john a. pérez (born september 28, 1969) is an american union organizer and politician. he has been a regent of the university of california since november 17, 2014, previously serving as the 68th speaker of the california state assembly from march 1, 2010 to may 12, 2014. a member of the democratic party, he represented the 46th district (2008–2012) and 53rd district (2012–2014) in the california state assembly.