WASHINGTON, Dec. 10, 2014 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — The Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute (CHCI) today announced its new officers and members elected to its board of directors and advisory council for the 2015-2016 term. Rep. Linda Sanchez of California will chair its board of directors. Sanchez was unanimously selected to lead CHCI for the next two years as the organization experiences continued growth in carrying out its mission to develop the next generation of Latino leaders.

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“CHCI has a long history of impacting the Latino community and preparing America’s future leaders,” said Rep. Sanchez. “I look forward to continuing the growth led by Rep. Ruben Hinojosa and the many great chairs before him, and working with all of our dedicated board and advisory council members to lead CHCI forward over the next two years.”

Rep. Sanchez first joined CHCI’s board of directors in 2003 and has been actively involved in the organization’s mission and activities over the past decade. She has hosted four CHCI fellows and 11 Congressional interns in her Capitol Hill office, providing invaluable work experience and access to the federal government. She has also participated in CHCI’s annual Public Policy Conference, hosting sessions that address critical issues for the Latino community in support of CHCI’s mission.

“We could not be more pleased that Rep. Sanchez will be leading the organization for the next two years,” said Esther Aguilera, CHCI President & CEO. “Her commitment to education and opportunities for our youth is well documented and her passion for the Hispanic community reflects the type of leadership we need to continue impacting Latino youth for years to come.”

The 2015-2016 CHCI Officers:

The CHCI 2015-2016 Board of Directors (New members underlined)

Ms. Cristina Antelo, Podesta Group
Mr. Rudy Beserra, The Coca-Cola Company
Mr. Luis Campillo, Ibarra Strategy Group and President of CHCI Alumni Assn.
Rep. Joaquin Castro
Ms. Lorraine Cortez-Vazquez, AARP
Mr. Lupe De La Cruz, PepsiCo
Ms. Lily Eskelsen Garcia, NEA
Dr. Mildred Garcia, CSU, Fullerton
Mr. Bert Gomez, Univision
Ms. Esther Lopez, UFCW
Mr. Ed Loya, Dell
Mr. Mario Lozoya, Toyota
Rep. Michelle Lujan-Grisham
Ms. Lidia Martinez, Southwest Airlines
Mr. Juan Otero, Comcast Corporation
Mr. Javier Rey, State Farm^®
Rep. Lucille Roybal-Allard
Rep. Raul Ruiz
Ms. Rocio Saenz, SEIU
Ms. J. Wendy Thompson-Marquez, EVS Communications
Rep.-Elect Norma Torres
Mr. Gilbert Valdes, New York Life
Rep. Juan Vargas
Rep. Filemon Vela
Ms. Esther Aguilera, CHCI President & CEO (ex officio)
Ms. Anne Marie Estevez, General Counsel (ex officio)

CHCI also welcomes the following newly-elected members to its 2015-2016 Advisory Council:

Rep.-Elect Pete Aguilar
Ms. Silvia Aldana, PG&E
Ms. Anna Michelle Bobadilla, UT-Arlington
Mr. Jed N. Bhuta, General Motors Company
Ms. Jackie Cisneros, The Gilbert & Jacki Cisneros Foundation
Mr. Max Espinoza, Scholarship America
Ms. Micaela Fernandez Allen, Walmart
Mr. Louis Finkel, American Petroleum Institute
Rep.-Elect Ruben Gallego
Dr. Meriah Heredia-Griego, UNM
Rep. Ruben Hinojosa
Mr. Raul Magdaleno, IDQ Group, Inc.
Mr. Keith McCoy, ExxonMobil
Mr. Tony C. Moya, Salt River Project
Rep. Pedro Pierluisi
Ms. Deanna Rodriguez, Entergy
Ms. Ivette Rodriguez, AEM
Ms. Ermelina Ruiz Moretti, Chevron
Rep. Albio Sires
Mr. Walter Ulloa, Entravision
Ms. Andrea Zuniga, AFL-CIO

About CHCI
CHCI is the premier Hispanic nonprofit and nonpartisan 501(c)(3) leadership development organization in the country that educates, empowers, and connects Latino youth by providing leadership development programs and educational services. CHCI directly impacts the lives of more than 1,600 students and young professionals each year through its fellowships, congressional internships, scholarships, Ready to Lead (R2L^®) college readiness program, and R2L NextGen program.

The CHCI Board of Directors is comprised of Hispanic members of Congress, nonprofit, union and corporate leaders. Visit www.chci.org, or join us on Facebook, Twitter(@chci), LinkedIn, and YouTube.