Ken Miyagishima
Kenneth Daniel Gallegos Miyagishima (born May 15, 1963) is an American businessman and politician, currently serving as the mayor of Las Cruces, New Mexico. Miyagishima took office in 2007.
Ken Miyagishima | |
|---|---|
| Mayor of Las Cruces | |
| Assumed office 2007 | |
| Preceded by | Bill Mattiace |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Kenneth Daniel Gallegos Miyagishima May 15, 1963 Biloxi, Mississippi, U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse(s) | Rosie |
| Children | 4 |
| Residence | Las Cruces, New Mexico, U.S. |
| Alma mater | New Mexico State University (BS) |
| Website | http://www.las-cruces.org/1935/Mayor-Ken-Miyagishima |
Early life and education
Miyagishima was born in Biloxi, Mississippi. He is of both Mexican and Japanese descent. He has lived in Las Cruces, New Mexico since 1971. He attended public schools and in 1985 graduated from New Mexico State University with degrees in finance and real estate.
Career
In 1984, Miyagishima began his insurance and financial services business while still in college.
In 1992, he became New Mexico's first American of Japanese descent to be elected to public office. From 1998 through 2000 he was voted "Best County Commissioner" in a local newspaper readers' poll. In 2002, he received the Commander's Award for Public Service from the United States Department of the Army. Miyagishima won re-election as City Councilman in 2005 running unopposed. Miyagishima is the first American of Japanese and Mexican descent to be elected Mayor of Las Cruces. He is also the second person in Doña Ana County to have been elected both Chairman of the Doña Ana County Commission and Mayor of Las Cruces.
In August 2013, Miyagishima unsuccessfully applied to become Doña Ana County Manager.[1]
Personal life
Ken is married to Rosario Miyagishima (née Rodriguez), and they have four children.
References
- "Las Cruces Mayor Ken Miyagishima nixed as next Doña Ana County manager". Las Cruces Sun-News. September 25, 2013. Archived from the original on April 23, 2014. Retrieved April 21, 2014.
External links
- Greater Las Cruces Chamber of Commerce Forum October 2, 2007 speech on YouTube
- Obama likely to roll through New Mexico ahead of Super Tuesday The New Mexican, January 27, 2008, endorsement of Barack Obama