Congratulations to our Award Recipients
Monique Peña Named Businesswoman of the Year
At its 36th Annual Awards Banquet, the Greater Austin Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (GAHCC) named Monique Peña as its 2009 Businesswoman of the Year.
Moments before stepping on stage and moved by emotion Pena stated, “I feel blessed, honored, excited and a little nervous. I want to thank God, the Chamber and my family for their support.”
Owner of Caribbean Fitness and Peña Accounting and Tax Services, Ms. Peña has been an active member of the GAHCC since 2006. Currently serving as Chair of the Health and Wellness Committee, Peña’s professional leadership and passion makes her the ideal recipient of the distinguished Businesswoman of the Year award.
Congratulations to our Businessmen of the Year
2009 Chair, Blanca Garcia and 2008 Chair, Robert Franco had the pleasure of recognizing Rogelio Puente, Fernando Nieri and Nicolas Walker, partners of Zoticus Design, as the Chamber’s Businessmen of the Year.
Rogelio Puente, Graphic Designer and Photographer, stated “I am grateful to all who helped us get to this point. I’m so happy to be here to accept this award. I congratulate my partners for a job well done.”
Nicholas Walker, Zoticus’ Graphic Designer and Web Developer, stated “I’m very honored and very humbled. The Hispanic Chamber has been a wonderful friend over the last three years.”
Fernando Nieri, Business Development and Operation Manager, stated, “I feel super excited! I’m meeting great people and I love the Chamber. I couldn’t be happier.”
Since 2006, Zoticus Design has developed marketing tools for several GAHCC events and projects, such as this year’s Annual Banquet program.
ERO Architects, Small Business of the Year
The GAHCC awarded ERO Architects its 2009 Small Business of the Year. Jesus Delgado, Partner and Chief Operations Officer stated, “I’m honored, really honored. I didn’t expect it. This is a really wonderful thing. I am here to accept this award on behalf of ERO, our clients, people and projects.”
Providing architecture and structural engineering services, ERO partners regionally with other established firms to create a comprehensive group of talent and experience. Jesus V. Delgado, COO brings the ERO team thirty five years of experience. His experience is comprised of Hensel Phelps, CF Jordan, and Beck Construction. Mr. Delgado continues to serve as an outstanding mentor and model business owner by mentoring young professionals interested in seeking a career in architecture.
State Farm Insurance, Corporation of the Year
The GAHCC proudly presented State Farm Insurance with the award for Corporation of the Year. Vice President of Agency in the Central Texas and South Texas areas, Chris Schell stated, “I feel honored. I think together we have done a lot in the community and I’m excited to see what we can do together in the future. I am the lucky one that gets to receive the award tonight but there are a lot of hard working individuals who have been working behind the scenes who really deserve this.”
In 2008, State Farm Insurance was selected to the Hispanic Business Magazine Diversity Elite 60 and for the 11th consecutive year, State Farm Insurance was selected as a LATINA Style 50 company from more than 800 U.S. Corporations. State Farm is also recognized for the support and partnership with several
organizations in Central Texas.
Housing Authority of the City of Austin, Government Partner of the Year
Among our award recipients was the Housing Authority of the City of Austin (HACA), recognized as Government Partner of the Year.
Accepting the award for HACA was James Hargrove, President and Chief Executive Officer. “I feel wonderful, and humbled that the Housing Authority is being recognized tonight and hope to continue our partnership with the Hispanic Chamber,” stated Hargrove.
HACA has been a longstanding member of GAHCC. In collaboration
with HACA, GAHCC’s Hispanic Technology Institute of Austin (HTIA), established Emerging Enterprises Business Development Resource Center in 2008. The Center is responsible for incubating new businesses and helping existing busiensses grow.
Marianne Martinez, Volunteer of the Year
For her outstanding efforts and volunteerism, the GAHCC honored Marianne Martinez as its 2009 Volunteer of the Year.
“Receiving the ‘Volunteer of the Year’ award was a great honor. It gives me great pleasure to be involved within the Austin community and I will continue to support the Greater Austn Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. I will continue to encourage individuals to be involved with issues of interest and make a contribution and difference in the hispanic community. I want to thank Andy Martinez and his staff for doing such a tremendous job and giving me the opportunity to be involved with special projects.
Martinez, a longstanding supporter of the GAHCC, has devoted her time and energy to supporting not only the GAHCC but other local organizations throughout the Greater Austin area.
Anthony “Tony” Hernandez, Ambassador of the Year
The Greater Austin Hispanic Chamber of Commerce is proud to announce Anthony “Tony” Hernandez as our 2009 Ambassador of the Year.
“I feel a little nervous but good. As I look around the room I see people like Gus Garcia and I feel like a little person in a room with all these big people. To me it’s more about the relationship and not the award. I have met some really great people. I plan to still be a part of the chamber past the award,” stated Hernandez.
Since the start of his participation in of the Ambassador Program, Mr. Hernandez has been a proud representative of the GAHCC by welcoming and engaging members at events. An active supporter of all GAHCC initiatives,
Mr. Hernandez is ready to help in any way possible and exemplifies the term “Ambassador”.
