Phillip Sanchez

Philip Sanchez is inducted into the 2000 Clovis Hall of Fame. Ambassador Sanchez was born in Pinedale attending labor camp grade schools but was able to attend Clovis High School. While there he was the first editor of the school's newspaper, drum major of the marching band, and named the Outstanding Senior Boy. Upon graduation he joined the National Guard obtaining the rank of Colonel with forty years of service. He obtained his bachelor's and master's degrees from Fresno State. He was appointed by Gov. Reagan to the governing board of the CA Community Colleges. In 1971 he was selected assistant director of the Office of Economic Opportunity. He was later appointed Director and became the highest ranking Hispanic appointee in the US government. In 1973 he was appointed US ambassador to the Republic of Honduras and later Ambassador to Columbia. He was a founder of Clovis Community Bank, a trustee of the Clovis Unified School District board. He is chairman of the board of NOSTALGIA Television Network in Washington DC and publisher of Noticias del Mundo in New York. He has been recognized with numerous awards and honorary doctorates.