Hispanic Leadership and Business Excellence Awards Announced

United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Announces National and Regional Hispanic Leadership and Business Excellence Awards

WASHINGTON, -- 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 visitwww.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.