About
Randal Hernandez is Executive Director, External Affairs for Southern California for Verizon. Randal is responsible for developing, coordinating and implementing government and community affairs initiatives that promote the company’s wireless broadband networks and advanced technology strategies.
Randal was instrumental in establishing the Long Beach Economic Partnership, a new economic development corporation. The “LBEP” is composed of cross-sector leaders whose mission is to advance economic opportunities, attract new investment and promote Long Beach as a great place for business. Randal is the past-chair and served as chair of the board for the past two years. He is former chairman of the city’s Economic Development Commission, appointed by Long Beach Mayor Robert Garcia, where he led the development of a new citywide strategic plan adopted by the full city council in 2017.
Randal served as a member of the senior staff to California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger as his first Appointments Secretary responsible for recommending appointments to administration positions including cabinet secretaries, state commissions and other senior level positions.
Randal was Chief-of-Staff to former Long Beach Mayor Beverly O’Neill. On behalf of the mayor, Hernandez directed staff and focused on economic development, international trade, city budget and the mayor’s legislative agenda. He also managed the mayor’s intergovernmental relations activities including engagement with the administrations of President Bill Clinton and Governor Pete Wilson, as well as with mayors from across California.
Among his past civic activities, he was a Schwarzenegger appointee to the California Community Colleges Board of Governors and a former Long Beach planning commissioner. He has served as a senior advisor to the California Latino Economic Institute (a partnership of the State Latino Legislative Caucus and the California Business Roundtable). Randal formerly co-chaired the LAEDC Workforce Development Committee.
Randal is a graduate of Leadership Long Beach and Leadership Southern California. He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics and a Masters degree in Public Administration from CSU, Long Beach. He has received the “Distinguished Alumni Award” from the Graduate Center for Public Policy and Administration, CSU Long Beach and was awarded “Advocate of the Year” by the California Hispanic Chamber of Commerce.
Randal is married to Tracy Hernandez, Founding CEO of the LA Business Federation (BizFed)
