/NPI supports efforts to build a diverse and vibrant border economy.  Tomorrow, Friday, September 16, twenty-three leaders from Texas, Arizona, New Mexico, and Southern California will join us in Washington to be honored at the White House for their work in creating economic opportunity on the US side of our common border with Mexico. 

We will be starting our day at NDN/NPI and then spending time with these remarkable leaders as they meet critical policy makers throughout the Obama Administration, including Commissioner of U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Alan Bersin, and Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Economic Development, John Fernandez.  

The White House Champions of Change initiative profiles Americans from all walks of life who are helping the country rise to the challenges of the 21st century. These Champions of Change are doing extraordinary things in their communities to innovate, educate and build a better America. For more, check out their website: http://www.whitehouse.gov/champions.

Participants include:

Melissa Agudelo, High Tech High, San Diego, California
Clifford Boro, Video Egg/KidZui, San Diego, Caifornia
Carl Colonius, Rocky Mountain Youth Corps, Ranchos de Taos, New Mexico
Miguel Conchas, Laredo Chamber of Commerce, Laredo, Texas
Mayor Arturo Garino, Nogales, Arizona
Jose Gonzalez, Laredo Licensed U.S. Customs Brokers Association, Laredo, Texas
Akos Kovach, Southeastern Arizona Governments Organization, Bisbee, Arizona
Mayor Tony Martinez, Office of the Mayor, Brownsville, Texas 
Mark McCausland, Ultramain Systems, Albuquerque, New Mexico
Susan McCausland, Ultramain Systems, Albuquerque, New Mexico
Mayor Ken Miyagishima, Las Cruces, New Meixco
John Munoz, Las Cruces Hispano Chamber of Commerce, Las Cruces, New Mexico
Suara Naderi, Calit2 at UCSD, Del Mar, California
Brett Peterson, High Tech High, Sand Diego, California
Students from High Tech High, San Diego, California

We will be reporting in on these exciting day over the next few days, so check back.  Media interested in talking with the local leaders and NDN/NPI more about the Champions of Change initiative, please contact Julia Gill at 202-842-7217 or jgill@ndn.org.