If the Latino community seriously wants to be considered an equal player in DC then it’s time more effort was exerted in getting more Latinos on the radar.

A good first start has been the willingness of just about every major Latino organization, from the National Hispana Leadership Institute to the National Hispanic Leadership Agenda, an entity comprised of 26 national and regional Hispanic organizations, to get involved in the search and vetting process of Latino candidates to present to Obama’s transition teams.

Unfortunately, while HispanicBusiness.com reports that about 30 outstanding Latinos were quickly found to serve on Obama’s transitional teams to help choose candidates deemed White House material, less than 10 names have been publicly discussed for possible consideration.

So far, only two other Latinos besides Richardson have been selected to serve in a senior White House position, former NCLR Senior Vice President Cecilia Muñoz and Louis Caldera. There is talk of two other prominent Latino politicians being offered Cabinet positions but nothing definitive yet.

Obama insinuated at that press conference that more Latinos would be named to either his White House staff or Cabinet and there’s no reason not to believe him. Yet something more is needed from the Latino community to fill this vacuum of Latino talent in public service.

According to the 2006 Demographic Profile of the Federal Workforce, Hispanics comprised only 2.5 percent of the positions in the executive office of the president compared to 17.8 percent held by African Americans and 5.4 percent of Asians.

Luckily, there are organizations taking note of the existing imbalance and trying to even the playing field.

The National Association of Hispanic Federal Executives has had an ongoing strategy to develop and advance Latinos to senior level, policy-making positions in the federal government through leadership training workshops and seminars.

As a result of the presidential election, a new political action committee targeting Latinas was born. PODER PAC by Latinas for Latinas was created to help those women who want to run for public office develop effective campaign strategies and find fundraising resources.

In Texas, where there are high expectations that the political map will be redrawn, one mainstream PAC sees the state’s next great political potential lying with the election of more Latinas as well.

Austin-based Annie’s List actively scours the state to identify, recruit and train candidates that meet their organization’s criteria. So far, out of the 12 women Annie’s List has helped get elected in Texas, 6 are Latina.

It’s obvious, as we’ve seen with the current vetting process happening with Obama’s transition advisors, simply wanting a political appointment is not ever going to be enough, unless you’re a personal friend of the winning candidate.

Obama’s election may have been a wake-up call for the nation but trying to garner ample spots in his administration highlights the fact that more Latinos need to be encouraged to run for political office, acquire advanced degrees, compete for high-level positions and fly high on the radar of public service if we don’t ever want to settle for consolation slots anymore.