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USDL: 97-427
Contact: Gordon Berg
For Release: Immediate
Office: (202) 219-5573 Tuesday, November 25, 1997
Borrego Sworn in as First Hispanic Assistant Secretary for
Veterans’ Employment and Training
Espiridion “Al” Borrego was sworn in as the first Hispanic
assistant secretary of labor for veterans’ employment and training
services (VETS) by Labor Secretary Alexis M. Herman in ceremonies at the
Department of Labor on Nov. 24 in Washington, D.C.
Borrego had been acting assistant secretary since June. He was
unanimously confirmed by the Senate on Nov. 5. Previously, Borrego had served
as VETS’ deputy assistant secretary.
As assistant secretary, Borrego is the principal advisor to the
Secretary of Labor for all employment and training issues relating to veterans
and enforces laws that protect the employment and reemployment rights of
veterans, reservists and National Guard members. He oversees an agency with an
annual budget of more than $180 million and a staff of more than 250. VETS
issues grants under Title IV-C of the Job Training Partnership Act (JTPA) to
organizations providing training, counseling and job search services to
veterans and funds, through grants to the states, the salaries of veterans
employment specialists in the state employment service systems.
A native of Polk, TX, Borrego is a Marine Corps veteran and served two
tours of duty in Vietnam. Before coming to the Department of Labor, Borrego was
Dean of the School of Business and Public Administration at the University of
Alaska Southeast, where he also held a faculty position in public
administration. He was editor-in-chief of The Alaska Public Affairs Journal and
helped establish the Alaskan Economic Development Center.
Borrego had a successful career as a human resources and public policy
consultant with expertise in management analysis, strategic planning,
organizational re-engineering, human resource management and training and
budget systems development.
As a Presidential Management Intern, Borrego worked for the National
Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) in its Offices of the Comptroller
and Legislative Affairs. There, he specialized in national and international
space technology and conducted program and budget analyses.
Borrego holds a Ph.D in Public Administration from the University of
Southern California, where he was a Ford Foundation Fellow.
Borrego and his wife, Vicky, live in Alexandria, VA.
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U.S. Labor Department news releases are accessible on the Internet at:
http://www.dol.gov. The information in this news release will be made available
to sensory impaired individuals upon request. TDD Message Referral Phone:
1-800-326-2577, Voice phone: (202) 219-7316.
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