It hasn't exactly been a secret that Chaz Ortiz is an am with Zoo York, what with the kid reppin' hard in ZY tees all over the Free Flow Tour and Dew Tour last year, and at 2008 events like Tampa Am and Top Shop (where his Warp Skatepark team won the whole shebang), but Zoo York is giving him a more official announcement this week anyway with a formal press release and a sweet new sequence ad making the rounds. While you're over there reading all about it, be sure to peep the source on the YouTube clip they're using with the Chaz Ortiz announcement. For a whole mess of other Chaz Ortiz video clips from BNQT.com, click here.

There's also a nice new interview with Chaz Ortiz over on the Dew Tour site at www.AST.com – Chaz is skating at least the first couple of Dew Tour stops as a wildcard this year after cleaning up on the Free Flow Tour last year – and the story and interview seem to have been done by somebody who really knows his stuff. ;)

Here's the full announcement from Zoo York:

The Zoo York Institute is proud to announce that Chaz Ortiz is the newest member of its Am Team.

Hailing from Chicago, IL, over the past few years Chaz (spelled with one “z”) has quickly made a name for himself in the skateboarding world by racking up an impressive tally of top finishes at all the major contests. Standouts include placing 2nd at Phoenix Am 2008, 6th at Tampa Am 2008, 2nd at Volcom Damn Am 2007, and 6th at last year’s Dew Tour PlayStation Pro in Orlando.

Chaz is known for his super smooth, seemingly effortless style, and at only fourteen years of age he exudes a quiet confidence well beyond his years. With youth on his side, fire in his heart and a deep bag of man-sized tricks on lock, Chaz truly is the future of skateboarding.

“I’d heard about Chaz for a couple years before actually meeting him, and when we finally skated together I was blown away by his natural talent and how fast he progressed,” says ZY Senior Team Manager Seamus Deegan. “Even though we’re announcing it today, Chaz has actually been with Zoo York for years. In 2005, Harold [Hunter] spotted him at a contest and put him on the flow team, and now three years later we’re hyped to officially welcome him to the family.”

To keep the momentum going, Chaz spent most of May in NYC with the team shooting photos for ads and filming for his part in Zoo’s upcoming video, “State of Mind.”

As Zoo York’s newest recruit, Chaz joins veteran ZY Officials Zered Bassett, Donny Barley, Aaron Suski, Forrest Kirby, Kevin Taylor, Brandon Westgate (Am), Matt Miller (Am), Anthony Shetler (Am), Lamare Hemmings (Am), Ron Deily (Am), and Eli Reed (Am).

In addition to Zoo York, Chaz also skates for eS Footwear, Force Trucks, Diamond, FKD Bearings, Bones Wheels, and Warp Skatepark.