Joaquin Rios, who currently serves as AEA’s Deputy Director, has a long history of work in advocacy for working people in Arizona. He has previously served as Arizona State Director for the State Innovation Exchange, as Chief of Staff to then-Phoenix City Councilwoman Kate Gallego, and as a legal aid attorney with Community Legal Services. He will assume his new role with AEA on March 17.
"I'm very proud to announce Joaquin's selection as executive director. Since he first started with AEA two years ago, Joaquin has brought unmatched experience, knowledge and vision to his work, and he's deeply committed to our mission of fighting for the needs of Arizona's public school educators," said AEA President Garcia. "At a time when public education is under threat from the federal level and at the Legislature, our members know that Joaquin is the right person to lead us through this stormy time while advancing our goals of improving pay and working conditions for all Arizona educators."
Rios is a proud product of Arizona’s public schools. He has a B.S. in Political Science and a J.D. from the Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law at Arizona State University.