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TMCNet: Kokomo native up for commerce position: Fernandez goes before Senate committee Wednesday [Kokomo Tribune, Ind.]

[July 28, 2009]

Kokomo native up for commerce position: Fernandez goes before Senate committee Wednesday [Kokomo Tribune, Ind.]

(Kokomo Tribune (IN) Via Acquire Media NewsEdge) Jul. 28--Former Kokomo resident John R. Fernandez has been mayor of Bloomington, and unsuccesfully ran for Indiana Secretary of State in 2002.

Now the Bloomington lawyer is set to step onto the national political stage as President Barack Obama's appointee as Assistant Secretary of Commerce.

Fernandez, who was instrumental in Obama's Indiana electoral victory, could be confirmed Wednesday to the Commerce Department post.

Nomination hearings are scheduled for 10 a.m. before the U.S. Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works, according to Fernandez's niece, Elise Shrock, who serves as a spokesman for the Indiana Senate Democratic caucus.

Born in Canton, Ohio, and raised in Kokomo, Fernandez is the son of John F. and Armonia Fernandez.

His entrance into politics began in the late 1980s, when he was elected to the Bloomington City Council. He served as Bloomington's mayor from 1996-2003, and was a member of the Obama for Change Indiana leadership team, serving as a senior adviser and fundraiser, according to a White House press release.


Currently Fernandez is senior vice president and partner at First Capital Financial Group, Bloomington, and does work for Indianapolis' Krieg DeVault law firm.

During Fernandez's time as Bloomington mayor, he led the charge to redevelop the former Thomson Consumer Electronics television plant, and launched a downtown revitalization plan.

In his role with Krieg DeVault, Fernandez "advises private and governmental organizations on economic development, public finance and public policy issues," according to the White House.

If approved, Fernandez's full title will be Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Economic Development. He will also serve as administrator of the department's Economic Development Administration.

--Scott Smith is a Kokomo Tribune staff writer. He may be reached at (765) 454-8569 or via e-mail at scott.smith@kokomotribune.com To see more of the Kokomo Tribune or to subscribe to the newspaper, go to http://www.kokomotribune.com/.

Copyright (c) 2009, Kokomo Tribune, Ind.

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