Who is Armando?

Armando Telles is an Indigenous Chicano leader, Marine Corps veteran, and community advocate dedicated to empowering under-represented and under-served communities across the U.S. With deep roots in civic engagement, social justice, and veteran affairs, his work spans coalition-building, legislative advocacy, youth development, and military service.

As the eldest of nine, and a former Marine deployed in 2001 aboard the USS Ponce, Armando has lived and worked in numerous states, engaging in both military operations and humanitarian efforts.
 

• He draws on an interdisciplinary education in fields such as public health, restorative justice, environmental sustainability, and military intelligence, reflecting a holistic approach to systemic change.
   
• Armando specializes in community-centered and volunteer-driven programs, focusing on mobilizing voters and advancing representation within Chican@/Latin@, African-American, Asian-American, and Indigenous communities.
   
• His leadership in youth empowerment is evident through roles like the Unity Project of California, Youth Court case manager, and mentor for MANA de North County San Diego, emphasizing civic engagement and leadership development.
   
• A father’s rights advocate, Armando pushes for Family Law Reform to ensure parental equality and protect biological family bonds.
   
• He is a staunch supporter of veterans, working on suicide prevention, homelessness solutions, deportation advocacy, and workforce reintegration. He has served in multiple veteran leadership roles, including with the American G.I. Forum, California Democratic Party Veteran’s Caucus, and Veteran’s Democratic Club of San Diego County.
   
• His commitment to storytelling and heritage includes participation in the StoryCorps "Homecoming" project, now archived in the U.S. Library of Congress.
   
• Armando has been affiliated with over 20 local, state, and national organizations, reflecting his broad, sustained commitment to justice, equity, and community well-being.
   

Armando Telles embodies service-driven leadership — integrating military experience, grassroots advocacy, and cultural empowerment to build a more just and inclusive future.