WASHINGTON, Dec. 18 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — The Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute (CHCI) today announced its new board of directors for the 2009-2010 term. Congresswoman Nydia Velazquez of New York will chair its board of directors. Velazquez’s unanimous election to the post signals the Board’s confidence in her vision and dedication to CHCI’s mission.
“The strength of the Hispanic community continues to grow and reach new heights, and we are at a point today where all issues from healthcare to the economy should be considered Hispanic issues. Now is our chance to build upon these successes and empower our youth to chart a path that will place Latinos at the forefront of a global, innovation-driven economy,” said Congresswoman Velazquez.
Velazquez was first elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 1992 representing New York’s 12th District. Her district covers areas of Brooklyn, Lower Manhattan, and Queens, the only district to cover all three boroughs. Velazquez currently chairs the House Small Business Committee and is a member of the Financial Services Committee.
“We could not be more pleased that Congresswoman Velazquez will be leading the organization for the next two years,” said Esther Aguilera, CHCI President & CEO. “Her experience, knowledge, and commitment to the Hispanic community are unparalleled. We look forward to expanding our reach into the community to serve even more young Latinos in the coming years.”
CHCI also welcomes its new congressional board members: the Honorable Ben Lujan (NM-3) and Pedro Pierluisi (PR).
The 2009-2010 CHCI Executive Board:
Hon. Nydia Velazquez (NY-12)
CHCI Chair
Rita Jaramillo, National Education Association
CHCI Vice Chair
Andrew Baldonado, Anheuser-Busch Companies, Inc.
CHCI Secretary
Hon. Ruben Hinojosa (TX-15)
CHCI Treasurer
Full Board
Dean Aguillen, Ogilvy
Silvia Aldana, PG&E
Eddie Aldrete, IBC Bank
Hon. Joe Baca (CA-43)
Hon. Xavier Becerra (CA-31)
Tonio Burgos, Burgos & Associates
Hon. Dennis Cardoza (CA-18)
Gil Casellas, DELL
Maria Contreras Sweet, FORTIUS
Hon. Jim Costa (CA-20)
Hon. Henry Cuellar (TX-28)
Leo Diaz, UPS
Frank Dominguez, Imperial Construction
Luis Echarte, Azteca America
Ivelisse Estrada, Univision
Victor Flores, Arizona Public Service
Henry Fernandez, USA Funds
Mike Fernandez, State Farm Insurance
Jerry Fuentes, AT&T
Francisco Gali, Gali Services International
Robert Garcia, Venable
Susan Gonzales, Comcast
Hon. Charles A. Gonzalez (TX-20)
Emilio Gonzalez, Verizon
Hon. Raúl Grijalva (AZ-7)
Hon. Luis V. Gutierrez (IL-4)
Hon. Ben R. Lujan (NM-3)
Lidia Martinez, Southwest Airlines
Zixta Martinez, Freddie Mac
Hon. Robert Menendez (NJ)
Moses Mercado, Ogilvy
Hon. Grace Flores Napolitano (CA-38)
Carlos D. Nazario, Jr., Promesa Systems
Juan Ochoa, Metropolitan Pier Exposition Authority
Hon. Solomon P. Ortiz (TX-27)
Orlando Padilla, General Motors
Emilio Pardo, AARP
Hon. Ed Pastor (AZ-4)
Hon. Pedro Pierluisi (PR)
Yvette Pena Lopez, Teamsters
Federico Pena, Vestar Capital Partners
Patricia Pineda, Toyota
Frank Quevedo, Southern California Edison
Sonia Ramirez, AFL-CIO
Hon. Silvestre Reyes (TX-16)
Chuck Rocha, United Steelworkers
Hon. Ciro Rodriguez (TX-23)
Minerva Rodriguez, MRR & Associates
Benjamin Romero, Lockheed Martin
Frank Ros, The Coca-Cola Company
Hon. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (FL-18)
Hon. Lucille Roybal-Allard (CA-34)
Hon. John T. Salazar (CO-3)
Rocio Saenz, SEIU
Ignacio Salazar, SER — Jobs for Progress
Corinne Sanchez, Proyecto del Barrio
Hon. Linda T. Sanchez (CA-39)
Hon. Loretta Sanchez (CA-47)
Hon. Albio Sires (NJ-13)
Hon. Jose E. Serrano (NY-16)
Hon. Hilda Solis (CA-32)
Oscar Suris, Ford Motor Company
Ray Verches, Verches & Associates
Omar Vargas, PepsiCo
E. Ivan Zapien, Wal-Mart Stores, Inc.
Esther Aguilera, CHCI President & CEO
Alejandra Ceja, Emeritus, CHCI Alumni Association President
Ed Pena, CHCI Counsel
About Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute
Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute (CHCI), a nonprofit and nonpartisan 501(c)(3) organization, provides leadership development programs and educational services to students and young emerging leaders. The CHCI Board of Directors is comprised of Hispanic Members of Congress, nonprofit, union and corporate leaders. For more information call CHCI at (202) 543-1771 or visit http://www.chci.org.
SOURCE Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute
