Cabinet post a first in Utah

It's a first-of-a-kind face for a first-of-its-kind department.

Sylvia Haro's appointment to head the Department of Community and the Arts by Gov. Jon Huntsman Jr. Wednesday marks the first time a Hispanic woman has been appointed to the Cabinet of a Utah governor. She is also one of only a small number of Hispanics, either male or female, to be elevated to such a high position in the state's history.

Haro downplays the historical significance but believes the appointment will be valuable for all ethnic minorities.

The appointment for her professionally is another step in what has amounted to a lifetime of exceeding expectations and perceived limitations.

Born in Zacatecas, Mexico, the youngest of 12 children, she immigrated with her parents to the United States at the age of 11 because "there was more opportunity." Once here, her parents worked as laborers and even recruited their children to "work as a family in the fields" when not in school.

"I didn't know English when I came here, and on my first day in school I couldn't find anyone who spoke Spanish," she said. "I couldn't even ask anyone how to find the bathroom."

Within seven years, Haro had not only learned how to ask for directions in English, she spoke it well enough to be hired as a secretary by the Utah Highway Patrol. From there, her ascent through state government began, capped after almost 20 years in state employment by an appointment by former Gov. Mike Leavitt to help with the planning and coordination of the 2002 Winter Olympics.

Last year, Haro, 41, left state government to work as a regional vice president for Zions Bank, where she focused on improving services for the Hispanic community in Utah and Idaho. All of it she did, surprisingly enough, without the benefit of a college degree.

The department she will oversee has been reduced by Huntsman's decision to shift the traditional economic development duties into his office. Haro is being asked to concentrate on ethnic affairs and work to improve the state's services to the various groups.

"One of the areas we need to look at is how to identify if we're helping improve the lives of the minority communities," she said.

She will also work to improve the state's cultural offerings and promote current artistic accomplishments.

"We're so rich in this state with culture, and we need to focus on that," she said. "We also need to bring exposure of it to the state."

Luz Robles, Democratic co-chairwoman of the Utah Hispanic Legislative Task Force, said Haro's appointment "sends a message in general to have a Latina in such a high-profile position. We're excited for her, and we're excited for the community."