The buzz April 09

Latino Leaders: The National Magazine of the Successful American Latino, April-May, 2009 by Corina Miller

Let's open with nod to the National Association of Latino Elected and Appointed Officials (NALEO), who went on record to critize president Obama's nomination of Sen. Judd Gregg for Secretary of Commerce, NALEO says that Gregg's actions, "demonstrate a lack of commitment on obtaining the most accurate census results possible". The group pointed out that Gregg fought former President Bill Clinton's efforts to increase funding for the 2000 census. "Census data are the fundamental building blocks for reapportionment and redistricting, which determine the contours of our representative democracy," a spokesperson for NALEO said.

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And speaking of Obama's cabinet, congratulations to congresswoman Hilda Solis, the new U.S. Secretary of labor and the first Latina to serve as secretary in the U.S. cabinet. And congratulations to another L.A. native, Antonio Villaraigosa, who was elected to a second term as the city's mayor. He was honored at the 12th Annual National Legislative Awards Gala, hosted by the League of United latin American Citizens (LULAC), while Hilda will be recognized at the LULAC National Women's Conference in Boston in early April. Congratulations a los dos!

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Congratulations also go to attorney Marcos Ronquillo, Chief Operating Officer and Managing Shareholder of the Dallas-based law firm Godwin, Ronquillo, PC. Marcos was recently named one of the top minority business leaders in Dallas/Fort Worth by the Dallas Business Journal and was among those honored at a March luncheon. Way to go, Marcos!

And speaking of business, let's talk about some business news. For starters, did you hear that The Honorable Josefina G. Carbonell was appointed to serve as senior vice-president of long-term care at Independent Living Systems, LLC? Such a great appointment! Josefina has more than 30 years of experience in community-based long-term care and, in 2001 was appointed by President George W. Bush to serve as Assistant Secretary for Aging at the United States Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). Muy bien, no?

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Wanna hear about another great appointment? How about that of Jesse Jauregui, who was appointed not long ago to serve on the Board of Directors of the Mexican American Bar Foundation? That's right, another Latino board member!

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There's also good news for our friend Luis Cruz, who is now the new president of Verizon Wireless's Southern California Region, and the first Latino to head that division. Felicitaciones Luis! Verizon also announced that Theresa Tortes has been selected to serve as director of diversity and employee experience. Way to go, Theresa!

While we're talking high-tech, I heard that Juan G. Tornoe, founder of HispanicTrending.net and a pioneer in Latino blogosphere, launched a new blog, Hispanics in Austin, found at http://hispanicsinaustin.wordpress. com/about His new blog will cover news and happenings in Austin in regards to Latinos.

Austin is the place to be right now, as Farmers Insurance Group of Companies and actor/FIG Latino official spokesperson Edward James Olmos held a discussion there to inform Austin's professionals about the company's small business opportunities. I heard it was fantastico!

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Other businesses are making headlines too, such as Revolucion, which will oversee the American Heart Association's "Hearts in the Heights" campaign in the New York/metro area. Speaking of heart health, did you hear that Marinela, the noted Hispanic bakery, now offers a line of 100-calorie products, including Gansito, Pinguinos, Choco Roles, Strawberry Sponch!, and Triki-Trakes? Now that's news I can sink my teeth into!

But they're not the only business that's doing good things for the Latino population. Recently, eighty of the DFW area's most influential leaders gathered to launch the Latino Leadership Connections Project, which seeks to create mutually beneficial relationships between Latino and decisionmaking entities, such as boards of directors, advisory and advocacy groups and councils. The keynote address was delivered by Latino Leaders' very own, publisher Jorge Ferraez. Also, I heard that the National Hispanic Cultural Center (NHCC) recently hosted its fifth year of Women & Creativity, sponsored by Mark Pardo Salons. Promoting women in the arts, the event brings together 35 arts organizations, artists, writers and independent business owners and featured more than 50 events and exhibitions.

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While we're on the subject of fine arts, Isabel Allende's "The House of Sprits" is making its stage debut at New York's Repertorio Espanol as a stirring play adapted by Latina dramatist Caridad Svich and directed by Jose Zayas. Another great Latina novelist also hit the stage. Sandra Cisneros visited Austin's Paramount Theatre to celebrate the 25th anniversary of "The House on Mango Street," her compelling collection of short fiction.