SACRAMENTO - By a unanimous vote the Senate Rules Committee today confirmed Hector De La Torre as a member of the California Air Resources Board. De La Torre was appointed to the Board by Governor Jerry Brown in October 2011. De La Torre’s confirmation now moves to the full Senate.

“Hector has an exceptional track record at every level of government and is a strong addition to the California Air Resources Board.” said ARB Chairman Mary D. Nichols. “His experience as a mayor, as a member of the California legislature, and his work in the federal administration will certainly help the Board address the full range of air pollution challenges we face in the coming months and years.”

De La Torre, 44, served as a California State Assembly member of the 50th District from 2004 to 2010. While in the legislature he worked extensively to bring healthcare solutions to the residents of the state and pushed for the passage of landmark legislation to guarantee transparency in healthcare insurance policies, and passed a law to stop insurers from cancelling coverage when an individual gets sick.  He also passed legislation to provide funding for doctors to practice in underserved rural and low income areas and protect services for MediCal patients.

Prior to serving in the Assembly, De La Torre served eight years on the city council of his native city of South Gate, including two years as mayor. De La Torre was a manager for the County of Los Angeles Superior Court from 2002 to 2004, and a manager at Southern California Edison from 1996 to 2002.
De La Torre also served in the Labor Department in the Clinton Administration, where he worked to ensure greater safety and security for workers.  Under Labor Secretary Robert Reich’s leadership, De La Torre focused on minimum wage, OSHA enforcement and pension protection.

Hector De La Torre is currently vice president of the Free Conferencing Corporation. De La Torre earned his B.A. from Occidental College, and currently lives in South Gate.