Mickey Ibarra

The Honorable Mickey Ibarra served as Director of The White House Office of Intergovernmental Affairs under the Clinton administration.^[2] Born in Salt Lake City, Utah, the son of a Mexican immigrant father and an American mother.

Background

The son of a Mexican migrant worker, Ibarra spent his youth in foster homes, at one point living with a couple in Provo for several years. He went to Brigham Young High School and served in the United States Army from 1970-1973.^[3]

His undergraduate degree came from BYU, with assistance of the G.I. Bill for his service in the U.S. Army. Earned a master's degree in education from the University of Utah and was awarded an honorary doctorate of humane letters.

Career

He began teaching in Utah County in 1977 at a public alternative high school for at-risk students, and then moved his teaching responsibilities to Salt Lake County. He attended the University of Utah while he continued teaching – a part-time arrangement he notes that discourages many teachers from continuing their education throughout their careers.^[1]

Ibarra taught at-risk high school students for five years in the Utah public schools. As a teacher, Ibarra became involved in the Utah Education Association and later with the National Education Association. From the NEA's state office in New Mexico, he moved to the headquarters in Washington, D.C., in 1984. By 1990, he was the political manager at the NEA.^[1] His responsibilities there included assisting with campaign strategy development, federal candidate support, political education, and state government affairs. He also served as the Senior Advisor and Director of Special Projects for the Clinton-Gore '96 campaign.

At the White House, Mr. Ibarra was responsible for building support for the President's policy initiatives and responding to the concerns of state and local elected officials as well as the U.S. Territories and Indian Nations. In 1998, President Clinton appointed Ibarra to serve as a vice-chair of the White House Task Force for the 2002 Winter Olympics.^[3] He was named an honorary mayor for the Para-Olympic Games. Additionally, he co-chaired the White House Task Force on Drug Use in Sports.^[4]

Community work

Among his many avocations, he served six years on the board of directors of MALDEF,^[5] heads the Latino Leaders Network (a non-profit organization dedicated to bringing leaders together),^[6] and assists the Ibarra Foundation.^[7][8]

In 2013, Ibarra was named one of the "Top Latino lobbyists in D.C." by Latino Magazine.

In 2008, Hispanic Magazine named him among the "25 Most Powerful Hispanics in Washington, D.C." ^[3]

Awards

Mr. Ibarra was presented the 2016 Latino Spirit Award for Achievement in Public Service by the California Latino Legislative Caucus and the 2014 U.S. Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Community Champion Award. Additionally, he was named one of the "Top Latino lobbyists in D.C." by Latino Magazine in 2013 and received the inaugural Mickey Ibarrra Medallion for Excellence in Government Relations from the U.S. Hispanic Leadership Institute in 2012. Mr. Ibarra is a graduate of Brigham Young University and the University of Utah, with a master's degree and was awarded an Honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters in 2007.

^[9] He was also awarded the Community Public Service Award by the National Capital Area Council of the Boy Scouts of America.^[10] Mr. Ibarra received the Distinguished Alumnus Award from the University of Utah in 2001. In 2006, he was named a Hinckley Institute of Politics Fellow, and received the Award of Excellence in Education from the Utah Hispanic Chamber of Commerce.^[11]

Books

In MICKEYISMS: 30 Tips for Success, Mickey Ibarra offers powerful, simple, and effective leadership lessons acquired during his 30-year career in our nation’s capital. The author shares beliefs that have made all the difference in his life and career for others to consider. While not suggesting that any of his advice is original or new, when coupled with the personal photos he shares as well, they are sure to inspire and motivate readers of all ages. The book can be purchased at www.lulu.com

External links

• "Mickeyisms". Lulu.com.  Missing or empty |url= (help); |access-date= requires |url= (help)
• "My Brother's Keeper". Latino Magazine. Retrieved 9 June 2014. 
• "IN THE NEWS". Ibarra Strategy Group. Retrieved 1 November 2011. 
• "Mickey Ibarra & Associates announces new name, Dallas office, strategic partnerships and staff". Hispanic PR Blog. Retrieved 1 November 2011. 
• "A Dream Deferred". The Huffington Post. Retrieved 1 November 2011. 

References