Go-Biz hires deputy director for Small Business

Jesse Torres, 38, of San Gabriel, has been appointed deputy director, small business advocate in the Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development. Torres has been regional director of the Los Angeles Small Business Development Center Network at Long Beach City College since 2011. He was director of alumni relations at Pepperdine University from 2009 to 2011, where he was director of alumni and corporate relations from 2005 to 2009, regional director at Orange County and Inland Empire Small Business Development Center Network in 2009 and associate director of development, grants and communications at Geffen Playhouse from 2002 to 2005. Torres earned a Master of Business Administration degree from Pepperdine University. This position does not require Senate confirmation. Torres is a Democrat.