Marco Lopez


Marco Antonio Lopez is an Arizona politician. He has served in both elected and non-elected public offices, including Mayor of Nogales, Arizona, Executive Director of the Arizona-Mexico Commission, Policy Adviser to Arizona Governor Janet Napolitano for Mexico and Latin America, and Senior Adviser for International Affairs to the Governor. He is best known as a previous Chief of Staff of United States Customs and Border Protection who served from 2009 to 2011 under CBP Commissioner Alan Bersin, and as Senior Advisor to Mexican billionaire Carlos Slim.

Early years

Family, upbringing, education

Born in Nogales, Sonora, Mexico, and raised in Nogales, Arizona, United States, Lopez became a United States citizen through naturalization. Lopez earned a bachelor's degree in liberal studies and political science, graduating from the University of Arizona.

Entry into politics

In 1994, Lopez gained his first experience in politics, working in Washington, D.C. as a congressional page for U.S. Rep. Ed Pastor, D-Phoenix.

Gore Presidential campaign

Lopez served on the advance team for Al Gore's Presidential campaign in 1998. He joined the Presidential campaign in 1999.

Elected and appointed positions in Government

Mayor of Nogales, Arizona

Lopez won his first election in 2001, becoming mayor of Nogales, Arizona, a border town with a population of approximately 21,000. He served as Mayor of Nogales until 2004, earning the distinction of "America's youngest mayor."

The Napolitano years and entry to D.C.

In December 2003, Lopez was appointed by Arizona Governor Janet Napolitano as the Executive Director of the Arizona-Mexico Commission. He was designated as state Policy Adviser for Latin America, which is a Cabinet-level division of the Governor's office responsible for overseeing and coordinating all international Latin American affairs for the State of Arizona. In late 2006 Governor Napolitano promoted Lopez to be her Senior Adviser where he advised her at the Arizona State Capitol on the State's political relationship with other countries and Arizona's trade relationship with Mexico, Canada, Europe, the Asia-Pacific, and Japan. In late 2008, Lopez was appointed by Napolitano to serve as Director of the Arizona Department of Commerce, overseeing the state's economic development efforts and managing Arizona's investment policies.
A few months after Arizona Governor Janet Napolitano was announced by President Barack Obama as the third United States Secretary of Homeland Security, Lopez was appointed to serve as the Chief of staff for United Customs and Border Protection.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP)

In March 2009, Lopez was named Chief of Staff of U.S. Customs and Border Protection, a division of the United States Department of Homeland Security, with 54,000 employees.

Professional career

Intermestic Partners

In 2011, Lopez founded Intermestic Partners, one of the top international business development and political advisory firms in North America. Through Intermestic Partners, Lopez represents numerous Fortune 100 companies doing business between the United States and Latin America. Aside from advising top businesses and executives, he has worked with numerous political leaders in the United States and Latin America.

International Business Solutions

Lopez also serves as President and CEO of International Business Solutions, Inc., a business advisory firm that provides consultancy services to domestic and international organizations.

Senior Advisor to Carlos Slim

According to multiple references in print and online media, since 2011, Marco Lopez has served as a Senior Advisor to Mexican billionaire Carlos Slim Helu, who was ranked from 2010 to 2013 by Forbes magazine as the richest person in the world.

Political Prospects

Lopez has stated publicly that he will enter elected politics after his successful business career.
Marco is a member of the Council on Foreign Relations.