Michael Padilla

This article is about the New Mexico politician. For the Clemson University educator, see Michael J. Padilla.
Michael Padilla
Member of the New Mexico Senate
from the 14th[1] district
Assumed office
January 15, 2013
Preceded by Eric Griego
Personal details
Born (1972-06-13) June 13, 1972
Albuquerque, New Mexico
Nationality American
Political party Democratic
Residence Albuquerque, New Mexico
Alma mater University of New Mexico
University of Phoenix
Profession Business owner
Website votepadilla.com

Michael Padilla[2] (born June 13, 1972 in Albuquerque, New Mexico) is an American politician and a Democratic member of the New Mexico Senate representing District 14 since January 15, 2013. Padilla is the Senate Majority Whip, having been elected by his colleagues in his 2nd year in the New Mexico State Senate, and being reelected by his colleagues for a second term as Senate Majority Whip in November of 2016.

During the 30-day 2016 session, Padilla was a member of the Corporations & Transportation Committee, the Education Committee, and the Committees' Committee.

Personal History

Padilla grew up in Los Padillas, a rural farming community that his family helped settle over 150 years ago, and is located inside of the district he represents. Padilla is the youngest of five children. His parents, David and Gina Padilla, were unable to raise him and his siblings, so they grew up in foster homes, the All Faiths Receiving Home for Homeless Children, and with various family members. Padilla started working when he was eleven years old, and is proud of the way he was raised. Padilla has twin sons, Aaron and Zach, who are attending the university and have committed to obtaining their degrees in social sciences.

Padilla has always been involved in the democratic party of New Mexico, serving as a precinct chairman, ward chairman, county central member and state central committee member. He has also served on numerous boards and commissions prior to becoming a senator, including Youth Development Incorporated, Special Olympics New Mexico, Junior Achievement of New Mexico, Association of Commerce and Industry of New Mexico, New Mexico Workforce Development, and several others.

Career

Padilla founded Altivus CRM Solutions, a contact center and consulting firm, in 2000, and grew the company organically. The company specializes in building call centers and providing a number of operational consulting services affecting people, process, and technology. The company has created over 3,000 jobs in the past sixteen years. Padilla still serves as Chairman and CEO of the company. Padilla pioneered the 311 Citizen Contact Center concept at the City of Albuquerque, bringing the City and Padilla national notoriety for helping a municipal government provide easy access to city hall, efficiency in financial and other resources, and superior customer service for Albuquerque residents.

Legislative Priorities

Padilla's primary focuses as a legislator are early childhood education and intervention, jobs and economic growth, water management and conservation, science and technology deployment, and child safety and protective services. Padilla was the first freshman senator in his class to move a bill through the legislature in both his first and second years as a senator. Padilla serves on nine legislative committees, and as the chairman of the science, technology, and telecommunications committee.

Annual Job Fairs

Padilla has held a massive job fair his district since he took office in 2013. The job fair draws over 4,000 job seekers annually, and he has been able to recruit over 80 employers annually, resulting in over 2,400 new jobs through his efforts.

Sexual Harassment Settlements

In 2010, a group of 911 center employees sued the city of Albuquerque in federal court alleging that Padilla, who at the time was tasked with improving the center's operations, sexually harassed employees and created a hostile work environment.[3]

Padilla allegedly told women in his office that "it may be 2007 out there, but in my house it is the 1950s and women stay home, make tortillas and have babies." After they complained, the women said they were retaliated against and demoted. The plaintiffs also argued the city was negligent by not uncovering other sexual harassment allegations against Padilla at former workplaces.[4]

According to The Albuquerque Journal, two women settled for $149,000. A third won a federal civil rights lawsuit that cost the city $102,200 for legal fees and counseling for the woman. Padilla maintained that he was innocent and said he had been "railroaded" by the employees.[5]

Sexual harassment claims against Padilla became an issue in the 2012 Democratic Primary when one of his opponents sent a mailer to voters that reminded voters of Padilla's "sordid history."[5]

Education

Padilla attended the University of New Mexico and the University of Phoenix.

Elections

References

  1. ↑ "Senator Michael Padilla (D)". Santa Fe, New Mexico: New Mexico Legislature. Retrieved February 20, 2014.
  2. ↑ "Michael Padilla's Biography". Project Vote Smart. Retrieved February 20, 2014.
  3. ↑ "Trial Opens in Sexual Harassment Suit". www.abqjournal.com. Retrieved 2016-01-20.
  4. ↑ "FindACase™ | Lopez v. City of Albuquerque". nm.findacase.com. Retrieved 2016-01-20.
  5. 1 2 Baker, Deborah. "Sen. District 14: Allegations Fly in Senate Race". www.abqjournal.com. Retrieved 2016-03-13.
  6. ↑ "Canvass of Returns of Primary Election Held on June 5, 2012 – State of New Mexico" (PDF). Santa Fe, New Mexico: Secretary of State of New Mexico. p. 2. Retrieved February 20, 2014.
  7. ↑ "Canvass of Returns of General Election Held on November 6, 2012 – State of New Mexico" (PDF). Santa Fe, New Mexico: Secretary of State of New Mexico. p. 2. Retrieved February 20, 2014.
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