El Indio Owner Named to Post as CSU Trustee

Under pressure from the Legislature to appoint a Latino, Gov. George Deukmejian on Thursday named Ralph R. Pesqueira of San Diego to the California State University Board of Trustees.

Pesqueira, 53, owner and president of El Indio Shops Inc., a San Diego-based restaurant and wholesale food business, is the first Latino among Deukmejian’s 14 appointees to the 18-member board.

Pesqueira’s appointment came about nine months after a warning from Senate President Pro Tem David Roberti (D-Los Angeles).

“I think it’s safe to say that we will not confirm another appointment on this board unless there is an Hispanic who is one of the appointees,” Roberti said in July as the Senate was confirming Deukmejian’s last appointee to the board.

“I think it’s necessary to say that early, so that anyone else who is appointed knows up front that if the appointment is held, it’s not because of their personal qualifications.”

Roberti would not comment Thursday on the governor’s appointment of Pesqueira, a Republican.

“He rarely comments on appointments until that person has appeared before the Rules Committee,” said Robert Forsyth, Roberti’s press secretary. The Rules Committee, which Roberti chairs, interviews nominees and makes recommendations on them to the full Senate.

Donna Lucas, the governor’s deputy press secretary, said Pesqueira was appointed based on talent, not ethnicity.

“The bottom line when the governor makes an appointment is qualifications,” Lucas said. “Obviously, this administration makes a conscious effort to include members of all communities in California, and we’ve put that message out, that this is an inclusive administration.

“The governor makes the appointments, not Senator Roberti.”

Lucas said Deukmejian has appointed one Latino among nine he has named to the University of California Board of Regents, and two among the 14 he has appointed to the California Community College board.

Pesqueira was not available for comment Thursday.

A 1957 graduate of San Diego State University, Pesqueira is a member of the San Diego City Planning Commission and the Mexican-American Business and Professional Assn.

If he is confirmed by the Senate, Pesqueira’s term will run until March 1, 1996.