Independence Township Trustee Jose Aliaga has been nominated for Oakland County Executive L. Brooks Patterson award recognizing the class of 2014 Elite 40 under 40 award.
On Dec. 6, Aliaga was notified of the nomination. Finalist for the award will be announced on Feb. 10.
‘The Elite 40 Under 40 represent where Oakland County is headed tomorrow: charging into the knowledge-based economy, providing strong leadership, and engaged in improving the quality of life in our region,” Patterson said.
‘I was not expecting it at all,? said Aliaga. ‘I am happy to be a young leader helping the community and working to make sure the community is provided for well. I am glad to be a positive example for young people.?
Aliaga earned two associates degrees in Liberal Arts and general studies at Oakland Community College and a bachelors degree at the U of M in political science with minor in Spanish.
Aliaga said he has been involved in many good causes and committees both locally and internationally.
‘I have been involved on the safety paths committees and also served on committee for the public access channel in Independence television,? he said.
Aliaga also has a show on ITV called The Jose Aliaga show where he promotes local business, health care and many more issues.
‘The show is a great opportunity and service I do to help the community,? he said. ‘I do it to help businesses so Independence Township can get more businesses and more tax revenue. I do it for the people in the community.?
Aliaga said he is proud of his work on a disbanded ITV committee that worked to improve the public access station.
‘We made many changes and improvements to the public access channel,? he said. ‘Now we produce programs and shows and made ITV more efficient.?
Aliaga said he is happy to volunteer his time for many causes, and has been recognized on several occasions .
‘I am very humbled and happy to be recognized for my work,? he said.
In 2008, as Aliaga was working on the Michigan Hispanic Republican Assembly when he was invited to the White House Invited by President George Bush to celebrate National Hispanic month, which recognizes great contributions made to the US by Hispanic Americans.
In 2012 Aliaga was also inducted as an honorary member of APO fraternity for his work as founder of the Jose Aliaga Foundation.
‘I also could not believe that they recognized my work for helping underprivileged kids in South America,? he said.
Other awards include a State of Michigan Tribute from The Governor in 2005, a PhD Honorary Degree, Universidad Federico Villarreal 2007, recognition from US.Congressmn Thaddeus McCotter in 2007 and a
PhD Honorary Degree from the Universidad National Enrique Guzman y Valle in 2010.
‘I am honored and happy to be a representing Independence Township,? he said
Aliaga is 36 years-old.