Cabinet post a first in Utah

Haro was the Republican co-chairwoman of the task force before the appointment, a position that will probably now be filled by Ogden Deputy Mayor Joe Reyna.

Tony Yapias, director of the Office of Hispanic Affairs, said Haro's appointment is a sign that Huntsman recognizes the "diversity and talent" of the state's growing Latino community. Although the immediate future of Yapias — and all division heads in the department — has not been decided, he said that whether he or another person oversees the office, it will be advantageous to have an ethnic cabinet member.

"The ethnic offices will have someone they can go to who is at the Cabinet level," Yapias said. "There is no question that this is such an enormous advantage for our ethnic communities."

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