Miguel Ortega

Chief of Staff

(520) 837-4231

miguel.ortega@tucsonaz.gov

Biography

For the past 25 years, Miguel has advocated for Tucson families and small businesses through his involvement with human rights organizations, the arts, social service agencies and as a member of countless boards and committees.

Over the years Miguel has used his professional film, stage and radio background to serve as the master of ceremonies for several Tucson events. Many of these events he hosts annually, such as the Fiesta Grande Street Fair (Barrio Hollywood), K.A.R.E. Holiday Party (Kinship and Adoption Resource and Education), the Blue Ribbon Heart Gallery Celebration (supporting foster children) and the Corazon de Justicia Awards (Derechos Humano’s immigrant rights awards ceremony).

Miguel is a founding and current board member for two organizations; the Breakthrough Leadership Project and Local First Arizona (LFA) as an ex-officio member. Miguel also served as a board member for the GLBT Chamber of Commerce for two years and as a general member for the past 4 years.

In addition to his passion for supporting our local economy (through his involvement with LFA), Miguel is also very passionate about youth and community media. For 8 years, Miguel worked for Access Tucson (community television) as the director of community relations and was a past board member for the national Alliance for Community Media. Miguel currently advocates for Tucson youth via is membership on the TUSD Mexican American / Raza Studies Advisory Board.

Miguel earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of Arizona in 1991 and, since then, has completed several graduate courses at the U of A in the area of history and political science.

Miguel and his wife, Maricela, co-own a local tourism business and are the proud parents of their new born baby boy, Miguel Valentin.

Neighborhoods

Campus Farms

Feldman’s

Flowing Wells

Hedrick Acres

Jefferson Park

Limberlost

Mountain/1st

Mountain View

North University

Pascua/Adelanto

Samos