A man in a business suit smiling in a modern office building with orange and gray walls.

About Omar Lazo

Omar Lazo is a father, husband, business owner, and longtime community leader who has lived and worked in Montgomery County for more than 30 years. The son of Salvadoran immigrants, Omar grew up watching his parents build the county’s first Salvadoran restaurant—an experience that shaped his values of hard work, service, and opportunity for the next generation.

Omar’s educational journey took him from Public Schools, Catholic schools, to the University of Maryland, College Park, where he earned a Bachelor’s degree in General Business and Management. His early career included four years as a contractor with the U.S. Department of Justice Finance Department, where he helped implement a nationwide monetary intake system and supported budgeting, auditing, and financial oversight—skills that now anchor his approach to public accountability and fiscal responsibility.

A Leader in Education Governance and Fiscal Stewardship

Omar’s deep commitment to educational equity and student success led him to seek appointment to the Montgomery College Board of Trustees, where he currently serves. Under his leadership on the Board:

  • Montgomery College became the first Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI) and Minority-Serving Institution (MSI) in Maryland, reflecting a historic commitment to serving students of color.

  • The College successfully weathered the COVID-19 pandemic, maintaining financial stability, protecting student services, and expanding support for the county’s most vulnerable learners.

  • He participated in the search and hiring of the new College President, ensuring strong leadership for one of Maryland’s most important educational institutions.

  • He championed workforce pathways, early college expansion, and student wraparound services—ensuring more equitable access to higher education.

Omar’s tenure at Montgomery College demonstrates his ability to navigate large budgets, complex institutions, and long-term strategic planning, experience he will bring directly to the Board of Education.

A Father Focused on Educational Equity

As a father of three daughters currently attending MCPS—from elementary school through early college—Omar has seen firsthand the challenges and disparities faced by students across the county. He has been an active member of the Black and Brown Coalition for Educational Equity and Excellence, advocating for systemic changes to close opportunity gaps and ensure that Black and Latino students are not left behind.

His lived experience as a parent, paired with his governance experience at Montgomery College, positions him to bring both urgency and practicality to solving inequities in MCPS.

Community Leadership Rooted in Service

Omar has spent decades strengthening Montgomery County through civic engagement and advocacy:

  • He helped advocate for and in the implementation of the Small Business Assistance Program during the Wheaton redevelopment, ensuring that local businesses survived years of construction and disruption.

  • As a member of the Wheaton Redevelopment Advisory Committee and later the Wheaton Urban District Advisory Committee, he shaped key projects including the Wheaton Library and Recreation Center, the Marian Fryer Town Plaza, and the Wheaton Arts District.

  • He was past President and supporter of the Wheaton Arts Parade, uplifting the county’s rich and diverse arts community.

  • During the pandemic, he became a lifeline for small businesses—creating a countywide WhatsApp network to share grant opportunities and distributing food to families in quarantine and students missing school meals.

Omar has also partnered with state and county agencies to improve pedestrian and bicycle safety, advocating for equitable infrastructure investments in underserved neighborhoods.

A Proven Record of Delivering for Montgomery County

Omar serves—or has served—in the following voluntary leadership roles:

  • Montgomery College Board of Trustees

  • Montgomery County Workforce Development Board, Chair

  • Montgomery County Latino Restaurant Association, President

  • Committee for Montgomery, Board of Directors

  • Latino Democratic Club of Montgomery County, President

  • Wheaton & Kensington Chamber of Commerce, President

  • Black and Brown Coalition for Educational Equity and Excellence, Member

  • UpCounty Hub, Board Member

  • Wheaton Redevelopment Advisory Committee, Board Member

  • Wheaton Urban District Advisory Committee, Board Member

  • Montgomery County Census Committee

  • Jewish & Latino Business Alliance, Co-Chair

  • Salvadoran American Chamber of Commerce, Board Member

Across all these roles, Omar brings a consistent philosophy: education, economic opportunity, and community wellbeing are inseparable.

Why Omar Is Running for the Board of Education

Omar believes every child—regardless of ZIP code, race, language, or family income—deserves access to excellent schools, safe learning environments, and strong pathways to college and careers.

His finance and budget expertise, experience managing complex institutions, and track record of community advocacy make him uniquely prepared to help guide MCPS through this critical moment.

Omar will bring transparency, fiscal discipline, and a deep commitment to equity to the Board of Education—ensuring that every dollar truly supports students, educators, and families.