Fidel Vargas

Fidel A. Vargas (born August 12, 1968) is an American financial executive and former mayor of Baldwin Park, California who is CEO of the Hispanic Scholarship Fund (HSF), a provider of scholarships and services for Latino students.

Early life and education Vargas was born in Lynwood, California, one of eight children born to immigrants from Mexico. His father was a carpenter and his mother a homemaker. In 1990,

Career In 1992, at age 23, Vargas was elected mayor of Baldwin Park, California, defeating Bette Lowes. He was one of the youngest elected officials in the country at the time. Vargas was reelected in 1994 but did not run for reelection in 1997. He was succeeded by Bette Lou Lowes.

While mayor, he implemented a graffiti removal program; His efforts to replace the City Manager with an executive committee were also reversed late in his 2nd term.

Vargas was on President Bill Clinton's Advisory Council on Social Security; and was one of 12 members on President George W. Bush's Commission on Strengthening Social Security He also served on President Bush and President Barack Obama's Commission on Presidential Scholars.

In 2021, President Joe Biden appointed Vargas to the President's Commission on White House Fellowships. He was one of 22 members. The commission is responsible for recommending young Americans to become White House Fellows.

Recognition In 2022, he was one of the Manuel Torres honoree for the celebration of America's Hispanic Heritage.

Time magazine named Vargas as one of the Top 50 Young Leaders in the United States, Hispanic magazine named him one of the Top 30 Young Hispanics in the United States, and he was named one of the country's 100 most influential Hispanics by Hispanic Business Magazine.

Personal life Vargas is married to Melissa Vargas; they have three children.