Former Hispanic Senator To Lead J.P. Morgan Latin Region

WASHINGTON -- The United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (USHCC), which represents more than 200 local chambers and serves as the national advocate for nearly three million Hispanic-owned businesses in our country, congratulates former U.S. Senator and U.S. Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Secretary Mel Martinez on his new position as Chairman of Florida, Mexico, Central America and the Caribbean for JPMorgan Chase.

Martinez will serve on JPMorgan Chase's Executive Committee and will be the firm's senior executive in Florida and the region, representing the firm at the most senior levels in both the private and public sectors.  In this role, Martinez will help JPMorgan Chase continue to expand the communities they serve throughout Florida and the region.

Javier Palomarez, President and CEO of the USHCC, said: "Throughout his career, Mel Martinez has demonstrated exemplary commitment to the Hispanic community and leadership as a business and civic leader.  We are thrilled that he will be joining JPMorgan Chase, one of our valued allies and sponsors, in this new position." 

Martinez immigrated to Florida in 1962 at age 15 through Operation Peter Pan, a humanitarian program to relocate children from Cuba in the early years of the Castro regime. After living in refugee camps and foster homes, he worked his way through school, earning undergraduate and law degrees from Florida State University.  Martinez enters this position having distinguished himself as an attorney and Mayor in Orlando, the Secretary of HUD and the first Cuban-American U.S. Senator.

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 nearly 3 million Hispanic-owned businesses in the United States that generate nearly $400 billionannually. It also serves as the umbrella organization for more than 200 local Hispanic chambers in the United States andPuerto Rico.