Arellano, who has been the Weekly's managing editor for the past year and a half, replaces Ted Kissell, who announced his resignation after four and a half years. Arellano began freelancing for the publication in 2001 and became a staffer upon graduating from UCLA with a master's degree in Latin American studies in 2003.
Widely known as the author of the popular "Ask a Mexican" column, which won the 2006 and 2008 Association of Alternative Weeklies Award for Best Column, Arellano is also the author of three books, including the forthcoming Taco USA: How Mexican Food Conquered America.
Arellano received the Los Angeles Press Club's President's Award in 2007, and was recognized by the California Latino Legislative Caucus with a 2008 Spirit Award for his "exceptional vision, creativity and work ethic."