• Submitted by: lena campos
• Society
• 06 / 22 / 2012

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One of the nation's foremost Latino civil rights organizations has selected for the first time a Cuban-American to chair its board.

The National Council of La Raza was expected to announce Wednesday that Miami native and public relations guru Jorge Plasencia, 38, will lead its board. He is only the third non Mexican-American to serve in that role in more than four decades. Plasencia replaces Phoenix attorney Daniel R. Ortega.

The move signifies, in part, the heavily Mexican-American group's growing recognition of the important role Florida plays in Hispanic politics. It also signifies the group's recognition of the influence Florida and its Hispanic voters could have in this year's presidential election.

"Jorge Plasencia has clearly demonstrated himself as a talented and innovative entrepreneur, as well as a dedicated community leader," NCLR President and CEO Janet Murguia told The Associated Press on Tuesday. She also said he represents the nation's increasingly diverse Hispanic community.

Source: ABCnews.go.com