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Rosa G. Rios

United States Treasurer (since July 2009)

(Treasury Dept.)

Why She Matters

If you look on new dollar bills, you'll soon see Rios' signature. A greenback has absolutely no worth until the treasurer signs it, so Rios' 'John Hancock' will help turn paper currency into legal tender.

But there's more to the job than simply stamping cash. The position requires a vast knowledge of coinage and currency because the treasurer serves as an adviser to the director of the U.S. Mint, director of the Bureau of Engraving and Printing, the Treasury secretary and the deputy secretary. Rios also serves as one of the administration's chief spokespersons on the subject of financial education and is the third straight California Latina to hold the post.

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At a Glance

  • Career History: Managing Director of MacFarlane Partners (2006 to 2009); Principal at Red River Associates (2003 to 2006); Director of Economic Development for Oakland, Calif. (2001 to 2003)
  • Birthday: 1966
  • Hometown: Hayward, Calif
  • Alma Mater: Harvard University, B.A. (sociology, romance languages and literature), 1987
  • Spouse: Joe Gumataotao
  • DC Office: 1500 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW Washington, D.C. 20220; Phone: (202) 622-2000
  • Web site
 

Path to Power

As a child, Rios lived in a packed house, growing up among eight siblings. The family's only breadwinner was Rios' mother, whom Rios still calls "my pillar of strength."

Raised in Hayward, Calif., Rios took advantage of her mother's efforts, attending Harvard University. After graduating in 1987 with a bachelor's in sociology and romance languages and literature, Rios joined the San Francisco-based General Reinsurance as a commercial property underwriter. After her time with the reinsurance company, Rios moved to Union City, Calif., as a manger of the city's redevelopment agency before becoming a development specialist for San Leandro, Calif. In 1997, Rios joined the city of Freemont, Calif. as its director of economic development.

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The Issues

As treasurer, Rios advises Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner, Deputy Secretary Neal S. Wolin, Director of the U.S. Mint Edmund C. Moy and Director of the Bureau of Engraving and Printing Larry R. Felix on issues related to coinage and currency. You'll soon find her signature alongside Geithner's on all new U.S. bills, which makes the paper currency legal tender. But Rios' most time-consuming task will be spreading financial literacy throughout the U.S. and acting as a spokesperson for Obama's economic policies.

Athletics Baseball Stadium

In 2002, Rios backed a plan pushed by Oakland, Calif. City Manager Robert Bobb to build a baseball stadium in downtown Oakland. The new field would house the Athletics baseball organization, assuring that the team would stay in the city. But Mayor Brown wanted to create a new housing development on the same plot of land. Bobb and Brown argued over the plans, but eventually the mayor won. A year later, Brown forced Bobb to step down and fired Bobb's closest allies in the administration, including Rios. Brown cited the pace of downtown development as cause for firing Rios. Reports attributed the termination to the fight over the baseball stadium.

 

The Network

Rios joins the Treasury, reporting to Secretary Timothy Geithner and Deputy Secretary Neal S. Wolin. Rios will work closely with Assistant Secretary for Financial Institutions Michael Barr. Rios will also advise the Director of the U.S. Mint Edmund C. Moy and Director of the Bureau of Engraving and Printing Larry R. Felix.

During the 2008 campaign, Rios worked in Virginia, convincing Hispanic voters to side with Obama. Now-Director of Organizing for America Mitch Stewart was the state director in Virginia.

 

Campaign Contributions

Rios has not donated money to any political campaign, according to the Center for Responsive Politics.

 

Additional Resources

  1. Richman, Josh, "Former Oakland official may take U.S. treasurer post," Oakland Tribune, May 15, 2009
  2. History of the Treasurer's Office accessed on the Department of the Treasury Web site
  3. Gammon, Robert and Burt, Cecily, "Brown fires 2 more top officials," The Oakland Tribune, July 25, 2003
  4. Center for Responsive Politics
  5. DeFao, Janine, "Oakland's top development officials fired," The San Francisco Chronicle, July 26, 2003
  6. "Rosa G. Rios, Nominee for Treasurer of the United States Opening Statement as prepared for delivery before the U.S. Senate Committee on Finance," Department of the Treasury Press Release, July 14, 2009