CHUALAR, CA - Life-long Monterey County resident Charles Ledezma will be sworn in as the new Chualar Postmaster on Friday, May 8, 2009, 10:00 a.m., at the Chualar Post Office, 25561 Jackson Street.

Ledezma, 43, started his postal career in 1993 as a clerk in Soledad, CA. In 1995, he transferred to the King City Post Office. He took his first management position as an officer-in-charge (OIC) in 2007 at the Chualar Post Office, training that would serve him well in being selected as the city's newest Postmaster.

"Being a Postmaster is a great responsibility and one I take with pride," said Ledezma. "I believe a Postmaster does more than just run a Post Office. A Postmaster is the chief marketing officer for his community and is the public face of the Post Office to the community at large."

A life-long resident of Greenfield, and a graduate of King City High School, Ledezma has strong roots in the community, along with his wife of 23 years, Hilda, and three children Angela, 23, Andrea, 21, and Charles Jr., 20.

An active outdoorsman, Ledezma enjoys playing softball and going deep sea fishing. When not counting his daily mail and financials, he likes to count his collection of coins and sports cards. He volunteers his time as a parishioner of his Catholic church in Greenfield, where he participates in BBQs, car washes, and rummage sales to raise funds for his church.

The Chualar Post Office was established on April 5, 1871, and the first Postmaster was Allen Foster. Ledezma has management responsibility for 87 rural deliveries, 816 PO Boxes and three employees that serve a population of 1,444.

Post Office Operations Manager Oscar Munoz will administer the oath of office.

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