IN 2005, Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa announced that in continuing to build a results-orientated administration inclusive of the best and brightest, he has chosen key senior people with a breadth and depth of experience and talent and a commitment to innovative, results-oriented and ethical work. One of these is Filipino American Kevin Acebo whom he appointed Deputy Mayor for Legislative and Intergovernmental Affairs.
"In selecting my team, I looked for people who brought with them a passion for public service, the highest ethical standards and a commitment to improving the quality of life for all Angelenos," said Mayor Villaraigosa.
For over 20 years Kevin Acebo has worked in the areas of public policy, public affairs and politics. Since 2004, Acebo launched KMA Strategies, Inc., a political-communications strategy and business development firm with clients including the California Democratic Party and Bedrock Strategies, Inc.
From 2000 to 2004, Acebo has worked as the Statewide Political Director for the California Democratic Party responsible for developing the Party’s strategic year-around political agenda that includes generating and implementing issue-oriented media events, interfacing with the state’s Democratic elected leadership and allied interest groups including organized labor, the environmental, senior and disabled movements, community-based organizations, the faith community, women’s organizations and communities of color. During general election cycles, Acebo would assume the duties of Director of the California Coordinated Campaign, the Democratic Party’s statewide campaign organization.
From 1994 to 2000, Acebo served as Assistant Chief of Staff to Los Angeles County Supervisor Zev Yaroslavsky. While working for Supervisor Yaroslavsky, Acebo’s primary policy and budget responsibilities included oversight of the nation’s largest criminal justice system and elections operation, the state’s largest in-home supportive services authority serving over 100,000 seniors and caregivers, the County’s labor unions and local, state and federal intergovernmental issues.
From 1989 to 1994, Acebo owned KMA Associates, a political campaign and public affairs consulting firm. His clients included: Los Angeles City Councilman Zev Yaroslavsky, Assembly Members Terry Friedman, Barbara Friedman, Congressmen Xavier Becerra and Mel Levine, and Monrovia Mayor Lara Larramendi Blakely.
From 1981 to 1989, Acebo worked for Assembly Speaker Willie L. Brown, Jr., as a principal Legislative Consultant developing district-based legislation and communications initiatives for Members of the Assembly Democratic Caucus. In 1979
Acebo worked as a Research Assistant for the White House Commission on the Review of the Federal Impact Aid Program and the Office for Civil Rights within the Department of Health, Education and Welfare. He has served as the Chair of the Asian Pacific Caucus of the California Democratic Party, President of the Asian Pacific Democratic Club and National Committee Member for the California Young Democrats. Acebo was also selected as a social work fellow under the auspices of the Asian American Mental Health Training Center in Los Angeles and interned at Search to Involve Pilipino Americans, Inc., a non-profit agency focused on Pilipino American youth issues and services.
Acebo studied at the Bishop O’ Dowd High School in Oakland California and graduated Cum Laude from the University of Southern California.
Last year, in 2008, Acebo left the Mayor’s Office to pursue teaching and opportunities in the private sector.
"Kevin Acebo has been a creative leader for a strong team working on behalf of this City," Mayor Villaraigosa said . "His energy, enthusiasm and skill will be greatly missed."
( Published on September 16, 2009 in Asian Journal Los Angeles p. B2 )
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