Francisco Zayas Seijo

Infobox Officeholder


name = Francisco Zayas Seijo
small| caption =
order = Mayor of Ponce, Puerto Rico
term_start = January 1, 2005
term_end = "Incumbent"
predecessor = Delis Castillo (interim)
successor =
birth_date = Birth date and age|1951|10|4
birth_place = Santurce, Puerto Rico
death_date =
death_place =
constituency =
party = Popular Democratic Party (PPD)
spouse = Nancy Colón
profession = Veterinary, Mayor
religion =


footnotes =

Francisco Zayas Seijo, also known as Ico (born October 4, 1951) is the current mayor of the city of Ponce, Puerto Rico.

Biography

Early life

Zayas Seijo was born October 4, 1951 in Santurce, Puerto Rico to Héctor Zayas Chardón and Dr. Esther Seijo Tizol. Both his parents were actively involved with former Governor Luis Muñoz Marín. He is a first cousin to journalist Jorge Seijo.

When he was 16 years old, Zayas Seijo enrolled at the College of Agriculture and Mechanical Arts of Mayagüez where he obtained a bachelor's degree in agronomy. Afterwards, he was accepted at the Veterinary School of the University of Pennsylvania in 1975 where he completes his doctoral degree in veterinary medicine at 23 years old.

Upon marrying Nancy Colón in 1973, they moved to Ponce, Puerto Rico.

Career and Work

In 1975 he started working in the public service establishing a successful veterinary clinic in Ponce. He also worked at several universities and gathered much recognition for his work. In 1980, he was selected as "Distinguished Youth" by the "Who's Who in Young American People".

Political career

Zayas Seijo got involved in politics in 1984 when Raúl Ramírez, mayor candidate, recruited him to be part of his team. Even though they were defeated, Zayas established himself as the minority spokesman. He remained in that position until 1991.

That year, his uncle, Humberto Zayas Chardón, retired from politics and left the seat he occupied as a Representative. Zayas decided to replace him and he was elected by the party. He represented the Representative District 25 of Ponce and Jayuya for 13 years.

In 2000 he presided over an important commission that investigated government financial procedures. He was recognized as an effective leader by people from all parties.

In 2004, Zayas Seijo was elected unanimously as the official candidate for the mayoral seat in Ponce, after the death of long-time mayor Rafael Cordero Santiago. In November 2, 2004, he was elected as the mayor of the city of Ponce by an ample margin. He became the 144th mayor of the city and was sworn to the charge January 9, 2005.

Personal life

Zayas has been married to Nancy Colón since 1973. They have four children together.

ee also

* Rafael Cordero Santiago

External links

* [http://www.ponceweb.org/Alcalde/alcalde.htm Mayor's Page in Ponce website]