Some in the Hispanic community are questioning the choice of Leo Gonzalez as director of the state Office of Hispanic Affairs, saying he is a virtual unknown and a shoo-in because of political connections.

Tracie Cayford, spokeswoman for the Utah Department of Community and Economic Development, said Gov. Jon Huntsman Jr. has an economic development focus, and that's something on which Gonzalez has a grasp.

His lack of visible community advocacy wasn't necessarily a disadvantage in the application process, she said.

"One of Leo's strengths is that he does come into the position neutral," she said. "What the community may be perceiving as a weakness is actually a strength. He's coming into the position open-minded."

However, some in the Hispanic community had heard that Gonzalez had been picked in January during a prior application process. Gonzalez said Friday he went through three interviews and didn't learn of his selection until this week.

Yvette Diaz, director of the new Department of Community and Culture, had re-opened the application process after complaints that the process had been closed to community input by previous executive director Sylvia Haro, who stepped down a few days following her appointment.

Diaz said there were 27 applicants for director of Pacific Islander affairs, 21 for Hispanic affairs, and six for black affairs. A handful of candidates were interviewed for the posts by Diaz, a human resources manager and member of an ethnic advisory council.

Some Hispanic community advocates, including RAZ PAC president Bob Gallegos, said Friday they didn't know Gonzalez.

"He's never been involved in the community," Gallegos said. "His mother's been politicking for him."

He was referring to a belief by some in the Hispanic community that Gonzalez had been selected because he is the son of Gladys Gonzalez. Gladys Gonzalez is publisher of the Spanish-language newspaper Mundo Hispano and founder of the Pete Suazo Business Center, to which Zions Bank is a major contributor. Haro is Zions Bank's multicultural region president.

Gladys Gonzalez said she was unaware her son had applied for the post until after the fact.

"I have not been part of anything that has to do with his being selected," she said.

Leo Gonzalez is senior project manager at Discover Financial Services and has worked as sales supervisor for Southwest Airlines. He's also worked with the disabled and their families at Danville Services in Provo.

When asked during a news conference what his qualifications were, Gonzalez replied: "I have been involved well enough to be aware of the issues affecting our community today."

Later he said his business and management skills are needed, along with economic development.

"It's important perhaps to create partnerships out of the community, with companies," he said. "I'm very excited about this opportunity to work with my community and bring the community together."

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E-mail: dbulkeley@desnews.com