Ohio Latino Leadership Awards to be presented at Gala on September 4th

olumbus - The Ohio Hispanic Chambers of Commerce (OHCC) and The Ohio Latino Affairs Commission (OCHLA) have joined to recognize Hispanics' outstanding contributions in the areas of business, policy and service. The awards gala will take place at the Renaissance Hotel in Columbus, Ohio on September 4th, 2009.

With the theme of "Juntos" - "Together" - these two key Latino entities bring together the community to celebrate the valuable contributions of Latinos in Ohio. "We are honored by the opportunity to partner with the Ohio Hispanic Chambers of Commerce to celebrate outstanding men and women, as we acknowledge their efforts and dedication to make Ohio a better place for all", stated Mary Santiago, Vice- Chair of the Commission and Chair of the DHO Awards Committee.

At the gala, six Hispanic business leaders will be recognized by the Ohio Hispanic Chambers of Commerce for their entrepreneurial and advocacy efforts. The Ohio Latino Affairs Commission will acknowledge outstanding policy and service with The Governor's Distinguished Hispanic Awards which highlight three Latino leaders, along with three non-Latino individuals and/or organizations that have done their utmost in supporting and contributing to the Hispanic community in Ohio. "Business is the engine of economic growth. This event serves as a reminder of the great impact Latino businesses have on the economy of the State of Ohio," declared Joseph Altieri, President of the Hispanic Chamber of Columbus.

Latino Leadership Awardees
 
BUSINESS AWARDS

Lourdes Leon (Fairfield) Business Woman of the Year
Rick Zamora (Cleveland) Business Man of the Year
Joe Santiago (Cleveland) Government Hispanic Business Advocate of the Year
Victoria Nunes (Columbus) Corporate Advocate of the Year
Joe "Rafi" Rodriguez (Dayton) Hispanic Advocate of the Year
Liborio Alcauter (Columbus) Emerging Entrepreneur of the Year

GOVERNOR'S DISTINGUISHED HISPANIC OHIOANS
AND NUESTRA FAMILIA AWARDS

Maria T. Lang (Cincinnati) Distinguished Hispanic Ohioan
Rosa Torres Caskey (Dayton) Distinguished Hispanic Ohioan
Maria Cardona (Lorain) Distinguished Hispanic Ohioan

Onnie Martin (Cincinnati) Nuestra Familia (Our Family) Award
Joanne Bailis (Cleveland) Nuestra Familia (Our Family) Award
Dina Ferrer (Lorain) Nuestra Familia (Our Family) Award

The keynote speaker for the event will be United States Senator Sherrod Brown. The Ohio Latino Awards is an event open to the entire community and will take place at the Renaissance Hotel, Third and Gay Streets, Downtown Columbus. The cost for dinner $75 per person, with a reception starting promptly at 6:00 pm, followed by the Program and Dinner at 7:00 pm. Registration for the event is available on line at: http://ochla.ohio.gov  For any questions regarding this event, please contact 614-466-8333.

The Ohio Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (OHCC) has been serving the local community since 1997. Its prime objective is to promote the development and continued growth of the Hispanic business community in Ohio.

The Ohio Latino Affairs Commission (OCHLA) is an organization that advises state government on issues affecting Hispanic Ohioans, connects the diverse Latino communities across the state, and builds the capacity of community organizations so they may better serve the fast growing Latino population of Ohio.