The second Edition

in ATINOColumbus

Celebrating Latino-American Achievements

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Photo by Augusto Sáenz

INTERESTING PERSONALITIES

Who’s Who In Latino Columbus® | The Second Edition 47     

Born in Uvalde, Texas, the Honorable Chris Rodriguez was raised in a small community in northwest Ohio called Wauseon.

His upbringing was wholesome and family relationships solid. Chris is one of seven siblings who have remained close and tightly connected. He considers raising his own family with “the traditional Hispanic values – God, country and family,” as well as providing for them, his biggest personal achievement.

Growing up, Chris recalls his parents instilling in him and his siblings the values he now passes on to his children and 3-year-old grandson: hard work, impeccable ethics and supreme loyalty. It is no surprise that Chris has lived out these principles in his family life, as well as in his work serving the citizens of Whitehall.

Chris’ long service to the Whitehall community began in 1996 when the city mayor appointed him to serve on the Board of Zoning and Building Appeals. In 2001 Chris decided to run for City Council to represent his neighbors and community in Ward 1, on the west side of the city, where he continues to live today.

Even though Chris was elected one of four Ward councilmen upon winning by a massive 61 percent of votes, he promptly acknowledges that, while so many elected officials spend time on self-promotion and claims of successes achieved alone, “there is nothing that gets done by yourself; that is why I focus on the word ‘we.’”

Whitehall citizens agreed – Chris was re-elected in 2005 by 67 percent of voters. Two years later, he decided to extend his service and run for the City’s Council At-Large, which serves the entire City of Whitehall. He was the top vote-getter among six running candidates.

While serving in City Council, Chris’ focus has been to help the community by increasing homeownership and help attract new businesses to Whitehall and Central Ohio. During his tenure, thousands of new jobs have been created in Whitehall. A new VA hospital and FedEx Ground distribution center recently opened. New retailers like Wal-Mart, Target and Staples now anchor Whitehall commercial corridors, and new medical facilities like Ohio Health’s Eastside Health Center, Nationwide Children’s Hospital’s Close to Home Center and the Heart of Ohio Family Health Center all operate in Whitehall.

During his service, Chris chaired numerous committees, including the Planning and Development, Service and City Property, and Safety committees. He is currently serving as president pro tempore and is the only male Latino Republican official elected in Ohio.

Aside from serving in City Council, Chris was in construction sales for 14 years. Currently, he is a property claims adjustor with Nationwide Insurance. Chris is also a member of the Whitehall Citizens’ Police Academy Alumni Association and the Whitehall Community Emergency Response Team. He is also a member of the Knights of Columbus, Marian Council No. 3864.

Through it all, he advocates, “living as calmly as possible and thinking things through.” It is important, he says, to try to see things from someone else’s perspective and exercise tolerance.

He has three children, Lindsey, Anthony and Christopher. Christopher is currently serving in Iraq as a specialist in the U.S. Army. He and his wife, Kaitlyne, are parents to Chris’ only grandson, also named Christopher.

By Ana Pinquinela

the honorable chris rodriguezCouncil Member At-Large & President Pro Tempore

Whitehall City Council

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a lifetime of service

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