United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Announces National and Regional
Hispanic Leadership and Business Excellence Awards
WASHINGTON, Sept. 25 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The United States Hispanic
Chamber of Commerce (USHCC) recently honored the winners of the 2009 National
and Regional Hispanic Leadership & Business Excellence Awards during its 30th
Annual National Convention, Business Expo & Latina Summit held in Denver,
Colorado, from September 16-19.
"On behalf of the U.S. Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, our Board of Directors,
and our network of more than 200 local and regional Hispanic chambers of
commerce across our nation, I congratulate and applaud this year's award
recipients," said David C. Lizarraga, USHCC Chairman of the Board. "These
individuals were selected because they exemplify the entrepreneurial spirit --
the creativity, tenacity, and hard work -- of our nation's more than three
million Hispanic businessmen and businesswomen who are critical to the
economic recovery of our nation. We were also honored to recognize individuals
from Corporate America whose partnership and support have been vital to the
continued empowerment of Hispanic business."
Held at the Colorado Convention Center in Denver, featured speakers included
Cabinet Members and key officials from President Obama's Administration,
Congressional representatives, Colorado Governor Bill Ritter, and Denver Mayor
John Hickenlooper. The event drew high-level representatives from Corporate
America, including Fortune 500 companies, and Hispanic entrepreneurs and
Chamber leaders from across the United States and beyond.
Recipients of the Hispanic Leadership & Business Excellence Awards were
selected by a panel that include representatives from Fortune 500 companies,
national non-profit organizations and Chamber leaders. Winners were selected
from among nominations received from local, state and regional Hispanic
chambers of commerce.
National and Regional Hispanic Leadership and Business Award recipients for
2009 are:
USHCC Chairman's Award: Tanya Penny, Verizon Communications
USHCC President's Award/Corporation of the Year: MillersCoors
USHCC Ultimate Latina Award: Elizabeth Chalas Berman, Continental Food &
Beverage, and USHCC Board Member
Convention Chairman's Award: Dr. Gil Garbiso, Garbiso Dental Care Center,
USHCC Board Member, and Chairman of Region 2
Honorary Convention Chair Award: Sonya Dukes, Wells Fargo & Company
The Hector Barreto, Sr. "Ganas" Award was presented to the first paid USHCC
president, Jose Nino of El Nino Group; and to Michael Barrera, Chairman, The
Latino Coalition, whose father was one of the founding members of the USHCC.
National Small Hispanic Chamber of the Year: Greater San Jose Hispanic Chamber
of Commerce. The other regional winner was the Latino Entrepreneurial Network
of SE Wisconsin.
National Medium Hispanic Chamber of the Year: Utah Hispanic Chamber of
Commerce, also winning at the regional level. Among the regional winners are:
High Desert Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (CA); McAllen Hispanic Chamber of
Commerce (TX); and, Morris County Hispanic-American Chamber of Commerce (NJ).
National Large Hispanic Chamber of the Year: Houston Hispanic Chamber of
Commerce, who also won regionally. Other regional winners include: Latin
Chamber of Commerce, Nevada; Denver Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (CO); and
Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Wisconsin.
National Chamber Executive of the Year: Cindy Ramos-Davidson, El Paso Hispanic
Chamber of Commerce, who also won at the regional level. Other regional
winners include: Sandy Cajas, Regional Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, Long
Beach (CA); Patricia Quijano Dark, Utah Hispanic Chamber of Commerce; Nelson
Soler, Latino Entrepreneurial Network of SE Wisconsin; Varsovia Fernandez,
Greater Philadelphia Hispanic Chamber of Commerce; and Maria Monreal-Cameron,
Wisconsin Hispanic Chamber of Commerce.
National Corporate Business Advocate of the Year: Anthony R. Jimenez,
President & CEO, and founder of MicroTech, who also won at the regional level.
Other regional winners include: Roy G. Nunez, Institute for Organizational
Training and Development's Hispanic Research Center; Dave Abeyta, US Bank; and
Maria Saenz Mendez, Aetna, Inc.
USHCC/Rojo Marketing for Excellence Award: American Family Insurance, and Dr.
Thomas Autobee
The national awards also recognized young aspiring entrepreneurs. First place
winner of BizFest -- a three-day program including a competition on creating a
business and its development plan -- is Jose Madrid. Placing second and third
are two of Jose's classmates from Arrupe Jesuit High School in Denver,
Jacqueline Meraz and Brianna Apodaca, respectively.
Wells Fargo & Company served as this year's Convention Alianza Partner for the
second consecutive year. For more information on the USHCC 30th Annual
Convention, Business Expo & Latina Summit, please visit
www.ushcc.com/convention.
About the United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce
Founded in 1979, the USHCC actively promotes the economic growth and
development of Hispanic entrepreneurs and represents the interests of more
than 3 million Hispanic-owned businesses in the United States that generate
nearly $400 billion annually. It also serves as the umbrella organization for
over 200 local Hispanic chambers in the United States, Puerto Rico, Canada,
Mexico, Bolivia and Uruguay.
About Wells Fargo & Company
Wells Fargo & Company is a diversified financial services company with $1.3
trillion in assets, providing banking, insurance, investments, mortgage and
consumer finance through more than 10,400 stores, over 12,000 ATMs and the
internet (wellsfargo.com) across North America and internationally.
SOURCE United States Hispanic Chamber Of Commerce
Erica Ortiz of United States Hispanic Chamber Of Commerce, +1-202-715-0485,
eortiz@ushcc.com
