Otto Padron, President, Chief Executive Officer of Meruelo Media, Colonel, U.S. Army Reserve, Los Angeles, CA

Otto Padron is president and chief executive officer of Meruelo Media, the fastest growing minority-owned media company in California. Its broadcast portfolio holds some of the most legendary brands in the Los Angeles markets including the oldest independent Spanish language television station in the United States, KWHY-TV 22, along with the world-famous classic rock station KLOS 95.5 FM.  Before joining Meruelo Media, Padron was senior vice president of programming for Univision Television Network, the leading Spanish language network in the United States.

At the age of eight years old, Padron and his family left their native Cuba for Madrid, Spain to escape the communist regime. The Padron family moved to the United States when Padron was 11 years old, settling in Miami, FL.  Padron was born into a television family. His dad was a broadcast engineer, but Padron preferred to focus more on the creative and executive side of television.  To create a different path for himself, at the age of 20, Padron began a military career that afforded him new and bolder opportunities for growth.  This path provided Padron the unique opportunity to repay his newly adopted country for the generosity that embraced his refugee family. 

He spent four years as a U.S. Army Airborne Ranger in the renowned 75th Ranger Regiment and six years in the Florida National Guard as a Special Forces operator.  Today, Padron is a Colonel in the U.S. Army Reserve with over 38 years of combined military service. He’s an infantry officer with a distinguished service record in some of the most demanding active-duty units in the Army.  Currently he serves as the Deputy Division Commander of the 91st Training Division in Fort Hunter Liggett, CA.  For his accomplishments, Padron was selected, recognized, and featured in a U.S. Army “Strong” campaign as one of America’s top Hispanic leaders.

Padron holds a master’s degree from the Army War College in Carlisle, PA.  Among his most notable awards, Padron has a Bronze Star Medal, a Ranger tab and the Combat Infantry Badge for valor in combat during the Iraq War.  He holds a double Bachelor of Science degree in Broadcast Communications and Economics from the University of Miami FL and is a Worlds Ahead Graduate of Florida International University’s Chapman School of Business with a master’s degree in Business Administration. Otto is married to Mexican actress Angelica Vale and has four children.