TONY YAPIAS

Tony is a native of Junin, Peru. In 1981 at the age of fourteen he immigrated to the United States. He lived in Evanston, Wyoming where he attended High School. He received a bachelor’s degree in International Relations from Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah.

Currently, Tony is the Director of Proyecto Latino de Utah which focuses on the needs of Utah´s Latino immigrant community. In 2003, he was appointed to Director for the State Office of Hispanic Affairs by former Governor Michael O. Leavitt. He was the first Peruvian born to be appointed to this position. He continued to serve as Director under Governor Olene Walker until 2005. As Hispanic Affairs Director, he was responsible for advising the governor on issues that impact the Latino community

Tony is committed to public service. In High School he was elected Student Body President. In 1989, he served as an Intern for the former United States Senator, Alan K. Simpson (Republican, Wyoming). Later at Brigham Young University he was appointed Director of the Student Advisory Council. Today, he continues to serve in several boards and committees. In 2005, he was diagnosed with Tyroid cancer and is a survivor.

Radio Talk Show Host: “Pulso Latino with Tony Yapias” Radio Exitos 1550 AM Salt Lake City, Utah. Tuesday’s from 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. Radio program reaches up to 15,000 listeners in a weekly basis. Pulso Latino addresses current issues impacting the Latino community in Utah and throughout the country. Tony has been hosting his radio program since March of 2006. You can listen live here: http://www.exitos1550.com

Newspaper Columnist: “Conversations” with Tony Yapias” El Estandar Spanish weekly newspaper. Ogden, Utah. 17,000 weekly free Newspaper (Ogden, Salt Lake and Provo).www.standard.net/elestandar

UNIVERSITY & HIGH SCHOOL COMMUNITY SERVICE

• President, Brigham Young University International Student Association. 1991-1992
• Executive Director, BYU Student Association- Student Advisory Council. 1990-1991.
• Student Body President, Evanston High School. Evanston, Wyoming 1985-1986

EDUCATION and TRAINING:

• Bachelor of Arts, International Relations, Brigham Young University. 1987-1992
• Certified by Texas Department of Health, Community and Medical Interpreting.
• Certified by Primary Children’s Medical Center “Bringing the Gap” Interpreting Program.

EXPERIENCE:

• Scoutreach Director, Great Salt Lake Council of Boy Scouts of America
• Director, State of Utah Office of Hispanic Affairs (April 2003 – January 2005)
  
• Senior Probation Officer Third District Juvenile Court (September 1994 – April 2003)
• Photo-Correspondent The Salt Lake Tribune Newspaper (February 1992-July 2002)
  
• Teaching Assistant, Student Assistant Brigham Young University (August 1990-April 1992)
  
• Intern -Legislative Research Assistant. Senator Alan K. Simpson, Wyoming. United States Senate, Washington D.C. (January-April 1989)

COMMUNITY SERVICE AND ORGANIZATIONS:

• Board of Trustees Utah Legal Services, Spring 2007 (Salt Lake City)
• Founder/Project Coordinator, Proyecto Latino de Utah, Summer 2005 (Salt Lake City)
• Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Citizens Academy, Summer 2004 (Salt Lake City)
• Salt Lake City Police Department, Citizens Academy, Summer 2004 (Salt Lake City)
• Utah Department of Public Safety Citizens Academy, Spring 2004 ( Salt Lake City)
• President, Utah Latinos Organization. September 1993-1994 (Utah County)
• President, Utah County Latino Council. March 1992- June 1993 (Utah County)
• Chair, Human Relations Committee, City of Orem. May 1993 -1995
• Board Member, Provo Youth Services. City of Provo. December 1993-1995
• Minority Advisory Council, Utah Valley State College. November 1992-1995
• Orem Department of Public Safety Citizen’s Academy. May-October 1993.

AWARDS and SCHOLARSHIPS:

Bartholome de las Casas Award, Human Rights Work and Community Activism,

Latin American Chamber of Commerce 2007

Community Service Award, Centro Civico Mexicano 2005

Latino Pride Award, Hispanic Media Services 2005

Fellowship Award, Center on Legal Educational Opportunities, Washington D.C. 1993

Leadership Award, Brigham Young University, International Student Association. 1991-92

Leadership Award, International Youth Action Council of Utah. 1990-91

Leadership Award, Brigham Young University, Dean of Student Life. 1990-91

Leadership Scholarship Award, Brigham Young University. 1986-87

COMMUNITY LECTURES AND PRESENTATIONS:

Keynote Speaker: “Living Our Parents Dreams” Hillcrest High School. December 2007.

Keynote Speaker: “Conversations on Immigration” Orem City Library. October 2007.

Keynote Speaker: “Current Immigration Issues” Rotary Club of Ogden. October 2007.

Keynote Speaker: Box Elder High School (Brigham City) “Have a vision not clouded by fear” Multicultural students graduation celebration. May 2007.

Keynote Speaker at “Fiesta Mexicana” Gunnison, Utah November 17, 2006

Keynote Speaker at “Hispanic Heritage Month” Hill Air Force Base, Ogden Utah. “Our Rich Culture Contributing To America’s Future” October 16, 2006, 11:00 am to 12:30 pm.

Keynote Speaker: University of Utah, Institute of Public & International Affairs “Integrating Immigrants” Brown Bag Series. "Making the Invisible Visible: Marching for Immigrant Rights in Utah 2006” By Tony Yapias, Organizer of the "Dignity March" for Immigrant Rights in Utah Former Director of Utah's Office of Hispanic Affairs, Director of Proyecto Latino of Utah and Chairman of the Utah Hispanic Democratic Caucus. Friday, October 13, 2006, 12:00 pm.

Presentation: “Latinos de Utah” Independence High School. Provo, Utah. February 27, 2006.

Presentation: “Utah Latinos” University of Utah, March 31, 2005

Presentation: “Latinos de Utah” Weber State University, March 23, 2006

Speaker: “Latinos de Utah 2005” Brigham Young University. Provo, Utah December 12, 2005.

Keynote Speaker: “Latinos de Utah” Timpview High School. Provo, Utah. March 11, 2005.

Speaker: “The Importance of higher Education for Latinos in Utah.” Weber State University. March 4, 2005.

Speaker: “Hispanic Heritage Celebration” St. George, Utah. October 21, 2004. Office of Hispanic Affairs.

Presentation: “Electronic Networking and understanding Hispanic Issues” Utah State University. Logan, Utah. October 16, 2004.