The state’s Latino population has had a nearly 50 percent increase over the past decade, with the 510,645 Latinos now representing more than 14 percent of the population. So wasn’t it about time for acting director Werner Oyanadel to be made executive director after working for the last four years in an acting capacity ?
“I am thrilled to be able to continue working side-by-side with the LPRAC commissioners on policies needed to advance the social and economic status of the Latino community in Connecticut,” Oyanadel said Friday. “During the past four years, our team of community leaders and staff began using results-based decision frameworks to make recommendations to policymakers, which has begun to produce measurable improvements – but there remains much work to be done.”
“I look forward to working with Werner Oyanadel in the upcoming legislative session in our efforts to further shared goals, such as strengthening community schools to ensure that all children have access to a high quality education,” Gov. Dannel P. Malloy said in a statement. “I am grateful for LPRAC’s advocacy and support of issues facing Connecticut Latinos – more than 14 percent of our citizens, who continue to make resounding contributions to our state’s culture and economy.”
Oyanadel, a native of Chile, is a graduate of Central Connecticut State University. Prior to serving as Acting Executive Director, he was a legislative analyst for LPRAC. “Werner Oyanadel has been an important advocate for the Latino community for many years now, and I am thrilled that he has been named Executive Director of LPRAC,” said State Sen. Andres Ayala, in a statement. “He and I have worked together on supporting Latino business organizations and issues important to our community. Werner has more than earned this position, and I look forward to continuing our work together for years to come.”
“I intend to use this position to find innovative ways to support equitable educational opportunities for our children, increase diversity in state jobs, prevent unnecessary involvement of Latino youth within the juvenile justice system, and promote economic development,” Oyanadel said.