Abel de Luna
Abel de Luna | |
|---|---|
| Born | 27 July 1946 |
| Alma mater | Colegio Comercial Pérez (Cd. Juárez, Chihuahua) |
| Occupations | |
| Spouses |
|
| Children | 5 |
| Mayor of Healdsburg, California | |
| In office 1978–1980 | |
| Healdsburg City Council Member | |
| In office 1976–1978 | |
Abel de Luna (born July 27, 1946, in Colonia Modelo, Zacatecas, Mexico) is a Mexican-American entrepreneur, music executive, and former politician. He served as the first Latino mayor of Healdsburg, California.[1] He is also the founder of Luna Music and Moon Broadcasting, and continues to promote regional Mexican music across the United States.[2]
Career
Politics
In 1976, de Luna was elected to the Healdsburg City Council, and then was appointed mayor in 1978, becoming the first Latino and youngest person to hold the position in the city's history.[3] During his tenure (1978–1980), he championed infrastructure projects including a new wastewater system, public swimming pool, police training programs, and increased access to Spanish-language television for the community.[2][4]
In 2025, the City of Healdsburg officially renamed its Community Center the “Abel de Luna Community Center” in recognition of his civic contributions.[1][5]
Business
Music industry
Abel de Luna is the co-founder and treasurer[6] of Promotores Unidos USA, an organization that promotes regional Mexican music.[4] In 2025, Billboard cited de Luna's long-time role in the U.S. regional Mexican concert market in a business report on how immigration crackdowns have affected Latin music. The piece recalls a 2007 interview where De Luna, then a California-based member of Promotores Unidos, estimated that tightened enforcement accounted for a "20%–25%" drop in his concert promotion business.[7] de Luna also founded the record label Luna Music, an independent label he established to promote regional Mexican artists; and Moon Broadcasting, a radio network broadcasting regional Mexican music, which currently includes the formats La Máquina Musical and La Musikera.[4]
Throughout his career, de Luna has worked with artists such as Arkangel R15,[4] among others. He owns two Spanish language radio stations, KRRS and KZNB.[2]
Other interests
de Luna founded and operated La Luna Market, a chain of Latino-oriented supermarkets in Napa and Sonoma counties, which became a community hub for immigrant families in Northern California.[8]
References
- ^ a b "Healdsburg Renames Community Center After City's First Latino Mayor Abel De Luna". NorCal Public Media. May 20, 2025. Retrieved July 14, 2025.
- ^ a b c "Healdsburg's First Latino Mayor Reflects on His Legacy". The Press Democrat. May 18, 2025. Retrieved July 14, 2025.
- ^ Kallen, Christian (May 15, 2025). "Healdsburg Comes Full Circle for Abel De Luna". Healdsburg Tribune. Retrieved July 14, 2025.
- ^ a b c d Oros, Rosy (February 15, 2025). "A PIONEER OF LATINO LEADERSHIP AND MEXICAN MUSIC". Iconos Magazine (in Spanish). Retrieved March 10, 2025.
- ^ Kallen, Christian (May 21, 2025). "Abel De Luna: 'A dream I didn't think I would have'". Healdsburg Tribune. Retrieved January 11, 2026.
- ^ "Mesa Directiva". ICONOS MAGAZINE (in Spanish). July 23, 2024. Retrieved September 11, 2025.
- ^ Robinson, Kristin (September 25, 2025). "How U.S. Immigration Crackdowns Are Costing the Latin Music Industry Millions". Billboard. Retrieved October 1, 2025.
- ^ Niño, Pilar (October 18, 2024). "The story behind Luna Market, a refuge for the Bay Area immigrant community". Telemundo Área de la Bahía 48 (in Spanish). Retrieved July 14, 2025.