User:Cheodiaz
JOSE A. "CHEO" DIAZ: Former New York State D.M.V.Administrative Law Judge, Lawyer, Admitted to New York, Florida & Federal Courts, Radio & Television Announcer & Producer of Salsa-Latin Jazz-Folkloric Music and a Major League Baseball Play by Play Announcer.
Jose A. "Cheo" Diaz born to Aida & Luis at Flower Fifth Avenue Hospital in New York City, the third of three children Nilda, his sister and Luis, his brother. Jose "Cheo" Diaz attended Saint Cecilia's grammar school located at East 106th Street in New York City and graduated first in his class. He went on to attend Brother Edmund Rice High School located at West 124th Street in New York City. He graduated first in his class all four years and was listed in "Who's Who in American High Schools" as a National Merit Scholar. He was class president and backcourt guard of the undefeated all-city championship freshman basketball team which included Billy Campion, Rafael Negron and Andrew Jenkins. He went on to attend Columbia College on the campus of Columbia University on a full scholarship and was selected to the Dean's list for academic achievement. While at Columbia College Jose "Cheo" Diaz, Carlos DeLeon and Carlos DeJesus were the first in the New York City Tri-State Area and at Columbia University to produce, program and announce Salsa/Latin Jazz/and Spanish Folkloric Music over the airwaves of WKCR 89.9FM. Carlos DeLeon started his radio show titled "Cocinando" in 1970. Jose "Cheo" Diaz started his radio program "The Mambo Machine" in 1971 and started every broadcast with Tito Puente's signature tune "Hong Kong Mambo". Carlos De Jesus started his radio show "Alma Latina" in 1971 and went on to become one of the first hispanic radio personalities on New York's WBLS-FM & WKTU-FM radio stations. The WKCR-FM radio shows were on at night every Monday, Wednesday and Fridays and later Saturdays and Sundays. They were a huge success heard by millions of fans throught the years. Jose "Cheo" Diaz programmed and produced his show from 1971 to 2001. In addition to music, Jose "Cheo" Diaz announced professional baseball in Spanish & English from 1999-2000 for the New York Yankees, New York Mets and La Serie Del Caribe over Radio WADO-1280AM & Madison Square Garden Television Network with Roberto Clemente, Jr., Armando Talavera, Billy Berroa, Juan Alicea and Beto Villa. He also had his own talk program in Spanish over WADO-1280AM (2001) entitled "Ask the Judge/Preguntale al Juez". Jose A. "Cheo" Diaz began his law studies at the New York University School of Law. Upon graduation he joined the New York County District Attorney's Office of Robert M. Morgenthau as an Assistant District Attorney. From there he was appointed Counsel for the New York City Department of Investigations under Commisioner Patrick McGinley and Mayor Ed Koch. He was later appointed Administrative Law Judge for the New York State D.M.V. Hearings Division wherein her served until 2001. In 2001, Jose A. Diaz, Esq. moved to Florida and opened The Law Offices of Jose A. Diaz, located at One Boca Place, 2255 Glades Road, Suite 324A in Boca Raton, FL 33431. He is a trial lawyer and resides in Palm Beach County, FL. He is admitted to the New York, Florida and Federal Courts. A member of the Puerto Rican Bar Associations of New York & Florida, he has received many honors including a Proclamation of Jose "Cheo" Diaz Day in New York City from then Manhattan Borough President Andrew Stein. He was a frequent Speaker, Master of Ceremony and Honored Guest at Political-Civic Activities held at City Hall, Madison Square Garden Salsa Concerts, educational and Bar Association events. His career and life accomplishments have been reported on by the New York Times(1993), David Gonzalez; The New York Daily News(1996), David Hinckley & Allan Mirabella; El Diario-La Prensa(1992-93), Carmen Nieves & Lionel Rodriguez; Latin New York Magazine(1971-80); The Beat by Nelson Gonzalez, WKCR-FM Program Guide(1971-present); Univision International Television News Show "Primer Impacto", El Periodista,1990 by Ignacio Barnett et al.