Breaking the walls of stereotype: the top 25 Latinos in finance

Latino Leaders: The National Magazine of the Successful American Latino, Dec, 2007 by Valerie Menard

He currently serves on the boards of Border Media Partners, Sonic Corp., Toyota's North American Diversity Advisory Board, and he is co-chair of A Denver, a committee to make the city's public schools the best in the nation.

A native of Brownsville, Texas, he earned a J.D. and B.A. from the University of Texas.

He lives in Denver with his wife, and their four children.

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017

MARGARITA PEREZ

President and Chief Investment Officer

Fortaleza Asset Management

Her Location: Chicago, Illinois

Area of Specialty: Asset Management

Company Assets: $330 million

Margarita Perez, president of Fortaleza Asset Management, is a specialist at finding the stocks of fledgling companies that have a high potential for success. These emerging growth outfits may be new to the markets, but if they have proven managements and long track records, she'll give them a shot.

A native of Puerto Rico, Perez brings to her firm her vast experience in finance and her drive for taking on bigger challenges everyday.

She spent 15 years at Borg-Warner, where she eventually ran part of the company's pension plan. In 1990, she quit to found Fortaleza, which in English translates to "Strength." The name also alludes to the fort that guards San Juan harbor and serves as the residence to the island's incumbent Governor.

Her firm has been ranked 16th among the "Top 20 Small-cap Growth Equity" managers and 18th among the "Top 40 Small-cap Equity" managers by Nelson information.

Perez is a member a variety of boards and associations, including the Board of Directors of the National Association of Securities Professionals in Atlanta, an association of minorities and women that aims to help ensure equal opportunities in the securities industry and to inspire and encourage young professionals in the finance industry

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SAMUEL A. RAMIREZ, SR.

Founder and President

Samuel A. Ramirez & Company, Inc.

A seosoned member of the finance industry with 47 years of experience, Samuel A. Ramirez, Sr. is the founder and majority owner of Samuel A. Ramirez & Company, Inc., a New-York-City-based financial services firm. Revenues for 2007 total $17.8 million so far.

The first Hispanic investment bank established in the U.S., Samuel A. Ramirez & Company, Inc was founded in 1971. The firm has nine main divisions, including the Private Client Group that presently manages in excess of $2 billion in customer accounts.

His company has invested millions in Latino ventures over the years. Most recently, the company purchased a five percent ownership in AztecAmerica Bank, based in Chicago, Illinois and headed by Carlos X. Montoya. This bank is actively positioning itself as a unique financial services bridge for Latinos, with the ultimate goal of helping individuals and families seamlessly enter the arena of modern American banking. Over the years, the firm has gained a reputation as a nationally ranked distributor of municipal obligations. In addition to retail and institutional distribution, the firm provides investrnent banking services to corporations and state and local governments throughout the U.S.